"The fact that it rarely pays more than $300/wk (unless it's snowing) makes it a less viable option for people trying to make a good life for a family. That part's not really mentioned in the articles glamorizing the lifestyle."

Here's a bit that was cut from the article, originally right after the part where I write that Duff gave couriering one last shot after moving back to Toronto:

"It was humbling," Duff says. "I only lasted four months before I decided it wasn't worth it." When he was 22, if Duff had a bad day and only brought home $70, it was OK. He shared a house with three roommates and had cheap rent and few expenses. But now if he makes only $70 in day, it's barely enough to cover child care.

"I wouldn't recommend anyone who has a family consider leaving their white collar job for couriering," Duff says. "But I think it's a very reasonable decision if you hate your job and you're in your 20s and you're single and have relatively few expenses."