 Re: Another new UPS Freight Road Driver...
After running this past week I think I realize I can't do this job. Let me explain....
Im have been a truck driver for the last 11 years running all 48 states. I liked the idea of being home more often by taking the job at UPS Freight. I think I made a huge mistake!
During my driving career sometime I found it necessary to run throught the night to make a delivery on time. But working throught the night EVERY night is a real drag. In 5 days this week I have slept a total of 4 hours! The only time I feel like I want to sleep is when I get behind the wheel.
I think I need to be honest with myself and my boss and tell him I can't do it. I am just as safety conscience as UPS is, so I can't take the chance of falling asleep behind the wheel and killing myself or someone else.
I am not lazy by any means, but I can't function without sleep. By the end of this week I found myself feeling ready to snap. Also running a mini-hub and having to unload and reload made my head spin.
I ran the mini hub run from York, PA to Newburgh, NY. Leaving at 8:30 pm, driving to NY arriving around 00:45 am. Working the dock for arouns 3 hours and then driving back to York, PA. The trip up wasn't so bad. but I found it impossible to not doze off while driving back home.
Also, as a driver that never experienced the chaos that happens on the docks at Newburgh, NY, I can't see how more people don't get hurt there.
I understand everyone is in a hurry, but my god!
I really don't want to quit, but I can't see myself walking around like a zombie, hating life and my job as I see from everyone else doing the job.
There were a couple "senior" drivers doing the same route that don't work the dock and refuse to do it. That would be find by me, but is it a possibility? I am a truck driver, not a dock worker. And until this week I have never even sat on a forklift before. I took my time not to damage anything while working the loads but was yelled at for being too slow. Oh well, at least At least I didn't damage any customers items! Not so for some of the idiots I saw. It's no wonder so much stuff gets damaged before the customer get it.
Help! Any suggestions? | 
