How does one become a 'pick-off person(?)' on a belt

[700 PPH]

I am just curious as to how I would become a pick-off. I have been at UPS for roughly 6 months(have passed the pick off for my belt and help high pick a good amount, did low pick for one full day), I am just wondering how it all works. I mean I assume it is a seniority thing(Just like everything else at UPS am I right?!) but is it something that you like asked to be put on a list for or what?

I know picking off is a lot harder than loading but I love it. I love the fact that the work is harder, the rush is always on, and there is more skill involved.

I don't mind loading but I would love pick off....So how do I make that happen!

[MikeTbob]

Talk to your supervisor, when I worked the preload several years ago they were begging for people to be pickoffs. Even the pickoffs in my area hated being a pickoff person.

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by 700 PPH

I am just curious as to how I would become a pick-off. I have been at UPS for roughly 6 months(have passed the pick off for my belt and help high pick a good amount, did low pick for one full day), I am just wondering how it all works. I mean I assume it is a seniority thing(Just like everything else at UPS am I right?!) but is it something that you like asked to be put on a list for or what?

I know picking off is a lot harder than loading but I love it. I love the fact that the work is harder, the rush is always on, and there is more skill involved.

I don't mind loading but I would love pick off....So how do I make that happen!

Hey guys, just registered because I saw 700 PPH's post regarding pick off....

I am currently emplyed at the Deerfield beach warehouse in south florida. I have been a loader for 1 yr & 6 months, I as well fell in love with pick off after filling in for someone one day up there. It's by far probably one of the best positions you can obtain being a regular part time hourly employee....the extra dollar raise is also a nice part of getting pick upp...wait u get a dollar? yes u do..pick off is considered a skilled position because you have to know multiple trailer's sorts to be able to hold the position or in other words, you need to know the sort for your whole belt. Well, anyway I am not sure how the sections work in ur building but mine there is PD-1 PD-2, PD-3 and PD-4....I started at PD-2 where I filled in for the pick off maybe like 3 times. I then got moved to PD-1 which is a heavier belt with a lot more boxes...aloooot more....
Recently I found out that one of the pick off is transferring to maine for school, and they allowed him to xfer to a maine building because he was in school...so I skipped my supervisor completly and went to the manager, and told him I am interested in the postion that is opening up soon, he had me write a short letter stating why I want the positon and why I thin I would be good....so I did...he sent it in.....I had 2 ppl before me with seniority, so I was a little upset because I happened to be there longer then both of them but they were on PD-1 before me which gives me more seniority on that belt... ( if that makes sense )....turns out a week before this guy transfered, the 1st backup guy got promoted to supsevisor O.o...and the next guy didnt want to do it becuase he is sometimes usually late due to his other job....so I guess since hes late, and I actually " wanted " to do it.....I got promoted to pick-off starting yesterday
10-12-09.

I am a happy camper, I now make $11.50....so i went from 8.50 to 11.50 in a year and a half...weeeee

So if you are interested in picking off 700 PPH

first off....if your a loader...on ur belt...stay there....dont change to unload or small sort...just load...bite the bullet...and just....load....hey 700 PHH..we need you to do these eregs.....DO IT....just bite the bullet and do w/e they want....stay on ur belt...eventually...u will be the person loading who has been loading in ur area for the longest which gives you seniority...find out who is back up pick off on ur belt....how many pick off do you have on ur belt? My belt has 2...me and another guy...some only require one...depending on the volume....find out who is back up....if no one requested back up...ask for it...take the sort test..pass it...you will get the dollar raise even for just being a back up...then ur garenteed to go up everytime if one of them or the person takes off....it always garentees you the position if for any reason the person quits..gets fired, or xfers...ur already back up so your automatically the next person to go up....

keep ur mind set to it....I thought i would NEVER get to be pick off...just too rare of a position to obtain easily....but dreams do come true man...they really do....once ur up there ur set.....they cant tell u to come down and load..because ur the most skilled on ur belt which is why ur up there in the first place.....good luck man....

