The grass IS greener

[Deuce]

Hey all, it's been a little while since I last visited this site, but I have been busy.

Here's my story and hopefully it wil inspire hope to my fellow disgruntled UPSers.

I was hired as a part timer in 01 at the ripe age of 18. I did every crappy job in the hub for over 5 years, including being a super loader etc.. i took it to the max every day for almost 6 years while I was going to school. After I finished my degree up, I decided to try being a casual driver, after doing that for about 2 months I realized I hated it, then decided to re-evaluate my life and career, wondering why I was working a part-time job at UPS. well I realized they paid a decent hourly wage and great benefits with job security and the union was nice...

well I put my resume on monster just for giggles, because the commercials made it look so good, well 1 day I got a call completley out of the blue that a company wanted to interview me.

I ended up finding out about a freight forwarding company that was located less than 1 mile from my house that I had no idea existed.

well after 2 interviews I was hired as an operations specialist. and I LOVE my new job. I couldnt believe it but my new benefits were EXACTLY the same as my old UPS bennies, except I had 10$ copays at the Dr. office now, I make more money at my new company, I start off with 2 weeks vacation, 3 weeks next year, and 4 weeks the year after. On top of that they give us a daily food allowance for when they order out, they let us pick what food we want from a restaurant, and the company buys our lunch, they have a fully stocked breakroom with FREE beverages, coffee, soft drinks, juices etc.. a GREAT owner and awesome supervisors.

I was there for only 1 month when I needed emergency time off for a family situation and my new supervisor was completley unserstanding, and just told me to make it up when i was able to.

after working at UPS for over 5 years, and now working at my new job I feel like I am in culture shock. everyone is so nice and understanding, I am treated like a person, I am actually excited about my job etc... and to make it even funnier, there are numerous ex-UPSers at my current job and we all laugh about it

the grass really is greener and I haven't looked back for a second

after all my hard work at UPS all I have to show for it is degenerative spinal arthritis

 

[RockyRogue]

Hey all, it's been a little while since I last visited this site, but I have been busy.

Here's my story and hopefully it wil inspire hope to my fellow disgruntled UPSers.

I was hired as a part timer in 01 at the ripe age of 18. I did every crappy job in the hub for over 5 years, including being a super loader etc.. i took it to the max every day for almost 6 years while I was going to school. After I finished my degree up, I decided to try being a casual driver, after doing that for about 2 months I realized I hated it, then decided to re-evaluate my life and career, wondering why I was working a part-time job at UPS. well I realized they paid a decent hourly wage and great benefits with job security and the union was nice...

well I put my resume on monster just for giggles, because the commercials made it look so good, well 1 day I got a call completley out of the blue that a company wanted to interview me.

I ended up finding out about a freight forwarding company that was located less than 1 mile from my house that I had no idea existed.

well after 2 interviews I was hired as an operations specialist. and I LOVE my new job. I couldnt believe it but my new benefits were EXACTLY the same as my old UPS bennies, except I had 10$ copays at the Dr. office now, I make more money at my new company, I start off with 2 weeks vacation, 3 weeks next year, and 4 weeks the year after. On top of that they give us a daily food allowance for when they order out, they let us pick what food we want from a restaurant, and the company buys our lunch, they have a fully stocked breakroom with FREE beverages, coffee, soft drinks, juices etc.. a GREAT owner and awesome supervisors.

I was there for only 1 month when I needed emergency time off for a family situation and my new supervisor was completley unserstanding, and just told me to make it up when i was able to.

after working at UPS for over 5 years, and now working at my new job I feel like I am in culture shock. everyone is so nice and understanding, I am treated like a person, I am actually excited about my job etc... and to make it even funnier, there are numerous ex-UPSers at my current job and we all laugh about it

the grass really is greener and I haven't looked back for a second

after all my hard work at UPS all I have to show for it is degenerative spinal arthritis

I think you're wrong, buddy. I left UPS after about 15 months on a school transfer. I finished my undergrad 20 months later (four months ahead of schedule). A lotta hard work went into that but UPS did a lot for me. I got it HAMMERED into my head to "look ahead, ALWAYS know where you're going next!" It translated well into my schooling and planning my personal life. I'm now BACK at UPS, largely because of what the culture instilled in me: care and attention to detail. And did I mention I'm in grad school? My UPS experience, though brief, was a HUUUUUGE help in deciding to go on to grad school. I made a deliberate, well thought out plan. I'm far from being a company man or thinking this company is perfect but I can categorically tell you this: I would NOT be where I am now WITHOUT Buster Brown. And I'm not in management, by the way. -Rocky

 

[over9five]

Congrats, Deuce. Good luck in your new career, sounds like a great job!

