Freight UPS or Fedex

[dicemangsp]

Hi I am a newbie here but do have some decisions to make in the next day or two that I could use some guidance with. I am a CDL Driver with more than 30 years experience I am a victim of the recession most recently with Pitt Ohio. I am currently waiting for my DOT physical results from UPS Freight this is a FT seasonal position with them stating that they will hire seasonal help permanently if we prove ourselves. Should I believe them? Also if I were to be offered full time with them after the season how long do I have to wait for benefits. I have read in some of these blogs that you need to wait 12-18 months after being made FT this seems unbelievable. On the other hand I am currently in the interviewing process with Fedex freight for a permanent FT position. Fedex offers benefits after 90 days I have heard. Now in looking at the salaries Fedex starts you out much better than UPS but UPS's scale is significantly hire than Fedex's. I am so confused do I gamble with a seasonal job and close the potential FT opportunity with Fedex? I am located in NJ if that helps benefits and salary are key for me.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by dicemangsp

Hi I am a newbie here but do have some decisions to make in the next day or two that I could use some guidance with. I am a CDL Driver with more than 30 years experience I am a victim of the recession most recently with Pitt Ohio. I am currently waiting for my DOT physical results from UPS Freight this is a FT seasonal position with them stating that they will hire seasonal help permanently if we prove ourselves. Should I believe them? Also if I were to be offered full time with them after the season how long do I have to wait for benefits. I have read in some of these blogs that you need to wait 12-18 months after being made FT this seems unbelievable. On the other hand I am currently in the interviewing process with Fedex freight for a permanent FT position. Fedex offers benefits after 90 days I have heard. Now in looking at the salaries Fedex starts you out much better than UPS but UPS's scale is significantly hire than Fedex's. I am so confused do I gamble with a seasonal job and close the potential FT opportunity with Fedex? I am located in NJ if that helps benefits and salary are key for me.

first, welcome to the boards.

next, i wouldn't take any gamble.........i'd go with fedex. what you need to think of is that UPS is union, but i do not know if UPS Freight is or not. but i'd venture to guess that they would basically run the barn(s) like a union shop, meaning that if a person, say on the docks wants to be a driver, maybe he wil get the job you're going to just hope you get, if you prove yourself....??

[dicemangsp]

thank you for the welcome and your perspective. You are correct UPS is union. However Fedex definitely is not. I am inclined to hold out on Fedex but my thought is to call Fedex before accepting UPS to see if I am considered a strong candidate for their position. I can't take this unemployment much longer it is 11 months tooo long

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by dicemangsp

thank you for the welcome and your perspective. You are correct UPS is union. However Fedex definitely is not. I am inclined to hold out on Fedex but my thought is to call Fedex before accepting UPS to see if I am considered a strong candidate for their position. I can't take this unemployment much longer it is 11 months tooo long

as i said, UPS IS UNION.............BUT........i do NOT KNOW if UPS Freight is.........

some barns MIGHT be union, some might not be, or they all might not be union. UPS Freight was once know as Overnite, and SOME of thier barns were union, some were not.

when UPS took over, i do not know if they (UPS) accepted the Overnite union..............

yes, FedEx Freight is NOT union, but i do believe they try and run it somewhat like a union shop with senority and such, this at least, i got when i applied to FedEx about 2 years ago.........

[NowIAreOne]

there's a UPS/Overnite barn near where I work and I don't think it's union, because every once in awhile you'll see union folks out front trying to talk to people there. FedEx I know is not. I have a co-worker who also works part-time at FedEx (in the office), and they do have full-time benefits at 30 hours. He will NOT give up that gig and I don't blame him. If they have the same deal for drivers it's good.

[Van Man]

Originally Posted by dicemangsp

Hi I am a newbie here but do have some decisions to make in the next day or two that I could use some guidance with. I am a CDL Driver with more than 30 years experience I am a victim of the recession most recently with Pitt Ohio. I am currently waiting for my DOT physical results from UPS Freight this is a FT seasonal position with them stating that they will hire seasonal help permanently if we prove ourselves. Should I believe them? Also if I were to be offered full time with them after the season how long do I have to wait for benefits. I have read in some of these blogs that you need to wait 12-18 months after being made FT this seems unbelievable. On the other hand I am currently in the interviewing process with Fedex freight for a permanent FT position. Fedex offers benefits after 90 days I have heard. Now in looking at the salaries Fedex starts you out much better than UPS but UPS's scale is significantly hire than Fedex's. I am so confused do I gamble with a seasonal job and close the potential FT opportunity with Fedex? I am located in NJ if that helps benefits and salary are key for me.

Savanah, Ga. and Waynesboro, Va. are the only 2 UPS freight service centers that are not union.

I have not heard of UPS freight hiring seasonal drivers, and I know UPS (ground; feeder drivers) does. Freight starts to slow up in Nov and Dec while UPS ramps up for the holidays. So I am wondering if you have the 2 mixed up.

UPS and UPS Freight over hire. I work at UPS freight. They like to make sure they have enough drivers to cover there customers plus a few. This makes it VERY tough for the bottom guys to get 40 hours. Or decent miles if you run linehaul. Just take this into consideration.

Cant help you with Fedex. I talk to the drivers all the time but someone will let you know whats up.

UPS Freight is the right company for me, I am VERY glad I work here.