MikeTbob

you said

" Even the pickoffs in my area hated being a pickoff person "

thats is crazy man...its just insane that somoene would hate doing pick off...just boggles my mind

[DS]

Welcome to the browncafe NY11725...The pick-off book you wrote will surely help this person

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by DS

Welcome to the browncafe NY11725...The pick-off book you wrote will surely help this person

I hope so

[Sleeve_meet_Heart]

pickoff is not as easy as it is being painted.

I picked off in 2 buildings, once when i was part-time once full-time. Part-time I picked off for over a year almost 1.5 years. You can get some serious repetitive stress injuries in your arms from pulling and moving packages leaning over the belt. (end-range motions). I had to be moved off the pickoff because my arms were aching so badly I could not sleep at night.
I personally would stay in the load rather than pick-off
The grass is always greener on the other side at UPS. remember that.

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by Sleeve_meet_Heart

pickoff is not as easy as it is being painted.

I picked off in 2 buildings, once when i was part-time once full-time. Part-time I picked off for over a year almost 1.5 years. You can get some serious repetitive stress injuries in your arms from pulling and moving packages leaning over the belt. (end-range motions). I had to be moved off the pickoff because my arms were aching so badly I could not sleep at night.
I personally would stay in the load rather than pick-off
The grass is always greener on the other side at UPS. remember that.

Sleeve_meet_heart is right about the stress in ur arms...I just starting picking off like mentioned above on monday the 12th,,and that night in bed, depending on how I placed my arms, I could feel sore in my biceps...the constant pulling and pushing can get to you..but I must say...when I started working at UPS 1 yr n 6 months ago, after the first few days of loading..my whole body was sore..I worked out muscles I never knew I had bascially...but it goes way..your body gets use to it...I lost 50 pounds working as a loader and eating right...took about close to a year..but I didnt take any weight loss pills, I did it the healthy way...so if your a loader..just think of it this way...your getting paid to work out...but back on topic...if your pick off...you will get use to it...your arms will bother you a few days...but it should go away...I am sorry to hear Sleeves arms were bothering him so bad he had to not pick off...that makes me sad..i love being up there.

[hondo]

Yeah, watch yourself up there. I knew 1 pickoff who tore/ripped his bicep loose.

[Sleeve_meet_Heart]

Originally Posted by NY11725

Sleeve_meet_heart is right about the stress in ur arms...I just starting picking off like mentioned above on monday the 12th,,and that night in bed, depending on how I placed my arms, I could feel sore in my biceps...the constant pulling and pushing can get to you..but I must say...when I started working at UPS 1 yr n 6 months ago, after the first few days of loading..my whole body was sore..I worked out muscles I never knew I had bascially...but it goes way..your body gets use to it...I lost 50 pounds working as a loader and eating right...took about close to a year..but I didnt take any weight loss pills, I did it the healthy way...so if your a loader..just think of it this way...your getting paid to work out...but back on topic...if your pick off...you will get use to it...your arms will bother you a few days...but it should go away...I am sorry to hear Sleeves arms were bothering him so bad he had to not pick off...that makes me sad..i love being up there.

No no. What I am saying is that after a year and a half of doing it, the backs of my arms began aching so badly that I could not do the job anymore plus could not sleep at night. Completely different than biceps or anything like that. I had gone to the pickoff from the sort-aisle so the pickoff was much easier on my arms and shoulders than the sort -aisle.

This was when I was part-time and 25 years old. LOL It had nothing to do with strength, it was the repeated motions of the job that over time wore down a small part of below the tricep area.

This happens quite often to the pickoffs too. Unless you are 6'6 with very long arms, or your belts are more narrow than average , you may have the same problems.

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by Sleeve_meet_Heart

No no. What I am saying is that after a year and a half of doing it, the backs of my arms began aching so badly that I could not do the job anymore plus could not sleep at night. Completely different than biceps or anything like that. I had gone to the pickoff from the sort-aisle so the pickoff was much easier on my arms and shoulders than the sort -aisle.

This was when I was part-time and 25 years old. LOL It had nothing to do with strength, it was the repeated motions of the job that over time wore down a small part of below the tricep area.

