UPS - Whiteboard?
12-09-2008 | 06:12 AM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
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12-09-2008 | 08:20 AM
#22
Libertarian Resistance
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: 757 FO
Slightly off topic...
WW
12-09-2008 | 09:28 AM
#23
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From: Retired
I think that one of the major differences between the two companies is in each's corporate sense of humor. Whereas FedEx has always displayed an easy, fun-loving approach to their commercials, UPS has always just had straight-forward, no-nonsense approach.
One of the sayings you always hear at FedEx flight training is: "well, nobody has ever done that before", usually heard after someone gooned up some profile, landing, cross-wind takeoff, etc. It's a way of making lite of the error, so that the person making the error doesn't feel any worse than they already do.
Another perfect example of corporate culture can be seen in the following story: back in 1989 (or 90), when I was flying for UPS, someone forgot to tether the nose strut of a 747 to the ramp in SDF. Shortly thereafter, the loaders misloaded the jet, resulting in it sitting on its tail. Someone with a sense of humor took a photo of the jet, nose high, and made a bunch of photocopies, which magically started to appear around the training building and flight ops (and I assume other places within the sort as well.) Anyway, shortly after the photos started to appear, a letter was written and posted that said (in effect) "if we find out who took that picture and who is posting it around, that person will be fired." Each time the photo appeared, it was immediately taken down.
I left UPS in early 1990 and started at FedEx in late 1990, and sure enough, shortly thereafter, someone in MEM forgot to tether the nose gear of a DC-10, and you guessed it, they then misloaded the jet and it too landed on its tail. Again, someone took a photo and posted it all over the place, but this time with a small caption near the cockpit window (on the photo) saying: "DC-10 lands on its tail when the Captain throws his wallet out of the window." That photo stayed up in flight ops for a year or two, and everyone got a great laugh. Thankfully nobody was hurt in either incident, but I'd bet someone was fired at UPS and someone was told: "well, that's probably never happened before" at FedEx. Therein lies the difference with the two companies. That, and of course, you guys wear that horrid brown uniform.
JJ
One of the sayings you always hear at FedEx flight training is: "well, nobody has ever done that before", usually heard after someone gooned up some profile, landing, cross-wind takeoff, etc. It's a way of making lite of the error, so that the person making the error doesn't feel any worse than they already do.
Another perfect example of corporate culture can be seen in the following story: back in 1989 (or 90), when I was flying for UPS, someone forgot to tether the nose strut of a 747 to the ramp in SDF. Shortly thereafter, the loaders misloaded the jet, resulting in it sitting on its tail. Someone with a sense of humor took a photo of the jet, nose high, and made a bunch of photocopies, which magically started to appear around the training building and flight ops (and I assume other places within the sort as well.) Anyway, shortly after the photos started to appear, a letter was written and posted that said (in effect) "if we find out who took that picture and who is posting it around, that person will be fired." Each time the photo appeared, it was immediately taken down.
I left UPS in early 1990 and started at FedEx in late 1990, and sure enough, shortly thereafter, someone in MEM forgot to tether the nose gear of a DC-10, and you guessed it, they then misloaded the jet and it too landed on its tail. Again, someone took a photo and posted it all over the place, but this time with a small caption near the cockpit window (on the photo) saying: "DC-10 lands on its tail when the Captain throws his wallet out of the window." That photo stayed up in flight ops for a year or two, and everyone got a great laugh. Thankfully nobody was hurt in either incident, but I'd bet someone was fired at UPS and someone was told: "well, that's probably never happened before" at FedEx. Therein lies the difference with the two companies. That, and of course, you guys wear that horrid brown uniform.
JJ
12-09-2008 | 09:38 AM
#24
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12-09-2008 | 09:39 AM
#25
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I think that one of the major differences between the two companies is in each's corporate sense of humor. Whereas FedEx has always displayed an easy, fun-loving approach to their commercials, UPS has always just had straight-forward, no-nonsense approach.
One of the sayings you always hear at FedEx flight training is: "well, nobody has ever done that before", usually heard after someone gooned up some profile, landing, cross-wind takeoff, etc. It's a way of making lite of the error, so that the person making the error doesn't feel any worse than they already do.
Another perfect example of corporate culture can be seen in the following story: back in 1989 (or 90), when I was flying for UPS, someone forgot to tether the nose strut of a 747 to the ramp in SDF. Shortly thereafter, the loaders misloaded the jet, resulting in it sitting on its tail. Someone with a sense of humor took a photo of the jet, nose high, and made a bunch of photocopies, which magically started to appear around the training building and flight ops (and I assume other places within the sort as well.) Anyway, shortly after the photos started to appear, a letter was written and posted that said (in effect) "if we find out who took that picture and who is posting it around, that person will be fired." Each time the photo appeared, it was immediately taken down.