 

[trickpony1]

Deuce-
Congrats on the new job. It must be nice going to a job where you have self-worth and are treated with respect. Not having to wonder if you have a job everyday as you walk in the office must be an added bonus!
RockyRogue-
Some people had parents that guided them and taught them the value of having a plan and looking down the road 5, 10 years and, yes, I was in grad school when I succumbed to the glitter, gloss and dollar signs of FT pkg driving. My mistake.

 

[Deuce]

Deuce-
I was in grad school when I succumbed to the glitter, gloss and dollar signs of FT pkg driving. My mistake.

that ALMOST happened to me, if I didnt quit when I did I would have been a victim of the "brown handcuffs" and been dependent on the income to the point where I wouldn't have been able to take the pay cut to leave UPS for another entry level type job.

I talked to a driver at my hub who has a degree in mechanical engineering, he has never used his degree for 1 single day because he became dependent on the UPS FT income and couldnt get out into his field

and I have also now enrolled in grad school

 

[RockyRogue]

RockyRogue-
Some people had parents that guided them and taught them the value of having a plan and looking down the road 5, 10 years and, yes, I was in grad school when I succumbed to the glitter, gloss and dollar signs of FT pkg driving. My mistake.

I did have parents that guided me and taught me the value of a plan for 5, 10 years out. But, working for UPS lit the fire of a drive and vision that for a variety of reasons, 5 years ago, no one would have thought possible. I'm not going into anything personal but working for UPS has been a BOON for one of my relatives, more specifically the hardwork was. -Rock

 

[BrownBlackandBlue]

Hey all, it's been a little while since I last visited this site, but I have been busy.

Here's my story and hopefully it wil inspire hope to my fellow disgruntled UPSers.

I was hired as a part timer in 01 at the ripe age of 18. I did every crappy job in the hub for over 5 years, including being a super loader etc.. i took it to the max every day for almost 6 years while I was going to school. After I finished my degree up, I decided to try being a casual driver, after doing that for about 2 months I realized I hated it, then decided to re-evaluate my life and career, wondering why I was working a part-time job at UPS. well I realized they paid a decent hourly wage and great benefits with job security and the union was nice...

well I put my resume on monster just for giggles, because the commercials made it look so good, well 1 day I got a call completley out of the blue that a company wanted to interview me.

I ended up finding out about a freight forwarding company that was located less than 1 mile from my house that I had no idea existed.

well after 2 interviews I was hired as an operations specialist. and I LOVE my new job. I couldnt believe it but my new benefits were EXACTLY the same as my old UPS bennies, except I had 10$ copays at the Dr. office now, I make more money at my new company, I start off with 2 weeks vacation, 3 weeks next year, and 4 weeks the year after. On top of that they give us a daily food allowance for when they order out, they let us pick what food we want from a restaurant, and the company buys our lunch, they have a fully stocked breakroom with FREE beverages, coffee, soft drinks, juices etc.. a GREAT owner and awesome supervisors.

I was there for only 1 month when I needed emergency time off for a family situation and my new supervisor was completley unserstanding, and just told me to make it up when i was able to.

after working at UPS for over 5 years, and now working at my new job I feel like I am in culture shock. everyone is so nice and understanding, I am treated like a person, I am actually excited about my job etc... and to make it even funnier, there are numerous ex-UPSers at my current job and we all laugh about it

the grass really is greener and I haven't looked back for a second

after all my hard work at UPS all I have to show for it is degenerative spinal arthritis

The bad news is: there is a rumor that UPS is negotiating to buy a freight forwarder in your area to be integrated into their SCS empire. They are really only interested in the customers and all but a few jobs will be considered redundant and will be downsized. They plan to offer existing employees unloading positions at the nearby hub or a small severence package. Welcome back.

 

[satellitedriver]

Hey all, it's been a little while since I last visited this site, but I have been busy.

Here's my story and hopefully it wil inspire hope to my fellow disgruntled UPSers.

