UPS part-time jobs

[disnutt]

I'm thinking of taking a part-time job at UPS to pad my budget. Has anyone done a package handler job? Wondered if there were any ladies out there doing it? I'm in decent physical shape and believe that I can handle the packages but wanted some real life input!

thanks

 

[vickyBaby]

This is real back breaking work; many people last one day at this position.

 

[Vijoge]

My son did this several years ago and yes, there were women working right along side him. I think you need to be able to lift 75# (not just once. .lol )

 

[rflorek]

I've never done it, but our regular UPS driver at work is a tiny woman and she's been around for 18 months or so.

 

[amp078]

I used to do it while I was in college years ago. Unless they have changed their standards, they only hire college students to do this type of work. I started out unloading semi-trailers. Most were completely packed with boxes from top to bottom and you had to take them off the pile and place them on the rollers and maintain a certain package per minute speed. It is very hard work. I would only work 3-4 hour shifts and I was completely exhausted afterwards. The shift began at 11pm and went to 2-3am.

After awhile, I moved to preload. I was in charge of taking packages off the belt according to zip code and street names and then I had to arrange them on the package cars in order of delivery. It took some time to get used to, but this was much better work. The package drivers were very nice- I guess they have to be, if they were rude to the people loading their trucks, it would be more work for them in the long run because they had to resort the packages!! This shift began at 4 am and went until 7-8am.

I finally had to quit because the drive was killing me to work 3-4 hours at a time. It took me 45 minutes each way and although the money and benefits were fantastic, I just couldn't handle it anymore.

Hope this helps and feel free to PM me with any questions.

 

[disnutt]

I used to do it while I was in college years ago. Unless they have changed their standards, they only hire college students to do this type of work. I started out unloading semi-trailers. Most were completely packed with boxes from top to bottom and you had to take them off the pile and place them on the rollers and maintain a certain package per minute speed. It is very hard work. I would only work 3-4 hour shifts and I was completely exhausted afterwards. The shift began at 11pm and went to 2-3am.

After awhile, I moved to preload. I was in charge of taking packages off the belt according to zip code and street names and then I had to arrange them on the package cars in order of delivery. It took some time to get used to, but this was much better work. The package drivers were very nice- I guess they have to be, if they were rude to the people loading their trucks, it would be more work for them in the long run because they had to resort the packages!! This shift began at 4 am and went until 7-8am.

I finally had to quit because the drive was killing me to work 3-4 hours at a time. It took me 45 minutes each way and although the money and benefits were fantastic, I just couldn't handle it anymore.

Hope this helps and feel free to PM me with any questions.

The preload shift is the one that's open in our area. That sounds a little better. They advertise for parents looking to work specific hours so maybe this will be OK.

Thanks for all the answers.

 

[Scraper]

I took a part time job at Jo Anns fabric and craft store. I love it.

 

[disnutt]

I have been looking for a part-time job that doesn't conflict w/ my DH work schedule or the kids schooling time. UPS had EARLY morning shifts that I could do before DH left for work. That's why I haven't looked into retail. I've got another year before DS starts school and my schedule can open up more.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

DH used to do this in college and he's a big guy and said it was tough work. good luck finding something!!

 

[amp078]

The preload shift was a bit easier but you still had to move very fast and think while you were moving! They see the package volume and are able to predict the length of time it should take you to load the cars.

Good luck!

 

[disnutt]

The preload shift was a bit easier but you still had to move very fast and think while you were moving!
Good luck!

OH NO! I'm afraid the need to think is going to disqualify me! I can handle the lifting but not the thinking!

 

[smackdr]

I have a friend who works at UPS as a package handler and he says he comes home everyday completely soaked in sweat and takes about a gallon of water with him to work everyday (and drinks it all)

It's not an easy job.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

My cousin works for UPS. I'm not saying you can't get the job, but they give priority to those in the military or in college. He came out of the military and was considered to have worked for them for 6 years (the amount of time he served). He started out doing that job until a package delivery job was available and now drives the semi truck. It was HARD work. He was always tired and sore. And that was part time, and he's very strong. Again, not saying you can't do it, I just think it might be more than you want since you'll still have to come home and take care of the kids! He also said very few people, even men, made it very long.

 

[disnutt]

I went ahead and put my info in for the morning shift. If they call me I'll learn more about it. I'll still keep looking for something else, too. But with my limited hours that's hard. Thanks for the info!

 

[powellrj]

a girl I went to high school did this. While I don't know all the details, I know she did if for awhile and she was almost 40 at the time. She did the early mornings too.

 

[pkgman]

<--- see my username. 20 years with UPS - 11 yrs PT and 9 yrs FT

Disnutt, If you are moderately physical able, you will get the job. There is shortage of PT people almost everywhere. You start at $8/hr with 3.5 hr min. per day. Qualified preloaders/sorters make $1/hr more. If you stay with it, you will get the same benefits as FT employees(~6 months in most areas). Benefit package keeps more PT employees on the job than wages.

At one point in time, they would only hire college students for PT and military for FT but now they will hire almost anyone. Even immediate family of hourly and management employees can be hired now.

PM if you have any questions.

 

[ZanneMarie]

I'm thinking of taking a part-time job at UPS to pad my budget. Has anyone done a package handler job? Wondered if there were any ladies out there doing it? I'm in decent physical shape and believe that I can handle the packages but wanted some real life input!

thanks

How did you find out about that job being available? I went to the UPS site and did not see any info there. Thanks for the info.

 

[kvolpus]

I have been with UPS for 4 years and I started out as a part time package handler. I am still in college but now I am filling a supervisor position which is less strenuous physically and I work in the evening. I will say that waking up at 3am is no fun not to mention the work that is involved. I unloaded trailers and loaded them as well and you have to keep up at a certain pace. Generally you will be hired faster for a position on the preload (3am-8am) because of the turnover rate. The thing that kept me in it was the healthcare benefits. I have a $200 deductible and I don't pay a cent per month, you tell me who can beat that as an employer for part time work. I have had one kid under this healthcare coverage and my wife and I are expecting another. I couldn't live without it right now while in college. The health care provider is Aetna and they have a very extensive network. That is also something to think about if you have kids and UPS will hire any willing and able bodies. I will say there is a high turnover so you could find yourself as a senior employee fast if you stick with it. They also do tuition reimbursement in certain cities and centers. Think of the benefits, in the end they outweigh the burdens. I know a lot of professionals who work with UPS strictly for the benefits and some extra play money. Good luck.

 

[kvolpus]

One more thing, as an employee you also have access to a company website that gives corporate discounts on various things like travel, automobiles, cell phones, etc. Just another perk.

 

[ReAnSt]

If you don't think the UPS job will be for you I have another suggestion. Are there any local children's homes or foster care centers, or even group homes for people of varying abilities. Or perhaps a local college needs someone to assist the RA's at night. I worked for a company where I would just monitor a group home mostly midnight to 8am shifts but I also worked some other shifts as well. At night I did light cleaning, laundry, medication counts and was there for the residents in case they woke up or needed something at night. I would cook breakfast in the morning and administer meds if they were up before my shift ended. Typically I worked alone, but sometimes I worked with another person, depending on the number of residents and their abilities. I did this part time as I had another 40 hour a week job. Just another possible job for those odd hours.