How did Peak go for you? - Brown Cafe

scratch · 12-22-2006, 07:35 PM

Well, here we are. For most of us, another Peak Season over. My thoughts go out to all of you that will work tomorrow and those of you out in the Denver Area. How did it go for everyone? What was the good and the bad? This time of the year makes our company shine in my opinion. Yes, its stressful and exhausting, but we get it done. This was my thirty-second one, and it was challenging as always.

Merry Christmas to everyone, it will be nice to be able to wind back down to normal next week.

wkmac · 12-22-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scratch_king

it will be nice to be able to wind back down to normal next week.

Are you kidding me! Tuesday morning, 10 am, peak season 07' planning meeting, my office!!!!!!

Enjoy the holidays Scratch!

hitsomebody · 12-22-2006, 07:55 PM

Well its not over for some of us. Working on Saturday 845am start time.

Rumor was 2 cans of air bound for us got left in Louisville. That would explain the 4 NDA and 7 NDS stops I had today on 'peak" air day.

On the other hand they have 18 drivers scheduled for Saturday, and 3 of them want 8 hour days. So good for me, bad for them

satellitedriver · 12-22-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scratch_king

Well, here we are. For most of us, another Peak Season over. My thoughts go out to all of you that will work tomorrow and those of you out in the Denver Area. How did it go for everyone? What was the good and the bad? This time of the year makes our company shine in my opinion. Yes, its stressful and exhausting, but we get it done. This was my thirty-second one, and it was challenging as always.

Merry Christmas to everyone, it will be nice to be able to wind back down to normal next week.

I have to admire you. I have only done 21 peaks. My heart also goes out to Denver and all who are forced to work tomorrow. This peak went about the same as every one I have been thru.The 3 drivers around my area were a great help. We would meet, exchange stops and make it all happen. First year I ever gave Christmas presents to my fellow drivers, but they pitched in and helped when they easily could have gone home. It was the least I could do to show my thanks. Peak is always exhausting and challenging and some how we get it done. Peak is always good when it is over. Merry Christmas to all.

browniehound · 12-22-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satellitedriver

Peak is always exhausting and challenging and some how we get it done.

Yes, the "somehow" is that we have no choice but to get it done! That includes working on Saturday.

DS · 12-22-2006, 09:27 PM

It went well here. A pat on the back for upper management to give the front line sups the tools to get it done.No missed for the first time in 16 years.

RockyRogue · 12-22-2006, 09:42 PM

Denver's gonna be f---ed up HARDCORE!!! Unconfirmed rumors have helpers working ALL next week. Anyone on UPSers.com see anything about working Sunday????

upsdude · 12-23-2006, 01:00 AM

Peak 2006 was my 21st and I have to say it was my best. Most of us only had 2 really bad days, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Thursday of this week. Our volume was up 25% over last year yet we were on the road by 9:00 every day. Center management asked for routes and drivers to run them and the requests were granted.

Hello Atlanta, For sure there were areas that had the worst peak ever, most of us had the best one. Take what you’ve learned from Peak 2006, fix the problem areas and maintain the good areas. Make 2007’s Peak another one to be proud of.

over9five · 12-23-2006, 04:12 AM

December was great!

Peak starts for me Tuesday, and lasts till Thankgiving.

Ruralbrownman · 12-23-2006, 06:28 AM

Is there really a such thing as peak anymore. It seems to last 11 monthes out of the year , the other month is the 8-hr requests we can have twice a month.

mattwtrs · 12-23-2006, 06:59 AM

This peak was my last! Except for yesterday we got all our air before we left the building, that's a record for our center! It was our 1st PAS peak and it was the only way the new drivers could have done it. Last night a few of the newly retired drivers stopped in pat everyone on the back and get some free food too. Merry Christmas to all!

jlphotog · 12-23-2006, 07:03 AM

Since I was a peak virgin this year I have nothing to compare it to, but I will say, yesterday (Friday) when my alarm woke me up, my body said, are kidding me?!

However now that for the most part it is over, thinking back on the last few weeks, I had fun. (If you think I'm nuts, just refer to my sig line.) I have not worked that hard in a very long time. Even though I am totally exhausted I feel very alive. Plus my brown pants are way to big on me now.

rushfan · 12-23-2006, 07:36 AM

The only good thing this year-I got my usual tips.

rocket88 · 12-23-2006, 09:22 AM

Best peak ever! Been out on comp since last part of November.Physical rehab has been painful and slow. I must admit there were times when I was wishing that I was on my route and not laid up. Overall though, the quality and quanity time I got to spend with my family makes it the BEST PEAK EVER!!!