This happens quite often to the pickoffs too. Unless you are 6'6 with very long arms, or your belts are more narrow than average , you may have the same problems.

oh, sorry I read it wrong.. .. yea I understand what your saying...I am going to ask about that to the other pick off who I work with..hes been doing it for over 4 years..I wonder what he has to say to that

[22.34life]

I picked off for 7 years, strong side it gets lonely up there unless you have a weakside all sort.which at todays ups is hard to believe,the reason why people get hurt on pick off is because the job is not done the way it was intended to be done.no.1 you should always have a weakside or the space over there would not be there,no.2 you should not have to stack packages to the ceiling.these are the reasons people get burned out up there,you got to be fast and sure handed and most important you have to be able to stay at least one package ahead.no matter what people say on here they can pull you off pickoff stand if they want to and make you load or whatever thanks to all this work as directed crap today.theres no preferred jobs anymore,i would still rather pickoff than load anyday,i liked yelling at the pt sup and making all that noise.

[fethrs]

Originally Posted by NY11725

thats is crazy man...its just insane that somoene would hate doing pick off...just boggles my mind

That depends on the size of the "warehouse" you work in. At my HUB the pick-off is responsible for sorting packages for anywhere from about 5 to 8 or 9 preloaders and the 4 or 5 trucks they load. There can be 28 trucks lined up in a row, on one "penn" at my hub. The pick-off job is hard, they are not supposed to stop the belt and there is no pre-pick off to help. I know most of the guys who have done it don't like it and would rather do something else. Just because you like doing it doesn't mean everyone does... jmho. Every facility is different, just something to think about.

[NY11725]

Yea I know some buildings are more brutal...

I pick off for 6-8 people, thats 4 different locations, 2 of them loading 3 trailers a night, so you can figure out the flow my belt gets by that hopefully...it gets heavy at times...but theres moments where it clams down where you can take a rest. Friday's are usually the most heavy because on fridays one of the trailers on our belt take all the 2 and 3 days, so we can slammed even more

[NHDRVR]

I don't mind loading but I would love pick off....So how do I make that happen![/QUOTE]

A guy in our building did it this way...

He became a driver and then really pissed off the center manager then, Presto!, he was in the pick-off...

Good luck

[sortaisle]

Why would you want to be a pickoff? The job sucks. But either way, it's a seniority thing. When your pick off goes and does something else, then you're probably next in line. But it's seniority.

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by sortaisle

Why would you want to be a pickoff? The job sucks. But either way, it's a seniority thing. When your pick off goes and does something else, then you're probably next in line. But it's seniority.

pick off doesnt suck at all..dont know what planet your on..i happen to love the position...beats loading, unloading..being on the sort isle..anyday...no more eregs..no more misloads..no more type ins every night....

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by hondo

Yeah, watch yourself up there. I knew 1 pickoff who tore/ripped his bicep loose.

Yea, that does not sound fun at all

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by NHDRVR

I don't mind loading but I would love pick off....So how do I make that happen!

A guy in our building did it this way...

He became a driver and then really pissed off the center manager then, Presto!, he was in the pick-off...

Good luck[/QUOTE]

I wouldnt take the chance of doing it that way..sounds like he got lucky...I would just stay loading and gain seniority on that belt..and then eventually ull get up

[LtSmokes1]

Haha, no one likes picking off on my belt...well, now they will since its getting colder and their is a heater up top. I haven't taken the test or anything but I know all six of our trucks so I could pick off.

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by LtSmokes1

Haha, no one likes picking off on my belt...well, now they will since its getting colder and their is a heater up top. I haven't taken the test or anything but I know all six of our trucks so I could pick off.

