I haven't seen anything regarding this topic. So here we go. Add what you want.

Defending your dispatcher/fleet manager

What to expect this time of year --- November 1 thru March 1

Aside from the obvious bad weather. This is typically the time of year that freight seems to fall off for "some" companies.

Larger companies start gearing up for the mad dash home for Christmas. So they tend to hold drivers inside a closely planned/watched area. While there will be plenty of long runs, your dispatcher/planner does not want to get caught with their pants down 3 days before your requested time off for Christmas.

So you may notice a lot of shorter runs. This is normal for many OTR companies. As they try to make sure you get where you want, when you want. Bear with the guys, they ARE trying to help you have a Merry Christmas. Don't get PO'd and start looking for a new job to start after the holidays.

Once the holidays are over, freight typically falls off for the first couple of months. It used to be caused by a lot of inventory being taken, still is for the most part. Now days, it's more reflective of the economy. People paying off holiday debt, and not making a lot of large purchases for a couple of months. So things tend to slow down.

All in all, you will see a uptake once this period is over. Produce will start running again in April & May. And we will all be screaming uncle again by June.

Every year in the past... I'd make sure I have 3-4 months "emergency fund" in the bank at this time, or pay as many bills ahead as possible. It takes a lot of pressure off of you, your family, and your fellow employees. This will be my first year I don't have to do this. It's my first year debt free.

Hopefully, you all have a Merry Christmas

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

Now WHY would you do a thing like that?

Good post, has a lot of merit. Sometimes it is hard to remember that most dispatchers are just folks like you and I, trying to do the best job they can.

And of course, then you have the others. . .

The poster is on target with the advice given concerning the normal seasonal slow down for the trucking industry. Good job.

It should also be noted that '08 is a presidential election year. Without interjecting politics into the discussion, I would tend to warn newer drivers that business' usually take a wait and see attitude when the White House is up for grabs. Sure people are still gonna' eat and wear clothes, but some of the big capital expendatures will be postponed until the dust settles from the elections.

Also, the economy is cyclical, and we are near the end of a ten year boom. History says we're due some hard times now. Be careful. Don't over reach you financial abilities.