Cameras coming to FedEx Ground Trucks

Fred's Myth

Nonhyphenated American
Shame on them too. Nobody likes to hear about someone getting hurt due to an accident that could have been prevented had a defect been logged on the DVIR.
When 9 out of 10 times you get an 'unable to duplicate problem' you tend to become jaded.
 

59 Dano

I just want to make friends!
Half a dozen couriers wouldn't be running a specific route and swings often do things like work on breaks to blow up routes. Setting route goals at 100% and you meet them, then setting goals higher so that suddenly you're doing 90-95%, not cool. Had a route where I was consistently doing 110%+. They reset my goals and suddenly couldn't do better than 95% unless I worked off the clock. When I was doing 110%+ the swing was in the 90's. So worked hard, not rewarded. Cool story bro!

The point is that when the goal is consistently achieved by different people, the goal isn't the problem. I don't know how you managed to have a problem with a fact that like, but you did.
 

Fred's Myth

Nonhyphenated American
The point is that when the goal is consistently achieved by different people, the goal isn't the problem. I don't know how you managed to have a problem with a fact that like, but you did.
Just out of curiosity, why is it such a problem when a route is consistently run above goal?
Why must goal be constantly placed j.u.s.t out of reach?
If goals are consistently "too low", then whatever system used to calculate goals should be scrapped.
Just because a particular courier can exceed goal doesn't mean they're using Best Practices. I knew too many swings (I was one) who sped, ran, and violated policy just to show up the regular route driver.
 

vantexan

Well-Known Member
The point is that when the goal is consistently achieved by different people, the goal isn't the problem. I don't know how you managed to have a problem with a fact that like, but you did.
You made it sound like many others were able to run those numbers. However, if you actually knew how things work, you'd know that if a particular courier has run a rt for a number of years, generally the only other person running it is a swing, or a 4X10 cover. And things are fluid. The route may be somewhat different than it was a few years ago, even 6 months ago. Different days are busier, or slower. What a swing does on a slow week won't be the same as a normal week. Or it could be the courier is a slacker and is being pushed to be more productive. It varies, and there is no definitive, one size fits all cookie cutter formula.
 

Oldfart

Well-Known Member
You made it sound like many others were able to run those numbers. However, if you actually knew how things work, you'd know that if a particular courier has run a rt for a number of years, generally the only other person running it is a swing, or a 4X10 cover. And things are fluid. The route may be somewhat different than it was a few years ago, even 6 months ago. Different days are busier, or slower. What a swing does on a slow week won't be the same as a normal week. Or it could be the courier is a slacker and is being pushed to be more productive. It varies, and there is no definitive, one size fits all cookie cutter formula.
You only had 1 swing run your route when you were off? How small were these stations? We have about 10 swings and my belt will have about 5 different swings run my route. Sometimes 3 different swings will run it in 1 week.
 

Preventable

Well-Known Member
The point is that when the goal is consistently achieved by different people, the goal isn't the problem. I don't know how you managed to have a problem with a fact that like, but you did.

In the situation that I quoted initially swings were getting crushed by the route when they did it. They either needed help or were back over an hour later than I was (Or a combination of both). I am not a runner/gunner 95% of the time, but I am pretty efficient. They saw that I could really get the stop off and just kept adding on, and I was a 5x8er. They did the same thing to another loop they had two older couriers retire within a year and two of our better swings took it over. Within like 6 months both of those guys were running about 30% more stops than the old timers there used to be a part time route on the bottom of that loop but that was pretty much eliminated.

And yeah you'll say they'd be stupid not to do that, be you can just tell they are just slowly pinching these guys to get as much out of them as humanly possible. And when it comes without consulting the couriers it gives the impression that safety/taking care of your guys is being compromised in the pursuit of metrics. When there is a route that whenever even a GOOD SWING runs it they need help every time the goal is not properly set imo. I also noticed we have a 4x10 cover driver who was a young, strong as an ox, in shape workhorse who has about 15-20 more stops on whatever route he is covering over the normal driver. Now I don't know the full story maybe that was an arrangement that they came to together, but if not it is hard to reconcile that with guaranteed fair treatment and our PSP philosophy (aside from the profit part which obviously can't be ignored).

You only had 1 swing run your route when you were off? How small were these stations? We have about 10 swings and my belt will have about 5 different swings run my route. Sometimes 3 different swings will run it in 1 week.

Thats how my station used to do it I guess (scheduling swings all over the place), but then the swings wanted stability so they try to schedule swings ahead of time for a route for the whole week. Now this doesn't always happen, say for example the guy who does the mall calls in sick the newer swings who usually get the scraps would get killed on that route... so they pull in a more seasoned swing off of whatever they were scheduled for. They are pretty good in this aspect though, and thats part of what you sign up for when you take that extra pay (even if it is not enough in my opinion lol). Also we have twice as many swings as you and we do a system that is closer to what he was saying than you so it might be the smaller stations that do it that way, which makes sense because less swings=less flexibility= more people getting thrown around.
 

