UPS/Costco vs USPS TTO

Just over 2 yr permanent PT UPS worker, weighing my options on staying min hours PT & taking Costco truck driver job in conjunction VS signing up with the postal service as a tractor trailer operator & shooting for getting into maintenance eventually with them.

I hate doing TCD package delivery, so unlikely to go straight to feeder from PT or this wouldn't be an issue - would rather become a mechanic, but UPS doesn't train like USPS does.

Can't stay with UPS while working for USPS, post office doesn't like it for some reason, even though UPS is fine with it.

Anyone offer insight into the inner workings of USPS if they have as toxic a work environment (on the MVO/maintenance side) as most reviews say they do?

Insight into if Costco is as magical a truck driving job as the very few reviews I can drag up say they are?

Earnings are pretty comparable starting out, USPS health insurance is a drag on earnings along with paying into pension vs free UPS insurance/pension.

USPS has insane time off availability, (which I value highly) along with not having to commute to two different employers in opposite directions.
Although, commuting is into way more potential traffic & being part time flex starting out (only guaranteed 24hrs/week) being on call 6 days a week until making FT career regular - unknown expected time.

I lean towards USPS overall, but unsure of the future of the stability of being the 3rd wheel in parcel logistics industry with declining print mail services.

Way too few insights into both companies, UPS is an open book by comparison.

 

Yessir, starting at $29.97 where I'm at, I'm fine working holidays, I do it already at UPS because of triple time pay.

Sucks that USPS doesn't give any bonus pay for holiday work except Christmas, but I want to sell the days back anyway for 2 weeks additional vacation time like they supposedly allow after you become regular.

Appreciate the information about management & route, how is the list from PTF to regular looking?

From the contract, it seems like it's supposed to be a 90/10 ratio of PTF to regular, does that sound about right to you?

Do they work you generally minimum 8hr days?
I read they only have to offer 4hrs guaranteed, or do they only use you for regular routes which are 8hr planned anyway?

5 or 6 days a week?

Same start times or random/rotating?

In the current USPS contract, they have "alternative" work schedule provisions for 4/10s instead of standard 5/8s;
do any TTOs or maintenance positions you know of have that as an option due to choice/operational demand, or are 5/8s the gospel?

Out of over 100 feeder runs at my hub, only 3 are 4/10s & those guys are wanting to screw those up by working their 5th day for OT...

 

Excellent information, thank you!

 

I got it all, appreciate the details.
Night tour sounds like it's for me if offered, less traffic commuting to/from/during shift, night diff pay, etc.

Would love further information/experience as you think of them.

When you say dealers choice on 5 or 6 day work weeks, is that USPS telling you to come in 6 days or are you volunteering?
I'm guessing if you are at the bottom of the seniority ladder you have to do what is necessary regardless, just not sure if they can force you over 5 days.
Read alot about carriers forced to work 6 days for years.

Have you heard of PT regular TTO's?
Like near retirees coming in 3 days a week or something?

Do you keep pay/progression if you bid into a different craft/go from PTF to regular?
E.G. You have 4160hrs as a PTF TTO, do the 4160hrs transfer to FT regular TTO, mechanic or electronic technician pay progression/seniority?
Especially if you are changing pay grades.

UPS has a hard PT/FT split & progression;
nothing in PT progression/seniority transfers to FT progression/seniority (apart from air driver I believe) except a higher current pay rate until normal progression in new classification exceeds it.

Although PT/FT seniority rule building wide, regardless of classification/craft.
Not sure if USPS splits seniority by craft as well.