Forced dispatch

Discussion in 'Swift' started by 3dayhaul, Mar 19, 2014.

  1. Broccelli

    Broccelli Medium Load Member

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    Jan 2, 2014
    Virginia
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    Because I have used it as an argument to not be dispatched on a load. I told my DM "I thought we weren't forced dispatch" and he removed the load from me. And I would imagine it would have been covered in orientation or mentioned by at least one employee in the company. I have never heard of it being force dispatch and have turned down plenty of loads, not for silly reasons but the reasons weren't exactly safety or legal issues either. I have had no negative repercussions for turning down loads.

    Maybe it depends on how well the office likes you......
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2014
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  3. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
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    So, what did the e-mail say?

    And no, if I'm a company driver there is no reason to decline a load except for those few things.
    Simply not wanting to go somewhere is not a good enough reason - and it shouldn't be. If I expected that kind of control I should also expect to have my OWN truck.

    Even so, I can control what I accept or decline to a great degree simply by adjusting the times with Mac 9.

    The Plus-1 times do not usually allow me the time I need, so I add everything in to give myself plenty of time before sending the Mac 9.
    I sometimes call my DM to get windows, but not always. And 90% of my pplans have adjusted times before I accept them, or have them taken off me by the computer system.
    I've only been called a few times, in over 3 years, asking why I couldn't do the load. One time I ended up taking it, and the others I simply explained why the times were impossible for me.
    I've never really felt like I've been forced into it, though.

    Heck, I didn't want my last load going to S. San Francisco.
    Traffic, narrow roads, limited and hard to access dock space, no truck stops anywhere in the area, high bridge tolls... the list could go on.
    (Many places out east are the same way, or Chicago, or...)
    But I had no GOOD reason to turn it down. Even the time windows were good.

    I actually lucked out with a very good load out of there on the same day, which has happened before. I think many of the planners know the difficulties in certain areas, so they try to plan accordingly.
    In fact I have a home time request in for the 10th to get me to Inver Grove, and this load is going to MN just south of there delivering on the 7th.
    I only put the home time request in yesterday, by the way.

    'Forced dispatch' may be a real thing that is not strongly enforced, but in the end it always comes down to everyone working together.
    Not enforcing that rule strongly is the company's way of working with me, so I should not try to abuse the favor in return.
    (Well, except to make sure I have the time for my required breaks, fueling, scaling, traffic, construction zones, and a good 12 hour sleep break)
     
  4. Luse

    Luse Medium Load Member

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    Nov 8, 2010
    Middle of nowhere Montana
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    I am a company driver I'll go all most any where. But I will not go to boroughs NYC area or long island. Other then that I don't care. If they say I have too ill ask them where they want there truck parked.
     
  5. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Burnsville, MN
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    That's exactly the way it is with 'forced' anything.

    There is always a choice.
    No one can be 'forced' into doing anything.
    We always have the choice to do, or not to do.

    There are consequences to every decision, of course.
    But that in no way hinders your freedom to choose.

    We are not a species with a hive mind.
    Quite the opposite.
    We are a species in which we all have our own individual mind, and free to act as we ourselves see fit.

    It is both our greatest strength, and greatest weakness.

    I love a good paradox, and a good non sequiter.
     
  6. BigShrek72

    BigShrek72 Light Load Member

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    Did your load out of SF pick up in Pittsburg, CA? Just curious.

    Honestly, the whole force dispatch thing is kind of a toss-up. Some DM's enforce it, some do not. I dont know if it will ever be enforced. As someone that has watched loads fail because drivers dont want to go to Kansas City, or the horrible high mountains of East Tennessee (yes, I have seen that), I want to see it enforced. But, as a former driver, I kind of like that you have the choice.

    Swift changes things every year, every year there is a new focus. So, I have no idea what will actually happen.
     
  7. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Burnsville, MN
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    No, I picked up in Hayward at a place with a VERY easy dock to back up to.
    Lots and lots of room.
     
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