Pros
I am currently working in the new Cypress, TX hub off of Grand Parkway. At this facility, 85% of it is semi-automated with overhead conveyable and low floor heavy non conveyable belts. For the most part, the physical labor is trying to actually load or unload the trucks; yes there are heavy items however it is all in how you handle yourself in handling the item! While no one will teach you how to work smarter, you just have to find ways for yourself that make it easier. No one there will criticize or have a problem with what you do as long as you are doing it safely and are not damaging the customers packages. In fact, as long as they see that you are doing your job and constantly working and demonstrating you are a team player no one will bother you and your mornings or afternoons will fly by. As of writing this review, the hours I am working are perfect for me. I have a few health issues that I am currently dealing with and the hours that I work along with the physical labor that I perform is just enough. No one bothers me, and in fact I have asked for extra hours and they have given me some as needed. That is going to change very quickly as we are approaching the busy Christmas season. I understand that other hub facilities and other warehouses operate very differently. At the Cypress Hub they absolutely do not use pallet jacks or forklifts. State-of-the-art barcode technology handles all of the Sorting to the different chutes that the packages need to be going to. There is no pallet shrink wrapping. I came from working in a manufacturing background for 20 years. I never thought that I would be working in logistics. However, it is quite refreshing to be working in a different type of business where the common goal is all the same. From package handler to sort manager it is clear that the objective is to get the packages to where they need to be in a timely fashion. There really is no time for office politics or for socializing. And while I do believe that the management team is fair, be fair warned that if you are not willing to work you will be singled out very quickly and will not last long at all. No matter what level of management, big brother is watching you!
Cons
There are many types of scanners that the warehouse uses depending on the job you are doing. However, overall I would say that the software the equipment is using is below average! There are lots of bugs within the system and that can be extremely aggravating and depending on what you are doing it will take you a lot longer than necessary. The MC 55 scanner is going to be the most widely and most versatile tool you will use here. It pretty much has the capability of a smartphone and has the ability to perform just about every single operation that is needed within the warehouse. Package handlers do not use these however; they have a different type of scanner which limits their ability for loading and unloading packages as they are handled. They are definitely not clear with part-timers on breaks. In general a part-timer will usually be working less than 5 hours a day so it is a given that you will get no break. However, on those days where you will be working 6 hours or more, it is up to you to bring up to your manager that you need a break. No one has ever given me a hard time on those days that I worked 6 hours and stepped outside for a few minutes to my car. Just don't abuse it and be gone for like 30 minutes! A little Common Sense goes a long way.