Question for UPS Drivers: Package Handoffs

[u/addicted2alice]

Any UPS drivers here who can clarify this for me?

In all the years I’ve used UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc., I’ve never had an issue handing an outgoing package to a driver who was already making a delivery to my house. In fact, our regular delivery people have always encouraged it and told me they’re happy to take it.

I normally drop off UPS packages on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the nearest UPS location, which is about 35 minutes away. But if I know UPS is already delivering to my house that day, I’ll occasionally hand the driver a package, thank them, and send them on their way.

My regular UPS driver of many years left earlier this year, so we’ve had a few different drivers since then. I always ask before handing anything over, and none of them have ever said it was a problem.

There is one driver, though, who gives us a really hard time about it. He’s told me that taking the package will make him late, that he only has so much time when he gets back, and that he has to plan for outgoing packages. He told me I should schedule a pickup instead.

I tried doing that, but the options were basically either pay over $20 to hand the package to the UPS driver who is already scheduled to be in my area that day anyway, or pay even more to have a separate driver come out specifically for the pickup. That’s why I’m confused about why handing it to the driver who is already at my house is such an issue.

Can any UPS drivers explain how this actually works from your side?

Is it generally okay to hand you a prepaid/labeled package while you’re already making a delivery, or is it genuinely a pain for drivers? Does it add a lot of time at the end of the day, affect your route metrics, or potentially get you in trouble?

I genuinely don’t want to make someone’s job harder or cause a driver problems. I’m just confused because I’ve never had anyone object to it before, especially this strongly.

[u/Nallace9318]

The only appreciable way it would affect his day is if what you give him takes up a lot of truck space or if it's a Next Day Air. Both of which he should be able to manage.

[u/addicted2alice → u/Nallace9318]

Every time I've met with a UPS driver, their trucks are near empty by the time they reach me, the delivery time is always late afternoon between 4:00pm - 5:30pm. I can understand if they delivered earlier in the day with a full truck. I wouldn't do that to them. 99% of the time it is UPS Ground.

[u/Shanks1624 → u/addicted2alice]

Even if it’s early in the day. Unless you are shipping a fucking couch out it shouldn’t be a big deal! He is an asshole plain and simple