So I am a new hire, and I took my road test the other day in an automatic. Before the test my manager had me sign a paper that says that by taking the test in an automatic I am only certified to drive automatics when I work (I'm a cover driver). Most of what I read before the test was that they usually give you the worst truck they have in a manual. I was surprised when he had me sign it before the test and take the test in an automatic. Is this a new thing?
Road Test in an automatic
- Thread starter Brown1234
- Start date
Sounds super dumb. Stuff happens: trucks get red tagged or have to be swapped around. Maybe the only truck the PDS can find is an old loud as hell diesel manual that'll have everybody looking out their windows as you're still driving up and down their neighborhood streets at 2100.
So yeah, testing you in an old manual that can barely shift would be the best way to go. Because sometimes as a low seniority cover you've gotta take whatever route/truck falls in your lap.
But, we are also coming into negotiations for the 8-2018 Contract. Company might want to point to automatic-only drivers as leverage. Or they might simply be having such a hard time recruiting younger folks at some locations that they're dropping the requirement.
Maybe your location only has automatics.
So yeah, testing you in an old manual that can barely shift would be the best way to go. Because sometimes as a low seniority cover you've gotta take whatever route/truck falls in your lap.
But, we are also coming into negotiations for the 8-2018 Contract. Company might want to point to automatic-only drivers as leverage. Or they might simply be having such a hard time recruiting younger folks at some locations that they're dropping the requirement.
Maybe your location only has automatics.
brownIEman
Well-Known Member
There are some sites that no longer have manuals. I know of at least one Integrad location that swapped out all its manuals and only uses automatics now for the integration station training because some of the centers that feed into it have only automatics.
I personally never gave a road test in anything other than the crappiest manual we had on hand. It was my responsibility to make sure if I passed someone it was because they could handle the hardest vehicle they are likely to face without killing someone. Anyway, I never dealt with the automatic only issue. My guess is the paper you signed will go in your file. The only possible use for it I can think of would be to A) deny you your guarantee if the only route they have for you is in a manual, saying it is work you are not qualified for. Or to B) CYA for themselves in case you wind up in a route in a manual to say "he signed this, he should have known better."
Either way it should be a non issue unless you are asked to take a route out in a manual before you wind up getting certified in one. So under no circumstances drive a manual until you can get certified. If a management person asks you to, refuse, politely, and reference the automatic only certification in your file. Just my 2c from a management perspective.
I personally never gave a road test in anything other than the crappiest manual we had on hand. It was my responsibility to make sure if I passed someone it was because they could handle the hardest vehicle they are likely to face without killing someone. Anyway, I never dealt with the automatic only issue. My guess is the paper you signed will go in your file. The only possible use for it I can think of would be to A) deny you your guarantee if the only route they have for you is in a manual, saying it is work you are not qualified for. Or to B) CYA for themselves in case you wind up in a route in a manual to say "he signed this, he should have known better."
Either way it should be a non issue unless you are asked to take a route out in a manual before you wind up getting certified in one. So under no circumstances drive a manual until you can get certified. If a management person asks you to, refuse, politely, and reference the automatic only certification in your file. Just my 2c from a management perspective.
Wally
BrownCafe Innovator & King of Puns
Can you drive a manual trans?
Yeah but its been a few years since I have and I don't know anyone with one anymore and I leave for school Sunday.
TearsInRain
IE boogeyman
i remember when they introduced that exemption all the managers swore up and down they'd never sign it for a driver
they bent that knee pretty fast after peak
they bent that knee pretty fast after peak
raceanoncr
Well-Known Member
Used to be we had to be certified for EVERY size, shape, configuration of vehicles UPS had and we drove. I.E.: I got trained on a P600 (whatever they call em today), and received a little slip of paper that stated that that I was required to keep on me at all times. Meaning, I couldn't drive anything else unless certified on that.
Yeah, ask me how long THAT lasted.
Yeah, ask me how long THAT lasted.
TearsInRain
IE boogeyman
dookie stain
Cornfed whiteboy
I heard someone yesterday say "no he can't do that route he was a peak hire he never learned to drive a stick" uh wtf
Big Package
Handler
The Milkman
Well-Known Member
The Milkman
Well-Known Member
Automatics enable anyone to work at UPS, making it easier for women, no more torn rotor cuff injuries after years of no power steering in those old tanks we had to deal with
That car was a beast back in the day. With a little pickup weight it would go anywhere in the snow!
burrheadd
KING Of GIFS
Been there done that
Sucked every time
Used to put my glove on those pos
Vents that blew up onto the windshield
Good thing was if you had a good parking brake
You could leave that badboy running all day
The Milkman
Well-Known Member
Yep but always had chains
The Milkman
Well-Known Member
heater box on the firewall was a Joke, most of the ribbed hoses to the windshield so called defrosters were always cracked and or missing
GenericUsername
Well-Known Member
In our center, if the oldest car isn't available for the driving tests and only automatics are available, they'll make the new hires drive a 24 footer to give them the hardest possible test.
