New Recruits Beware

[Box Ox]

I wish. They never sent me out for a dispatch other than the Air route. I wasn't given an opportunity to run a route alone other than during Amazon week (the week of the Supe's vacation).

You were friendly and got along with everybody? No complaining about training or anything else along the way?

 

[Operational needs]

@Turdferguson I saved you the trouble. Lol.

 

[When In Rome...]

You were friendly and got along with everybody? No complaining about training or anything else along the way?

Yes! In fact, I really enjoyed everyone. I met several respectable and respectful people (drivers, preload, and management). I didn't complain to anyone or speak poorly about anyone. I knew the job would be demanding - not for the faint of heart. I proved myself with every chance. I arrived on time every morning (early, in fact), sorted the truck, worked the DIAD, proved myself physically, and drove proficiently when given the opportunity (Air). I received favorable verbal feedback from many people. The DQ was unexpected (and unfounded).

 

[Trash Panda]

My UPS Experience…


Applied online (Temporary Cover Driver) May 2019.

There’s your trouble. Looks like you choked on whatever carrot they fed you. You got a silver participation ribbon. Atta boy! Come back next season and try again.....

 

[Brownslave688]

TLDR

 

[When In Rome...]

There’s your trouble. Looks like you choked on whatever carrot they fed you. You got a silver participation ribbon. Atta boy! Come back next season and try again.....

Ha! Go back next season for what? To collect more pullman brown polyester?

 

[Faceplanted]

My UPS Experience…


Applied online (Temporary Cover Driver) May 2019.


Received an appointment for a tour/interview immediately following.


Passed road test one week following my interview.


Passed DOT exam the next day.


Completed and passed the necessary prequalification courses required for “driver school”.


Attended “driver school”, otherwise known as New Service Provider Training (at a HUB 45 minutes away). Said training was condensed from five to three days and consisted of CBTs, lectures, a driver drill (in a Budget rental van), and three chances to pass the written 5 and 10. Roughly 12 people attended said class and EVERYONE “passed” - even my neighbor, who obviously cheated during the written exam (getting up to go to the bathroom three times in 30 minutes then feverishly writing down his answers thereafter).


My point? Too easy to pass and highly ineffective for ANY new driver. I walked away from driver school with a DOK amounting to nothing more than the 5 and 10 (learned before "driver school") in a pair of pants two inches too high (the only pants that fit from the rumpled selection retrieved from the bottom drawer of a filing cabinet).


I might have learned more “methods” had I attended a five day class or Integrad. Certainly, two more days would have allowed me to COMPLETE the CBTs, especially in light of half the computers freezing on day two. The latter prevented me from completing my DIAD training. I explained this to HR, who assured me that I would have at least three days of DIAD training at the center. I asked if I could access the remaining CBTs from home or at the center, but to no avail. Suffice to say, “driver school” offered little in the way of preparation, but I remained hopeful and tenacious in believing my On Car Supervisor would facilitate my success (ACCORDING TO MY NSPT MANUEL). No such luck. Rather than giving me an opportunity to drive, On Car remained behind the wheel 95% of the time, driving at break neck speed, grabbing the DIAD from my hand, and essentially using me to run-off packages. He didn’t bother to train me on the methods, backing, package selection, or lifting and lowering. He did nothing more than use me as a driver helper. He did; however, find time to insult me in front of a customer, talk to his girlfriend every night while driving home, and boast about his former experience as a beer delivery driver (during which he admittedly drove with a buzz). WTF? That was the moment my On Car Supervisor tarnished his own reputation and when I knew I was friend…ed!


I persisted nonetheless, not only believing the people who repeatedly said they “wanted me to succeed” but most important, believing in myself.


Not knowing what to expect (save the unexpected) I relied on information from HR, who confirmed in an email “The route you will be working with a supervisor is typically the route you will end up driving by yourself once you are fully trained.” This, combined with the guidelines from the NSPT Manuel, implied I would receive 20 training days, during which time I would learn about the methods, and ultimately prove myself with an independent dispatch. Instead, I learned four different routes, including air; barely drove; never took lunch or a break (despite working 13 hour days), but did in fact become highly proficient in learning how NOT to drive and what NOT to do.


