Working as a bike courier

Has anyone here worked as a bike courier? Do you know how long they work and how much they get paid? Is it a totally shit job or just bearable? Is it compulsory to have dreadlocks and lots of piercings? Any info appreciated!!!

I worked as a courier in Munich about 9 years ago. It was great training but I seemed to spend all my money on food, drinks and bicycle spare parts and gear (I think I was doing this anyway)

Basically I worked as a subcontractor for a courier company so you need to register yourself as self-employed and do the tax returns. You can make enough money to survive but there ain't no rich couriers out there. You can make more money in the winter as there are less couriers working. Some companies have set runs moving samples from doctor's practices to med labs and so on which guarantee the courier a steady income.

It's a great fun if you like bombing around on your bike but it makes most sense if you do it half days and have another parttime job to go with it. I posted about it on the "cycling to Nepal" thread but it seems to have been eaten by the archive monster. If you have any other questions send me a PM.

Piercings and dreads are optional but road rash will become your friend.