Ask a Feeder Driver, Feeder Driver FAQ

[Hadjabear]

the package drivers at my hub stayed out of feeders for years because we told them horror stories about chaining the big rigs and driving in white outs in snowstorms.

then one of them took a chance and tried it........then a flood

That's why I tell everyone above in seniority it's the worst ever, long hours, sharing trucks with smokers, weight gain, mandatory 1hr break unless mileage(most package take 30min), less time with family, constant bumping routes, lot lizards.

Everyone below me gets told 14hr day is like 8 in package, trucks have a/c, keep a pillow with, no harassment, stores and offices are still open before or after work, cake and bbqs constantly for all when 1 gets safe driving/years of service milestones / retirement, lot lizards.

 

[Indecisi0n]

That's why I tell everyone above in seniority it's the worst ever, long hours, sharing trucks with smokers, weight gain, mandatory 1hr break unless mileage(most package take 30min), less time with family, constant bumping routes, lot lizards.

Everyone below me gets told 14hr day is like 8 in package, trucks have a/c, keep a pillow with, no harassment, stores and offices are still open before or after work, cake and bbqs constantly for all when 1 gets safe driving/years of service milestones / retirement, lot lizards.

Love me some lizards

 

[over9five]

You know she's an oldie if that mid-ship light is at the TOP of the trailer!
This one still says "United Parcel Service".

 

[Indecisi0n]

View attachment 205411
You know she's an oldie if that mid-ship light is at the TOP of the trailer!
This one still says "United Parcel Service".

Hey Daddy

 

[Covemastah]

View attachment 205411
You know she's an oldie if that mid-ship light is at the TOP of the trailer!
This one still says "United Parcel Service".

United parcel service ,,,,,, I remember that place ,, they used to care about the customer !!

 

[Adahowfarms]

I’m thinking about going into feeders. I just have to get my class A. We are going to have some spots open in the next couple years. One feeder driver told me if you ever crossed over into feeders you’d never want to go back to package.

 

[rambo69]

I’m thinking about going into feeders. I just have to get my class A. We are going to have some spots open in the next couple years. One feeder driver told me if you ever crossed over into feeders you’d never want to go back to package.

I was in package for 16 years and now have been in Feeders for 3years and Feeders is very nice! I was fortunate to step right in to a full-time run. However if you are going in to cover position be prepared to flip-flop days nights days nights. And if you have a young family it will be a little tough. Be prepared to be working 55 to 60 hrs. a week and sleeping during the day. If you can get by by doing that you will be just fine. It will blow your mind that you are working for the same company. Good Luck!

 

[olroadbeech]

I’m thinking about going into feeders. I just have to get my class A. We are going to have some spots open in the next couple years. One feeder driver told me if you ever crossed over into feeders you’d never want to go back to package.

the only downside is bigger clothes

 

[Johney]

I’m thinking about going into feeders. I just have to get my class A. We are going to have some spots open in the next couple years. One feeder driver told me if you ever crossed over into feeders you’d never want to go back to package.

Before spending time and money on getting your CDL on your own check with the feeder dept in your building/area and see what UPS does to assist you. I got mine through UPS and basically all it cost me was a week unpaid in their school. Some areas pay you for school, here they do not. They even do their own testing here, so no DMV involved except to get the hard license. And yes it's not for everyone, but most say it's far better than package.

 

[ManInBrown]

I’m thinking about going into feeders. I just have to get my class A. We are going to have some spots open in the next couple years. One feeder driver told me if you ever crossed over into feeders you’d never want to go back to package.

Not only would you never go back, you’ll be shocked that you still work for the same company. I still pinch myself every day.

 

[ManInBrown]

Did anyone else in feeders not have yesterday’s timecard info download to UPSers? I always check upsers the following day to make sure my timecard info is accurate and yesterday’s isn’t on there. It’s almost always on there by 6am the following day. I don’t trust those phones we use now.

 

[LagunaBrown]

You guys with your glad hands and pin pullers..... That's just wrong.

 

[Jones]

Did anyone else in feeders not have yesterday’s timecard info download to UPSers? I always check upsers the following day to make sure my timecard info is accurate and yesterday’s isn’t on there. It’s almost always on there by 6am the following day. I don’t trust those phones we use now.

Mine's there.

 

[Adahowfarms]

Before spending time and money on getting your CDL on your own check with the feeder dept in your building/area and see what UPS does to assist you. I got mine through UPS and basically all it cost me was a week unpaid in their school. Some areas pay you for school, here they do not. They even do their own testing here, so no DMV involved except to get the hard license. And yes it's not for everyone, but most say it's far better than package.

Yeah they’ll train us with a week unpaid but all I have is my class b. I’ll just have to go to the dmv and take the test and get a class a.

 

[barnyard]

Yeah they’ll train us with a week unpaid but all I have is my class b. I’ll just have to go to the dmv and take the test and get a class a.

All you have to do is take the temp test (written test). You show up at feeder school with your CDL temp permit, including airbrakes, doubles and triples. Feeder school gets you behind the wheel and set up for your behind the wheel test.

 

[barnyard]

and all runs are not created equal. The job that I am covering is 11+ hours if everything goes well and can easily go over 12. Mon-Thurs, I build 5 sets (actually, 3 of the days, one of my sets was built while I was at lunch) and on Fridays, 3 sets. The 1st run pulls a set to a customer, break down, pull empties off and put the loads on (same door switches.) Pull loads, build set, fill empty doors and sweep out empty trailers.

The weeks that I am on this run, I generally lose a couple of pounds. Even with all that, it is still a really nice break from package.

 

[Indecisi0n]

You guys with your glad hands and pin pullers..... That's just wrong.

How else do you scratch your lower back?

 

[LagunaBrown]

How else do you scratch your lower back?

I was told lot lizards by the veterans. Fog lights on

 

[ManInBrown]

and all runs are not created equal. The job that I am covering is 11+ hours if everything goes well and can easily go over 12. Mon-Thurs, I build 5 sets (actually, 3 of the days, one of my sets was built while I was at lunch) and on Fridays, 3 sets. The 1st run pulls a set to a customer, break down, pull empties off and put the loads on (same door switches.) Pull loads, build set, fill empty doors and sweep out empty trailers.

The weeks that I am on this run, I generally lose a couple of pounds. Even with all that, it is still a really nice break from package.

Isn’t it crazy how long a pull and replace at a CPU takes? I’ve never pulled and replaced doubles. The first time I did it of course no one told me about coding it combined work-shift. Love how they just throw you out there without telling you half the stuff you need to know. My sup barely explained weight stations to me. I’m TO’ing one day at 6am to go to another building to grab an empty and the weight station was open. I had about 3 seconds to decide if I should pull in. No one ever told me if you had to without a trailer. I blew past it. Got lucky no cops came out after me. Find out later that night from another driver that I was supposed to pull in even without a trailer.

 

[Indecisi0n]

I was told lot lizards by the veterans. Fog lights on

And the driver sun visor down.