Pickup
Every day, customers around the world rely on UPS to ship nearly 13 million packages and documents. Each package passes through the UPS network, which has been carefully engineered to provide speed, reliability, and efficiency. The first step in the process is pickup. UPS delivery drivers are assigned a specific route, making regularly scheduled stops along the route. Typically, the driver delivers packages in the morning, and picks up packages in the afternoon. Large-volume customers, who might ship thousands of packages a day, may have a UPS tractor-trailer stationed on site. Lower-volume customers, who might ship as few as 2-5 packages a week, are served by the familiar UPS delivery truck. Customers with urgent shipments of Next Day Air letters or packages can call UPS for On-Call Air Pick Up. Using state-of-the-art communications technology, On-Call Air dispatchers locate the nearest package car and electronically dispatch it to the customer location for "just in time" pickup. Occasional customers can drop off their packages at conveniently located UPS letter centers and service counters.

The Hub
To transport packages most efficiently, UPS has developed an elaborate network of "hubs" or central sorting facilities located throughout the world. Each hub is "fed" by a number of local operating centers, which serve as home base for UPS pickup and delivery vehicles. Packages from the local operating center are transported to the hub, usually by tractor-trailer and are unloaded. The packages are sorted by ZIP code and consolidated on conveyor belts. Packages bound for a specific geographical region are all consolidated on the same conveyor belt. Then packages are routed to either an out-bound trailer for local delivery, or to a delivery truck serving the immediate area. Before being loaded, each package is checked one last time, just to make sure it has been sorted correctly.

Feeder Network
To transport packages between hubs, UPS uses tractor-trailers, called feeders, to transport thousands of packages from the hub where the package originated, to the hub nearest the package's destination. This is known as the ground feeder network.

Delivery
Each UPS driver delivers up to 500 packages a day, including express packages which must be delivered by 10:30 a.m. This process requires careful planning and teamwork. At the hub, packages are loaded onto delivery trucks in the same order in which they will be delivered. This process is called the "preload." By delivering packages in sequence, from one address to the next closest address, drivers complete their assigned routes as quickly and productively as possible. In 1991, UPS became the first package delivery company to gather signatures electronically and have Saturday Delivery. Using a hand-held computer device called a DIAD (Delivery Information Acquisition Device), the driver electronically captures information about each package, including the time of delivery and even the signature of the person receiving the package.

UPS Air
UPS handles an average 2.2 million air packages each day, including Next Day and 2nd Day Air packages and documents. To accommodate this volume, UPS uses a system of "air hubs" located around the world. At the main UPS air hub in Louisville, Kentucky, there are over 100 flights a day. The UPS fleet of 259 jet aircraft consists of Boeing 727, 747, 757, 767, and DC-8 aircraft, which fly packages daily to over 390 domestic airports and 219 international airports. On December 27, 1996, UPS became the first major airline in North America to meet federally mandated aircraft noise reduction standards, making it one of the quietest fleets in the world. Today, UPS Airlines flies more than 1,500 flight segments daily, operating in more than 600 domestic and international airports throughout Europe, Asia and South America. Through its expansive air fleet, UPS can reach more than 4 billion people around the globe.

International Delivery
As businesses increasingly compete in the global marketplace, UPS is there to help, providing delivery and information services to expedite international shipments and to simplify the process of conducting business overseas. UPS customers can choose from a variety of international services, including UPS Worldwide Express Plus, UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Worldwide Expedited, and UPS Standard To Canada. And, UPS international customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day to help track shipments and confirm deliveries around the world.