How about some rampant speculation?

[bill274]

our senior here told us the training was union avoidance for the warehouse employees. don't know if it is right or not....evidently this guy has failed some big internal audit so he is in hot water anyway. sounds like his boss is pissed off and is going to punish all seniors...he told me his boss is a prick! i believe him on this.

 

[HomeDelivery]

oops forgot to update:

So your 14 hour day would have been reduced to an 11.25 hour paid day and would have been run in 10 hours, resulting in 2 hours OT and a gross for the day of $330.

my net for that crappy day is $195

the past 2 Saturdays were ok; just 9-10 hour days...

 

[59 Dano]

Well of course it's about the money for all of us. For most of us it's about having enough to have a decent home, decent food, a decent retirement, college for the kids, the occasional vacation, a few nice things like a nice car, a big tv. For a % of people it's a scorecard, a yardstick, measuring what you are worth by the size of your home, having a second home, millions in the bank, surrounded by luxury, and willing to push others to accept less and less so you can have more and more. I've pretty much written off any hope of being in the first group as a FedEx mid-range employee, and I'd rather be poor than be in the second group. It's one thing when you are having it done to you, quite another when you are doing it to others. Which camp are you in 59 Dano?

I'm in the group that wants financial security. If I can get it as a FedEx mid-ranger, then I'll get it that way. If not, I'll get it another way. Maybe it'll come from adjusting my expenditures, or maybe from increasing my income. Maybe both.

I know 2 couriers who have been with Express for around 15 years. Neither of their spouses work and they have 5 or 6 kids between them. One has no debt, and that includes no mortgage, and is about to send a kid to college. The other has 2 kids in college and little debt it any besides his mortgage. One of them does lots of traveling. Plenty of other people who make the same pay complain that they're barely scraping by, and that's with fewer kids and a working spouse.

I'm not saying that Express hourly pay is generous, but when those folks are living well on it, well, it bolsters the idea that one's financial health is a behavioral issue moreso than a mathematical issue.

 

[Mr. 7]

I'm willing to bet that your two examples have some sort of supplemental income.
I have a CSA at my sta. who (due to the budget cuts) only gets about 30 hrs. a week.
I said "how can you live on that"? She said "Oh, I have supplemental income. I inherited a bunch of rental properties from my mom". Bingo.

 

[59 Dano]

I'm willing to bet that your two examples have some sort of supplemental income.
I have a CSA at my sta. who (due to the budget cuts) only gets about 30 hrs. a week.
I said "how can you live on that"? She said "Oh, I have supplemental income. I inherited a bunch of rental properties from my mom". Bingo.

Nope. Both are well-disciplined, if not downright miserly and they've always been that way to the best of my knowledge. Bills aren't a problem when you've rarely borrowed any money.

 

[vantexan]

I'm in the group that wants financial security. If I can get it as a FedEx mid-ranger, then I'll get it that way. If not, I'll get it another way. Maybe it'll come from adjusting my expenditures, or maybe from increasing my income. Maybe both.

I know 2 couriers who have been with Express for around 15 years. Neither of their spouses work and they have 5 or 6 kids between them. One has no debt, and that includes no mortgage, and is about to send a kid to college. The other has 2 kids in college and little debt it any besides his mortgage. One of them does lots of traveling. Plenty of other people who make the same pay complain that they're barely scraping by, and that's with fewer kids and a working spouse.

I'm not saying that Express hourly pay is generous, but when those folks are living well on it, well, it bolsters the idea that one's financial health is a behavioral issue moreso than a mathematical issue.

Sorry, don't believe you.

 

[59 Dano]

They're -obviously- the exception rather than the rule. You've made it painfully clear here that anything that isn't perfectly consistent with your own personal experience cannot be possible for anyone else anywhere else. I don't expect you to believe it.

 

[vantexan]

They're -obviously- the exception rather than the rule. You've made it painfully clear here that anything that isn't perfectly consistent with your own personal experience cannot be possible for anyone else anywhere else. I don't expect you to believe it.