I was hired as a part timer in 01 at the ripe age of 18. I did every crappy job in the hub for over 5 years, including being a super loader etc.. i took it to the max every day for almost 6 years while I was going to school. After I finished my degree up, I decided to try being a casual driver, after doing that for about 2 months I realized I hated it, then decided to re-evaluate my life and career, wondering why I was working a part-time job at UPS. well I realized they paid a decent hourly wage and great benefits with job security and the union was nice...

well I put my resume on monster just for giggles, because the commercials made it look so good, well 1 day I got a call completley out of the blue that a company wanted to interview me.

I ended up finding out about a freight forwarding company that was located less than 1 mile from my house that I had no idea existed.

well after 2 interviews I was hired as an operations specialist. and I LOVE my new job. I couldnt believe it but my new benefits were EXACTLY the same as my old UPS bennies, except I had 10$ copays at the Dr. office now, I make more money at my new company, I start off with 2 weeks vacation, 3 weeks next year, and 4 weeks the year after. On top of that they give us a daily food allowance for when they order out, they let us pick what food we want from a restaurant, and the company buys our lunch, they have a fully stocked breakroom with FREE beverages, coffee, soft drinks, juices etc.. a GREAT owner and awesome supervisors.

I was there for only 1 month when I needed emergency time off for a family situation and my new supervisor was completley unserstanding, and just told me to make it up when i was able to.

after working at UPS for over 5 years, and now working at my new job I feel like I am in culture shock. everyone is so nice and understanding, I am treated like a person, I am actually excited about my job etc... and to make it even funnier, there are numerous ex-UPSers at my current job and we all laugh about it

the grass really is greener and I haven't looked back for a second

after all my hard work at UPS all I have to show for it is degenerative spinal arthritis

At least you have your degree to fall back on when this job doesn't pan out.
Degenerative spinal arthritis is genetic, for most cases.
Do not blame UPS for your weak spine.
Good luck.

 

[submarine]

I endured 11 years in package, but now I am in Feeders and let me tell you it's like working for a whole differen't company. Respect for me, my home life, for the contract, safety, and the hours I want to work... it's all there. For the first time in 17 years I'm proud to say what I do and I have no complaints.
Drivers should STICK IT OUT because Feeders is definitely worth all the pain you get from your job.

BTW, I'm sitting her waiting at a pickup, playing on my laptop, listening to my sattelite radio, and I have the Air Conditioning going. It's a pretty rough gig.

 

[over9five]

"BTW, I'm sitting her waiting at a pickup, playing on my laptop, listening to my sattelite radio, "

You should be studying your 5 seeing habits, 10 point commentary, and safe work methods!

Haha!

 

[submarine]

Got those down already! They really drill it into you in Feeders, and I'd actually recommend you learn them before you go to training so you can focus on learning to drive the truck. Sure you just have to regurgitate them verbatim but it's just one more thing you are struggling with during those two weeks of crash course.

Forgot to say if I get bored with the internet I pop in a movie! Yesterday it was "The Big Lebowski" !!!

 

[over9five]

Thanks for the advice. I will definately learn that before I start my training.

 

[Braveheart]

We are all made better workers by UPS to a point. However what the point is really about is that we are treated as if we are owned and that our opinions or better yet, our rights don't matter whether they are laws, contractual, or the laws of physics. There are no family values and no understanding. I hear one of our fellow drivers quit UPS after 15 years and although he took a 50 % pay cut he is much happier. He says he is treated much better, has more time for family EVERYDAY, and more flex time. He went into a totally different type of job but still deals with many customers daily and still drives to each client. Only it is more about actual customer service. He says his body feels a 100 times better and they actully match his 401k contributions and have medical benefits. I wish UPS would contribute to our 401k's. There is life after UPS. Remeber that he is only starting off at 50% of his UPS pay not topped out. He said all of his co-workers make over 40,000 a year and 3/4 of them make over 50,000. Some make more so he has upward mobility.

 

[submarine]

Is he making $40,000 or less? That would be more like a 60% pay cut for me. I'll stick with Feeders but I see your point. I don't know if my department is the exception or the rule, but there is no reason why they couldn't run the whole company this way. Personally I think it is because in Feeders we are 98% Union and active, so we could really slow things down if they pissed us off too bad. The respect is there so I see very little of the games that I saw in Package.
I like to say that "UPS makes money in spite of itself' and I believe that is more true than ever.

