“As a Dasher, you can be your own boss and enjoy the flexibility of choosing when, where, and how much you earn. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money. It’s that simple.” According to DoorDash, becoming a Dasher is easy. I decided to try it.

The restaurant industry has taken a major blow during the COVID-19 pandemic with state governments placing bans on indoor dining and many patrons opting for takeout. However, the food delivery industry has given homebound Americans a way to enjoy their favorite food options from the comfort of their homes. Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates are a few of the options from a plethora of food services, but DoorDash has stolen the show in Great Falls with its primarily suburban focus.

I downloaded the “Dasher” app on the day after Christmas. After getting a quick background check, providing some basic personal information, and entering the make and model of my vehicle, I was ready to go on my first “Dash” on New Years Eve.

From 10:00pm to 1:00am, the in-app instructions provided what seemed to be the world’s fastest on-the-job training session. The app generates simple commands like “go to Taco Bell” and “swipe on arrival.” It uses Google Maps to direct drivers to each restaurant and customer, and it even allows patrons to track the Dasher with their food. The app also includes a ratings tab that displays customer ratings, acceptance and completion rates, and a percentage of deliveries completed on-time or early. 

The rate of pay changes based on the time of day, number of drivers, and busyness of the area, but $3 per delivery is what I’ve found to be standard. Tips are truly what drivers rely on, so even a few dollars per order can make a big difference at the end of the day.

After about a week of Dashing, I received a DoorDash debit card, a mask for COVID-19, and an insulated thermal bag. The debit card known as a “red-card” allows drivers to pay for food from merchants that haven’t yet integrated digital payment methods from DoorDash.

Working for DoorDash is an easy way to make extra money, provided you have a car and time available during meal hours. I learned that a fuel-efficient vehicle is a requisite if you don’t want to simply break even. If you meet those requirements, give it a try! Be sure to eat a meal before you start to eliminate any temptations.