I was having a discussion with 705Red about UPS's statement about using customer driveways. For the most part, most of us still use driveways to save us time considering our routes are always loaded for a 9+ hour day. Doing this is a violation of their policy, though we take the risks anyways.
If the Teamsters could come out with a statement stating that we are forbidden to drive on customers driveways. This would be a way of standing behind management while screwing them at the same time. The policy as it is right now is set up for us to fail and be held liable. UPS wants us to use driveways even though they state it is forbidden.
If we all as drivers refused to drive on driveways and walked off every package. They would be forced to take work off us and add more routes which would keep drivers doing what they do, DRIVE. Sounds like a pipe dream, but maybe UPS may realize that they go a little overboard with things.
This is near and dear to my heart. I do not, as a bendable rule, bring my 700 into any driveways. This is where the definition of 'd-way' has to be twisted a bit since NH has it's share of E/C conditions (which we are allowed to use) and mud season (which we are in). I have many deliveries which involve driveways that are longer than some of the cul-de-sacs at the beginning of my route. I will drive these since 2-way traffic won't be an issue. I have been on this run about 4 years now and I plan on retiring on it so I know every turn and branch/wire/basketball pole.
It is unrealistic in our area to walk every driveway, and besides, I am not lugging another bowflex on my 2-wheeler up a dirt driveway and risk getting hurt that way. I did when I was young and stupid and at some point it's actually safer for you to go to the house with your pkg. car depending on the pkg. ie; over 70's, dogs, and this is no joke, I have a stop that involves a home-schooled child who plays in his yard regardless of the weather and when he is not on his meds, he will attack (not kidding) anyone who goes up to the house. I was hit with his hockey stick and I will go into further detail on this if anyone wants to know what happened.
Sorry, I'm rambling.
A steward in our building uses the safety language that is constantly spewed as an 'out' for the drivers. When we have to make a D/R decision that a customer might not like, such as not going to the house for what ever reason, if it's a safety concern for the driver we are pretty much left alone. Well, the senior drivers are anyways. Who knows the runs better than we do?
UPS does want us to use driveways, they LOVE the rooks who fly,fly,fly, and, as we all know, it's never a problem until they have an accident and then it's why,why,why?