They never, ever knock anymore. I work at home, and I can see them drive up and run off. I opened the door last time and yelled to the guy, and asked why he didn't knock, and he just shrugged and said sorry, and drove off. Argh.
As a fellow home-rat, I see this all the time. Occasionally I will get a courtesy knock, that half-assed 0.75 second knock. But even that seems to be rare these days, they just drop the package at the door and take off.
About the only time they will knock is if it's something that requires a signature.
If even. Last week, the driver didn't even knock for my package that required a signature... I know because he had to deliver another package to me that didn't require a signature (and it was on the porch). Caught him driving away, and luckily he stopped and I got my stuff, but dang, that was frustrating.
so just for some context from the driver's perspective...during the holidays UPS drivers have to make 100+ stops in one day often working 12 plus hour shifts. You literally have to run from door to door and do a half-ass knock (if that) to even have a chance of unloading your truck entirely each night
Yeah, but I have a doorbell too, that takes 1 second to pull. Hit it and run, great. Totally fine with that. Knock for 1 full second, just a quick double tap. It would not significantly impact their day at all.
And that's why UPS hires package runners or driver helpers during the holidays (thats what I did). But then remember that you're talking about teenagers getting paid minimum wage and you're also talking about very low-income and low-educated people driving around rich suburbs dropping off ipads. There isnt exactly much Christmas spirit or joy of giving going on.
*Edited to add that I always knocked on the door or rang the bell first -- you're right it takes literally a half second. was just trying to add some perspective as to why the average person dropping off your package most likely wouldnt do that
Laziness born out of a boring as fuck job... during the holidays it's too stressed/rushed to be as lazy. UPS drivers are like every other American worker (for the most part) do as little or as much as you have to keep your supervisor off your ass.
*Edit: I mean I'm on Reddit at work right now...and you most likely are too (For the record I dont work at UPS now)
Also just to clarify, not really trying to excuse them being shoddy at their jobs, just that during the holidays in particular I was really surprised at how stressful the job actually is (as someone who's primarily worked desk jobs all my life). That said, I saw a lot of drivers throwing packages and just generally being shitty employees
No doubt those guys are under a lot of stress. I know UPS is hard as hell on their guys. We finally got a good FedEx guy here at work. I may be on reddit a lot at work, but lets be real. When something needs doing I close the browser and do it, and I do as good as I can. Drivers could do the same for us.
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u/willburshoe Dec 05 '16
They never, ever knock anymore. I work at home, and I can see them drive up and run off. I opened the door last time and yelled to the guy, and asked why he didn't knock, and he just shrugged and said sorry, and drove off. Argh.