Best in the Business - Carlos Delgado

( Wall Street Journal Report )

In the series, ``Best of the Best,'' Ian Hunter follows top New Yorkbicycle messenger Carlos Delgado as he makes his speedy rounds, dodgingtraffic and delivering packages and a smile in Manhattan.

Best in the Business: Carlos Delgado

CONSUELO MACK: Welcome back. This week, we begin a series of storiesabout people who excel at what they do. They call them, the `best in thebusiness.' In our first installment, we profile Carlos Delgado. His customerssay he's the fastest, most reliable bike messenger in New York City. CorrespondentIan Hunter and our camera crew followed Carlos around the streets of Manhattan.

1st CUSTOMER, Office Manager: I have a super-rush, and I need Carlos.Can you send me Carlos?

2nd CUSTOMER: Can we get Carlos?

DISPATCHER: Got a rush? Okay, I'll take care of it. I'll beep Carlosand send him up there to you, okay?

CARLOS DELGADO, Bicycle Messenger: Okay, I'm on it. 'Bye.

1st CUSTOMER: When I need a rush package there in 20 minutes, 40 minutes,I know Carlos will get it there, you know, in no flat time. He's consistentand- you know, he just does a good job all the time.

CARLOS DELGADO: To get it there is the most important part of the wholejob, because if they don't get their packages at the time they were promised,we could lose a lot of customers, and we don't want that to happen.

IAN HUNTER, The Wall Street Journal Report: [voice-over] The key tobeing on time is planning. Carlos carefully maps his routes, finds thefastest lanes, and never takes his eye off the clock.

CARLOS DELGADO: Hello, how are you?

2nd CUSTOMER: Hi, how are you?

IAN HUNTER: [voice-over] His customers all agree. They like his speed,and they really like his friendly personality.

CARLOS DELGADO: I like to be able to get a smile from a person and returna smile.

2nd CUSTOMER: Thanks so much.

CARLOS DELGADO: Thank you. Okay, thanks.

2nd CUSTOMER: Bye-bye.

IAN HUNTER: [voice-over] Back on the street, Carlos is single-minded.He knows his customers pay for his street smarts as well as his speed.

CARLOS DELGADO: I think I'm a safe driver, yes. I- I try to respectall the rules, and I don't menace anyone and I don't go around scaringpeople, you know. I- I protect myself and I protect everyone else. I thinkrisk is a part of the job. I mean, you risk your life, you put yourselfout there.

IAN HUNTER: [voice-over] In his three years on the job, Carlos has seenhis share of close calls.

CARLOS DELGADO: I think the scariest time was when I was pinned in betweena car and a bus, and they were both trying to catch the lane. If I didscream, I would have been pinned right in the center. I probably wouldhave gotten killed.

IAN HUNTER: [voice-over] In Carlos' experience, the streets of Manhattanpose other risks, too.

CARLOS DELGADO: I've had three bikes stolen already, and now it's gottento the point where I really just like chain it down. But it takes careof me, so I should take care of it.

IAN HUNTER: [voice-over] The dangers of big-city traffics rarely keeps[sic] Carlos' spirits down. His only gripe- people often take him for granted.

CARLOS DELGADO: They think that the job is not- is not stressful andit's not important, but the job is really important. It's important toGregory's. It's important to me, you know. I want to get the job done,I want to get it done right.

IAN HUNTER: [voice-over] In the high-stress Manhattan business world,many office managers breathe easier knowing Carlos Delgado is on the job.

1st CUSTOMER: I think he has a great reputation, and just based on howthe other messengers are, Carlos is the best in the business.

CONSUELO MACK: And that's our best for this edition of The Wall StreetJournal Report. Thank you for watching, have a great week, and make ita productive one.

Best in the Business - Carlos Delgado., Wall Street JournalReport, 02-10-1996.

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