Christmas at UPS

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Well, today is supposed to be our "Peak" day. Yesterday, our facility processed and delivered almost 261,000 packages. Providence is a "hub" but not a major one like Memphis or Atlanta so this is extremely impressive. Kudos are flying towards Prov as we overcame a wave that we were not prepared for. Sometimes us Teamsters aren't so bad, especially when you're waiting for your "tickle me Elmo" or your newe "PSIII".  Yesterday, we got it done, expect the same today.

PS- ALL bps and Cabelas packages recieve special treatment, at least on my truck. I delivered 6 rod tubes yesterday, a record for me. Made for a few goodd conversations and I wouldn't be surprised if we see a fewq new members from RI.

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope everything gets there on time but rest assured, we are working our tails off to bring xmas to you in a timely manner.

[justfishin]

I use Fed Ex, they are a faster, better company and more reliable.       :-?   ;D

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Might want to check those numbers Jim.  We outperform Fedex in every category.  When it comes to "time in transit", we blow them away.  

If you think Fedex ground is reliable,...I guess we have different definitions of "reliable".

These drivers don't HAVE to deliver your package today just because you paid for it.  They are privately owned routes where the driver gets paid by the piece and he buys the truck and route outright.  If he doesn't deliver it today, he just doesn't get paid for it today.  If I don't deliver your package today that you paid to have delivered today,....I'm looking at discipline.

But hey, free country right?  If you have faith in a system and it has never let you down, why mess with it.

[Siebert Outdoors]

So did you test out any of the rods for your customers to make sure there wasnt  anything wrong with them

I bet its pretty cool being a UPS driver.  You get to meet all types of people.

[Daniel My Brother]

I use Fed Ex, they are a faster, better company and more reliable

So Jim, are you trying to be funny or are you just that rude? Our man if feeling good about himself after busting his a#$ delivering packages all day...and the first thing you can think to do is shoot him down?

Merry Christmas.

[nboucher]

I'm on good terms with my UPS and FedEx drivers both at home and at the office. What I really appreciate from them this time of year is not so much the Christmas stuffwhich comes on timebut that there is no delay in the packages that are a routine part of doing business. The real strength of these carriers is that they keep the regular stuff on schedule despite the incredible spike in volume.

So thanks, Russ and your fellow UPSers, and, yes, thanks to the FedEx guys, too.  

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I use Fed Ex, they are a faster, better company and more reliable

So Jim, are you trying to be funny or are you just that rude? Our man if feeling good about himself after busting his a#$ delivering packages all day...and the first thing you can think to do is shoot him down?

Merry Christmas.

I agree DMB. I think Jim's comment falls into the "If you dont have anything nice to say" category. This is not an "opinionated" post, just someone saying how well their company is doing.

Kinda like seeing a kid's five pound bass and saying that you caught a ten pounder. Big deal, let someone else have their day in the sun.

Wayne

[fishbear]

LBH,

Kudos to UPS for everything they do...  I have shipped with you guys now for over 3 yrs, with this company.   UPS does what no one else in the industry can do... give you a guaranteed delivery date.

I would use no one but UPS, you Rock!  You are way over worked and underpaid...(in case your boss reads this)  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I hope this craziness slows down after this weekend for ya.....

[Siebert Outdoors]

The ups lady years ago knew me by name.  Every time she saw a package from cabelas she knew exactly who it went to. ;D  I'd be out side and she would say Hey G,  I got your cabelas stuff.  I would respond I love you!  Your the best.

[senile1]

LBH, I was with Roadway Express for 13 years which was LTL trucking.  I started out as a supervisor at a small satellite terminal after college, and worked my way up to terminal operations manager at a breakbulk facility in Kansas City before I moved on to my current career.  One thing I always respected about UPS was the way the teamsters and management worked together to make the company one of the most succesful in their industry.   Great job and I hope you don't put in to much OT this holiday season.  

[Fisher of Men]

You go Russ.  Never mind what Jim said.  Since you guys will deliver right up until Christmas, when will you get a break?  I know you must be tired and need some R&R after such a busy delivery season.  It seems like you view your job as a service (and outreach) opportunity which is very upbeat and promising. Keep it up!!  I do appreciate what you do, and have a Merry Christmas!!

-Fisher

[Alpster]

I use Fed Ex, they are a faster, better company and more reliable

So Jim, are you trying to be funny or are you just that rude? Our man if feeling good about himself after busting his a#$ delivering packages all day...and the first thing you can think to do is shoot him down?

Merry Christmas.

What Daniel said.........

Not only have I found UPS's shipping service to be stellar, J.J. my UPS service man is a great guy and always calls me by name and wishes me well. I take organic medicine for my RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis). It comes packed in ice and must be kept below 48 degrees until I inject it. It costs $1200, it must be cold, it must be on time and it must be delivered by UPS. At least my insurance company and pharmacy thinks so. I am always impressed with their service.

Oh, I almost forgot. Thanks Russ, for doing your job as though you think it's important to do it well. That is pretty rare these days.