Cactus

Just telling it like it is
The point is that when the goal is consistently achieved by different people, the goal isn't the problem. I don't know how you managed to have a problem with a fact that like, but you did.
See, right there is a real example of the problems that plague FedEx, UPS and much of the whole industry too. All this fixation on goals, goals, goals leaves the important person which is the customer putting up with less and less good customer service. Very clear you don't give a damn about service there Dano. Just numbers.
 

Oldfart

Well-Known Member
See, right there is a real example of the problems that plague FedEx, UPS and much of the whole industry too. All this fixation on goals, goals, goals leaves the important person which is the customer putting up with less and less good customer service. Very clear you don't give a damn about service there Dano. Just numbers.
All companies have to satisfy their customers and their share holders. Without either group, there is no company. When Express profit margin was 5%, customers were getting taken care of but share holders weren't. I believe it is a little over 10% now and both groups seem to be satisfied. Without big growth in package count, you have to do more with less.
 

vantexan

Well-Known Member
You only had 1 swing run your route when you were off? How small were these stations? We have about 10 swings and my belt will have about 5 different swings run my route. Sometimes 3 different swings will run it in 1 week.
Fair enough. Stations I worked in usually had 3-4 swings with each having certain routes they always covered for vacations. Of course a swing can be thrown on any rt at any time, but usually a swing doing a rt he wasn't familiar with didn't do that well.
 

Over disciplined0123

Well-Known Member
Not exactly. We need to install front and driver facing dash cams. They need to record and store video of “events” high g-force changes, harsh braking etc. No one has the time or desire to watch all their drivers all day long.
Haha. Unless your paid over and then they will say why at 1105 you were in back of cab Leigh I g for a box so long
 

Cactus

Just telling it like it is
All companies have to satisfy their customers and their share holders. Without either group, there is no company. When Express profit margin was 5%, customers were getting taken care of but share holders weren't. I believe it is a little over 10% now and both groups seem to be satisfied. Without big growth in package count, you have to do more with less.
If the profit margin was only 5% I lay the blame it on poor management. Look at how much dead weight Memphis got rid of around 2013. Show me where the custoners are satisified if you can. I don’t see how with perpetual late freight, crash and dash service etc. These days it’s all about stockholders, Wall Street and heavily inflated salaries for the top brass and all the fine trimmings.
 

Over disciplined0123

Well-Known Member
Do you have an app translating your language to English? If so, may I suggest trying a different app?
Really another English major is in the house . Just read the words and piece them together.I did not know posts are now graded . A.if your a English major why are you working at UPS. Professor Fred I am now belittled by your superior intelligence... :censored2:bag I bet your in management ,you fit the part
 

Fred's Myth

Nonhyphenated American
Really another English major is in the house . Just read the words and piece them together.I did not know posts are now graded . A.if your a English major why are you working at UPS. Professor Fred I am now belittled by your superior intelligence... :censored2:bag I bet your in management ,you fit the part
I seriously believe you are a Russian hacker with an inferior translation app.
Either that or you type with your toes.
 

dezguy

Well-Known Member
Really another English major is in the house . Just read the words and piece them together.I did not know posts are now graded . A.if your a English major why are you working at UPS. Professor Fred I am now belittled by your superior intelligence... :censored2:bag I bet your in management ,you fit the part
Pst....

He doesn't work for UPS. Shhhhhhh!
 

Code 82 Approved

Titanium Plus+ Level Member with benefits!
You made it sound like many others were able to run those numbers. However, if you actually knew how things work, you'd know that if a particular courier has run a rt for a number of years, generally the only other person running it is a swing, or a 4X10 cover. And things are fluid. The route may be somewhat different than it was a few years ago, even 6 months ago. Different days are busier, or slower. What a swing does on a slow week won't be the same as a normal week. Or it could be the courier is a slacker and is being pushed to be more productive. It varies, and there is no definitive, one size fits all cookie cutter formula.
I ran the most demanding and pkg heavy route in our building for 10 yrs. It split 3x, and yes it was still the heaviest route every year. I'm glad I am not doing it anymore. 55 boxes of David's Bridal, no thanks.

As a manager, I'd never do that to any of my drivers. Ever. Our system works, it really does.
 

Oldfart

Well-Known Member
If the profit margin was only 5% I lay the blame it on poor management. Look at how much dead weight Memphis got rid of around 2013. Show me where the custoners are satisified if you can. I don’t see how with perpetual late freight, crash and dash service etc. These days it’s all about stockholders, Wall Street and heavily inflated salaries for the top brass and all the fine trimmings.
Customers must be somewhat happy. Package count is steady with small % of growth. If they were as unhappy as you make it sound, we would be losing volume, not gaining.
 
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