on the truck before start time

[dannyboy]

Speed

You said that management is not doing anything about the poor load you are getting. Problem is, they dont have any incentive to fix the problem, it takes time and effort. Things they really dont want to do. And why should they, you are volunteering to fix the problem for them on your own time.

Customers can and do expect more from us than most everybody else. And in most cases, they get it.

I was a driver like that.

But when the issue is that chronic that you have to be out there every day for years, who's fault is it? Its yours.

So

I and my fellow drivers have communicated with our supervisors on the problems, and nothing is done. my customers deserve service,

I will make you a bet. You stay off your car before start time. Your customer will get the service they expect. They will get their deliveries in a timely manner. That has been proven too many times in the past. And the fact that you spent 10-60 minutes in your truck off the clock will have no bearing on your service to your customers.

It might affect your paid day, but then that is a management issue, not a service issue.

Bottom line, working off the clock is wrong, it is against UPS policy, and in most if not all places it is against the law.

Respectfully

The Head Idiot

 

[speeddemon]

Speed

You said that management is not doing anything about the poor load you are getting. Problem is, they dont have any incentive to fix the problem, it takes time and effort. Things they really dont want to do. And why should they, you are volunteering to fix the problem for them on your own time.

Customers can and do expect more from us than most everybody else. And in most cases, they get it.

I was a driver like that.

But when the issue is that chronic that you have to be out there every day for years, who's fault is it? Its yours.

SoI will make you a bet. You stay off your car before start time. Your customer will get the service they expect. They will get their deliveries in a timely manner. That has been proven too many times in the past. And the fact that you spent 10-60 minutes in your truck off the clock will have no bearing on your service to your customers.

It might affect your paid day, but then that is a management issue, not a service issue.

Bottom line, working off the clock is wrong, it is against UPS policy, and in most if not all places it is against the law.

Respectfully

The Head Idiot

It may be different in your center, but we have misloads everyday that are MISSED packages. Dont get me wrong, I am in agreement with you, but Ive been doing this for 20 years, and nothing has changed. Preloaders are never held accountable. It frustrates me. As Glenn Beck syas..."Thats all Im Sayin!".....

 

[speeddemon]

Next year I plan on having wood flooring installed in my house. Any of you guys that like to work off the clock wanna stop by and give me a hand? I can't pay much, but I'm sure that will be ok since you like working for free anyways. Also I will need some painting around the house, tiling in the bathroom and just a little landscaping project or two...

If you were my neighbor, and needed some help, Id be glad too. Thats how we do it in the South.

 

[BigBrownSanta]

If you were my neighbor, and needed some help, Id be glad too. Thats how we do it in the South.

Like UPS, I'm not askin' for help. I'm lookin' for free (labor).

BTW, I'm in the south also and that whole Southern Hospitality thing is...

well, a lot more hype than reality.

 

[stutteringDave1290]

In as much as drivers working off the clock benefits mgt they have no incentive to stop this practice and, as we have read here, encourage it. This is where the steward needs to grow a set and do his job. Period.

I find it hillarious that you write that the stewards need to grow a set as you are one of the worst offenders of being in your truck early sorting you load as you have in the past been escorted from your truck by a business agent in the past whining the entire time that it is none of his business that you are in your truck for an hour before start time.

 

[Overpaid Union Thug]

Like UPS, I'm not askin' for help. I'm lookin' for free (labor).

BTW, I'm in the south also and that whole Southern Hospitality thing is...

well, a lot more hype than reality.

In the Nashville area that hospitality still exists. Recently was named one of the nation's friendliest cities.

 

[dilligaf]

In the Nashville area that hospitality still exists. Recently was named one of the nation's friendliest cities.

Congrats..........

 

[stevetheupsguy]

Your wrong. I and my fellow drivers have communicated with our supervisors on the problems, and nothing is done. my customers deserve service, not excuses. Sometimes we are required to do more than just what is expected. Its called going over and beyond....well just have to agree to disagree on this one.

Wow, such hostility. Idiots, "I" never said I did it off the clock. People with your mentality should work for GM and suffer the long term consequences of it. Grow Up.

The thread is, On the truck before start time. Your implication was that you were doing the same so your load wouldn't be so bad for you. This is the reason we chimed in on your post. You could have said, when my load is bad I punch in and go and fix it before I leave the building.

 

[HBGPreloader]

From a loaders point of view...
The drivers that come in early and sort their cars are a nuisance. They get in the way and slow me down - especially when they're hanging out on the line, spend more time "chatting" with the driver in the next car instead of "sorting and organizing".
If you don't like the way I load the car, complain to me or your supervisor so it can be fixed! And, as someone else mentioned, be specific with the problem.
I'll do what I can to try to make your job easier, but I have to be made aware of the situation first before I can fix it.

Checkers

 

[Overpaid Union Thug]

Anyone ever see the stewards come in a little earlier than normal and walk the dock to catch drivers working off the clock? Happened here a couple of times and the three or four drivers that were busted took it personal. These are the same guys that don't hesitate to file grievances. They expect management to follow the contract to the letter but don't seem to think the contract applies to them.

A couple of them raised hell and tried to humiliate the stewards. I thought it was funny. Funny because they were caught violating the contract and the best response they could come with was to attack the stewards personally.

 

[Big Babooba]

I come in and put my stuff in the truck. My rule is look but don't touch. If I see something obvious, I'll tell the loader. I don't set up anything or load anything unless I'm told to by my supervisor-then I change my start time.

