What are the hours like for being a package car driver, both part-time and full-time? What's the seniority like to become one?
Bruised, do yourself a big favor and take everything Really Old Driver tells you with a grain of salt. He is a retiree who has been unable to move on. He still goes down to the coffee shop to hang out with the drivers. Retired means just that---retired.
The only part-time drivers are our air drivers and they are slowly being phased out. The hours will vary from center to center but you can be sure that it is not a 9 to 5 job. I start at 915 and am usually punched out and gone by 1830. I average 2 hours OT each week. We have 25-27 routes on the road and when I get back there are usuallly 8-10 drivers who have already punched out. Peak is a whole different ballgame.
Seniority to become a pkg car driver also varies from center to center. When I was hired in 1989 off the street I had my seniority in 11 months. Today that would not be possible. I can't recall the last part-timer who was promoted--that is how long it has been.
You asked earlier about promotion opportunities beyond pkg car. As the old guy said, that would be management. The decision as to whether you should apply for a management position is yours and yours alone and will depend upon what your career goals are and what experience and education you bring to the table. My on-car was a driver for 15 years and has told me many times that he regrets his decision to go in to management.
(I just read island's post. I respect his opinion but don't share his pessimism. I think UPS will come out of this recession a leaner, stronger company poised to take advantage of a new corporate mindset. Diversification will continue to where package operation will simply be another division within the company.)