Well that's silly. Go back and read all your posts belittling what I wrote. I've made it painfully clear that anyone who disagrees with even a fraction of what you say is subject to attack. I agree with Mr. 7. Anyone who supports a wife and kids on just FedEx mid-range pay, traveling extensively, paying for college has money from another source. Possibly an inheritance, cashed in on the real estate boom before the collapse, found a pot of gold, who knows? But a mid-range employee starting on $14.46hr, looking at 3% raises for 15 years or more, isn't going to provide much of a life for a stay at home spouse and a couple of kids. They might get by, not much more. And you've suggested that mid-range couriers might be making too much, don't deserve much more. But I thank you for giving me a sliver of hope about a buyout. Not holding my breath but if they offer me enough I will take it.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

59 Dano is 100% correct.

 

[vantexan]

59 Dano is 100% correct.

LOL!!

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

LOL!!

I am totally serious. It is very possible for people to live not only within their means but below them.

I make $70K per year. I have a modest condo with an affordable mortgage. I am leasing a 2010 Nissan Altima which I plan to buy out when the lease is over next year. I have a credit card which as of this moment has a $98 balance. These are my only debts. I recently had new windows installed ($3K) and paid cash. I paid cash for my half ($9K) of my daughters wedding in 2011. I plan on installing a central air system next year ($5K) and plan to pay cash for that as well. 35% of my before tax pay goes to my 401k. I live a modest lifestyle and have very few toys. My plan is to scrimp now so I can enjoy myself later.

I would live the same if I made $40K--it would simply take me longer to save the money. The only exception would be the 35%---that may have to be reduced.

 

[vantexan]

I am totally serious. It is very possible for people to live not only within their means but below them.

I make $70K per year. I have a modest condo with an affordable mortgage. I am leasing a 2010 Nissan Altima which I plan to buy out when the lease is over next year. I have a credit card which as of this moment has a $98 balance. These are my only debts. I recently had new windows installed ($3K) and paid cash. I paid cash for my half ($9K) of my daughters wedding in 2011. I plan on installing a central air system next year ($5K) and plan to pay cash for that as well. 35% of my before tax pay goes to my 401k. I live a modest lifestyle and have very few toys. My plan is to scrimp now so I can enjoy myself later.

I would live the same if I made $40K--it would simply take me longer to save the money. The only exception would be the 35%---that may have to be reduced.

I think you'd have a different perspective if you made $40k. And that new courier on 40 hrs a week will make about $31-32k.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I think you'd have a different perspective if you made $40k. And that new courier on 40 hrs a week will make about $31-32k.

Perhaps but the principles would be the same.

 

[winglas]

I wonder, can you even figure 40 hrs a week safely with the changes that are being reported to happen in the near future? I usually figure on the 35 min. because thats what Im sure to get paid regardless (per contract anyways). Some couriers might not even make 31-32k depending on where they live. FedEx might just say they live in an area with a lower cost of living but lets be real, Ive looked at the area in my state that has (supposedly) the lowest cost of living and its still fricken expensive.

 

[59 Dano]

Well that's silly. Go back and read all your posts belittling what I wrote. I've made it painfully clear that anyone who disagrees with even a fraction of what you say is subject to attack.

You've made it painfully clear that you don't know what you're talking about. I don't attack most folks who disagree with me. I'll argue about something of substance, and/or an issue that I have a great interest in. I don't care about the rest.

I agree with Mr. 7. Anyone who supports a wife and kids on just FedEx mid-range pay, traveling extensively, paying for college has money from another source.

That's fine if you think that. Good for you. I have the privilege of knowing the person and his family very well. You don't. So if you'd like to tell me about their other sources of income, I'm all ears.

Possibly an inheritance, cashed in on the real estate boom before the collapse, found a pot of gold, who knows? But a mid-range employee starting on $14.46hr, looking at 3% raises for 15 years or more, isn't going to provide much of a life for a stay at home spouse and a couple of kids. They might get by, not much more.

ROTFLMAO!!! Ask and ye shall receive... I like that you're giving such detailed information about people that you don't even know. Nice.

And you've suggested that mid-range couriers might be making too much, don't deserve much more

I have? That's news to me. I've never said such a thing.

 

[vantexan]

You've made it painfully clear that you don't know what you're talking about. I don't attack most folks who disagree with me. I'll argue about something of substance, and/or an issue that I have a great interest in. I don't care about the rest.
That's fine if you think that. Good for you. I have the privilege of knowing the person and his family very well. You don't. So if you'd like to tell me about their other sources of income, I'm all ears.

