What do I need to do to be a Package Delivery Driver?

[BPaul00]

Start working at UPS part-time and build up seniority. Wait until you're high enough on the seniority ladder and they need drivers. That's pretty much it.

I mean, in theory you could be an off-the-street hire, but without prior driving experience, the odds are against you.

In the meantime, don't quit your day job.

Hello all! I have been trolling this board for quite a while as I am a PC myself and love seeing some good advice on here and also the break-area banter that goes on in the morning!!! I learned a lot of "tricks of the trade", tried and tested them all - some with great outcomes and some ...well....not so much (obviously beating the DIAD against your dash, bouncing it off the ground or against your head doesn't bode well - yet still feels good!! LOL) . For one of my stops all I can say is PreRec is my friend!

ANYWAYS

OleMissReb here's how I did it...

I was part of a company owned by a family for 35 years - technology took over the world and ruined our business and I found myself sitting on my ass at home collecting unemployment - went from bringing home almost 90k a year to nothing in a heartbeat!!!!! I always wanted to have my own rig and haul steel, so one day after about 4 months of digging I decided the best route would be to get into UPS as a PC driver and eventually get my CDL thru UPS. I started the process in October of last year! I simply went to upsjobs.managehr.com and searched for seasonal driver positions and luckily there were positions to be filled. I filled out the application online - went for my driving test - obtained my DOT card - went for my ride-along - went to the class - and BAM! I drove for peak season from Mid-November thru Christmas Eve in a dreaded rental! Of course I was laid-off Christmas day. That only meant it was up to me to make "them" know I WANT to come back. The next day of business I went in in the morning in uniform and asked to work. I knew I wouldn't but it was all about FACE TIME with the sups and showing I WANT to work!!! I kept calling and showing my face around and letting them know I WANT to come back or sometimes just to say hi! Eventually I went into the hub in February and kept gettingface time whenever I could. I received a call from my old Sup about 2 months ago letting me know I was coming back in 1 week! There you have it! I am now a Monday-Friday guy with seniority!

You being a teacher - Bastiatian may be right...Don't quit your day job and wait until next Summer to begin the process, but start the process as soon as school lets out! You have the Summers off so that may be the best time to start! Otherwise, if you're willing to lay it all on the line and roll the bones to be a PC driver... I'd do it NOW and get a seasonal driver (NOT DRIVER HELPER) position. Just keep in mind, you also may very well end up collecting unemployment until you get the call to come back - which with UPS may or may NOT happen! Good luck to ya and I hope it all works out!!

 

[BPaul00]

Oh and BTW.... you kinda have to be some sort of masochist to be a Package Car driver. It's not all '1 package weighing 1 pound" stops - There will be BULK stops with 15 (or more) packages weighing 50 lbs per and a cart involved!!!!!

 

[Billy Ray]

Ability, strong work ethic, and perseverance.

 

[ups1990]

Given time, Governor Walker will make Mississippi schools look like their Ivy League compared to Wisconsins.

Here in California, we have Gov. Moonbeam and this state has been under democratic control for years and we have one of the worst school systems in the country, so it defiantly works both ways, politically.
To the OP, if you wish to make this a reality for you then who are we to tell you don't try it! Obviously, you thought teaching was what you wanted to do and now you've changed your mind. It will be a very lengthy haul for you to actually be behind the wheel of a UPS truck, years really. You need to get hired and wait then wait some more for an opportunity.

 

[8000Shelf]

The dates do not coincide.

I usually get my helper the 1st or 2nd week of December. Many other routes in my center are

the same way. It seems to me the OP could explain the situation to HR upon hire and make the start

date becoming a helper as close as possible.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I usually get my helper the 1st or 2nd week of December. Many other routes in my center are

the same way. It seems to me the OP could explain the situation to HR upon hire and make the start

date becoming a helper as close as possible.

Would you really want to pick up a brand new helper during the last 10 days of Peak?

 

[blkmamba]

Here in California, we have Gov. Moonbeam and this state has been under democratic control for years and we have one of the worst school systems in the country, so it defiantly works both ways, politically.
To the OP, if you wish to make this a reality for you then who are we to tell you don't try it! Obviously, you thought teaching was what you wanted to do and now you've changed your mind. It will be a very lengthy haul for you to actually be behind the wheel of a UPS truck, years really. You need to get hired and wait then wait some more for an opportunity.

