UPS Pool?
 

Excuse the ignorance....but when I read that UPS has a pool, what exactly does that mean? You are hired and awaiting a class date, right? Since you are hired, are you officially a UPS employee? Are you on the payroll? Has your probation timeclock started?

Does the same concept apply with FedEx's pool?

Again, apologize for the ???'s....

The "pool" means you are technically hired but not officially hired. Probation and pay don't start until class starts. FedEx and UPS do the pool essentially the same way.

Not to get too picky, but I wouldn't say that at all. Being in the pool means that you have successfully interviewed...that's all.

You're not hired when they call you for the physical. Passing the physical is a condition of employment. And you're not hired when your background check is complete. You're not hired until the first day of class...period.

The pool at UPS (as most know, but for the benefit of the original poster) is not first-in-first-out. It what UPS refers to as a "competitive" pool. There is some kind of score attached to your file and apparently (one of the great mysteries in life) your score is fluid...meaning if you update your resume while you're in the pool, you could raise your score...or theoretically lower it. And if someone enters the pool with a higher score after you're already swimming, you're effectively pushed back.

That being said, I've only heard folklore of pool-swimmers who entered the pool and ultimately never heard from UPS again. I've heard the "I know a guy who..." stories about getting in the pool and never getting out, but no one has ever told me first-hand this has happened.

For all intents and purposes, getting into the pool means you will one day get out of the pool. But take it from someone who swam in excess of 3 years...you're not hired until you're in class!

EDPM

EDPM....the guy just wanted to know if you got a paycheck while swimming. That's why I said "technically but not officially", we all know there are conditions. You're out now, let it go. :)

When a guy asks "what exactly does that mean?" I'd assume he'd like to know exactly what it means. As I posted, the explanation was for the benefit of the original poster.

Next time when someone asks a question, I'll assume they already know the answer.

EDPM