Amazon Flex Waiting List: How Long It Takes and What To Do
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Delivering packages for Amazon Flex is one of the best side hustles you can do during your spare time to make a few extra bucks.
As an Amazon Flex driver, you’ll earn anywhere from $18 to $25 an hour to deliver packages within your area.
Given the popularity and competitive pay, many people apply for Amazon Flex. So, there’s usually a long waiting list, depending on how many drivers are in your area.
If you’re stuck on the Amazon Flex waiting list, it’s natural to have questions like how long it’s going to take, how to speed up the process, and what you can do in the meantime.
This post covers all you need to know about the Amazon Flex waiting list, including what you should do.
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What Is the Amazon Flex Waiting List?
The Amazon Flex waiting list is similar to waiting lists used by other gig apps. It’s a list where new Flex driver applicants get placed until open driver positions are available in their area. If your area has many Amazon Flex drivers, chances are you’ll be put on the waiting list.
Amazon does this to ensure the supply of drivers doesn’t exceed the demand, as there wouldn’t be jobs for the drivers.
As such, during peak shopping seasons, waiting lists are much shorter.
When you apply for a driver position at Amazon Flex, you’ll be notified through the Amazon Flex app if there are no open positions in your area.
Most people get the notification and leave the application. However, completing the application is more beneficial.
Once you complete the application and pass the Amazon Flex background check, you’ll be placed on the Amazon Flex waiting list. After this, landing the Amazon Flex driver job will be easier once positions open up.
When you’re on the waiting list, Amazon notifies you via email when new spots are open in your area, and you can start scheduling your Amazon Flex blocks.
The Amazon Flex waiting list works on a first-come-first-serve basis, so it’s best to complete your application and wait.
How Long Is the Amazon Flex Waiting List?
The Amazon Flex waiting list could last anywhere from 2 to 15 weeks on average. However, it could take longer.
The time it takes Amazon to respond to your application will depend on factors like your location and the number of drivers in your area.
Many drivers share experiences of being on the waiting list for several months before getting their first gig with Amazon Flex.
You should also check whether Amazon Flex is available in your area. Even in areas where Amazon Flex doesn’t currently operate, you may still be on the waiting list, so you’ll be notified when Amazon Flex is available in your city.
Driver responses vary on how long they were stuck on the waiting list. So, there isn’t a specific amount of time you’ll wait before getting off the waiting list.
Can You Skip the Amazon Flex Waiting List?
No, you can’t skip the Amazon Flex waiting list. You’re put on the waiting list because there’s no demand for new drivers in your location.
So, you can do nothing to bypass or expedite the process. Amazon uses a first-come-first-served approach, which means those on the list the longest will be the first to get off.
You may notice that other drivers in other locations get approved immediately while you’re on the waiting list. That’s because you applied to work in a busy area. The busier the area, the longer the waiting list.
You can check your status regularly, as sometimes you may not receive an email from Amazon telling you that you’re off the waitlist. You can also contact Amazon if you have any questions about the application process or the waiting list.
In addition, you can also improve your chances by applying for Amazon Flex during low shopping seasons. Most drivers sign up during the holiday, so there’s a lot of competition. You can beat the rush by applying earlier to get ahead of the waiting list.
Factors Affecting the Amazon Flex Waiting List
While there’s no specific amount of time you can expect to wait before you’re off the waiting list, several factors will determine the length of time.
These factors include:
1. Your Location
The city you’re in plays a huge role in determining how long you’ll spend on the waiting list.
First of all, does Amazon Flex deliver in your area? If not, you can’t tell how long it will be before they start recruiting in your city.
In some cities, there’s always a high demand for gig workers, so you can expect to get off the waiting list relatively quickly.
If you live in a city currently recruiting Flex drivers, chances are high that you may be accepted in as little as two days.
2. Your Position on the List
Amazon Flex applicants are placed on the waiting list based on the date and time of application. As such, your position is an important determining factor.
