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Seasonal PT Air Driver or Seasonal PT Package Handler?
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<blockquote data-quote="jibbs" data-source="post: 1149202"><p>1. Seasonal preload can very easily turn into a permanent PT job. Air driving better prepares you to turn driving into a career but I haven't the slightest idea how much room for advancement or permanent employment comes with the position. I <strong>do</strong> know, however, that there are at least two seasonal drivers in my center that have been loading/unloading with the preload severa; days out of the week since late January/early February. They both still drive air at times and, I believe, cover drive for the center, but more often than not they're on the inside grindin' it out with the package handlers at 3-4am. It's good money during peak, though.</p><p></p><p>2. I'm not best suited to answer this from a driver's perspective, but if you chose the preload position and were hired you'd be guaranteed 17.5hrs of work a week (3.5hrs per day with everything over 3.5 paid as overtime at time-and-a-half), and I'm 99.9% confident you wouldn't be working a minute over 25hrs a week. Personally, I average about 17-19 hours every week. Sometimes around 13-14 hours if I take up the chance to go home when management offers, which I've learned is a stupid, stupid thing to do (my personal opinion).</p><p></p><p>3. I have no idea. Someone else here'll be able to give you a glimpse into the stressors of an air driver, though, I'm sure of it.</p><p></p><p>4. I think package handling would be the more concrete route, but air driving would, in my opinion, be the much better position if you're willing and able.</p><p></p><p>5. Semi-correct. Starting wages will increase provided the proposed contract is voted in (general consensus seems to be that the contract sucks but will get voted in anyways). Also, I believe the potential increase will occur in August of this year as opposed to 2 years down the line.</p><p></p><p>6. UPS trucks have been targeted for robberies and auto-burglaries in the past. There's actually a whole slew of conspicuous signs to watch for that a driver might be an intended target of a crime. The best defense would be vigilance and preventative action. It's infrequent, package cars being hit, but it does happen and is a possibility. Every truck I've loaded has surveillance covering the immediate area of the truck. There may be some that lack the equipment but I've yet to come across one without.</p><p></p><p>7. Your case is kind of special because you would be an off-the-street driver. I know with employees promoted from package handling to driving, they always have a cushion in case they drop out of Integrad. Those employees are able to fail at their new endeavor and return to their previous position inside at the rate they had earned before attempting their move up the company ladder. As an off-the-street hire, I don't know if that same cushion is automatically in place for you. </p><p></p><p>8. Personally, I wouldn't quit my fulltime day job to work PT at UPS. No way, no how. If I were in your shoes I would be looking at potential employment with UPS as supplemental income and a stepping stone towards great (but soon-to-be-diminished, though-still-better-than-most) affordable healthcare. It takes a while to be eligible for those benefits but I think it's a worthwhile endeavor.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Hope this helps you a bit. If you couldn't tell from the context of the post, I'm a part-time package handler with no driving experience-- hence the particular questions I'm ill-suited to provide an answer for.</p><p></p><p>Best of luck in whatever course you choose for yourself!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="jibbs, post: 1149202"] 1. Seasonal preload can very easily turn into a permanent PT job. Air driving better prepares you to turn driving into a career but I haven't the slightest idea how much room for advancement or permanent employment comes with the position. I [B]do[/B] know, however, that there are at least two seasonal drivers in my center that have been loading/unloading with the preload severa; days out of the week since late January/early February. They both still drive air at times and, I believe, cover drive for the center, but more often than not they're on the inside grindin' it out with the package handlers at 3-4am. It's good money during peak, though. 2. I'm not best suited to answer this from a driver's perspective, but if you chose the preload position and were hired you'd be guaranteed 17.5hrs of work a week (3.5hrs per day with everything over 3.5 paid as overtime at time-and-a-half), and I'm 99.9% confident you wouldn't be working a minute over 25hrs a week. Personally, I average about 17-19 hours every week. Sometimes around 13-14 hours if I take up the chance to go home when management offers, which I've learned is a stupid, stupid thing to do (my personal opinion). 3. I have no idea. Someone else here'll be able to give you a glimpse into the stressors of an air driver, though, I'm sure of it. 4. I think package handling would be the more concrete route, but air driving would, in my opinion, be the much better position if you're willing and able. 5. Semi-correct. Starting wages will increase provided the proposed contract is voted in (general consensus seems to be that the contract sucks but will get voted in anyways). Also, I believe the potential increase will occur in August of this year as opposed to 2 years down the line. 6. UPS trucks have been targeted for robberies and auto-burglaries in the past. There's actually a whole slew of conspicuous signs to watch for that a driver might be an intended target of a crime. The best defense would be vigilance and preventative action. It's infrequent, package cars being hit, but it does happen and is a possibility. Every truck I've loaded has surveillance covering the immediate area of the truck. There may be some that lack the equipment but I've yet to come across one without. 7. Your case is kind of special because you would be an off-the-street driver. I know with employees promoted from package handling to driving, they always have a cushion in case they drop out of Integrad. Those employees are able to fail at their new endeavor and return to their previous position inside at the rate they had earned before attempting their move up the company ladder. As an off-the-street hire, I don't know if that same cushion is automatically in place for you. 8. Personally, I wouldn't quit my fulltime day job to work PT at UPS. No way, no how. If I were in your shoes I would be looking at potential employment with UPS as supplemental income and a stepping stone towards great (but soon-to-be-diminished, though-still-better-than-most) affordable healthcare. It takes a while to be eligible for those benefits but I think it's a worthwhile endeavor. Hope this helps you a bit. If you couldn't tell from the context of the post, I'm a part-time package handler with no driving experience-- hence the particular questions I'm ill-suited to provide an answer for. Best of luck in whatever course you choose for yourself! [/QUOTE]
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