some ups questions answered

[james j neiweem]

New Member

1 Posts

Posted - 09/11/2011 : 07:36:19 AM

From time to time the old UPS questions are raised.

I've never seen before how such little information can be turned into a big mess. I work for UPS. I've been to multiple facilities in different states. So in a way I'm saying, I know a little about UPS. The first thing all you non-UPSers need to know is that UPS puts profit and the bottom line above ALL else. Above ALL else. We use trucks (tractors and package caers) from various manufacturers. We pretty much put our equipment requirements out there, and whomever can meet those spec's with the best price wins. Package cars chasis's can be Fords, Chevy's Internationals etc. Grunmann does alot of the bodies, but there are others. Tractors can be Macks, Sterlings Internationals, Frieghtliners, etc. You are not likely to see Western Star, Peterbilt nor KW's in our tractor fleet. Why? My guess is they can't produce such a bare-bones truck. All UPS trucks/package cars are bare-bones. No frills. Every extra dollar spent on one truck is multiplied by the thousands of trucks. UPS puts the bottom line above all else. These are work trucks. The comfort of the driver is only matched to DOT, Union contract and other applicacable Federal regulations.

Now to get back on point a little. Hood ornaments have a cost. A very real cost when an order for say 500 trucks is placed. If a manufacturer places a cost of $3.35 for a tin plate emblem/logo, UPS knows it can save $3.35 (or whatever that cost is)x 500 =$1675.00 by not having the logo added. So why then does Mack get special treatment? They don't. Mack was just smart enough to make their hood ornament the hood "handle" by which you use to pull open the hood (cowl). Many of the other manufacturers like International, Sterling etc have a handhold cut or recessed in to the hood (cowl). So by default (it's a needed handhold), the Bulldog has to stay.

Now to clean up some other miss information I've seen in this thread. I don't know how 9/11 got in to this discussion. But UPS 'crushes' cars when they are done with them. Either thru use or accident. When UPS is finished with a vehicle, one of the first things the mechanics do is strip various parts they know they can use at their respective facilities. The vehicle is then sent to a facility that may or may not recycle additional parts. Finally the vehicle is 'scrapped'. With respect to the package cars, there is a lot of aluminum in those things. Vehicles are scrapped when the cost of keeping them on the road becomes excessive, or when safety is compromised. (However up in NY some package cars were run on old rusted frames beyond safety standards)

UPS puts the bottom line above all else. There's no "special" reason for why we use the trucks/package cars we use other than the cost to functionality analysis.. There's no 9/11 reason for how we dispose of old worn out vehicles. We have been doing it the same way for decades. Why do we cover up the UPS logo? We're just funny that way. We take our company, and our logo seriously. That's why the 'King of Queens' didn't get permission to use it. Next time you see a Fed Ex commercial, watch how they have that "we can laugh at ourselves quality". At UPS we don't laugh at ourselves. We're too busy busting ass.

In the coming years your heads will really start to spin. As a major player in the transportation industry UPS has already begun to diversify even further the manufacturer pool of vehicles as we seek better fuel economy and alternative fuel vehicles.

I hope this reply has removed some of the perceived mystery.

[blackdog2]

It all started in a little town in Connecticut Colechester at one time all the Ford chassis were purchased through Bridge-Haven Ford in Milford CT and the box trailer went through Frehauf/Alantic star in Wallingford CT.

[41chevy]

Very interesting info. I recall a mechanic explaining about the Bull Dog staying on the MACKs as a handle. I recall their brake replacement procedure on the Package Trucks, all as assemblies from backing plates to drums. Very Smart way to do it. Paul

[Bobby j]

Very good and TRUE post as I worked for overnite for 25 years before ups bought them out........had to learn some hard lessons on the way about profit and bottom line at ups.......all in all ups good company to work for......my two cents.....Bobby j.

[mowerman]

used to look up to them,,,high wages,,,tight ship,,,but past few years thier package delivery aint worth a shit,,,and thier customer service is lousy multi billian dollar outfit,,,and as far as im concerned,,,they dont care about your packages at all...busted crushed boxes....torn open boxes,,,,they just throw them over the fence in the dirt and split then you call them to complain,,,and they dont wanna hear it,,,just blow you off......wow thanks guys.woohoo...bob

[Maddog13407]

totally agree Mowerman. they seem to treat the packages like shit in the past few years

[2stacksuperdog]

Around here there is still a difference between UPS and Fedex. At least in my are fedex just throws the packages where as the UPS guys place them. Maybe just a good crew.

[mowerman]

totally agree Mowerman. they seem to treat the packages like shit in the past few years

was thinkin maybe its just the area,,,the fedex guy brings it up to the porch,,,and rings the bell very impressive,,,that what people remember the little extra mile costomer service.lol.bob

[staxx]

Iam going to race the a big brown truck !

[mowerman]

lol....ahrite man,,,,have a ball...bob

[blackdog2]

They do have few flaws when they didnt check the dog house to see if they were all back and the family went looking for there father husband a day later and found the truck off the hiway in a swamp less then two miles from the terminal.I imagine they check now after losing a driver.