Want to become a Fedex or UPS Truck Driver?

TruckDriverHQ June 6, 2012 1,085

UPS is an acronym for United Parcel Service, which is a parcel delivery company that is headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States. The brown vans owned by this company, which have a stamp of UPS in fine gold across the back, are widely known around the world. The trucks, which are usually referred to as package cars, are operated in many countries across the world. These trucks are also known for their well dressed drivers who have been trained and are expected to perform at particular levels of professionalism. The company estimates that it delivers up to 15 million packages daily to an ever growing customer base. In fact, UPS has a presence in about 220 countries in the world and has its own airline service that provides quicker overseas transport. At UPS, the salary of a driver usually depends on the hours that have been worked, the benefits due and the level of seniority. On average, the salary of a driver in this company can range from $72,000 to $130,000 or more.

Fedex on the other hand is an equally widely acclaimed transportation service. It is a package delivery service who major clients are businesses across the world. With a fleet of vehicles and deadlines to meet, Fedex uses the most specialised and skilled drivers in the market. The average salary of a fedex driver is $46,000. However, the actual amount that a driver receives is determined by the location of the company, the benefits due and the level of experience that a driver has.

The process of becoming an employee of UPS or Fedex

Often, most of the people who end up as drivers start off as part time employees. Typically, these people are attached to package handling and they get to experience firsthand, the requirements of the job, before they can apply for it. Some of the requirements that this job need as include:

Absence of a criminal record – the handling of packages is a sensitive matter since clients entrust the delivery company with a variety of products. As such, it is important that the employees of these companies can be trusted. The absence of a criminal record is simply the first step in the qualification process.

Drug and physical tests – before you are employed, you will be required to pass a drug and physical test at the company’s facilities. These tests are aimed at maintaining the integrity of the people applying for these jobs and ensuring that they are physically capable of handling the pressure of the job.

Literacy – reading and writing of English, often fluently is a requirement for these jobs. This is because the clients that the drivers interact with need to be able to communicate with the drivers properly. As such, these firms will most likely require that you have a GED or High School Diploma.

Valid driver’s licence – it goes without saying that a valid driver’s license is required for a driving job. You should also have a clean driving record, usually for a period of at least 5 years or more. It is also necessary for you to demonstrate that you can drive a manual transmission vehicle comfortably and for a long distance in case it is required. Some positions may even require very special licences that will be specified once an opening comes up.

Age – often, the people between the ages of 21 and 25 are preferred since they are younger and more energetic. However, some of the jobs may require people with more experience thus the need for more mature drivers. However, it is important to consider the age limitations that the position may have.

Demeanour – as an employee, you will be portraying the image of the company and it is important that you portray a good attitude. You should also be clean shaven, usually without tattoos and piercings as described by the company. The image that you portray as an employee of the firm, goes a long way in determining if the clients are satisfied with the job or not.

After the requirements have been met, you can apply for these jobs in a variety of ways. Often, most of the job openings are posted on the official website of the company. Once you notice a job opening that you are suited for, you could either apply online or visit one of the offices to drop your application.  If your application is deemed to successful, you will be invited for an interview, where your abilities and capacity will be determined. The interviews can take many forms, from practical tests to written and oral examinations. As such, you should be well prepared for the interview both physically and mentally. Since the jobs in these two firms are very competitive, you may be required to come with a picture ID and proof of eligibility to work during your interviews. This also authenticates your application and moves you a step closer to being an employee of UPS or Fedex.

It is important to note that Fedex usually outsources some of its operations to other contractors, which means that you may be called up to be a driver by one of the contractors who work for Fedex. By proxy, you will be an employee of Fedex; however, you immediate employer may someone else. This does not in any way diminish the level of professionalism that is expected of you. This is because the contractors are held to a code of professionalism and conduct. The same code is expected to be taken down to their employees. On the other hand, UPS normally sources their drivers from the part-time freight handlers that are in their employ. These part-time freight handlers are usually promoted to full time employs and then to driver’s after they have learned the job. The drivers are also required to pass a six day training course that is mandatory for driving UPS vehicles

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