Ronnie

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

We were told today thet we will be delivering till 8pm on Saturday.  Fedex saturday air will go out as usual but don't plan on seeing any ground.  Jim, Hope you ordered early!  We will be delivering anything with an air service (1 day, 2day, 3day) and anything that looks like a present.

Fedex, well, they'll be closed.

Seriously guys, I don't take Jim's comments to heart.  Sometimes , someone has been burnt by one company or another and choose to use the competitior, that's what a free society does.  No biggee, but I'm just saying that Brown is getting it done.  whether the other guys are or aren't, isn't really my concern.

So in short.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[NEBassMan]

I love the BROWN TRUCK!!!

[MALTESE FALCON]

WE USE UPS EXCLUSIVELY. NEVER HAD AN ISSUE. OUR DRIVERS ARE ALWAYS UPBEAT, EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW THEY ARE STRESSED......ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR.

RUSS, I HOPE YOU HAVE SOME DOWN TIME TO ENJOY THE HOIDAYS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

FALCON

[Tom Bass]

I love UPS and Fed - Ex. UPS for very good service and Fed - Ex because they handle firearms in a very professional fashion when shipping. Both companies have their good attributes.

I will never forget when I bought my daughter a computer system from Gateway in 2000 and the UPS truck showed up to deliver it. My daughter was home and I told the driver and her assistant that my daughter was home and we needed to sneak the boxes into the garage so my daughter wouldn't see us. Those folks went "to work" unloading those packages in a much hurried fashion just so it appeared like nothing was going on at all. They off loaded the packages and then made it seem as if they had hit the wrong address when my my daughter stepped outside to see what was going on. UPS people are a Class Act in my book! 8-)

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Tom, That's funny, I did the same thing last Fri. I was backing in the driveway and "mom" came out to meet me. She had enough time to explain real quick before her daughter was at the truck too. So I started saying, I'm sorry, there's a 226 arcadia rd in Exeter too, these get mixed up all the time.

I went back after she left with the daughter for dance class and proceeded to pack the shed w/ big "step 2" boxes. I left a note that said all in one long word

Lookanextadajohnnydeere

I went back yesterday with a lands end bag and there was a tin of cookies left for "the ups man"

Thats what it's all about.

People really appreciate it when you go the extra step to not foil their big plans for the holiday. Just takes a little thought. Many boxes don't have a pic on it of what's inside but some do. I'm always careful with the ones that do, to make sure there are no little eyes peering.

I often go ring the bell first and wait till mom answers and give her the "you've got goodies" eyes and they usually know just what's up and will rush and tell you they will pop the garage door or whatever. Being sneaky like this brings me back to the days I used to HUNT for the xmas presents,...funny how tides turn over time.

The sneakiness never goes away tho,lol.

[5bass]

Way to go Russ......does your hub assign drivers helpers at Christmas time? There are some routes here that warrant a helper in December.....my buddy has one of those routes.(He's a newbie to the driving side of UPS)

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Yes, we have about 250 routes with helpers this yr. Not mine though. I'm way deep in the sticks, a helper only saves time in the really tight stuff where I can go out one door and get #11 and he gets out the other and gets #12 and so on. My deliveries are mostly motorcross style driveways, a mile long and rutted. I love it.

Deep woods, love it!

[5bass]

Yeah,my buddy has an "in town" route plus the outskirts so he gets the best of both worlds.This is his 2nd Christmas driving and he's not complaining near as much this year as he was last year. ;D  He started driving on his own in Nov. '05,just in time for Christmas.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Best time to come in. If you can handle those 2 months, the rest of the year is easy.

I'm the guy that trains those guys, the "casuals" who come in "from the outside" meaning=

non-teamsters who are hired for the xmas rush. In our contract, ups can keep 1 of those guys for every 5 part timers they move up to full time. In other words, your buddy knows somebody.

Some of those guys turn out to be great drivers, some fail immediately but nothing is worse than the guy that stays and doesn't appreciate it. It's tough for some guys to hear him whine about the same job they had to load trucks at 3am for 7 yrs for.

So it goes either way, but I'm their first "real world" training they see. I train for 2 of the 4 centers in the Providence hub. After the holidays, I won't be doing routes but taking the time to eliminate any bad habits they may have formed in their "rush" training during the holidays and to really pound in the basics.

You'd be surprised, some people aren't even used to wearing a seatbelt, (don't get me going on that one,lol) nevermind clicking it 150-175 times a day.

They learn fast.

[Tom Bass]

You're a good man Russ.

[BassChaser57]

DHL is #1 worldwide in overnight delivery, UPS is a close 2nd and Fed EX a DISTANT 3rd -- GO Russ---

By the way -- I did not receive my new rod yet, maybe it is coming by reindeer--Merry Christmas --

[5bass]

Russ, he worked just about 5 years unloading inside before he got the driving job.....he wasnt one of the "walk-ins"....he worked full time with me during the day and went in part-time at UPS in the evenings.

[MKYxD]

I have no personal preference, but the ups guy is much more friendly...