UPS

If you enjoy dealing with people, the outdoors, and being your own

supervisor than a job with the UPS just might be a job for you. 

There are many advantages to being a UPS driver, but there are also a few

disadvantages.  Some of the advantages are that most freight and material movers

belong to Unions.  The particular unions that represent freight and material movers

are International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculture Implement

Workers of America. 

Unions make sure that the workers have proper working

conditions and make the right amount of money for what type of work they are

doing. The Unions do you usually require membership dues.

Most companies also offer other benefits. Depending on the length of service

and the size of the company many workers receive paid vacations and holidays.

They also receive health, life, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

The driver also constantly moves about and can enjoy the scenery changes in the

weather.  The individual is not under continual supervision and uses personal

judgment in pacing the day.

A typical work week usually consists of a 5-day 40-hour schedule.  The

driver strive to keep the workday at 8 hours, but since the parcels must be delivered

on time to maintain the company reputation, overtime work is occasionally is

necessary.  Also, the constant driving in heavy traffic, starting and stopping to

deliver, and the repetition of duties may become tiring.  The weather also plays an

important role in working conditions and environment because one is exposed to it

many times a day.

The workers also must wear brown uniforms which aren't the best looking

uniforms I've ever seen.  Most companies provide the worker with free uniforms.

Since the worker spends a lot of time standing while loading packages the person

needs to purchase comfortable and durable shoes.

In 1907 an enterprising 19-year-old James E. ("Jim") Casey borrowed $100

from a friend and started the American Messenger company in Seattle, Washington.

With a handful of other teenagers, including his brother George Casey, Jim ran his

service from a humble office located under the sidewalk.  Despite stiff competition,

the company did well, largely because of Jim's strict policies:  customer courtesy,

reliability, round-the-clock service, and low rates.  These principles, which guide

UPS even today are summarized by Jim's slogan:  "Best Service and Lowest

Rates."(INTERNET)

The delivery service has grown tremendously since the beginning and shows

few signs of slowing down.(FINNEY CO.)  This industry should continue to

provide a large number of job openings.  Now there are thousands of UPS

distribution centers all over the U.S. and many in foreign countries.  In all the UPS

has about 335,000 employees.  Their service area includes more than 200 countries

and territories and every address in the United States.

A drivers wages vary from employer to employer.  Small companies pay

around $7 an hour or about $15,000 a year, while large companies pay up to $15 an

hour or about $31,000 annually.(COIN)  The more experience you get the bigger

wages you will receive.

The primary requirements for this position include a high school diploma and

a commercial driver's license.  An individual must usually be 21 years of age to

obtain this job.  Requirements vary from state to state, but the CDL is always

granted by the state highway or transportation department.  Individual and group

on-the-job training are provided by the company and usually last about one week.

The ability to drive well, supported by a good driving record is essential to

becoming a driver.  This individual knows driving regulations well and makes safety

habits an integral part of a driving routine.(TIME)  The driver must have good

eyesight and be in good physical condition.  The individual must have the strength to

load the truck each morning and to handle packages throughout the day.  During

recessions some drivers may be laid off.  It is important to deliver packages in as

timely a manner as possible, but the schedule is often flexible .  Efforts to serve

customers and the company well by maintaining a pleasant disposition must be

made.

UPS is delivering 11.5 million packages and documents a day for more than

one million regular customers.  With such huge volume, UPS relies on technology to

maintain efficiency.  Technology at UPS spans an incredible range, from specially

designed package delivery vehicles, to global computer and communications

systems.  Between 1986 and 1991, UPS spent $1.5 billion on technology

improvements, planning an additional $3.2 billion to be spent over the next five

years.  The UPS has many programs available for delivery types for example,

Inventory Express is a contract logistics management service in which UPS stores

the customer's merchandise, then ship it as needed..."just in time".  Even more

far-reaching is UPS Worldwide Logistics, a comprehensive consulting service in

which UPS assembles services based on the customers individual needs, which

might include freight payment, customs clearance, warehousing, carrier selection,

rate negotiation, tracking, information systems, Electronic Data Interchange, fleet

management, order processing, and inventory control.

UPS is not just in the delivery business, but in the customer satisfaction

business, and customer needs will continue to be in the company's driving force.

The highest priorities for UPS over the next five years will be to deploy technology

that will allow UPS to continue to introducing new services, to provide customers

with comprehensive information about their shipments, and to provide training so all

employees will clearly understand UPS services, the technologies that make them

possible, and be able to communicate that information to the customer.

The UPS would be a great career for a person that has a good disposition and

a good driving record.  It could be a very rewarding experience.

I think that I would personally like to have a career in this type of work.  It

sounds interesting, fun, and challenging.  But you must be part-time help in the

warehouse before you can actually become a driver in most cases.  If you have the

time and patience to climb a career ladder this might be one to start climbing.