I guess I am the only one who drooled over the postion then

thats how it was with me...I knew the sort way before I even wanted to pick off...but when I found out about one of the main pick offs leaving...I JUMPED...noooo..I SPRINTED on it...went right to my manager he had me write a short letter why I wanted it and why I feel i would be good...turned it in...1 week later..the main backup became supervisor...so I got lucky I guess...now im up top and loving it..no more eregs...misloads..type ins... weeeee

[700 PPH]

Originally Posted by NY11725

first off....if your a loader...on ur belt...stay there....dont change to unload or small sort...just load...bite the bullet...and just....load....hey 700 PHH..we need you to do these eregs.....DO IT....just bite the bullet and do w/e they want....stay on ur belt...eventually...u will be the person loading who has been loading in ur area for the longest which gives you seniority...find out who is back up pick off on ur belt....how many pick off do you have on ur belt? My belt has 2...me and another guy...some only require one...depending on the volume....find out who is back up....if no one requested back up...ask for it...take the sort test..pass it...you will get the dollar raise even for just being a back up...then ur garenteed to go up everytime if one of them or the person takes off....it always garentees you the position if for any reason the person quits..gets fired, or xfers...ur already back up so your automatically the next person to go up....

I have come to the conclusion that the most picking off I will get to do is a small amount of weakside, 3-4 times a week.

I have been working here for about 6 months and I passed the pick off test for my belt a long time ago, I am consistantly one of if not the best reader on my belt(as far as loaders are concerned, obviously). The problem is that the high pick guy on my belt has been at UPS for about 15+ years, and the low pick guy has been there for about 15+ as well. Neither of them are leaving anytime soon. So the only picking off I will be seeing on this belt is probably during the summer when they swap back and forth with week long vacations.

I talked to my full time sup about being a pick off somewhere else in the building and he said he could only use a pick off on one other belt. Then he said he wouldn't mind me picking off but he can't afford to lose me as a loader(bull**** imo..that's what I get for busting my ass for the first 6 months on the job, as I see other people who do absolute **** there and get away with it..just because they can). Basically I know that even though they are looking for a pick off on another belt, there is no way I will get the chance at it. I have basically decided that it isn't worth busting my ass for this company at the time being, sure I can hold down my loads and help the slower loaders out but really, what is the point? Why should I do 700 PPH if the guy in the trailer next to me is only doing 250-300(and not trying hard at all)..and getting paid more than me in the process. Basically I feel that the type of job that you have as a loader at UPS is, the harder you try..the more you get taken advantage of. Sure I have no problem helping people out, because I am a team player. However I am just sick of being used by supervisors who only care about getting the job done, while they do the least amount of work possible. The high pick guy on my belt is a perfect example of someone being used. He is unreal at pick off(I mean he has been doing it like 12 years or something...probably the best in my HUB) and because he is so good, he never gets help. 3-4 Days a week I will do my load and help with weakside..however most of the time I go up there and I get pulled down(even though with that load your job is suppose to be to load, and help weakside) by my supervisor asking me to go bulk or internals..or help out some ******* who decided to come to work and not give a ****. Now even though my high pick is great and doesn't need me up there most of the time. He has admitted that having me up there whenever possible is a huge help for him. I guess anyone who does strong side pick off can tell you how much of a difference it is when you have someone there to help. And the main reason I bust my ass in my load to get clear so I can go up and help him is because that is the only way I will get any experience picking off.(I mean neither of these guys ever call out, and if they did there is one person who has seniority over me who gets to fill in, even though he is consistantly at the bottom on the misload frequency chart..because he doesn't like to read). So basically, I just decided to not give a **** anymore. I mean why should I, right?

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by 700 PPH

I have come to the conclusion that the most picking off I will get to do is a small amount of weakside, 3-4 times a week.

I have been working here for about 6 months and I passed the pick off test for my belt a long time ago, I am consistantly one of if not the best reader on my belt(as far as loaders are concerned, obviously). The problem is that the high pick guy on my belt has been at UPS for about 15+ years, and the low pick guy has been there for about 15+ as well. Neither of them are leaving anytime soon. So the only picking off I will be seeing on this belt is probably during the summer when they swap back and forth with week long vacations.