 

[Philosophical 1]

"However what the point is really about is that we are treated as if we are owned and that our opinions or better yet, our rights don't matter whether they are laws, contractual, or the laws of physics. There are no family values and no understanding...He says he is treated much better, has more time for family EVERYDAY, and more flex time... and they actully match his 401k contributions and have medical benefits. I wish UPS would contribute to our 401k's." [/QUOTE]

If we don't like where we work we always have the option of finding another job. Though the pay and benefits that we receive make leaving a difficult prospect, it doesn't make it impossible consideration. Happiness is more important than fretting about our circumstances. Too many times I hear your words echoed by those that I work with and this perspective confounds me. Do something about the situation or, for lack of a better phrase, shut up about it. Change the company or change your career, is what I think, but don't whine about the bed you made. We only get one run through this life--make the most of it and enjoy it. It you aren't happy with what you have figure out what you need to do in order to find that happiness. The point is actually that UPS doesn't owe us happiness if we can't find happiness with UPS.

 

[DS]

The point is actually that UPS doesn't owe us happiness if we can't find happiness with UPS.

This is true Phil...but as you know everbody is different.and
even more so...being a pkg driver is not for everyone.Its normal to complain to some extent.Sometimes it takes a few
years driving for some of these young guys to realize they should be doing something else.

 

[Braveheart]

"However what the point is really about is that we are treated as if we are owned and that our opinions or better yet, our rights don't matter whether they are laws, contractual, or the laws of physics. There are no family values and no understanding...He says he is treated much better, has more time for family EVERYDAY, and more flex time... and they actully match his 401k contributions and have medical benefits. I wish UPS would contribute to our 401k's."

If we don't like where we work we always have the option of finding another job. Though the pay and benefits that we receive make leaving a difficult prospect, it doesn't make it impossible consideration. Happiness is more important than fretting about our circumstances. Too many times I hear your words echoed by those that I work with and this perspective confounds me. Do something about the situation or, for lack of a better phrase, shut up about it. Change the company or change your career, is what I think, but don't whine about the bed you made. We only get one run through this life--make the most of it and enjoy it. It you aren't happy with what you have figure out what you need to do in order to find that happiness. The point is actually that UPS doesn't owe us happiness if we can't find happiness with UPS.[/quote]

FROM BRAVE
You must be in management. I do try to make the most of it by taking care of my customers. I try to hold the line by filing when I have to or raising hell until they do something. You are right that this job is not for everyone. The guy I was talking about was just an example of the fact that there is a life outside of UPS and it usually is better in terms of how you are treated. The driver who moved on actually wanted to stay but due to family needs had to move. UPS would not transfer him or even hire him at newhire rate. He had over 15 years with UPS, over 10 as a driver with 0 accidents. Last on job injury over 10 years ago and luckily it was only minor. Very safe employee and all customers loved him. It was a loss for UPS for sure. He was a great team player who always helped out. And venting is a form of stress relief as well as a useful tool to communicate.

 

[Braveheart]

This is true Phil...but as you know everbody is different.and
even more so...being a pkg driver is not for everyone.Its normal to complain to some extent.Sometimes it takes a few
years driving for some of these young guys to realize they should be doing something else.

Are you thinking that I am a rookie? Just here to vent, communicate, advise, learn, and so forth. I was a part timer for over 6 years and I've been driving for over 9 years. Not a rookie. Also by checking this site you find out a lot of helpful tips to use in life. Not just the "grin and bear it" comments or "if you don't not like it quit" some people dish out. Why is it always the "things could be worse" when it should be "things should be better"?!?! I try to get peolpe to fight for themselves and not run scared all the time. Work hard, work smart, drive safe, work safe, be good to your customers, tip well, be honest, don't steal, and help out your fellow driver, DO NOT BE A SELFISH PERSON WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND!!!!!!We may not like what our country does sometimes but we are not all leaving. We don't like what the sick priests did to the children but we don't swear off our religion. We do not elect our managers so we can not vote them out but we can hold the line through the checks and balances of GRIEVANCES and so forth. And yes when you get an 11 hour day and are told to work as instructed when you had an 8 hour request you feel owned. When you just want to work 9 and a half hours and go home and are constantly worked more while your center manager goes home to his family everyday between 3 and 5 pm, you feel owned. When you are told to work the Saturday before Christmas and you decline because it is your weekend with the kids and have your job threatened despite near perfect attendance, you feel owned. When they tell you do deliver in a high crime area after dark when they wouldn't be caught dead there in broad daylight, you feel owned. Just a few examples of the work as instructed or else from the lovely UPS managers.

 

[hoser]

of course there are companies that have higher job satisfaction than UPS. their corporate culture is just different and they likely have wider profit margins than UPS does, hence the free everything. *shrug*.

all the best to yah.