Package car driver ages??

[kingOFchester]

Hey again!!
How old were you when you first started to drive?
How old are you now?
How old will you be when you decide to retire or move on from package car?

I am 35 and just getting in the system as a part time loader. Will I be to old by the time I make it to driver? :confused1
Thanks!

[HazMatMan]

Originally Posted by kingOFchester

Hey again!!
How old were you when you first started to drive?
How old are you now?
How old will you be when you decide to retire or move on from package car?

I am 35 and just getting in the system as a part time loader. Will I be to old by the time I make it to driver? :confused1
Thanks!

Depends on when you go driving. 35 is kind of old to start working for UPS. I don't know your situation (as to why you got the job at UPS at age 35) It's best to start young and retire at around 50 to 55 years old. You may be in your 60's when you retire, which in my opinion is way too old.

[kingOFchester]

Originally Posted by HazMatMan

Depends on when you go driving. 35 is kind of old to start working for UPS. I don't know your situation (as to why you got the job at UPS at age 35) It's best to start young and retire at around 50 to 55 years old. You may be in your 60's when you retire, which in my opinion is way too old.

Thanks!!
I hope I am not to old!! I can tell you that I am VERY fit. I am use to working 70 hours a week and being on my feet all day. I move a lot of furniture and can lift dressers...TV’s and a lot more items well over 100lbs myself. I work out everyday (running a minimum of an hour a day). Now, I do understand working as a delivery guy will be A LOT more then what I am doing now, but I am not just office worker. Hard labor and working in extreme conditions is not new to me. That said, I do agree that starting at 35 is not ideal, but unfortunately I can't turn back time. Reason for working for UPS....well, I have been self employed since I was 18. It has been a good business but the furniture market has gotten softer and softer over the years. The $'s are not what they once were. Also, no retirement..no 401k and the stress of owning a business is more then anyone would know. I understand that a driver probably has a lot of stress too, but I am ready to punch a clock and not worry about being sued every time a customer comes in my store. Worry about the lease not be renewed. Worry about paying all the bills that go along with the business. I know what I will hear next from upsers..."Working for UPS is stressful too" And I am not arguing that one bit. But being in a union has its benefits, just as being self employed. I am just ready to give up the stress I have endured over the last 18 years for a entirely new form of stress for my next 30 years. I love to work. I hate sitting on my tush. I hate golfing and the like. I am most happy when I am on a mission. Just time for a new mission. hopefully someone can reassure me that I am not to old. Sorry to ramble. Thanks everyone!!

[HazMatMan]

Originally Posted by kingOFchester

Thanks!!
I hope I am not to old!! I can tell you that I am VERY fit. I am use to working 70 hours a week and being on my feet all day. I move a lot of furniture and can lift dressers...TV’s and a lot more items well over 100lbs myself. I work out everyday (running a minimum of an hour a day). Now, I do understand working as a delivery guy will be A LOT more then what I am doing now, but I am not just office worker. Hard labor and working in extreme conditions is not new to me. That said, I do agree that starting at 35 is not ideal, but unfortunately I can't turn back time. Reason for working for UPS....well, I have been self employed since I was 18. It has been a good business but the furniture market has gotten softer and softer over the years. The $'s are not what they once were. Also, no retirement..no 401k and the stress of owning a business is more then anyone would know. I understand that a driver probably has a lot of stress too, but I am ready to punch a clock and not worry about being sued every time a customer comes in my store. Worry about the lease not be renewed. Worry about paying all the bills that go along with the business. I know what I will hear next from upsers..."Working for UPS is stressful too" And I am not arguing that one bit. But being in a union has its benefits, just as being self employed. I am just ready to give up the stress I have endured over the last 18 years for a entirely new form of stress for my next 30 years. I love to work. I hate sitting on my tush. I hate golfing and the like. I am most happy when I am on a mission. Just time for a new mission. hopefully someone can reassure me that I am not to old. Sorry to ramble. Thanks everyone!!

You seem like you can handle being a package car driver.. Good luck to you..

[upsgrunt]

I started part time at 19-got a driving gig at 22 and am now 41. I can't imagine starting at your age as I am absolutely worn out now. I'm not saying it can't be done, and I wish you luck, but the day I turn 50 I'm gone. My body will be completely shot by then(at least from the neck down)
GOOD LUCK!!!

[RozUPS]

King

I'm in the exact situation you are in. Self emloyed for twenty years and more than ready to give up the headaches and worry and move on..It ages you mentally and emotionally. I'm 44 and working towards driving as well. I pass the drivers in my building on the way out in the morning and most of them are my age.. Hang in there your not too old to do this. Your still a pup

[kingOFchester]

Thanks guys!! I don't think of myself as old!! LOL....but, the unusual white spot that is starting to show on the crown of my head seems to be dictating something else!!

[samiam]

I was 18 years old when I started at UPS, 2 months out of high school. I started driving 4 years later in the early/mid 90's. I turned down the first time they ask me to go full time, and waited almost a year before I got asked again. There is no way I could start out as a driver at my age now, 35. Body has been through too many UPS years. However, if I did not work for UPS for all these years I might. I'll tell you this, I'm glad I started UPS when I did, but because I've been there so long now, I've got no way out. Where the hell is a punk-*ss like me going to go, with just a few years of college, and make the money we make with the beni's we get.