I talked to my full time sup about being a pick off somewhere else in the building and he said he could only use a pick off on one other belt. Then he said he wouldn't mind me picking off but he can't afford to lose me as a loader(bull**** imo..that's what I get for busting my ass for the first 6 months on the job, as I see other people who do absolute **** there and get away with it..just because they can). Basically I know that even though they are looking for a pick off on another belt, there is no way I will get the chance at it. I have basically decided that it isn't worth busting my ass for this company at the time being, sure I can hold down my loads and help the slower loaders out but really, what is the point? Why should I do 700 PPH if the guy in the trailer next to me is only doing 250-300(and not trying hard at all)..and getting paid more than me in the process. Basically I feel that the type of job that you have as a loader at UPS is, the harder you try..the more you get taken advantage of. Sure I have no problem helping people out, because I am a team player. However I am just sick of being used by supervisors who only care about getting the job done, while they do the least amount of work possible. The high pick guy on my belt is a perfect example of someone being used. He is unreal at pick off(I mean he has been doing it like 12 years or something...probably the best in my HUB) and because he is so good, he never gets help. 3-4 Days a week I will do my load and help with weakside..however most of the time I go up there and I get pulled down(even though with that load your job is suppose to be to load, and help weakside) by my supervisor asking me to go bulk or internals..or help out some ******* who decided to come to work and not give a ****. Now even though my high pick is great and doesn't need me up there most of the time. He has admitted that having me up there whenever possible is a huge help for him. I guess anyone who does strong side pick off can tell you how much of a difference it is when you have someone there to help. And the main reason I bust my ass in my load to get clear so I can go up and help him is because that is the only way I will get any experience picking off.(I mean neither of these guys ever call out, and if they did there is one person who has seniority over me who gets to fill in, even though he is consistantly at the bottom on the misload frequency chart..because he doesn't like to read). So basically, I just decided to not give a **** anymore. I mean why should I, right?

I totally understand what you mean...before I got pick off...I was loading the slowest trailer on my belt...just because of the fact they knew I could keep it clean and be the one to help everyone else...so i would rush and bang out my trailer, then be the one helping everyone else until my trailer got backed up again, then when i went back, I got no help what so ever...no one even came to break my jams...which is BS...then as soon as i cleaned it out again I was pulled out to help once again...your own best loader blah blah blah...It was a pain in the butt...then our retain guy..not sure if any other buildings work the same but we have a retain trailer...everything that goes out to be delivered and no one is home, those boxes come back to the retain trailer...now the guy in retain only loads 1/4 of his trailer a night but I was the one doing eregs and helping out the other trailers..was BS....

Now back to you.. ....that sucks those guys been up there 15+ years...the main pick off where I pick off has been up there for like 5 but been working at UPS for 8 years...the other guy was up there for like 3 years or something but he xfered to maine so I got the position...now the summer isnt the only time you will get to pick off...If you already passed the rest..I really do no see why you cant be atleast back up for them right now...meaning..if one is absent one day...you get to go up..thats how it works at my building..we have a backup for every pickoff incase one doesnt show..700 PPH is a great scanning...keep it up..you will get your moment to shine

[LtSmokes1]

Originally Posted by NY11725

I guess I am the only one who drooled over the postion then

thats how it was with me...I knew the sort way before I even wanted to pick off...but when I found out about one of the main pick offs leaving...I JUMPED...noooo..I SPRINTED on it...went right to my manager he had me write a short letter why I wanted it and why I feel i would be good...turned it in...1 week later..the main backup became supervisor...so I got lucky I guess...now im up top and loving it..no more eregs...misloads..type ins... weeeee

Our pick-off does around 1000 adhawk scans...so still have to scan a bit, but ya no missorts.

[NY11725]

Originally Posted by LtSmokes1

Our pick-off does around 1000 adhawk scans...so still have to scan a bit, but ya no missorts.

Yea auditing isnt hard though..I scan around 1100-1250 audits scans every night however tonight I only did 950 because it was really heavy so I wasnt scanning every single package.. which is ok of course they say you dont have to scan every single one as a pick off , but as long as the loaders scan it..its cool

[LtSmokes1]

Originally Posted by NY11725

Yea auditing isnt hard though..I scan around 1100-1250 audits scans every night however tonight I only did 950 because it was really heavy so I wasnt scanning every single package.. which is ok of course they say you dont have to scan every single one as a pick off , but as long as the loaders scan it..its cool

Ya, you work midnight I'm guessing?