Qualifications don’t determine how long you’ll spend on the waiting list, so it all comes down to when you applied for the job.
Amazon Flex uses the first-come-first-served approach for fairness and equality. So, if you’ve been on the waiting list for a long time, you don’t have to worry about other drivers who signed up after being accepted first.
It’s all a transparent process with no foul play.
3. The Number of Flex Drivers in Your Area
The number of existing Flex drivers in your area will also determine how long you’ll be on the waiting list.
If you’re on the Amazon Flex waiting list, it means the number of drivers in your area has reached its limit. All you can do is wait for the workload capacity to increase.
The waiting list helps Amazon ensure they have a steady supply of drivers to meet customers’ delivery needs. If they were to approve everyone at once, there would be too many drivers and not enough work.
The waiting list helps regulate the number of drivers and match the supply to the demand.
4. Seasonality
The demand for deliveries surges during high shopping seasons during periods like Christmas.
Because of this, Amazon will need more Flex drivers on the road to meet the customers’ needs. Around this period, the waiting list tends to be much shorter.
Keep in mind that many drivers will also be applying during these periods, so apply ahead of time to increase your approval odds.
By applying during quieter seasons, you can get ahead of the waiting list. You’ll be among the first off the waiting list when there’s a need for more delivery drivers.
5. Driver Spots Available
Company logistics also determine how long you’ll be on the waiting list.
If there are more Amazon warehouses in the area needing drivers, then chances are high that you’ll be offered a spot. The fewer the positions, the more time you’ll spend on the waiting list.
What Are Amazon Flex Drivers Saying About the Waiting List?
You’ll find various responses from Amazon Flex drivers on sites like Reddit.
Based on their experiences, the waiting list could last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months.
Here’s what Amazon Flex drivers are saying about the waiting list:
Based on these responses, you can see that the waiting list varies quite a bit, but the waiting pays off in the end.
Here’s a detailed video on the Amazon Flex waiting list, how long it is, and how long it could take for you to get off it.
Which Cities Have Longer Waiting Lists?
Large metropolitan areas tend to have a higher demand compared to smaller cities. Amazon doesn’t disclose any statistics or numbers to help determine the most saturated cities.
However, based on the time spent on the waiting list, here are some of the top cities with long waiting lists:
- Miami, FL
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Springfield, MO
- San Diego, CA
- Lansing, MI
- Little Rock, AR
- Gainesville, FL
- Fort Myers, FL
- Port St Lucie, FL
- Spartanburg, SC
- Detroit, MI
- Fresno, CA
Which Cities Are Currently Hiring Amazon Flex Drivers?
Amazon Flex now operates in over 100 cities and towns across the U.S. Chances are Amazon Flex is hiring in your area or a city nearby.
Here are a couple of cities where Amazon is actively recruiting Flex Drivers:
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Bath-Corning, New York
- Franklin-Highlands, North Carolina
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Fergus Falls-Alexandria, Minnesota
- Champaign-Peoria-Springfield, Illinois
This is up to date as of the time of this writing. You can check Amazon Flex recruiting cities to see if your area has available spots.
Even if your city is not on the list of actively recruiting areas, you can still download the Amazon Flex app and create an account.
This way, Amazon can reach you when an opportunity becomes available.
What To Do if You’re Stuck on the Amazon Flex Waiting List
Staying on the waiting list for months can be disheartening, especially when you can’t skip it or improve your odds.
Luckily, there are a couple of options available to you. Here’s what you can do if you’ve been added to the waiting list.
Wait It Out
When it comes to the Amazon Flex waiting list, it’s clear that patience pays. Based on driver responses on sites like Reddit, you could wait up to a year, but you’ll still get the job.
When you’re put on the waiting list, it’s important to check the app and your email regularly to see whether you’ve been accepted as a Flex driver.