In short, my training was a sham. Rather than facilitating my success or attempting to teach, my On Car Supervisor, used me as a driver helper to satisfy someone else’s requested time off.


I was employed before UPS, but quit to pursue my 20 day “training”, only to be told early in the morning on day 20, that I was disqualified on the basis of my “driving” and the decision was final. I reached out to HR in search of an explanation and corroborating evidence to support the decision, given that when I drove alone (to the Airport - the only time I drove alone) I did not experience any injuries or accidents and in fact, drove proficiently and according to protocol. I heard back from HR via a voicemail telling me, “I did look at some of the footage, actually, of you - when you came to stops - you just actually put it in reverse when you missed a stop and you didn’t even check to see if someone was behind you and for reasons like that we cannot have you on the road”.


This sounds reasonably, doesn’t it and is an explanation I would accept if it were TRUE.


However, the fact is that the purported “footage” was that of my On Car Supervisor telling me to back straight down a road after I missed a stop (despite both of us looking). I said to the supervisor, “Wait a minute. There’s a car coming”. The Supervisor said, “Keep going. You don’t have time to dilly dally”.


I shared this directly with HR via phone and email, but to no avail. A few people listened, but ultimately blew me off.



It’s clear to me, based on many of the posts I’ve read here, that UPS never intended to retain my services and that I am one of many external hires to have experienced an unhoped-for outcome (and sabotage).


I realize I have little recourse, and frankly have zero interest in pursuing the matter given the lies, deceit, and total waste of my time - not a culture I want to steep myself in. Not a job worth pursuing, but facts worth sharing for no other reason than telling truth.

I wonder if anyone else has experienced anything similar...

Go back to Reddit.

 

[BadIdeaGuy]

Yes! In fact, I really enjoyed everyone. I met several respectable and respectful people (drivers, preload, and management). I didn't complain to anyone or speak poorly about anyone. I knew the job would be demanding - not for the faint of heart. I proved myself with every chance. I arrived on time every morning (early, in fact), sorted the truck, worked the DIAD, proved myself physically, and drove proficiently when given the opportunity (Air). I received favorable verbal feedback from many people. The DQ was unexpected (and unfounded).

So basically, you are making the argument that there was absolutely no reason to DQ you.
Everyone liked you.
You aced all the work.
You were fast.
You had a great attitude.
You were in early, and working for free.

And yet. For some reason. They decided to throw you out on your ear.
Could it be that they might have a different opinion on you?

 

[When In Rome...]

Yup. If there was something wrong with my performance, it wasn't made clear to me. Period.

 

[upschuck]

Ha! Go back next season for what? To collect more pullman brown polyester?

New uniforms are coming, might want to hang in there.

 

[Sissy Brown Short Shorts]

UPS won’t waste the money and resources to train you if they don’t plan on running your mind and body into the ground. Driving training is expensive. Consider your training lucky. I had five days of driving school, uniform appearances checks every morning, a guy was sent home for not ironing his shirt. We had one opportunity to pass the final written exam and you certainly weren’t allowed to leave to go to the bathroom. The driving school is of course a joke and it all goes out the window the second you start driving a real route. I’m willing to bet you weren’t up to par with what they wanted which is surprising because I’ve seen some real duds make their 30. With how desperate they are for bodies these days I doubt we’re getting the full story.

 

[BadIdeaGuy]

Yup. If there was something wrong with my performance, it wasn't made clear to me. Period.

Wasn't necessarily talking about just performance...

He did; however, find time to insult me in front of a customer

Translation: Your driver supervisor didn't like you.

On Car remained behind the wheel 95% of the time

Translation: You sucked at driving.

grabbing the DIAD from my hand

Translation: You were wasting time.

He didn’t bother to train me on the methods, backing, package selection, or lifting and lowering.

Translation: UPS doesn't want to hire people who complain that they don't know how to lift or lower.

Can you say high maintenance?

