How does UPS Freight keep drivers???

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by BigDog Trucker, Feb 4, 2019.

  1. jmz

    jmz Road Train Member

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    I guess you probably have to have a straight face too...when they mention the pay.
     
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  3. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    @Radman I read this entire thread last night, because a driver at my work 7-12 months ago applied to work at UPS freight and then turned it down when they called and I guess in the long run UPS Freight doesn't sound bad, but @Radman had a good point, why work the curve and wait all that time when you can get in at a company like SAIA which SAIA last year went on a huge marketing campaign for new customers they had TV, Radio and Billboard Ads running.

    SAIA clearly hired an advertising agency and paid well in the millions for creative and media buying and must have worked at the time because they lots of new equipment and seem to be busy as busy as you can be in this artificial down economy, but @Radman made a lot of sense when we said why work the pay progression when you don't always have to when companies like SAIA will take you on and you can already be at almost top dollar right from the start it was a good post and certainly some food for thought.
     
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  4. LtlAnonymous

    LtlAnonymous Road Train Member

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    It wasn't easy, starting off at $18.75 an hour in Chicago. But honestly I was just so sick of the road, it had to be done. It was down to "If this doesn't work, I'm leaving the industry."

    It certainly wasn't easy, but I was DONE.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020
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  5. Danny707

    Danny707 Light Load Member

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    Yea I was like ahhhh ok. I didn’t get a call back after the interview bc COVID-19 was taking over as the guy said one day we need help the next day no , bc of the pandemic and freight issues. I probably would have taken it if I would have gotten a lot of OT and maybe get a doctor note for my beard hair I usually keep it well groomed and trimmed.
     
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  6. LtlAnonymous

    LtlAnonymous Road Train Member

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    All good points. You need to look at it realistically. If you are younger, you may want to go with UPS Freight so you can capitalize on the higher top rate for longer.

    If you're a bit older, you may need to start out at a higher rate and make hay while the sun is shining. Or maybe your bills require you to maintain a certain income. Saia will be better for you, in those cases.

    There's no blanket answer. Do what's best for your situation.
     
  7. Radman

    Radman Road Train Member

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    In my area when the shut down hit Ups Freight got hit hard. Their guys had to apply to UPS small pack and run team. I would only had 2 yrs seniority there which is nothing at UPSF. Needless to say glad I didn’t make that choice. Denver terminal for UPSF doesn’t do a lot of outbound from what I’ve gathered from the interview. In a good economy it would still keep you busy but in a bad economy or pandemic you can expect a layoff.
     
  8. speedyk

    speedyk Road Train Member

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    Does UPSF have Driver Facing Cameras yet?
    Thought I read that ABF was getting them; aren't they also Teamster?

    SAIA does, IIRC. For a while they were firing experienced drivers for taking a sip of coffee. And they use Intelliapp, which also means DAC/HireRight/Whatever it is next and so forth, making it easy to screw a driver if they move on and it's inconvenient for SAIA.

    @LtlAnonymous has it right, it's up to the individual driver what they'll tolerate and what works.
     
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  9. LtlAnonymous

    LtlAnonymous Road Train Member

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    IIRC, ABF only has outward-facing cameras. And no microphone? But I'm less sure on that one.

    Maybe it was that the systems they installed have both inward facing cameras and microphones, but that they are not CURRENTLY utilizing them? I remember a lot of anger and confusion when they were installed. But I had already moved on by then, so no personal experience.
     
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  10. Radman

    Radman Road Train Member

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    Abf did get them. Well I do know back when Saia got the cams it was a new toy. So they were firing drivers for stupid stuff. Then they realized nobody wants to come work for us so they have chilled out. I wasn’t here when they first got the cams. But I got fired from US Foods when they first got their cams installed.

    Saia does have a stricter cam policy then other companies yes. But it to me is now within reason. You will have to change your driving style can’t get up to a bumper of someone to pass and have a cell phone in your hand when the cam goes off. Back off by lightly braking if you get cut off or someone is in the distance warning area when the beeper goes off. Don’t be obvious if you make a phone call especially with the airplane pilot headset. I drink stuff all day and eat while I drive. Don’t make it a distraction though like a taking two hands off the wheel to take a bite of a hamburger and drive with your knees. Or stuff a big ### foot long in your face in your line of view.

    I’ve had 1 video in almost 2 years (knock on wood) and they said it wasn’t my fault. No write up or coaching. I don’t like the cam but I dodge a head on in a 2 lane with no traffic if that went down the person in the car would of probably died and I’d be left holding the bag with the explanation without a dash cam.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020
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  11. Jay5GS

    Jay5GS Medium Load Member

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    im not working for any company with driver facing cameras , in LA there was a cryotank gig that offered me a position at 39.50 an hour with OT after 8 but when i was signing the papers they had the driver facing camera policy and i respectfully withdrew my app and app and left, sucks because it was only a 10 minute drive from house in LOS ANGELES
     
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