Ups seasonal to casual

Good to hear about the test. Everybody is different. My take on the company is one thing. You could see it as something totally different. Its all good.

 

I do agree with you that everyone is different and I am one of those who is different. I spent 10 good years there and left by my choosing 8 years ago for various reasons. I still tell nearly everyone who asks about a job there to take it if you can look out 5 years or more. 99.9 percent of drivers that want a great long term career probably won’t beat UPS. That .01% of us others will be ok elsewhere.

 

Glad to hear it went well. The next few years will be a huge growing period for UPS and hopefully within a few short years you will have a manageable scheduled bid. It could be sporadic at first, but it won’t last long. Good luck and do what they ask you to do in a reasonable time frame and you will always make more money. Don’t try to tell them a better way to do it as they typically don’t want to hear it.

 

Well, isn't this a timely thread. Just got an interview scheduled for seasonal feeder driver. HR dude mentioned a ton of upcoming retirements, so I'm (very) cautiously optimistic about things.

 

This is a good thread. In my area I’m in the process with a buddy of mine to make the sleeper team move. It’s pretty much the only way in here. But they’ll hire me and buddy
to run team cause we’ll be in the same hiring class. If your not on a team bid your extra local or you will have to fill in team until you and your partner can bid on a team run together. Then your on a team bid for a year with your codriver. Once you commit to a codriver they want to try to keep you together. Close to same seniority helps this. Team gig I calculated topped out is 175k a driver more or less. Money is ridiculous.

My issue is I came to Saia cause in my area a day run can be had in 5 years running linehaul while making 100-120k m-f or tues-sat. In 5 years probably be at .75cpm depending on the economy. So I could make 130k down the road. Not the case at other Saia terminals. While I hate the camera I havent seen one driver fired for it since I’ve been here almost 2 years. Also we had a driver slide off the road and flip his box and is still here. So the whole job security of Saia doesn’t scare me as I’ve heard before taking the job. Plus between rules LTL is a lot more Relaxed then Small Pack from talking with my friend at UPS.

My issue with UPS while it’s tremendously great pay and awesome pension is the schedule. At Denver you’ll never see a day shift in the solo feeder positions unless you put in 20 years or more. A lot of drivers work til their really old. From acouple drivers currently working there they said a Linehaul position like mine it’s minimum 6 years to do what I do. I don’t like local work personally. At UPS you do a lot of local work or yard hostling at night if your not on a team bid. Basically if you don’t have a bid.

So in a nutshell your at UPS for the money and no good schedules til your old. For me not to see a daylight linehaul run til I’m in my 60’s is what bothers me when I can make 120k m-f in my bed every NIGHT in my 40’s is a hard dilemma I’m dealing with for jumping on this job. Will UPS make you a millionaire by retirement most likely yes. But it’s going to cost you. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but I wish I didn’t have my LTL job I’d be there tomorrow.

 

If you like your job and are happy with the money stay put, if you want more money and aren’t opposed to running team go to UPS. Team runs are the easiest best paying work they have once you get your bed right and can sleep well in the truck you may like it. There is nothing like daytime single driving work that pays well. I would still be there if I had a daytime single run. Most team drivers at full pay are $130,000-$150,000 without any extra work. The drivers that work an extra day or two are in the $160,000 and up club. One of my former Co-workers made $190,000 last year, but he works all the time. He has 25 or so years in, runs team and works every extra day he can. Not my idea of a good work/home balance but it works for him.

 

I could care less about day gigs or yard switching. I'm on a 3rd shift switcher bid at the moment. I just have to get out of the $50K/year bracket. It's been a constant slide downward since I left the oilfield, and I about can't take it anymore.

 

The first bid most people at UPS can usually get is night time yard work (switcher). It pays the same as running the road with a single trailer. I just didn’t like working the yard or night work, but if you don’t mind it the pay is great.