!!! Ask and ye shall receive... I like that you're giving such detailed information about people that you don't even know. Nice.
I have? That's news to me. I've never said such a thing.

You've mentioned numerous times that we make more than we should. And numerous times you've had no answer for points I've made, just made sneering personal remarks. Whatever floats your boat. But if you think a courier can support a non-working wife and a couple of kids, pay off a mortgage, send the kids to college, and travel extensively on starting pay of $14.46hr with 3% annual raises and no other source of income you are deluded.

 

[vantexan]

I wonder, can you even figure 40 hrs a week safely with the changes that are being reported to happen in the near future? I usually figure on the 35 min. because thats what Im sure to get paid regardless (per contract anyways). Some couriers might not even make 31-32k depending on where they live. FedEx might just say they live in an area with a lower cost of living but lets be real, Ive looked at the area in my state that has (supposedly) the lowest cost of living and its still fricken expensive.

And the sad thing is there isn't much choice but to just take it. Maybe 59 Dano can give us tips on how to economize!

 

[59 Dano]

You've mentioned numerous times that we make more than we should. And numerous times you've had no answer for points I've made, just made sneering personal remarks. Whatever floats your boat.

I've never once said that hourlies are overpaid. If you'd like to point me to the time I said that, feel free. I don't answer every point you make because they don't always merit a response.

But if you think a courier can support a non-working wife and a couple of kids, pay off a mortgage, send the kids to college, and travel extensively on starting pay of $14.46hr with 3% annual raises and no other source of income you are deluded.

Yes, a courier can do it and you don't know WTF you're talking about. Can every courier do it? No way in hell. Can most? Nope. Can a few? Probably. Can that one? Yes.

Three people have benched pressed over 1000 lbs. I can't imagine anyone squatting or deadlifting that much weight, let alone benching it. The triceps, delts, pecs, and joints aren't designed to handle that much weight. But they do for those three guys. I guess you have to do lots of things that most folks would never consider in order to accomplish that.

Kind of like my buddy!

 

[59 Dano]

And the sad thing is there isn't much choice but to just take it. Maybe 59 Dano can give us tips on how to economize!

I'd love to, but you'd have 34,489 excuses for not doing it and probably a few dozen more explaining why what's suggested can't be done, even by the people who do it.

Are you one of those guys who stands next to the additional hours sign up sheet that you never sign when you complain about money? Or are you one of those guys who had all the answers but didn't want to go into management in order to implement them and get paid more money for it?

 

[vantexan]

I'd love to, but you'd have 34,489 excuses for not doing it and probably a few dozen more explaining why what's suggested can't be done, even by the people who do it.

Are you one of those guys who stands next to the additional hours sign up sheet that you never sign when you complain about money? Or are you one of those guys who had all the answers but didn't want to go into management in order to implement them and get paid more money for it?

Actually I'm the guy who for a number of years had volunteered for every bit of OT he could get, working at least 40 Saturdays as a sixth day for several years. I told my mgr in 2007 that since he needed help but couldn't work me 6 days without paying double time, to convert me to a 5X8 those weeks he needed me to work 6 days. I'm the guy who has been tops in productivity in every station I've worked. I'm the guy my first mgr called superhuman in my review. I'm the guy who once delivered 19 stops in 24 mins in a 36 story bldg I'd never been in before to make service, helping another courier. I'm the guy who a director asked to meet because, he told me, he never heard of another courier who consistently ran his rt at 150%. I'm the guy who used to train couriers, who's mgr used to tell them to do just like he does and you'll never go wrong.

I'm also the guy who's been cheated by bad mgrs, who went to the company a couple of times about it only to have it swept under the rug. I'm the guy who was raised to believe that if you worked hard for someone they would reward you for your efforts. Some people deal with stress by drinking, I eat. I've got diabetes, high blood pressure, a stent to keep an artery open, and take 10 pills a day. All I want to do is survive FedEx at this point, have nothing left to prove. But I guarandamntee you I'd never go into mgmt for this company, as I was encouraged to do over the years. I don't have it in me to exploit others for money, and FedEx has gotten more and more exploitive. I'm not the world's smartest person, but my I.Q. was once measured at 150. I can see the writing on the wall.