Dedicated driver question

dlhlvsarh06 · 08-30-2007, 04:14 PM

I have orientation on sept 10 in greenville s.c. My interviewer says the job is pending the out come of drug and background check. I will pass those no problem but I live in lynchburg Va. 6 hours away is this worth going or do i have the job? any input would help thank you...David

satellitedriver · 08-30-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlhlvsarh06

I have orientation on sept 10 in greenville s.c. My interviewer says the job is pending the out come of drug and background check. I will pass those no problem but I live in lynchburg Va. 6 hours away is this worth going or do i have the job? any input would help thank you...David

If you are not willing to drive 6 hrs to find out, you will not last at UPS.
I know I sound dogmatic, but the only people that last and thrive at UPS are the one's able to take the temporary hardship, to meet the decades of hardship involved in doing the job.
The job, from the outside, looks easy. It is because the hard core, long term drivers make it look easy.
I do not want to be a negative in your mind, just realistic.
PAX

dlhlvsarh06 · 08-30-2007, 04:52 PM

I will make drive just wondering if this is something anyone else went through when getting hired on, or just normal process

samiam · 08-30-2007, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satellitedriver

If you are not willing to drive 6 hrs to find out, you will not last at UPS.
I know I sound dogmatic, but the only people that last and thrive at UPS are the one's able to take the temporary hardship, to meet the decades of hardship involved in doing the job.
The job, from the outside, looks easy. It is because the hard core, long term drivers make it look easy.
I do not want to be a negative in your mind, just realistic.
PAX

Could not have said it better myself. Don't get me wrong, I like my job, but dang 6 hours. IMO part time work isn't worth the drive, and if you go full time, a drive like that seems unbearable. I speak form a family mans view. After a hard day at UPS, there is nothing I want more than to be at home relaxing with my family. Working at UPS has allowed me to have a nice home in a great area, but there is a fine line between going to work to have nice things, and being away from home and never enjoying those things or your family because of work. And 6 hours just to get to and from work a day is crazy IMO.

dlhlvsarh06 · 08-30-2007, 05:23 PM

sorry I didnt explain better, The orientation is 6 hours away but i would be on the road 3-5 days but would park truck here where I live.

dudebro · 08-30-2007, 05:32 PM

I'm assuming you're being oriented for FT driving in these comments, so if not, they may not apply.
In the grand scheme of things, what's a long day driving (or two) compared to what may be a life changing decision? I'm guessing you're in a very rural area and typically UPS FT drivers in those areas make a GREAT salary compared to most and live very well. Plus rural routes, compared to suburban ones, you get a lot of window time and fewer times on and off the car, so the wear and tear on your body may not be as tough. Based on that, I'd say it's worth the drive to find out. I don't think they would send you to orientation if you weren't going to be hired, but I could be wrong.

govols019 · 08-30-2007, 05:37 PM

I think the job he is talking about is our sleeper team runs? Maybe?

satellitedriver · 08-30-2007, 05:43 PM

I thought the 6 hr drive was for drug test, orientation ect...
That was the reason for my post.
Sorry, if I missed the point.

MR_Vengeance · 08-31-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlhlvsarh06

sorry I didnt explain better, The orientation is 6 hours away but i would be on the road 3-5 days but would park truck here where I live.

ya ya, 6 hour good no problem. ups paid good, no parking truck at home no?

whiteturbo · 08-31-2007, 12:40 PM

Sounds more like UPS Freight

westsideworma · 08-31-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by govols019

I think the job he is talking about is our sleeper team runs? Maybe?

I spoke with him in the chat room, he believed it to be a sleeper team run. So any help you guys could give him would be great as I didn't know much other than what the contract states. If its not hub/preload/package driver related I'm rubbish at explaining things or giving insight.

dlhlvsarh06 · 08-31-2007, 05:28 PM

I asked my ups recruiter today how much I would be starting out at, She said .36 per mile that sounds very low for a ups job. I worked at JB Hunt at .36 per mile does this sound correct to anyone? Thanks for all the input guys.

westsideworma · 08-31-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlhlvsarh06

I asked my ups recruiter today how much I would be starting out at, She said .36 per mile that sounds very low for a ups job. I worked at JB Hunt at .36 per mile does this sound correct to anyone? Thanks for all the input guys.

that sounds more like UPS Freight to me now, but I could be wrong, do sleeper teams have mileage progression?

tieguy · 08-31-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlhlvsarh06

I asked my ups recruiter today how much I would be starting out at, She said .36 per mile that sounds very low for a ups job. I worked at JB Hunt at .36 per mile does this sound correct to anyone? Thanks for all the input guys.