 

[Cementups]

From a loaders point of view...
The drivers that come in early and sort their cars are a nuisance. They get in the way and slow me down - especially when they're hanging out on the line, spend more time "chatting" with the driver in the next car instead of "sorting and organizing".
If you don't like the way I load the car, complain to me or your supervisor so it can be fixed! And, as someone else mentioned, be specific with the problem.
I'll do what I can to try to make your job easier, but I have to be made aware of the situation first before I can fix it.

Checkers

you may be a bit different that most preloaders but most don't listen. You ask them to fix a specific problem and they just kind of roll their eyes at you. Alot of the problems are not the preloaders fault, but hte supervisors lack of training. My biggest gripe to preloaders, and I always ask nicely, is to please leave the first 3 feet inside the cargo area empty. That way I am abe to open the door and step into the cargo area and not stand on top of packages to reach my first stop.

the biggest problem is that most preloaders thing we are just being crybabies and never fix the problems when we try and address them. And as far as telling a supervisor, they say tey will fix it but the word never gets conveyed to the loader and the problem persist or gets worse. Then you get the jerk loader who when you have a problem all they do is say, "They get paid almsot $30/hr, why do I have to make their jobs easier?" I've heard this plenty of times in the past few years and it really grinds my gears.

 

[NaiveRapture]

you may be a bit different that most preloaders but most don't listen. You ask them to fix a specific problem and they just kind of roll their eyes at you. Alot of the problems are not the preloaders fault, but hte supervisors lack of training. My biggest gripe to preloaders, and I always ask nicely, is to please leave the first 3 feet inside the cargo area empty. That way I am abe to open the door and step into the cargo area and not stand on top of packages to reach my first stop.

the biggest problem is that most preloaders thing we are just being crybabies and never fix the problems when we try and address them. And as far as telling a supervisor, they say tey will fix it but the word never gets conveyed to the loader and the problem persist or gets worse. Then you get the jerk loader who when you have a problem all they do is say, "They get paid almsot $30/hr, why do I have to make their jobs easier?" I've heard this plenty of times in the past few years and it really grinds my gears.

Yeah most preloaders are not that conscious of problems they might be causing, or care to fix them. Sometimes packages are loaded in a way that is bothersome to us, but the loaders has never actually *driven* the trucks (at least not with a full load) and doesn't understand the physics behind what the packages do once in motion, and how much they can get in the way when trying to find a few specific ones.

If I heard a preloader say that about the drivers he might get a brown pen to the eye hahaha. (obviously just kidding)

 

[HBGPreloader]

Sometimes bad loads are inevitable.
I agree that some loaders who have been aorund for a while would need a cattle prod to change their work habits. However, I would point the finger at management for most of the issues.
Besides rushing loaders to meet their apparent quotas, the supes who are training the new hires have little or no experience themselves. The one supe on my boxline never worked preload. And, just recently, the other punched a female in the face while showing her how to load. Needless to say, I don't think he was doing the hand-to-surface thing.
Then there's the new(er) no stacking out rule that supes are trying to enforce. I'm told that I must load all of my rear door stops - even rear door centers, which also contributes to the mess.
Inaccurate or no reports on the volume or bulk stops we are supposed to receive don't help either. In one car today alone, I had 3 stops that filled nearly 25% of the car - and they were all supposed to be on the same shelf.
I think if the loaders were required to work as a driver's helper for a couple of days and stewards were active in coaching new hires there would be a lot fewer issues. However, I'm quite confident that management in our area would frown upon any ideas that come from union employees. Also, if we received more accurate information regarding our loads, we would be better prepared to present the drivers with a much more organized car.

Checkers

 

[stevetheupsguy]

However, I'm quite confident that management in our area would frown upon any ideas that come from union employees.

I asked mgmt if my loader could be my helper, I was told no, but now see other part timers working as helpers. My loader needs a clue, he's not a bad kid, just needs to see the big picture for once.

 

[dannyboy]

Letting the preloader go with you a day or two a year is a great idea. That way, he gets a clue as to what type of load gives the driver a good or very tough day. But as you said, it all boils down to UPS not getting the picture.

I was very lucky except for 6 weeks out of the year. Richie loaded mine, and had been there for more than 20 years. HE had delivery experience, so that really helped. If there was a package out of place, its cause he had a brain fart, not because he did not know better.

Not only was it stop for stop, but he could make good decisions as to what to do with those nasty boxes that will not fit where they are supposed to fit. And he also was the one that decided if I was going to have a TP60 each day or not.

He was worth his weight in gold. But all i could afford was a couple of biscuits every morning, and something nice for his birthday and christmas.

d

 

[dilligaf]

when I was preloading I begged to jump for my drivers. And my pleas fell on deaf ears. How can a company be so stupid?!?!

 

[trickpony1]

How can a company be so stupid?!?!

.....it's called "egocentrism".

 

[ups79]

.....it's called "egocentrism".

I don't want to see any of you "by the union book" people on that truck early tommorrow morning. I know none of you are going in early to get a start on your day.

 

[trickpony1]

I don't want to see any of you "by the union book" people on that truck early tommorrow morning. I know none of you are going in early to get a start on your day.

You won't see me on the truck early.
I wait until the timeclock says it is my start time and then I walk out and pre-trip my feeder tractor.