| Category: | Business Insights |
| Tags: | Christmas, delivery, driver helper, employees, holiday |
Each peak season, UPS enlists driver helpers to pick up and deliver the influx of extra packages shipped during the holidays. I recently talked to Todd Romantini, a driver helper in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Todd is a marketing major at Ohio State University. During his holiday break, he has stepped out of the classroom and into a set of UPS Browns to help UPS spread holiday cheer during our busiest time of year. This is his fifth and final stint as a driver helper as he is graduating in the spring.
Q: What do you do as a driver helper?
A: This year, I’m working at the Tri County Mall. My driver, Chris Culley, and I get two large trucks full of merchandise to unload and deliver to the mall businesses each day. We also handle the businesses’ pickups. We’re here for eight to 10 hours a day.
I’ve ridden with a driver for past holiday seasons making residential deliveries. For that, we would drive into a neighborhood and both would take packages to the houses and make deliveries.
Q: How and why did you become a UPS driver helper?
A: During my freshman year, I saw a UPS flier at my dorm. I knew a little about UPS’s history and reputation as a good company that promotes from within so I decided to get involved. I’ve come back every year because I know the job and enjoy it, and as a marketing major, I like learning about the supply chain and logistics part of the business.
Q: What surprised you about being a driver helper?
A: I knew that UPS was a diverse company, but I didn’t expect it to be so close-knit. I really like the camaraderie between everyone from the people that load the cars, to the management, to the drivers. It’s interesting to hear everyone’s stories.
I also was surprised that drivers are such a big part of everyone’s routines. Some customers set aside presents for us like we’re a member of their team.
Comments [2]
I fondly recall my driver helper days working with Kevin and Sean out of the San
Ramon, CA building during peak in 1989, 1990 and 1991. The position was great
in terms of an opportunity to work week days while home from college and to get
some exercise too. I would begin each day so full of energy. The driver gave me
a look of “where did she come from and does she realize what the day has in store
for us?” By the end of day I was beat. And I can still picture coming around a
corner to a front door of a residence and startling a dog resting on the porch. I
don’t know who jumped more, me or the dog!
The work ethic and customer focus of the drivers, even with the stress of a less
than perfectly loaded package car, certainly impressed me. And the customer
appreciation was evident as well. Like Todd says, the drivers are considered part
of the team on both pickup and delivery. My admiration was so great that I applied
for a business development position upon graduating from college.
Unfortunately, working as a driver helper was not as great
as your experience, Jennifer. Being paid $8 an hour (in
New York!), doing more work than the driver, and having my
last check go missing for weeks while security was calling
me everyday for their uniform back, all made this
experience a waste of my valuable time.
To the folks out there, if you CAN… avoid this seasonal job.