12-23-2006, 10:18 AM

First peak they ever asked people if they wanted to go home when they showed up. Either it was the lightest peak in a long time here or excessive use of contractors. Kind of felt like a player standing on the side line begging to get in the game and help make a difference. Several fellow feeder drivers felt very alienated this peak not being allowed to get out on the road, but being made to sweep out trailers and stack pallets 6-8 hrs due to lack of work. Defiantly agree with over9five about peak starting Tuesday and running to Thanksgiving. Good Work to the rest of you that busted your a** to get the job done.

jlphotog · 12-23-2006, 05:15 PM

Those of us around here that put in a good honest effort and showed up during the peak season were allowed to punch out when we got back last night. Those that were questionable were sent back out with 10-15 stops. Made all the hard work worth while. I had a lot fun at the local bar with drivers, sups, office workers and former sups.

12-23-2006, 05:55 PM

We were told by our management team Friday that our center had the most delivery stops Thursday than all the other centers in the country. Don't know wether that is true or not.

MR_Vengeance · 12-23-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket88

Best peak ever! Been out on comp since last part of November.Physical rehab has been painful and slow. I must admit there were times when I was wishing that I was on my route and not laid up. Overall though, the quality and quanity time I got to spend with my family makes it the BEST PEAK EVER!!!

sounds like some1 i knew

beatupbrown · 12-24-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scratch_king

Well, here we are. For most of us, another Peak Season over. My thoughts go out to all of you that will work tomorrow and those of you out in the Denver Area. How did it go for everyone? What was the good and the bad? This time of the year makes our company shine in my opinion. Yes, its stressful and exhausting, but we get it done. This was my thirty-second one, and it was challenging as always.

Merry Christmas to everyone, it will be nice to be able to wind back down to normal next week.

man I had 32 yrs of driveing I would go to feeders before you have your back go out.And If you can retire why are you still working?

Griff · 12-25-2006, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatupbrown

man I had 32 yrs of driveing I would go to feeders before you have your back go out.And If you can retire why are you still working?

2 years too long or 32 years too long according to most of this forum

Definitely a lot of respect goes out to you for putting in that kind of time. I have severe questions whether my body will agree with this job much past my 15 year anni.

As for peak...it wasn't bad, never exceeded 300 stops, came close on the 21st though.

Pip · 12-25-2006, 06:16 AM

According to our center manager, overall we had a really smooth peak. there were a couple times when things got a little stressed, but even the problems got worked out without to much disruption.

I think everybody is tired and glad we made it through another peak.

scratch · 12-25-2006, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatupbrown

man I had 32 yrs of driveing I would go to feeders before you have your back go out.And If you can retire why are you still working?

I started P/T back in '75, went into Package FT in '84. I am in Central States, can't retire. I like dealing with customers, have no desire to drive Feeder, could have went to Feeder School fifteen years ago. I'm 48, my body is in pretty good shape.

My Peak went well. Great Preloader and "Track Star" Helper. I started a Helper in October, so I was loaded up more than usual after that. We usually were done by 5:30 with over 200 stops on a tight DR route. Worst day was last Wednesday, 264 stops and got off at 8PM. Friday I was done at 5, had to go help another driver. I started that day by going to the Atlanta Airport to get my EAMs at 6:30AM, we had one late air meet about 2PM. For the most part our NDA was good the rest of the season. It will be clean up time this week, it usually takes me a few days to slow myself down to a more normal pace. I hope everyone is enjoying their much deserved time off with the Family. After all, they are the reason we do this job!

12-25-2006, 06:53 AM

Well Beatupbrown I'm with you. My 32nd peak also. Hired as a peak driver in 75 and been behind the wheel of a package car from day 1. One of the better peaks I've had. The weather was great throughout here in the northeast and we finally seemed to have enough help. But it's my last peak too. I'm 55 and have decided it's time to try something else in life. I have no clue what I'm going to do and no current plans. Just feel it's time to walk out the door and find a new life. I'm not angry, I'm not bitter, and have nothing bad to say about UPS. The job is what it is. And it's not for everyone who walks in the door. But it has all worked out for me.

Leftinbuilding · 12-25-2006, 07:20 AM

This was my 34th peak and probably the smoothest I've seen. Peak is always very stressful and exhausting. But, when it is over there is a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that I always enjoy. Peak is teamwork at its best. To my fellow UPS ers--good job!! Think of the millions of happy children this day. We are good!

browniehound · 12-25-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leftinbuilding

This was my 34th peak and probably the smoothest I've seen. Peak is always very stressful and exhausting. But, when it is over there is a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that I always enjoy. Peak is teamwork at its best. To my fellow UPS ers--good job!! Think of the millions of happy children this day. We are good!

Hey Left, thats what I enjoy most about peak, the sense of camaraderie. It exists between hourlies and management and I like that also. For once, it seems like we're on the same team