Essay/Term paper: Ups

Essay, term paper, research paper:  English

UPS
If you enjoy dealing with people, the outdoors, and being your own
supervisor than a job with the UPS just might be a job for you.

There are many advantages to being a UPS driver, but there are also a few
disadvantages. Some of the advantages are that most freight and material movers
belong to Unions. The particular unions that represent freight and material movers
are International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculture Implement
Workers of America. Unions make sure that the workers have proper working
conditions and make the right amount of money for what type of work they are
doing. The Unions do you usually require membership dues.

Most companies also offer other benefits. Depending on the length of service
and the size of the company many workers receive paid vacations and holidays.
They also receive health, life, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
The driver also constantly moves about and can enjoy the scenery changes in the
weather. The individual is not under continual supervision and uses personal
judgment in pacing the day.

A typical work week usually consists of a 5-day 40-hour schedule. The
driver strive to keep the workday at 8 hours, but since the parcels must be delivered
on time to maintain the company reputation, overtime work is occasionally is
necessary. Also, the constant driving in heavy traffic, starting and stopping to
deliver, and the repetition of duties may become tiring. The weather also plays an
important role in working conditions and environment because one is exposed to it
many times a day.

The workers also must wear brown uniforms which aren"t the best looking
uniforms I"ve ever seen. Most companies provide the worker with free uniforms.
Since the worker spends a lot of time standing while loading packages the person
needs to purchase comfortable and durable shoes.

In 1907 an enterprising 19-year-old James E. ("Jim") Casey borrowed $100
from a friend and started the American Messenger company in Seattle, Washington.
With a handful of other teenagers, including his brother George Casey, Jim ran his
service from a humble office located under the sidewalk. Despite stiff competition,
the company did well, largely because of Jim"s strict policies: customer courtesy,
reliability, round-the-clock service, and low rates. These principles, which guide
UPS even today are summarized by Jim"s slogan: "Best Service and Lowest
Rates."(INTERNET)

The delivery service has grown tremendously since the beginning and shows
few signs of slowing down.(FINNEY CO.) This industry should continue to
provide a large number of job openings. Now there are thousands of UPS
distribution centers all over the U.S. and many in foreign countries. In all the UPS
has about 335,000 employees. Their service area includes more than 200 countries
and territories and every address in the United States.

A drivers wages vary from employer to employer. Small companies pay
around $7 an hour or about $15,000 a year, while large companies pay up to $15 an
hour or about $31,000 annually.(COIN) The more experience you get the bigger
wages you will receive.

The primary requirements for this position include a high school diploma and
a commercial driver"s license. An individual must usually be 21 years of age to
obtain this job. Requirements vary from state to state, but the CDL is always
granted by the state highway or transportation department. Individual and group
on-the-job training are provided by the company and usually last about one week.

The ability to drive well, supported by a good driving record is essential to
becoming a driver. This individual knows driving regulations well and makes safety
habits an integral part of a driving routine.(TIME) The driver must have good
eyesight and be in good physical condition. The individual must have the strength to
load the truck each morning and to handle packages throughout the day. During
recessions some drivers may be laid off. It is important to deliver packages in as
timely a manner as possible, but the schedule is often flexible . Efforts to serve
customers and the company well by maintaining a pleasant disposition must be
made.

UPS is delivering 11.5 million packages and documents a day for more than
one million regular customers. With such huge volume, UPS relies on technology to
maintain efficiency. Technology at UPS spans an incredible range, from specially
designed package delivery vehicles, to global computer and communications
systems. Between 1986 and 1991, UPS spent $1.5 billion on technology
improvements, planning an additional $3.2 billion to be spent over the next five
years. The UPS has many programs available for delivery types for example,
Inventory Express is a contract logistics management service in which UPS stores
the customer"s merchandise, then ship it as needed..."just in time". Even more
far-reaching is UPS Worldwide Logistics, a comprehensive consulting service in
which UPS assembles services based on the customers individual needs, which
might include freight payment, customs clearance, warehousing, carrier selection,
rate negotiation, tracking, information systems, Electronic Data Interchange, fleet
management, order processing, and inventory control.

UPS is not just in the delivery business, but in the customer satisfaction
business, and customer needs will continue to be in the company"s driving force.
The highest priorities for UPS over the next five years will be to deploy technology
that will allow UPS to continue to introducing new services, to provide customers
with comprehensive information about their shipments, and to provide training so all
employees will clearly understand UPS services, the technologies that make them
possible, and be able to communicate that information to the customer.

The UPS would be a great career for a person that has a good disposition and
a good driving record. It could be a very rewarding experience.

I think that I would personally like to have a career in this type of work. It
sounds interesting, fun, and challenging. But you must be part-time help in the
warehouse before you can actually become a driver in most cases. If you have the
time and patience to climb a career ladder this might be one to start climbing.