 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
 |
|
 |
|
Working for UPS
I discovered that I was hired to work at ramp. This is a position where one works around and in the UPS Cargo airplanes. I also found out from a friend who works at UPS that this is one of the most desirable positions at UPS, and that I was lucky to get it as a new hire. Week 1 - Training I was told by the person who called me to dress for work. This means dress into something that you won't mind getting dirty. I was also told to wear work boots. I arrived at the designated time, and was told to sit in a room with a few people. After a few minutes a woman from the HR department came in and told us not to worry, that the company is very worker friendly, and if we need anything to come and talk with her. Soon another HR person came, this time specifically from the Ramp department. He handed us two books, one with information about the benefits, etc. the other was to be initialed on every page, as it contained the company policies. Ramp workers are unionized, so we had to sign our application into the union, which soon will take out large chunks out of our paychecks. After an hour of initialling papers, we met our trainer, who loaded us into a mini UPS van. Those vans are crew vans, and instead of the UPS trademark brown color, they are white. Our trainer took us to the ramp, but to get there we had to go past two security checkpoints. We drove by the airplanes, and headed into a meeting room. We were handed a large folder full of papers...which we would be filling out for the most part of our first week. You cannot even imagine how much paperwork is involved with working at UPS. I am not exaggerating if I say that there were at least 100 pages that had to be filled out. There are quizzes that have to be taken. There are certifications that have to be filled out. There are HAZMAT tests, and ramp tests that must be done. And finally, there are the awful videos that have to be watched. The paperwork took up most of our first week, but sometimes we got to go outside and see what it was that we were to do, and how to operate some of the equipment. On the second night, for example, we got to see how an airplane, a Boeing 747 is marshalled out. During that night I was in a total awe of how close I got to be to the airplanes, which is something not everyone has an opportunity to experience. On other days we also went into the airplanes to learn how to operate the container locks, and we even helped to load an airplane. We also learned how to drive the TUGs (the small tractors that drive every equipment around). We learned how to position the crew stairs, the package belt, the container elevator, and a tail support stand which has to be installed on some planes so that they do not tip over. This was how the first week passed. It was impossible to remember all the information we were supposed to know by the end of the training week. Videos and quizzes help only so much, the rest must be learned by actually DOING the things. So far I think I will like working at UPS. Week 2 - Finally Working Finally we were able to get our hands dirty, and I mean this literally. So what is it that I do? First of all, we are all divided into groups, or crews of about 10 people. Each crew has its own supervisor. The supervisor is in charge of finding out the crew assignments; which planes we must load/unload, etc. There are several duties associated with a ramp worker, and the supervisor is the one that assigns us to each one of them. Driving TUGs - As a TUG driver one is responsible for either driving dollies with with the package containers, getting the power supply, or pulling the crew stairs or tail supports. K-Loader Operator - This person operates the big elevator that loads/unloads the big package conainers to and from the airplane. Loader/Unloadr - These people perform several duties depending on their placement. If working on the
topside of a 747, for example, these people hold a joystick which drives the automated package loading equipment.
When the containers are in place, the people manually lock them in place. Sometimes the containers get stuck, or need
to be manually rotated into place, and that's when the job gets a little harder.
Marshaller - This is the person with glowsticks who directs the plane when it's coming into the gate, or leaving. This job is acutally not as difficult, since it follows the same procedures every single time. There are some interesting facts. Some of the airplanes, cannot start their own engines. A special device is required. It is basically a large blower which is hooked up to the planes to help the engines move. Security is tight, I went through a thorough background check, and every day I have to pass two guard checkpoints to get to work. They will also not allow any camera, or a phone with a camera (as in my case), for security reasons. The atmosphere is pretty good there, it's all on a firstname basis. UPS also has excellent work benefits. They actually have a "pay for school" program, and they do offer medical benefits; all for working there part time. Show me another part time business which offers benefits like that. Although there is a lot to know, this job is far easier than what the workers at the hub have to put up with. Most of our time is spent using the automated systems. We spend only about 15 to 20 minutes unloading the small feeder aircraft. Compared to some of my previous jobs (Mc Donald's), this job is heaven. And I received my first paycheck last night, so I am VERY happy that I got hired at UPS =). |