 

[clean hairy]

TLDR

Short version:
He got hired, went to 3 day training class (which he felt was too short)
Did not feel he got proper training, and only got sent out once alone.
Was DQ'd, and felt it was not fair to get dq'd.

 

[Maple Grove MN Driver]

New guys who get DQd are so cute

 

[Trash Panda]

Ha! Go back next season for what? To collect more pullman brown polyester?

They don't let you keep the brown swag. Hope you took a selfie to savor the memory.

I’ve seen alot of unnecessary threads about how brother brown touched them inappropriately in the ‘feels.’ So they have to retaliate in typical victim fashion. Aka “my experience” it will be yours to!

Im one of those people who advocates for patience and common sense. I know package car is more brutal then feeders but if you got a few decades of work left in you get a class A CDL. Do 2 years in that and possibly have a better shot at being permanent.

One thing i don't recall in the long winded post was how small/large the center you operate out of. That effects also whether or not you had a shot.

 

[When In Rome...]

Wasn't necessarily talking about just performance...



Translation: Your driver supervisor didn't like you.



Translation: You sucked at driving.



Translation: You were wasting time.



Translation: UPS doesn't want to hire people who complain that they don't know how to lift or lower.

Can you say high maintenance?

UPS won’t waste the money and resources to train you if they don’t plan on running your mind and body into the ground. Driving training is expensive. Consider your training lucky. I had five days of driving school, uniform appearances checks every morning, a guy was sent home for not ironing his shirt. We had one opportunity to pass the final written exam and you certainly weren’t allowed to leave to go to the bathroom. The driving school is of course a joke and it all goes out the window the second you start driving a real route. I’m willing to bet you weren’t up to par with what they wanted which is surprising because I’ve seen some real duds make their 30. With how desperate they are for bodies these days I doubt we’re getting the full story.

I don't know...I was lucky to meet many hardworking and respectable people...it takes one to ruin it for many...my supervisor was a real dick!

 

[When In Rome...]

Short version:
He got hired, went to 3 day training class (which he felt was too short)
Did not feel he got proper training, and only got sent out once alone.
Was DQ'd, and felt it was not fair to get dq'd.

They don't let you keep the brown swag. Hope you took a selfie to savor the memory.

I’ve seen alot of unnecessary threads about how brother brown touched them inappropriately in the ‘feels.’ So they have to retaliate in typical victim fashion. Aka “my experience” it will be yours to!

Im one of those people who advocates for patience and common sense. I know package car is more brutal then feeders but if you got a few decades of work left in you get a class A CDL. Do 2 years in that and possibly have a better shot at being permanent.

One thing i don't recall in the long winded post was how small/large the center you operate out of. That effects also whether or not you had a shot.

The larger of two centers in the area...about 25-30 routes...same amount of FT drivers - the rest cover drivers (five and under)...

 

[Turdferguson]

and drove proficiently when given the opportunity (Air)

You drove to the airport and back.

"What is proficiently?

pro·fi′cient·ly adv. Synonyms: proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, accomplished, expert. These adjectives mean having or showing knowledge, ability, or skill, as in a profession or field of study. Proficient implies an advanced degree of competence acquired through training"
I dont think you know what proficient means. According to you you had no training

 

[When In Rome...]

You drove to the airport and back.

"What is proficiently?

pro·fi′cient·ly adv. Synonyms: proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, accomplished, expert. These adjectives mean having or showing knowledge, ability, or skill, as in a profession or field of study. Proficient implies an advanced degree of competence acquired through training"
I dont think you know what proficient means. According to you you had no training

Thanks for clarifying. Looks like I used the definition correctly. How much skill is required to drive big brown? Not much more than than to drive any other vehicle or a moving van - not that hard.

 

[BadIdeaGuy]

Thanks for clarifying. Looks like I used the definition correctly. How much skill is required to drive big brown? Not much more than than to drive any other vehicle or a moving van - not that hard.

Can't have it both ways.
You whined about training not being any good, and now are whining that you didn't need the training.

Pick a lane!