A phone number is required for if there are any issues with the pick up or delivery, but it is not standard practice to expect the courier driver to call to make a pick up time. Once you have booked your pick up, it is yours or the senders responsibility to make sure they will either be home, or have left the parcel out in the designated place. If this does not happen, you can cause delays by the courier turning up and there is nothing to pick up.