UPS Newhire QOL
 

Recently applied to UPS, and getting ahead of myself a little as I don't yet have an interview invite, but i'm curious about the general QOL of a UPS newhire these days. I have no real contacts at UPS and not a whole lot surfaced in searching previous threads relating to a newhire's expected lifestyle the first 5 +/- years.

- What sort of schedule can a newhire on the 75/76/A300 expect in the first few years?

- How does reserve work at UPS? (Do you head to SDF and crashpad it waiting for the phone to ring like other airlines, etc?) Historical time spent on RSV as an FO the past few years? Short/Long call?

-I'd be commuting out of ATL, haven't commuted in over 15 years, any ATL UPS commuters on here care to share how they usually get to work?

Thanks for any insight! I figure I can't be the only guy wondering this stuff?

You aren’t, try doing more research. Multiple threads on these topics. Everything you asked has been asked before. That said, if you succeed in getting hired, it’s a great job with benefits and pay that you will struggle to match elsewhere. The pilot group is very good and looks after their own.

I'll take a swing; the answer to most of your questions as always is, "it depends." IF we continue hiring 250-300 a year then mobility will continue and schedule QOL will continue to improve rapidly. In 3 years you should be around 60ish% on the FO lists on the domestic side. That will get you a pretty good night sort schedule, choppy day flying, morning turns, an occasional afternoon turn schedule or pretty much what you want for reserve.

Reserve actually isn't typically the thing that goes most junior; it's base trip lines -- choppy schedules 2 on, 1 off, 3 on, 2 off... so it is possible that you wouldn't sit reserve long or at all if you don't want to. Many guys (almost exclusively non-commuters) enjoy bidding reserve and the lifestyle so it goes more senior than much of the bid pack. We are able to see a RADAR list to have a general idea of if you are going to be called on a typical night (there's no way I would gamble on that and chance being out of position) and you are able to preference trips for your on call period which are awarded in seniority order. The combination of those two things definitely increases reserve QOL.

Long call is part of the VTO package so you could avoid it if you wanted. Short call is 1.5 hrs notification so yes, a crashpad would be necessary for a commuter.

I'll leave the ATL commute to the experts but it can't be that bad between UPS, SWA, and DAL.

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Thanks for that reply, and I completely understand that most of my questions fall under "it depends", but figured i'd ask. The insight into reserve that you gave was interesting, I wasnt aware of how it works at UPS.

And my inquiry into ATL commuters was more geared toward the observation that I always see half a dozen or so UPS airplanes on the ATL cargo ramp, and wasn't sure if some number of those are generally headed to a UPS pilot domicile so maybe commuters just hopped on their own metal to head in to work?

I think that UPS iron is most UPSers choice for commuting. Take a look at the UPS jumpseat page for typical route frequency. That might get you to what you are looking for.

Older thread but I’m wondering if any ATL commuters can comment on the commute/QOL. I have a interview coming up and I would like to know what I’m getting myself into.

+1 for Miami/South Florida?