Could be the starting wage of a progression plan. Make the drive and find out. If its a ups sleeper job then they top out at 65.65 per mile for doubles once you go throug progression. Not too shabby .

dlhlvsarh06 · 08-31-2007, 06:22 PM

so whats the difference with ups freight and sleeper? sorry i sound like i dont know much but really havent talked to much with recruiter I work all day and she leaves at 5 I get home 6. Just really excited about job at ups.

trickpony1 · 09-01-2007, 07:41 AM

My understanding of truck lines like J B Hunt is you will be on the road for 3-5 weeks at a time with one day off given for each week on the road. I can't speak for UPS freight (LTL freight) but it's my understanding the UPS sleeper teams (small parcel) are on the road anywhere from 3-5 days a week. The remaining days are at their origin domicile (meaning your house) and, no, you can't take your truck home with you.
If it's UPS sleeper team (small parcel) and you don't mind being in a truck for 3-5 days at a time I would jump on it.
I really don't know alot about UPS freight other than they handle palletized, LTL (less than load) freight and shipments that clearly won't make it through our hubs conveyors and slides (such as 55 gal. drums, big spools of wire, etc.) Is UPS freight on dedicated 3-5 days runs? I don't know.
UPS sleeper teams (small parcel) are "no touch" freight and keep the truck moving to make time commits.
I would find out if you're being offered a UPS Freight (LTL) job or a UPS sleeper team (small parcel), "keep the truck moving" type of job.
Good Luck!

samiam · 09-01-2007, 09:12 AM

UPS freight was once overnight freight....sleeper teams are UPS feeder drivers.

scratch · 09-01-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samiam

UPS freight was once overnight freight....sleeper teams are UPS feeder drivers.

I see UPS Freight sleeper tractors on the interstate all the time. I saw one yesterday that was painted a solid blue. I also finally saw a UPS Freight tractor that was painted with the new UPSF paint job and was pulling a UPSF trailer.

MR_Vengeance · 09-02-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scratch

I see UPS Freight sleeper tractors on the interstate all the time. I saw one yesterday that was painted a solid blue. I also finally saw a UPS Freight tractor that was painted with the new UPSF paint job and was pulling a UPSF trailer.

we use a solid white one for our feeder sleep team. I see alot of new shortcab tractors from UPSF around my area.

raceanoncr · 09-03-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tieguy

Could be the starting wage of a progression plan. Make the drive and find out. If its a ups sleeper job then they top out at 65.65 per mile for doubles once you go throug progression. Not too shabby .

New sleeper drivers off the street start progression just like hourly. Yeah, sleeper top out rate is 65.65 but that is split between two drivers. One good thing, tho, is this: Whether you're driving or sleeping, you're making the split rate, hourly or mileage. You don't quit making money till you get home for yer days off.

raceanoncr · 09-03-2007, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scratch

I see UPS Freight sleeper tractors on the interstate all the time. I saw one yesterday that was painted a solid blue. I also finally saw a UPS Freight tractor that was painted with the new UPSF paint job and was pulling a UPSF trailer.

UPSF has lots o sleeper tractors, whether teams or single driver using em on road. All tractors painted blue and gray are still the old logo scheme, ain't got around to changin em yet. Some are new with new paint, some are old with new paint.

Also have some city tractors with old paint. They are getting some new tractors with new logo paint and are rebranding some of the older ones also.

All UPS parcel sleeper tractors are white with, maybe UPS brand on doors or just UPS in block letters at bottom of doors.

All UPS parcel feeder tractors are SUPPOSED to be brown but are now mostly dirt and stripped paint!

dlhlvsarh06 · 09-03-2007, 10:12 AM

It is ups freight, a dedicated route, so is that good? anyone in here on ups freight right now? would like to know a little more about it. Thanks for all the feedback

trickpony1 · 09-03-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlhlvsarh06

It is ups freight, a dedicated route, so is that good? anyone in here on ups freight right now? would like to know a little more about it. Thanks for all the feedback

Only you can answer that question.

You might ask these questions:
How many days will I be out on the road?
Do I make a "meet" with another driver in another state and then return to my origin domicile?
Is it team or single?
Do I stop by customer locations on the way out/in to make pick-up/delivery?
IS THIS SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT? This is a big question becasue they may not tell you unless you ask. If it is seasonal you may be laid off for several months until the volume picks up again.
When will I gain seniority? (to assure consistent fulltime employment).

My knowledge of UPSF is limited but I do see alot of UPSF rigs with sleepers pulling double trailers during my travels.

I would jump at the chance. The worst that could happen is you don't like it and quit.