too many drivers commplaining about sitting. so i doubt there's a bonus involved with upper management.

I'm inclined to think so because my fleet manager is always having meetings with us, sharing fleet wide statistics, competing with other terminals and working to keep us busy and profitable.
People don't generally do that much work for kicks and giggles, right?

Having been on both sides of the door I can say that I never received a bonus or commission based on how well my drivers did. Always remember that some of the decisions that your fleet manager/dispatcher are based on the guidelines that he/she has to work with that are set by management. Trust me when I say that there are probably many instances where your fleet manager/dispatcher is not given any choice in the matter as to how you are dispatched, but has to obide by the guidelines set forth by the company. I made it a point to share information with my drivers as to how well things were going and to get to know my drivers. I may have been an exception to the rule, but I treated them as I would want to be treated if I was on that side of the door. One has to remember that not every load is going to be a great load, but that load is still company freight that needs to be hauled, but the less than desirable loads should be spread out so not one driver consistently gets stuck doing the crap work. Just my thoughts and opinions on the matter.

As a former manager ( Tech field ), I can guarantee that there is some sort of bonus system in place. It might be based on ON TIME PERCENTAGE, DRIVER TURNOVER, EQUIPMENT REPAIR, etc.

I have to agree with the last post in regards to "spreading the wealth". Unfortunately we have all seen drivers that want the big miles everyday and the day the get a smaller tougher haul they complain and threaten to quit. Then there are guys that only want to work 10 hours a day regardless. The list goes on and on. IMHO it is the managers job to sift through all this nonsense and make it work seamlessly. That is why he/she gets a salary with added compensation.