In the business of special delivery

Many Glendale drivers could attest to the fact that it’s no easy feat

to maneuver through the city’s traffic. So when a pizza deliveryman

completes 5,000 or more hours of deliveries without an accident,

ticket or complaint, it’s worthy of more than a mere pat on the back.

“It really is a big accomplishment,” said Steve Artis, manager of

the Glendale Domino’s Pizza on Glenoaks Boulevard.

This year, Domino’s Pizza officials awarded four deliverymen at

their Glendale and Burbank locations with $250 and a plaque. Drivers

are rewarded when they traverse the 5,000, 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000

mark in terms of safe delivery hours. There are many criteria that

drivers must meet to qualify. One of the most difficult is that

drivers cannot be charged with an accident or major ticket at any

time, even if they aren’t working.

“It’s one thing to do it with your job, but it’s on your personal

time too,” Artis said. “It’s really tough.”

Drivers can also be disqualified if someone complains about their

driving to a manager.

“Domino’s has very strong policies. It’s like the Army,” said

Burbank driver Vahik Alaverdyan, who’s reached the 10,000-hour mark.

Many of the award recipients this year agreed that cell phones

played a large part in accidents. It’s Domino’s policy that employees

not use phones while driving, Artis said.

“Never use a phone,” said Domino’s deliveryman Richard McCarter,

who’s logged 15,000 hours in Glendale and Burbank and also works for

Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “If you use a phone, there’s a 100% chance

you’ll get in an accident.”

If only they could get local residents, especially those in

Glendale, to follow their example, Alaverdyan said.

“Oh my god, it’s very hard to drive in Glendale and people are

making a lot of mistakes,” he said, also citing the city’s traffic.

“That’s why Glendale has the most accidents.”

So is it luck or skill that gets these drivers through their job

unscathed?

“It’s not luck,” Artis said. “It’s their skill and patience.”

Alaverdyan agreed.

“Every driver has to be careful, they have to be patient,” he

said. “If a driver in front of them is making a mistake, they can’t

get upset.”

Safe deliverymen also tend to be better employees, Artis said.

“Safe drivers are generally friendlier and more patient with the

customers,” Artis said. “Safe drivers, in general, are the kind of

worker that will do whatever I ask. If you get busy, and call them

[at home], these guys come at the drop of a hat.”