Yes, the lines are blurred and that is exactly the way Fedex wants them. Fedex wants people to think the contract means that the company can do whatever it wants. That is the true smoke and mirror game they play.
Case in point. By contract I am limited to 25% of the contracts in the building.o With 6 I am at 21% 7 would put me at about 30%. I have a "supplemental van" that runs 80 stops, 280 packages, and 190 miles a day. When they finally decide to contract that area, one of three things will happen, all of which exceed the 25% rule. 1.) I will sign a contact under a second sub-S corporation. 2.) The company will issue an "exception" (I'm told they do this) or 3.) My wife will go from being a qualified driver to being the companies newest contractor.
Other issues you brought up like vehicles and uniforms are an interesting case. The company has very strict guidelines for contracted vehicles but they are more procedural than anything. The last p1000 I pruchased was actually an company spare that had been scrapped. Paid $5000 for it, had new brakes, front end, steering column, paint buffed and some electrical problems fixed for a total of $7000. You know what the biggest impediment was to getting that vehicle on the road was? Getting the decals in the right place for the people in Pittsburgh to approve the appearance.
As far as supplemental vehicles go, take your pick and Home Delivery will have a vehicle number for you the next morning. My latest supplemental vehicle (and my favorite) is a 2002 Ford Econoline 15 passenger (seats removed) with a Quigley 4X4 conversion (very handy in midwest winters). Still need to get the windows tinted black, but very, very bad a**.
I guess the point is that althogh the company has the contract in hand, I think they are reluctant to try to enforce it in a Gestapo manner like they use to. They now have a very large legal department that is required to review all and any "disciplinary" action. The last thing this company wants are petty legal battles over what kind of navy blue pants fit the required uniform standard.
Finally, could I pay a competitive wage with benefits? I assume you mean UPS scale. No. Nor do I want to. What you are asking me in essence is if Fedex were to increase my pay by, say 50% would my drivers see an increase. My answer remains the same as before. Some would some wouldn't. My objective, however, is not necessarily to employ someone for the next 30 years and take care of them and their family. I don't mind turnover. There are times that I exalt in turnover. I plan for turnover. That being said, there are a couple who would deserve that kind of pay and benefit package and if they were to come to me and ask to use me as a reference for UPS, I would do so gladly if I couldn't match UPS's offer.