Pluspunten
How about an overall idea of what the job is like rather than pros and cons. As a package handler, you'll typically work 3-4 hours a day. However, when you are done either unloading or loading packages, you will feel like you've put in 8 or 9 hour shift easily. This job requires strength and endurance. You could either be unloading freight that weighs anything from 1 pound to box weights of up to 130 pounds. Then you get what they call "IC"s" or incompatible freight which means it is either too small or too long and heavy to fit up the belt like vehicle bumpers, suitcases, coolers, etc. These packages can be any weight. You will be expected to unload roughly 1000 packages an hour and weight is not considered. You'll be expected to load around 430 packages an hour, weight not considered. Management is always pushing that packages need to be unloaded and loaded as quickly as possible. This means you'll get hit with boxes, pallets, trailer flaps, etc. You will pull muscles and come out bruised as if you've been sparing all night. You do get stronger and the job will become easier but I've seen so many people quit within the first few weeks of starting because it's incredibly labor intensive and brutal. In the winter, the trucks are icy freezer boxes. You still have to load quickly regardless that their is ice all over the floors. In the summer, your clothes will drip with sweat and you will drink a gallon of water no problem. If your into working out, this job is for you.
Minpunten
The pay is horrible. I see that many places pay well, upwards 11 or 12 to start. In my particular location, it starts out at 10. Seems decent but considering your busting you butt for this little amount of pay can make it seem unworthy of it. Some of the management have never been in the position of a package handler and cannot understand that we reach our limits quickly and when we get tired and exhausted, there is no more going faster. This is what upsets me the most is that management just does not understand that when you are handling 60, 70 pound boxes all night, we can't keep the same pace for hours. It's impossible. Yet they'll tell you to get it done and that's it. You just got to somehow pull that "umpppphhhh" out of you somehow and finish the job. Another con is that you have to be employed at least a year or 1000 hours to qualify for insurance. Most of us need doctor visits within the first month due to pulls and strains. Anyone planning on making a career out of FedEx never stays a package handler because it's too back breaking. They usually move up to package handler trainer, in which these individuals just watch you work or up to sort manager or something else.