MAKAVELI
Well-Known Member
If we are a polished turd, I guess that makes Ground a big streaming pile of elephant dung.
Why is there such hatred between Ground and Express drivers here?
- Thread starter xFed
- Start date
hypo hanna
Well-Known Member
I don't hate ground or ground drivers and I sure don't understand the "unprofessional" accusation. I don't think they are any different then a lot of new hires at Express. That's not a knock, its just the way it is. More and more people wear tattoos. More and more of the younger generation come out of the education system unable to think independently. Others realize the game is rigged against them and see no reason to put forth any extra effort. The phrase that best sums up this time to me is, "It is what is". (A more subtle version of "whatever".)
UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)
Well-Known Member
So what word would you use to describe the Ground driver that I and a clerk from the MBE watched back in to a support column, causing significant damage, in front of the MBE store, and then not make the appropriate phone calls afterward?
I was still in my pkg car, waiting for him to complete his back, so I had no way to tell him that he was too close.
UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)
Well-Known Member
I'll let you know what, if anything, happened tomorrow.
I'm not against having social programs, and like everyone I've paid into Medicare. But Obamacare is another world. The prices for coverage are too high, and deductibles are too high. The poor get subsidized but still face high deductibles and copays. It puts a huge burden on young people, who are counted on to pay high premiums while using the system little. These are kids just getting started in life. It doesn't allow people to keep the doctors they are used to, and forces doctors to accept alot less for their services. Doctors make good money, but they also shell out alot on facilities and salaries, and especially on liability insurance. People in favor of all this tend to gloss over the negatives, but the negatives are much worse than the positives are good. My wife deals with the VA. If you want to see government healthcare in action then try to negotiate that system. Why couldn't Obama just build free clinics across the country, and staff them with doctors who got their schooling in exchange for years of service in the clinics? It's about power. If the poor get almost free healthcare they'll vote Democrat to keep it. Then you big government types would have free reign to control everything. Which is the goal. I don't want greedy corporations controlling everything either. But the world isn't always fair, and trying to make everyone equal has always ended in harsh misery for most. But we never learn, do we?
MrFedEx
Engorged Member
The bar gets gets lower every day, which means that Express and Ground become more alike in terms of their ineptitude. The problem is that Express management has not lowered expectations. They still want a Mercedes for the price of a Pinto, and that isn't going to happen. WAD, zero loyalty, and lower performance are guaranteed.
SmithBarney
Well-Known Member
I'd wave at the ground or home delivery drivers in my area, but they wouldn't see me since they usually have a map or cell phone in front of their face while driving. And the ground guy who picks up at our STA, doesn't speak english and even if he did, he's on the phone from the moment he backs up to the dock, until he leaves.
SmithBarney
Well-Known Member
exactly, you get what you pay for... unfortunately at Express there are some topped out couriers that are not held accountable for productivity. I'll take performance pay anyday(assuming fair metrics) I'd laugh all the way to the bank...
MrFedEx
Engorged Member
Not the same job. Ground drivers straightline and we don't. Big difference, and a good Express courier is also a good multi-tasker that is capable of self-direction. A Ground driver's job is much closer to that of a UPS package car driver than an Express courier.
You doing the same job pushing cardboard.
According to your thinking a UPS package car driver isn't the same as either a Express of Ground driver. We do both your guys jobs plus. Maybe that's why we make more with better bennys.
MaineGroundDriver
Well-Known Member
I have stayed away from this forum for the most part these last 6 months .. a few Express snobs on here really turned me sour on their whole entire opco .. locally though, I get along with all the UPS and Express drivers .. I also get along great with the managers at Express who I see on a daily basis .. so, no hate at all ..
MAKAVELI
Well-Known Member
You make more with better bennys because you have union representation.
You to could have union representation but Fed Ex business plan of having different division (ie express, ground , ETC ) make that just about impossible because Fed Ex falls under the Railroad Act and not The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) or Wagner Act.
Kicked Your Dog
25 Year UPSer/SoCal Feeder
Actually, we're more like ground. No a/c, bulked out loads front to back, pick up strings that make the real money and a paid day that ends when the load says so. We're only like express for the 1st hour and a half, until 1030 am, delivering envelopes and tissue. Then we have to put our big boy pants on and get the real 
done for another 10 hours, for real. THAT's why we make the big bucks.
done for another 10 hours, for real. THAT's why we make the big bucks. our
Actually, we're more like ground. No a/c, bulked out loads front to back, pick up strings that make the real money and a paid day that ends when the load says so. We're only like express for the 1st hour and a half, until 1030 am, delivering envelopes and tissue. Then we have to put our big boy pants on and get the real
our
That's another way to put it....
MAKAVELI
Well-Known Member
We are well aware of the obstacles to getting a union in at FedEx. But without the teamsters you would be in our position or worse.
Not me with out the teamster I wouldn't be doing this job. I still be in the USW union....
