respect from your drivers is something that is earned. cant demand it, cant buy it, ya gotta earn it. respect is something that will transcend the drivers liking your or not. same goes for management.
i rarely ever gave pcm's and when i did, it was short, sweet, to the point.
if you take it just to make "some easy money" you will never accomplish a thing. if you take it as a position that gives you some sort of clout, promotion, or makes you one bit different than any other driver, its the wrong reason.
as to you being a puppet for management, if you let them, they will control all you do. but if you understand what your job is, and do it impartially and with bulldog determination, you will be surprised at the things you can achieve. wont make you popular with hourly or management, but you will have their respect.
it also helps to either be a shop steward, or have one you can work with very well. it seems that on many issues, ups can find all sorts of excuses not to get things done in a timely Mainer. the grievance procedure is there for you to use. it is a tool, use it.
you can make a difference. if that is something that appeals to you, go for it.