[RozUPS]

I don't think of my self as old either.. If preload does not kill me first I should be ok..

[Fnix]

How long until you can retire doing PT/Full time driving? Do they add up?

IE 35 years to retire with pension. Say I worked preload for 5. So it's now 40?

[helenofcalifornia]

OK, maybe this is a West coast thing, but I have never heard of a UPS driver as describing themselves as a "delivery person." I think of myself as a "driver." But, you are right, technically, we are "delivery people. And I think you will do just fine. You sound like you are ambitious and know what you want which is more than a lot of UPS'ers do. Good luck and don't over think the process.

[hockey717]

started with bigbrown part time in 1972 i was 22 years old started driving fulltime in 1977 i am now 56 and will be retiring with 35 yrs. service in july of 08 so all you new guy's good luck i hope ups is still around for you to make it that far.

[disneyworld]

Originally Posted by kingOFchester

Thanks guys!! I don't think of myself as old!! LOL....but, the unusual white spot that is starting to show on the crown of my head seems to be dictating something else!!

Started inside at 19, driving at 21, will be 40 in 2 months. I can't imagine worrying about everything when owning a business. Punching out every night and leaving the job behind might make it all worthwhile to you.

[guitarman]

Originally Posted by kingOFchester

Hey again!!
How old were you when you first started to drive?
How old are you now?
How old will you be when you decide to retire or move on from package car?

I am 35 and just getting in the system as a part time loader. Will I be to old by the time I make it to driver? :confused1
Thanks!

My husband is 54 and has been driving for UPS full time for 30 years. He is pretty worn out from working 59 hour weeks, but still loves his job. He has a great route in the country where his music and talk radio keep him company all day! He's hanging in for another 5 years till he retires. Great pay, great benefits!

[Harley Rider]

Started driving at 27 years old and just turned 50. Seven more years and color me gone.

[dino]

Started driving at 44
55 now
Won't live long enough to retire

[trouble maker]

Was 18 when I started in 1984, started driving in '87. I am now 42. If everything stays the same, I leave at 50 with 31 years of service. 7 more turkeys to go. yooooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Cementups]

Started with UPS at 18 on July 29, 1993.

How old were you when you first started to drive?
I was 21 when I started driving on April 8, 1996. I was actually qualified before my 21 st birthday and had to wait it out. I turned 21 on March 25 but they "needed" me to stay on preload an extra 2 weeks.

How old are you now?
32

How old will you be when you decide to retire or move on from package car?

I decide to retire everyday I walk across the parking lot and into the double doors. I would like to leave when I am 50, but who knows when it iwll actually happen.

[DS]

Hey king,I was hired off the street as a driver 17 years ago.I was 35 years old then,and I`m 52 now.Although the job feels physically harder now,I find it has gotten easier over the years because you learn how to deal with what seems like an impossible mission almost every day! By the time Friday rolls around I`m pretty tired,but I plan on doing it AT LEAST 8 more years.The main thing about lasting long is following the methods they teach you.They really do work.You have a great attitude and I see no reason why you couldn`t have a long prosperous tenure as a ups driver.

[dammor]

Started preload in 1980.
Went driving in 1984
I'm 52 and feeling it.
Will retire soon IF Central States allows me to.

Good luck to you. To me 35 is young.
Take care of yourself. You will do fine.

[satellitedriver]

I started driving at 33. I am 54 now.
This job is more mental than physical. If you have good body mechanic skills ,the physical nature of the job is no problem.
The pressure for preformance can get to you.
If the pressure gets to you, the first thing that suffers is safety.
NEVER ,and I will repeat, Never let your gaurd down when it comes to safety.
When you are driving, when you are stepping into or out of your car, when you grab a pkg, when you are walking, when you are speaking to a customer, when you are fighting off gaurd dogs, when you are hot and when you are cold.
Fill in the blanks ,ect...
If you are not safe in your actions, only two things can happen.
Either, you hurt yourself or you hurt someone else.
PAX
P.S.
I am sticking around til UPS stops paying me or I hit the lottery.

[longlunchguy]

I started with ups at 34 yrs old, and I turn 50 in Sept. I learned to pace myself a long time ago. I have one kid left at home and she just started high school so I'm looking at at least 8 more years. You can do what you have to. Stay in shape, use the methods, be safe, and you'll be fine.

[upsdude]

I came in as an off the street hire (driver) at 29, just turned 50. My goal is to get through the next 5 years then take it a month at a time.

My seniority would enable me to get an easier route (physically) but that’s not the best option for me. My route is a good mixture of resi/commercial and provides a good workout to fight off pounds, cholesterol and those other ailments that plague some folks my age.

[wornoutupser]

Hired on preload Jan 84, driving March 85. I still work preload from time to time. I am now 45,beat to pieces and tired of working till 9:30 every night. I guess I will work till the ambulance pulls me out of the truck dead!

[brownmonster]

Strted driving at 28. 46 now. Gone at 58. 55 if I have enough in the 401k. BM