This is where it helps knowing people in Memphis that are aware of the 'issues' of DRA.
Ground uses a system VERY similar to that of DRA. It works for them and DIRECTLY contributes to Ground's latest quarterly margin of 16.7%.
Express has Couriers which are (supposedly...), more adaptable and capable of working in a dynamic situation
Problem is, DRA is having some issues... which adaptable and capable people shouldn't have an issue with....
So what does Memphis REALLY think is the real core of the problem with DRA? Is it the program or is it the full-time Couriers which are sabotaging its implementation??
The Couriers think it is the program, Memphis thinks that the problem is the full-time Couriers sabotaging the roll out of DRA in some manner. DRA requires the Courier to enter all their 'knowledge' into the program (where to make deliveries, blackout times for businesses, etc.). Most full time Couriers AREN'T providing this information to be entered into the database.
So what is Memphis doing? They are throwing part-time Couriers into stations where they are having problems implementing DRA. Those Couriers aren't going into stations where DRA isn't having issues, those Couriers are going into stations where DRA is having real issues, causing service disruptions. As far as Memphis is concerned, the service disruptions AREN'T the fault of DRA, they are the fault of the Courier not providing correct information to be entered into the database, along with some willful screw ups in the use of DRA managed routes.
Remember, Ground and Express deliver to the EXACT same addresses. Different drivers and different business models, but the addresses are the same. Memphis obviously recognizes this, so the problem with DRA cannot be that Express is delivering to locations that aren't in the same database as Ground uses for its program. Memphis has reached the conclusion that the problems with DRA are primarily due to non-compliance by the career Couriers (thus all the threats and discipline that are being handed out), and secondarily due to the issue of varying time commitments of freight placed onto a route (I wrote about this a year ago).
And since Express is shaped according to what Memphis believes the problem to be (and not what the wage employees see), the problem will be solved by using methods which address the supposed real cause of the problem as seen by Memphis.... the full-time and 'career' Courier.
How are the full-time Couriers side tracked??? Bring in a bunch of part-timers (same plan as Express had in case the Couriers actually organized...) and get them to work DRA and run an area under DRA procedures.
The mistake that the 'career' Couriers are making (in a long line of faulty assumptions), is that all of these part-time 'positions' are some how permanent. They are not. Once DRA is reasonably perfected, the station in question will have a hiring freeze instated and let natural attrition bring the number of Couriers down to what is needed. This is why new vehicles aren't being purchased, rentals are being used when absolutely necessary.
Sometimes trying to figure out what one side of a coin looks like when only able to see the other causes real problems. You either have to flip the coin or have someone else take a look at the other side and let you know what it looks like. The Couriers don't have the ability to 'flip' that coin to see what is on the other side....
Take a look in the stations and ask yourself, "From the perspective of Memphis, what is the problem and how are they to solve it?"
The problem as seen in Memphis ISN'T DRA, it is the career Courier which threatens Express getting its 10% profit margin. Ground doesn't have career drivers, and they are paid between 50 and 66% of what Express Couriers are paid. Again, where does the problem lie from Memphis' perspective?
One of the faulty assumptions that the Couriers make, is that Memphis is being 'straight' with them as to what THEY see as the problem. You've watched the monthly propaganda videos with MT3 waving his hands around. This is actually your BEST insight (as a typical Express wage employee) as to what Memphis really thinks (you have to read between the hand waving...).
The problem that MT3 talks about in his videos, ISN'T the problem with DRA - it is the problem of the Couriers not "getting with the program" and working as Memphis wants them to. Thus why all the threats and discipline.
How did those feedback sessions with SFA go???? From what I understand, Memphis pretty much did a write off on the whole thing this year and attributed the scores to Couriers not 'getting with the program'. Look at Ground, and you'll see the future of Express (current Ground drivers are just future Express Couriers in training....), Fred took that one from the airlines (regional versus the major carriers).