I have taken the UPS challenge – and failed. So much for the back up career plan.

Every driver for “Big Brown” undergoes a rigorous 40-plus hours of training before they can become a UPS driver. Today, at the UPS training facility in Landover, Maryland, I decided to see if I have the right stuff to drive one of the big brown trucks. I learned that I better plan on keeping my day job.

Every driver trainee is drilled endlessly about how to make a proper stop. In 15.5 seconds you must:

* Turn off the engine
* Pull the emergency brake
* Remove the keys from the ignition
* Unlock the bulkhead door
* Slide the door open
* Remove a small package
* Close the door
* Grab the hand-held commuter called a “diad”
* Exit the truck in a way designed to not stress your knees and legs.

My best time was 19 seconds. So, I guess I better not give up the day job just yet.

While it’s great fun to play with all of the cool toys at the UPS training facility, I have been sent here to talk about jobs.  Over the next 5 years, UPS estimates it will need to train 14 thousand new drivers. About half of my classmates came from outside UPS, though the vast majority of drivers start as part time employees in the warehouse and work to become drivers.

Drivers are among the best paid employees in the company. The average driver makes roughly $70 thousand a year. But of course, before you can wear the brown uniform, you have to pass the 15.5 second test.  I’ll keep trying.

Watch my attempt for the 15.5 second test here.