You may not get the notification on both the app and the email. Some drivers report never receiving an email. They just checked the app and noticed they were in. So, it’s vital to keep tabs on your progress.
If Amazon starts hiring in your area and you don’t respond fast enough, you may miss out on the opportunity.
Checking your status often will help ensure you accept the job as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you can contact support for more information.
There’s no shortcut to getting off the waiting list. You have to wait for driver spots to open in your area. And there’s no harm in applying for the job and simply waiting it out.
Try Food Delivery Gigs
There are tons of food delivery gig apps available, and it’s easy to get started. If you’ve been stuck on the Amazon Flex waiting list for a while and you’d like a side hustle in the meantime, you can try any of the following food delivery jobs:
- Instacart: Get paid to shop and deliver groceries to people in your area. You can work as a full-service or in-store Instacart shopper, depending on your schedule. Instacart is currently available in thousands of cities across the U.S., and there are a few simple requirements to fulfil.
- DoorDash: Get paid to deliver meals and groceries to people within your city. DoorDash allows you to choose the orders you want to take, and you work on your own schedule. Additionally, you can use your bike or scooter if you don’t have a car. You can make $500 a week as a Dasher.
- Uber Eats: A branch of the transportation service Uber, Uber Eats is a food delivery service where you can work as a driver, delivering restaurant meals to customers. You can also use a bicycle or motorcycle to deliver Uber Eats meals.
Payment tends to vary based on the specific food delivery service, so you should do your research before choosing a delivery gig.
You get to keep 100% of your tips for most food delivery services, which is a big plus.
Apply for Other Delivery Jobs
Aside from food delivery, you can apply for jobs like Amazon Flex. From helping people move to delivering business supplies, you can make extra cash on the side.
You can try the following delivery services:
- GoShare: This is an on-demand moving and delivery platform where you can sign up to get paid to help people move. GoShare drivers use their own vehicles to pick up and deliver heavy items. If you own a large vehicle, this is one of the best options, as you can earn up to $100 an hour.
- Roadie: This delivery platform connects you to people in your area who need delivery services. As a Roadie driver, you can expect to deliver items like food, groceries, furniture, appliances, and luggage. Some packages are large, so owning a cargo van or pickup truck is advantageous.
- Dispatchit: Dispatchit is one of the best delivery gigs available. It’s a delivery service specifically for businesses. You can sign up to use your vehicle to make deliveries to businesses within your city.
- Gopuff: Like Amazon Flex, you drive to different locations to pick up items before delivering them to customers. You can schedule deliveries, meaning you’re in control of your availability.
- TaskRabbit: Compared to other delivery apps, TaskRabbit is more of an online marketplace because it connects people with gigs. Some of the popular tasks on TaskRabbit include handyman, moving help, snow removal, and more.
Most of these delivery gigs have pretty simple requirements. All you need is identification, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to lift a specific weight.
Sign Up for Other Amazon Jobs
Amazon is a big company that often has many opportunities available at any time. So if you’re stuck on the Amazon Flex waiting list, there are still other ways you can make money on Amazon.
For example, you can try the Amazon MTurk, where you get paid to complete microtasks such as transcription and data entry.
This job may not be as lucrative as Amazon Flex, but it’s still a way to make a few extra bucks while you wait for driver spots to open up.
There are several other money-making opportunities available on Amazon, but keep in mind that you cannot apply to be an Amazon Flex driver if you already work in the warehouse.
So, if you’ve applied for a Flex position, you can’t work in an Amazon warehouse.
Final Thoughts
Working as an Amazon Flex delivery driver is one of the most lucrative side hustles, but it may take several months before you get off the waiting list.
This can be discouraging to some people, but you lose nothing by simply signing up and biding your time.
As you wait for driver positions to open up in your area, there are plenty of things you can do. First, tracking your application status is important, so you don’t miss the notification that you’re off the waiting list.
In the meantime, you can try several other side hustles and delivery gigs to make money.
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