As a teacher in California, you are completely off base and have no idea what you are talking about. Are test scores aren't great because we have a lot of migrant workers' kids who speak little English. Unfortunately when tested, it must be done in English so the test scores end up looking bad. That doesn't mean the education system is broken, it just means we don't test efficiently. Let me guess, you hate common core as well? We've all seen the publication on the internet where red+Apple=7. That is one of the biggest lies in America today, we are trying to create critical thinkers by invoking problem solving as opposed to your basic math facts. Answers must be based in fact.

Now I am a republican, but The Governor has leveled the playing field by making sure lower income districts receive more funding. That allows us to give these kids more resources, better technology, books, materials to help point them towards a brighter future. Please inform yourself before you speak about something you are not a part of.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

How do you feel about charter schools?

 

[8000Shelf]

Would you really want to pick up a brand new helper during the last 10 days of Peak?

Some of us don't get our helpers till 2-3 weeks before Christmas Day, and as of the last two years,

the helpers stay with the driver till the first or second week of January. Weather I would prefer how

the

company does this or not is somewhat irrelevant. I think the OP could benefit greatly from being a

helper and furthermore could make a schedule described above work for him/her self this peak.

 

[blkmamba]

How do you feel about charter schools?

I used to work at one. I think they are better for the students. The teachers are given much more freedom to be creative. They aren't stuck to pacing guides like public school teachers are.

The only reason I left my charter school was for better pay and less hours.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I used to work at one. I think they are better for the students. The teachers are given much more freedom to be creative. They aren't stuck to pacing guides like public school teachers are.

The only reason I left my charter school was for better pay and less hours.

My daughter taught at a charter school in NC. She really enjoyed it and when I went to visit her at school the kids were all really polite and actually wanted to be there.

 

[blkmamba]

My daughter taught at a charter school in NC. She really enjoyed it and when I went to visit her at school the kids were all really polite and actually wanted to be there.

It tends to be a completely different environment. Charter school parents tend to be more involved and it really shows.

 

[scooby0048]

You'll make more of a difference sticking with teaching. This place will drag even the most optimistic person down.

@QualityLoads thanks to a teacher who OBVIOUSLY made a difference, you were able to read my post which you disagree with. Lucky for all of us, UPS doesn't require anything more than the ability to read but thanks for disagreeing that she should NOT remain a teacher....you are right, we need more educated people to drop cardboard on a doorstep!

 

[scooby0048]

It tends to be a completely different environment. Charter school parents tend to be more involved and it really shows.

....and the students seem to to WANT to be there AND learn

 

[blkmamba]

....and the students seem to to WANT to be there AND learn

It all starts at home. I work in one of the highest poverty districts in the state of California. You wouldn't believe how many parents couldn't care less about their child's performance even in kindergarten.

Before my son was born a year ago, people would tell me I would be a better teacher after having one of my own. That is true but I am a much better parent after being a teacher because I was given a lot of example of the parent I didn't want to be.

 

[QualityLoads]

We need her as on road

 

[QualityLoads]

follow your dreams

 

[DriveInDriveOut]

How do you feel about charter schools?

I used to work at one. I think they are better for the students. The teachers are given much more freedom to be creative. They aren't stuck to pacing guides like public school teachers are.

The only reason I left my charter school was for better pay and less hours.

....and the students seem to to WANT to be there AND learn

It all starts at home. I work in one of the highest poverty districts in the state of California. You wouldn't believe how many parents couldn't care less about their child's performance even in kindergarten.

Completely agree. But charter schools really only solve the problem for kids with parents who care about their education. My state funnels the funds the public school would have received for that child directly to the charter school, which creates a whole other set of problems for the kids left behind. I think it's a great temporary solution, I just don't think it works on a large scale.

 

[hellfire]

As a former UPSER and current teacher, trust me, teaching is a less stressful career. I'm making over 70k with a top pay of 98k (in about ten more years) and I will gladly wait to get as much time off as I do.

How long were you at ups, and what was your job. To the Op, everything about ups is dysfunctional, its hard physical work that destroys your body and relationships and prior interests. As stated before you have no idea what the job encompasses.

 

[hellfire]

Some of us don't get our helpers till 2-3 weeks before Christmas Day, and as of the last two years,

the helpers stay with the driver till the first or second week of January. Weather I would prefer how

the

company does this or not is somewhat irrelevant. I think the OP could benefit greatly from being a

helper and furthermore could make a schedule described above work for him/her self this peak.

My center is starting helpers next week....thats just wrong