January 11, 2007
A bit about how UPS does its thing.
Drivers don't run. That might cause injuries, which definitely aren't efficient. They do, however, move briskly - about two steps per second. A residential stop should take 30 seconds, steering wheel to steering wheel, spokeswoman Donna Barrett said.
While at a stop, drivers are supposed to hang their key ring from a finger so it's handy when they get back behind the wheel, where they simultaneously start the engine with their right hand while fastening the seat belt with their left. . . .
Not only does Alles' handheld computer contain his route sequence - with as few time- and fuel-wasting left-hand turns as possible - it alerts him if he is about to deliver a package to the wrong customer, or is forgetting to drop off packages that he should.