CentOS - Jul 2011 - Using shell variables inside the ftp client

I have a script that opens an ftp connection to a non-*nix system. 
I desire to change directories on the host system using a shell
variable to set the cd directory.  However, I cannot seem to
discover how this is done.

I have tried this:

TARGET=ftp-pickup

ftp
.  .  .

cd $TARGET

This gives the following error:

550 Failed to change directory.

I am using shell variables (put $TEMP_TXFR_FILE $OUTPUT_FILE)
elsewhere in this ftp session as arguments to get and put statements
and I have no problems.  Is there some reason why I cannot use shell
variables as arguments to the cd command?

I am aware the $ is used to invoke .netrc macros but I have none
defined.  In fact I was somewhat surprised, albeit pleasantly, when
the ftp client accepted shell variables as arguments in the get and
put statements.

Is there a way to dynamically define the target of a cd command
inside an ftp session?

-- 
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James B. Byrne                mailto:ByrneJB at Harte-Lyne.ca
Harte & Lyne Limited          http://www.harte-lyne.ca
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Hamilton, Ontario             fax: +1 905 561 0757
Canada  L8E 3C3

On Thu, 2011-07-21 at 16:40 -0400, James B. Byrne wrote:
> I have a script that opens an ftp connection to a non-*nix system. 
> I desire to change directories on the host system using a shell
> variable to set the cd directory.  However, I cannot seem to
> discover how this is done.
Check the FTP configuration file on the remote server. There might be a
block to stop you moving-out of your log-on FTP directory.


VSFTP on Centos has this capability so too, I imagine, has other FTP
servers.

-- 
With best regards,

Paul.
England,
EU.