Working outdoors on a hot, humid summer afternoon is not suitable for those with weak constitutions, especially when the air becomes tropical and thick as soup. And yet, many of us rely on people like Amazon’s delivery partner drivers to keep our lives running smoothly. Staying cool, obviously, is the name of the game for these drivers and a big part of that equation is the air conditioning in their vehicles.
However, those driving Rivian electric delivery vans with native Google Maps navigation have been sweating even more this year, as Amazon confirmed workers’ suspicions: The automaker sent out a software update that allows the air conditioner to run for up to 10 minutes when the driver is out of the vehicle. It does, however, have one major problem, as an Amazon spokesperson told 404 Media, that the device turns off when the driver’s side door is left open for more than 30 seconds.
As delivery workers frequently stop commuting for long hours — especially during Prime Day sales — they face a dilemma between doing their jobs efficiently and keeping their cabins comfortable. These workers are resourceful, however, and they managed to keep their air conditioning running this summer thanks to their intelligence… and a carabiner.
How do Amazon drivers keep the air conditioning on in their Rivian vans?
This summer, drivers are carrying carabiners on their roads for one important reason: They can jam them in the latch of their sliding door to trick the Rivian van into thinking it’s closed. In theory, this means the air conditioner will run for up to 10 minutes before turning off, even with the door open. When the worker has completed their stop, they can press a button built into the door frame to eject the carabiner. Some drivers leave heavy packages on their seats, apparently to keep an occupancy sensor activated so the air conditioning can run for more than 10 minutes.
Amazon says it offers a host of resources for drivers, including sunscreen, electrolyte powder, water-activated cooling sleeves, and food and drink concessions co-sponsored by 7-Eleven and Speedway. However, as with any large organization, Amazon’s benefits are not necessarily distributed and used equally among frontline workers. Consider that air conditioning is one of the most essential tools to combat heat exhaustion in apartment buildings, subdivisions, and cul-de-sacs on a 90-degree day. Resourceful drivers do more than just turn up the air conditioning, and their ingenuity is nothing short of admirable.
