UPS Drivers

Episode #872

October 18, 2025

The UPS drivers are my friends. Each one has an interesting story.

My house is at the end of a 1000-foot dirt drive. It can appear forboding.

The common carriers and FedEx are often intimidated, especially at night. I find packages at the entrance of the drive, in the dirt, at the side of the road. When I call “customer service,” my anxious, whining pleas fall on the sounding board of policy.
“If the route looks dangerous, the drivers will not proceed.”
“If the driver doesn’t know if he can turn around, he will leave the package at the street.”

Sometimes, with FedEx, a note can be added to your account, and sometimes the driver will read the note.

My UPS drivers are fearless. Years ago my new driver drove boldly up the drive and stopped right in front of the house. I heard him haul the packages around to the front door. Having not met him yet, I jumped out of my office chair, ran to the front door, and swung it open. No one there. I ran around to the front of the house just in time to see the driver backing down the drive, swinging around the corner, still backing for 1000 feet, and two-pointed it onto the street.

The next time this driver delivered to my house I intercepted him in the driveway. Phillip introduced himself.
“Nice to meet you Phillip. I’m Ricki. You sure are a skilled driver. I saw you back out on the drive last time.”
“I’ve been driving a long time Ricki. I just comes with the job.”
“Let me make this a little easier for you. You can use the paddock to turn around. Drive right on in. No horses in there.”
“Thanks.” He looked at his watch and said, “Gotta go.”

Phillip jumped into the truck, drove into the paddock, and brodied around my harrowed circle. He left down the drive with a rodeo wave, a hoot, and a holler. 

Over the next year, I learned that Phillip produced a rock and roll band and wrote some of their songs. One of his songs was about circling a paddock in his truck. The theme of working as a driver for UPS to make ends meet is common among my driver friends. One is going to school to become a doctor. Another is opening up his own automobile repair shop. Another driver was going to be a dental hygienist. All of them have been excellent drivers.

I enjoy making deliveries easier for the drivers. They appreciate me, and I appreciate them.

IF YOU LIKE THIS BLOG YOU’LL LOVE MY BOOKS:
“Skydivers Know Why Birds Sing” by Ricki T Thues is now available on Amazon.
It is a Love story of Rick and Paula Thues and their 35 years of Skydiving.

Click HERE to buy the paperback or Kindle ebook at Amazon.

Follow Ricki T Thues on Amazon HERE.

ALSO AVAILABLE:
“Technically Human” by Ricki T Thues, the iMentor, is available on Amazon.
It is a compilation of selected episodes from this bLog which tell the story of Humanity through the eyes of the iMentor.

Click HERE to buy the paperback or Kindle ebook at Amazon.
The ebook version of “Technically Human” is also available on Kobo. Click HERE.
For you Barnes and Noble Nook readers it is available for Nook. Click HERE.
The “Technically Human” ebook is also available on Apple Books . Click HERE.