I did it for about a week a few years ago. Wife got a job in a new town, so I thought I'd try it to make money immediately. She was previously a district manager, and I had helped her deliver downed routes before. (Best excuse of having a carrier drop a route: Called from jail to say he was arrested for a bar fight.)
Anyway, this was February in Idaho, so my first attempt at a small route was miserable. I lasted a week. First, it's not a great job for someone who had had a prior back surgery. Nearly everyone has a box, but everyone wants it on their damn door step. The route was small in amount of papers, but when one paper is delivered for every 30 houses, the area covered is huge. You have to use a car. It's unabale to be walked. So it's constantly getting into and out of the car. Also, good luck finding house numbers or street signs in heavy snow or ice fog.
Plus, twice a week I was required to throw these special publications to non-subscribers, showing them what they're missing. I couldn't throw randomly either, and the list was three times larger than the actual subscriber list.
Delivering papers is hard, low-paying work. I'm surprised the business hasn't collapsed. I wouldn't blame people for not wanting the work. Working retail is easier and pays better.