King,
Being that I rarely see you in the am I will use this forum to let you know that you obtaining FULL TIME seniority will be followed 100% by the contract and this WILL be enforced by the union. As you know we work in the same building (though in different centers) and i am in a somewhat similar situation as you having started a new career at UPS in my mid 30's. Sat air driving however can be somewhat different with the joke of an HR team that we currently have at times picking favorites.
I know fist hand how frustrating it can be to bust you ass, to be told by your center manager and entire management team that you are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and to drive from Sept. to X-mas only to be told later "sorry you have to go back to preload". Additionally I drove from June thru the end of Aug. full time only to find out those days did not count toward my probationary period because of some 25+ year old agreement that the union and UPS have had with regards to the use of summertime "casual" drivers.
That being said the union, OUR UNION, will see to it that you will go out and get your chance at FULL TIME driving when it is your time as outlined in the contract. If you have any problems or question with regards to this I highly recommend that instead of venting here on the café, talking to your center team, or dealing with HR that you contact your BA. I am not sure if you know it or not, but you have one of the BEST BA's around. He knows the contract inside and out, was a driver in the building that we work out of for many years, an can be a Major thorn in the ass of UPS when a wrong needs to be righted. I'd also recommend going to the next union meeting if you can (DEC.21st 10:30am). They can be boring at times but they can also be informitive as well, plus the free food and drink are great. It will not hurt to have your face seen, meet some people, and ask some questions or ask advice from people who want to see you succeed.
Take you time and enjoy this peak. Learn as much as you can, and most importantly relax, slow down, and be safe. As I said before, your time will come.
PS, I fully expect to be laid off after peak and moving cardboard with you in the preeload again come January