Nearly 50 years and two million miles — accident free

As a package delivery driver, Pablo Sanchez, 70, says he’s navigated through some tight situations when it comes to safe driving.

This month marks Sanchez’s 49th year working with the United Parcel Service (UPS) with nearly two million miles of delivery routes—all made accident-free.

Driving two million accident free miles while avoiding distracted drivers on their cell phones, involves long hours that some people probably wouldn’t want to do, but he just happens to be one who does.

Sanchez began working with UPS as a full-time driver in 1972 when he was 21 years old. Prior to his career with UPS, he served in Vietnam as a rifleman with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Sanchez, based out of the Harlingen, TX facility, admits that when he applied for the job nearly 50 years ago, he never actually set his mind on working with the company for so many years.

“I had been out of the service for a few months and was told that there was a new company coming to the Valley called UPS and wondered who the heck that was, ”Sanchez said.

Sanchez and a little over 200 people applied to work with UPS. Out of everyone who applied, Sanchez and seven others were selected to be drivers.

“It just happened,” he said. “I stayed here year after year.”

Early on in his career, Sanchez’s route consisted of no paved roads or addresses while driving from Brownsville, TX to Rio Grande City to deliver customers’ packages at local stores or coffee shops.

“Today, compared to when we first started, it’s a world of difference as far as technology,” Sanchez said. “Everything has changed, but all in all for me, it’s been a very positive experience. I make 133 stops per day, and appreciate the customers I get to see everyday.”

Sanchez said his wife, who retired several years ago, asked him to retire and so he told her to give him one more year before retiring. The year passed and she asked him if he was ready to retire, but he told her to give him another year. “Eight years later and I’m still here. She knew I wasn’t ready to retire yet,” Sanchez said with a laugh and a smile. “I enjoy my job, being out on the road and working with some really great people,” Sanchez said. “I’ve also been fortunate to have TeamCare all that time. My wife who is a retired nurse has always said that we had some of the best healthcare in the country”, Sanchez added.

On behalf of the Trustees and staff at TeamCare, congratulations on reaching a great milestone—we look forward to serving you over the next 50 years.