JF
jflatley
16 hours ago
/ Views: 141

The never-ending self-checkout shift

You know those shifts where you get stuck on self-checkout and you just know it’s going to be a long day? That was me today. First hour was steady, no problem. Then the rush hit and it didn’t stop for the next five hours.

Machines kept flagging, bags weren’t scanning, and I had at least three customers trying to scan 50+ items each with no patience. Meanwhile, the OGP orders were piling up, and every other minute I’m called to clear a flashing light. The worst is when people get mad like I broke the scanner on purpose.

What really hits though is when you’re flying between machines, helping three people at once, and someone still says, “Can we get more help over here?” Like, buddy, I am the help. I’m the entire team right now.

By the time I clocked out, my legs were s^ot and I could still hear the beeping in my head. Self-checkout days hit different.


GU
Guest
16 hours ago

Self-checkout is honestly the most chaotic assignment. You’re on an island out there.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

It’s survival mode from the first backup call.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

And when you finally get help, it’s someone who’s also covering two other spots.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

I’ve had days where I just stopped hearing the walkie after a while. Too much happening at once.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

The worst is when the card reader glitches and now you’re a tech support agent too.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

Facts. Suddenly I’m IT, security, customer service, all rolled into one.

G
GU
Guest
16 hours ago

Why do people always blame us when the machine messes up? Like I built it myself.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

Right? I always get “Your machine isn’t working.”

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

As if I coded the software and personally sabotaged their bananas.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

And the best is when they try to hand you cash at a card-only register like that’s gonna magically work.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

Or when they want you to scan all their items like it’s a full-service lane.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

Self-checkout: where people refuse to self-checkout.

G
GU
Guest
16 hours ago

I always get sent to self-checkout when it’s already on fire. Like can’t we send help before it’s a disaster?

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

You’re just sent in to hold the line until backup for the backup shows up.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

It’s like they expect one person to solve a system-wide meltdown.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

And somehow the soda machine will also explode at the same time.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

Never forget when the register locks mid-transaction and the customer just stares at you like you broke the planet.

GU
Guest
16 hours ago

You haven’t truly lived until all six lights are flashing at once and there’s only you.

G
G

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