UPS or Cryo-Hauling/ Which Career Is Better?

Here is the bottom line. I highly doubt that after "peak season"is over that UPS will put you on full time. Then you better realize that by working partime during peak season, you will get what is left after the full time drivers choose and pick. Then if you do get on full time, you better be prepared to see full time drivers take the gravy and you, when you do get work, will get the crumbs that fall from the table. this can go on for several years before you gain some senority. But if you can struggle through the first several years, you will thank yourself for the "struggle". Running as a feeder driver for UPS is the best driving job that you can find, considering the pay, benefits and home time. But as I said, you will struggle for a few years.

 

I've done both.
A feeder driver at a major hub for a year, from 91 till 92. Was OK at the start as far as union jobs go. But being the junior man is tough at any job and management was top heavy.
I wish I would have stayed but truth told it was my second stint as a freight hauler and I'm not cut out for that type of trucking despite the benefits. Noticing that same coke can every day.

As is I will retire from the cryogenic field after 15+ years.
Working for the #1 producer.
We lag behind Brown slightly pay wise, but believe the variety of work, never bumping a dock, never make/break sets and the overall freedom to do my job at my own pace trumps the extra compensation.
I've invested heavy in the company stock and have done well.
It's a growing industry.

If I had a large family I'd chose buster brown just for the coverage savings and pension.
But as with most life choices..
Ya pays yer money and ya takes your chances.
Good luck.
Not many get your choice

 

You have to honestly evaluate your personality and decide honestly if your personality will be suitable at either or both jobs. I don't know much about UPS. If your personality and attention to detail is such I would jump at the cryo tanker job. It's unlikely to be replaced by robots before you retire. It pays well from the start. If you are a rule-following son of a gun and not a cowboy, I'd suggest it. If you think rules are something you follow if someone is watching stay away from tanker.

 

I've heard that cryo often requires you to run a 14 hour day pretty much every day. For me that would be a deal-breaker, but maybe somebody who has done it can correct me.

 

I knew guys that drove for Linde(?) and comparing the 2 isn't fair. On one hand, you have cryogenics, one of the most dangerous things, to brown boxes you never touch, big difference. Typically, cryogenics is one way freight, no reloading, and like any other tanker job, 2, maybe 3 loads a day. You probably have your set accounts, and no hassles. They get the same thing everytime. UPS line haul is a gravy job, not sure what pays more, but both I'd imagine extremely tough to get into. Good luck, I'd go with Buster Brown.

 

After speaking with a feeder driver last year. I would say a private cryo company over UPS. Reason being he mentioned that it was hard to get on as a driver. Unless it's a new terminal or a terminal that had recently expanded. And they needed drivers immediately. He said that's the only way to get hired off the streets as they call it. And even then you have to work your way up. Also ups started laying drivers off after that raise they got. But cryo can be in the 145k range and higher. Just depends on what terminal and what division you apply to.