Try being like Brown

UPS Freight is currently advertising for a dockworker with CDL in Seattle. Based on the description on their website, the primary job will be loading and unloading trailers, but there may be occasional deliveries. So you may end up on a dock either way.

 

Great post man.. Thank you..

 

I don't work at a UPS company and maybe someone could shed a little more light between the two, but I can give you the basic differences between them. Although I don't know all the particulars, I do believe I'm accurate with my info.

UPS Parcel drivers generally start as package handlers and/or delivery drivers and work their way up to feeder driver (feeder driver is UPS Parcel line-haul). From my understanding, it takes a long time to work your way up but once you do it's the best gig on the road. So in a way, you do start out working the dock.

UPS Freight is a freight operation similar to what I do. You will work a freight dock as a driver there. The difference is you can be hired directly into a driving position whereas I'm not sure you can at Parcel. We had a driver leave here and was hired directly as a line-haul driver at UPS Freight and he says it's more driving and less dock than here.

Just as a side note - don't be too afraid of dock work. It can suck at times - like during a snowstorm when you're calculating time, road conditions, and how bad the road conditions will be at that time of morning with all that traffic but you're watching it all go downhill by the minute on the dock..lol.., but you're getting paid for it and it's a way to make the number you want while having control over where the weight is in your trailers which is very important when pulling doubles/triples.

I would caution you about quitting an OTR company before any commitment is fulfilled. I quit on my own terms but can tell you from experience that it can take a little while to make good money at a good company since they're seniority based - if you have the cash on hand it's a different story and I'd break a training contract for a seniority date 11 times out of 10. Don't expect to make the money right away though. Even if you make $6,000 in June during your first full month at a good carrier, don't assume that translates into $72,000 for your first full year because LTL and Parcel cycles are cyclical. You'll always make more in June than February because volumes are higher. It took me five years to make what I wanted and 3 of those first five years were in the 40's till it all came together in year 6 making $82,000 and $87,100 in year 7.

Something I was smart about for the most part was living within my means. I made one purchase that was not the smartest but I can look back and laugh now. I bid line-haul here to make the money and become debt free in a year - did it in 6 months and ran line-haul for another year and a half to bank cash but I still live like I did when I was on the extra board. A word of caution from someone who's watched it over and over again - don't spend money in anticipation of a certain income and don't spend more than you can afford in the wost case scenario. I'm taking a 30-35K pay cut this year by choice so I can work 8 hour days with a nice early start and money wasn't even a thought since even that is far more than I need..

 

I was a driver's helper for UPS this past holiday season. They weren't putting any package handlers on so I was released on Dec. 25. That's why I'm looking at going back on the road now. I was just sure they'd put me on since I've worked on an LTL freight dock (Roadway) before but I guess they didn't need anybody.

The impression I got was just get a "permanent part time" position on the dock for starters. Then, get on the seniority list and join the union. When it's your turn, you'll get to train for delivering in the little trucks on the weekends. When enough people have retired, you'll get a full time route.

The guy I was helping made $30/hr, works approx. 50 hrs a week, and is home every afternoon. Why would anyone want to leave that to go on the road, even if it's UPS linehaul?

Keep in mind that UPS isn't the only union LTL carrier out there. Yellow and Roadway are Teamster and AFAIK, their linehaul drivers make very close to what UPS drivers make. Even if you only get a job with them on the dock, it should be the last job you ever have.

They top out over $20/hr with vacation, sick days, health insurance, all for two hours pay a month in dues. After a few years, you can get a forklift bid and ride around all night hardly ever picking up a box. Or, you can eventually get a switcher bid or city P&D and really have it made.

That's my .02, FWIW

 

Hate to mention it because I have a lot of respect for the LTL hands at YRC but their wages right now have been reduced to the mid-90's wages and it takes 15 years just to hold a job there man..

15 plus years just to keep a job.. Where in the world are you getting your info?? I took a switcher or yard bid for next year and fully intend on moving trailers too.. Shesus.. We made more than the NMFA carriers before the cuts..

You probably have no idea (basing that on your post) but UPS companies are not in the multi-employer pension fund and have their own contract which is superior to the NMFA and my wages..

 

When I was working on the dock at Roadway in the mid-late 90's, I was topped out at just over $20/hr, which is what I said in my previous post. That's where I'm getting my info. I worked casual for 6 months at $15/hr and then got put on full time. It sure didn't take 15 years. I left about a year or so after Yellow bought Roadway.

I never mentioned that a job with YRC was superior to anything else, just that it might be something the OP would want to look into.
I don't remember mentioning anything about UPS's pension fund or that Roadway's pension was equal to or better than it so I'm not sure why you brought it up. I think you were probably just looking to bicker with someone and figured "Look, a noob! This is the perfect opportunity for me to be a condescending jerk!"

Whatever your problem is, you seem I'm going to ignore you from now on.

 

Thanks for this info, it seems as (with anything) there is alot of up and downsides when it comes to getting a secure job with UPS but I appreciate you guys giving both the good and the bad. As its been stated, there are similar companies to drive for so when the time comes, I'll have to see what opportunity presents itself. Being 25, I was hoping that it was still early enough for me to set a roadmap on how to achieve driving for them, but I can't afford to work part time or take a chance at being on the dock for years and years hoping for a spot to open up.

For now, driving OTR, learning everything I can and maintaining a safe record is going to be my main focus, and in a couple years I'll look to get on with an LTL.

 

You're still a young man so you've got plenty of time to track down a good paying LTL job. Try to maintain your positive attitude and be safe. Best of luck to you.

 

Whats the differance between UPS and UPS freight? are they not the same company?




American Trucker

 

UPS Freight is what use to be Overnite.