No, I have not driven for FED EX, but I have worked at both UPS and FED EX since 1990-in management. They are all IC's - owner operators. There's a big difference. The managers are nicer than Express, but you get ALL of the headaches of owning a vehicle. I've been a Manager and I really felt for some of these guys. A few I have known had to file for bankruptcy. Make sure you incorporate as a business so you do not lose your house. In being an Independent Contractor you get a Settlement and must account for your taxes, vehicle maintenance receipts, etc. At Fed Ex Ground some of the managers help you out with telling you all of the records that must be up to date, etc.
But being an IC can be a real headache if you are not use to it. You can easily do a 12 hour day, and work on Saturday. Key words are - YOU HAVE TO SERVICE ALL PACKAGES IN YOUR AREA!! Even if you break down or have an accident.
Take Fed Ex Ground for instance - package delivery. You could easily drive 12 miles and only make $1.50 on the package. (You may have a lot of chaser packages that are in the middle of nowhere that you spend $10.00 in gas and only make $1.50 on. One account that comes to mind is a Corporate Express package). You could get a $60,000.00 route that has 55 stops, but an 11 hour day. But you have to figure, that with taxes, expenses, etc., you may only be taking in $20,000.00 after everything is said and done. You have new truck payments, insurance, maintenance on the truck, new brakes in a year's time, oil changes, tires, etc. And when you break down -depending on the goodness of your manager - you have to call your own tow truck, pick up your own rental and then still go out and deliver your route and get it done and PAY FOR THE RENTAL!! I can go on and on... get EVERYTHING in writing -which they will refuse to do until the day you are to start; after you already quit your job.
If you don't like things, remember that you will be stuck with a truck payment, insurance on a truck and a $3,000.00 fee if you do not give them 30 day's notice before you quit. If you can somehow get 60 days off from UPS, you might want to try it out first. Once you start spending $700.00 a week in gas, you might change your mind. Ask if you will be getting paid every two weeks or once a month.
The managers are much nicer than UPS by far, but you take ALL of the risk. Let me know if this helps. I know a lot more. I was a Building manager. I always told anyone I hired the worst -I never told them Rosy pictures. I never had a problem with anyone I hired - I always told the truth, and even worse case scenarios.
If you are an excellent business man, you can do alright. If you have a wife that can do your books, even better. You will be dead tired with work, and keeping your vehicle in shape - even brand new ones are lemons.
NOW IMAGINE FREIGHT - LINEHAUL. Do you know the maintenance costs on that puppy? When you break down, you still have to get a rental and deliver that load. And the rental comes out of your pocket. The company does not pay for ANY of your operating costs. You are an independent Contractor. You pay for your own health insurance. (Better have a 24 hour AIM Rental phone number). Line-haul can be a NASTY animal. I had one guy who had to sleep in the parking lot - in his truck to make ends meet for a while. You have got to be a good business man. It also helps if you are a mechanic, or have a relative who is one. DO NOT LEAVE UPS LINEHAUL FOR FED EX FREIGHT!! If you are in a package car, and want to get into line-haul... ask A LOT MORE QUESTIONS!!!
Look at your contract CAREFULLY!! Take it home. And believe me, they WILL cut your settlement. They may swear up and down you will get $120,000.00 etc. But ALL settlements get cut - I know, because it's part of the job.
Ask me anything you need to...I'm here