I left UPS in early 1990 and started at FedEx in late 1990, and sure enough, shortly thereafter, someone in MEM forgot to tether the nose gear of a DC-10, and you guessed it, they then misloaded the jet and it too landed on its tail. Again, someone took a photo and posted it all over the place, but this time with a small caption near the cockpit window (on the photo) saying: "DC-10 lands on its tail when the Captain throws his wallet out of the window." That photo stayed up in flight ops for a year or two, and everyone got a great laugh. Thankfully nobody was hurt in either incident, but I'd bet someone was fired at UPS and someone was told: "well, that's probably never happened before" at FedEx. Therein lies the difference with the two companies. That, and of course, you guys wear that horrid brown uniform.
JJ
One of the sayings you always hear at FedEx flight training is: "well, nobody has ever done that before", usually heard after someone gooned up some profile, landing, cross-wind takeoff, etc. It's a way of making lite of the error, so that the person making the error doesn't feel any worse than they already do.
Another perfect example of corporate culture can be seen in the following story: back in 1989 (or 90), when I was flying for UPS, someone forgot to tether the nose strut of a 747 to the ramp in SDF. Shortly thereafter, the loaders misloaded the jet, resulting in it sitting on its tail. Someone with a sense of humor took a photo of the jet, nose high, and made a bunch of photocopies, which magically started to appear around the training building and flight ops (and I assume other places within the sort as well.) Anyway, shortly after the photos started to appear, a letter was written and posted that said (in effect) "if we find out who took that picture and who is posting it around, that person will be fired." Each time the photo appeared, it was immediately taken down.
I left UPS in early 1990 and started at FedEx in late 1990, and sure enough, shortly thereafter, someone in MEM forgot to tether the nose gear of a DC-10, and you guessed it, they then misloaded the jet and it too landed on its tail. Again, someone took a photo and posted it all over the place, but this time with a small caption near the cockpit window (on the photo) saying: "DC-10 lands on its tail when the Captain throws his wallet out of the window." That photo stayed up in flight ops for a year or two, and everyone got a great laugh. Thankfully nobody was hurt in either incident, but I'd bet someone was fired at UPS and someone was told: "well, that's probably never happened before" at FedEx. Therein lies the difference with the two companies. That, and of course, you guys wear that horrid brown uniform.
JJ
12-10-2008 | 06:35 AM
#26
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Target audience
Another thing everyone is missing is target audience. As a ups'er who really appreciates a good FDX commercial as much as a good beer commercial, I think UPS targets their audience better. At most companies, big or small, the shipping choice comes down to price and reliability, and those decisions are made by a Comptroller, or a Comptrollers office. These guys are actuaries and CPA's. Total "A" types with the personalities of a damp rag. They want facts when it comes to business commercials and jokes during Saturday Night Live. Thus, while everyone gets a good laught out of FDX commercials, Whiteboard puts across the facts with clarity and looks more professional.
Plus, as far as business goes, I think UPS is also targeting the bigger, lower yield freight market. While stogy, it is a reliable source of income. I think FDX is trying to target all of the hot, hip little start ups with plenty of start up capital who send out thousands of $18 overnight letters.
Rott
Plus, as far as business goes, I think UPS is also targeting the bigger, lower yield freight market. While stogy, it is a reliable source of income. I think FDX is trying to target all of the hot, hip little start ups with plenty of start up capital who send out thousands of $18 overnight letters.
Rott
12-10-2008 | 08:02 AM
#27
Slainge Var'
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Zeppelin Tail Gunner
At most companies, big or small, the shipping choice comes down to price and reliability, and those decisions are made by a Comptroller, or a Comptrollers office. These guys are actuaries and CPA's. Total "A" types with the personalities of a damp rag. They want facts when it comes to business commercials and jokes during Saturday Night Live. Thus, while everyone gets a good laught out of FDX commercials, Whiteboard puts across the facts with clarity and looks more professional.
Rott
Rott
12-10-2008 | 11:45 AM
#28
Doing One Pilot's Job
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,883
Likes: 119
Folks are ragging on the Whiteboard ads, and nobody has yet mentioned the god-awful new FedEx Office ads with the "percentages"? What a terrible campaign...
I think the humor of Whiteboard appeals more "up-market" than the FedEx ads...which, as has been stated multiple times, is a reflection of the personality of Corporate.
The FedEx "MBA", "Caveman", and "Cast Away" ads were pretty funny though...
I think the humor of Whiteboard appeals more "up-market" than the FedEx ads...which, as has been stated multiple times, is a reflection of the personality of Corporate.
The FedEx "MBA", "Caveman", and "Cast Away" ads were pretty funny though...
12-10-2008 | 12:48 PM
#30
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