Tanker Drivers... Have a conversation w/ a dispatcher (agghh... Don't cuss me yet!).

All I require from my dispatcher is to be honest with me, keep me moving, and communicate with me. If I send a message on the Qualcomm I expect a answer of some sort. Whether it's ok, I'll check that out, or a piss off I'm busy man. Don't ignore the driver. You as the dispatcher are our connection back to the the company. Threat us with honesty an respect and it will get returned.

 

Make sure they are not left hanging and not knowing what really is going on, I find it easier to understand why I have to wait, doesn't matter if for 1 hour or 10 hours as long as I know what it is behind the decision.
Do your out most to make sure that when the driver is unloaded and ready to go that you have a new load for them, I hated it when I called in and was told to sit tight and wait while they where looking for a load.
I once called in when I was empty in Baltimore, Md, at 07:00 in the morning, no load, waited all day, called in when the night shift came on and had a load right away, took them 20 seconds to find one for me, so I asked if that load was brand new, no, it was a load they knew about all day.
Honesty is what's matters the most to me, we can all have problems, but I can understand things when the truth is being told.
Some dispatchers will mess with a driver, but not all, they simply don't have time with a busy schedule all day long getting everything to go together so everybody is happy at the end of the day.
Hang in there and be honest, you will do good !!!

 

Know the area you are working intimately. Think ahead. If you send someone 60 miles W and only have a couple of loads to get at a rack that way save them for that driver. Don't make them D/H all the way back empty wasting their time and the companies. Spread the good loads around. Know what pays what and let everyone have some of the lucrative ones unless they are a jerk. Don't leave on hold too long. If they call you from rack with allocation problems they may be holding up line. If it's going to be a while tell them to go ahead and get out of line or change them to another load. Hourly guys won't care about that too much. They routinely sit until operator threatens to lock them out for a few days. But those on % will. Be friendly and expect the same in return. Good start. Got to go to work. Monday for me.

 

For me, a response on Qualcomm or people net when I ask a question. Any response. Plan me out for my next load either night before or day of delivery while im on my way ahead of time. If I ask for something going to be reasonable please at least consider it. Learn my style of driving and do your best to accommodate. I like shorter runs. 400 to 500 miles that I can pick up one day and deliver same day. Get 7 400 milers in one week 2800 miles etc.

 

Respect the driver , keep him posted on the changes on his load , make sure you don't book a load for him in a state he doesn't like to go, don't act like you're to busy to talk with him or you don't care about his problems at/with the shipper/receiver .
Make sure he's got a phone number from the shipper and receiver.
If you have a reload for him , make sure he knows .
If you don't have a reload for him , make sure he knows because he might want to stop and have a shower, have a sit down meal instead of a sandwich while he's driving.

Just think about the reason you have this job: because of them , the drivers
Your job is to help them , do your best and they will know and appreciate your work .

 

Make communication a two way street. Plenty of drivers have stressed you communicating with the driver. But the driver needs to communicate with you, as well. Good dispatchers can work magic IF they know what's going on with the driver. But there is no way for you to know unless your drivers give you the heads up on tire blowouts or traffic screwups or loading/unloading delays. My dispatcher always knows exactly whats going on with my truck. Either I call, or I leave a qualcomm message. If she doesn't hear from me, she knows I'm on schedule and to not worry about me.

Communication on both sides is absolutely critical for this industry to remain efficient and profitable.

 

This probably has nothing to do with you but, I'm going to ##### about it anyways. I drive local and every company I've been with is exactly the same. If a mechanic, warehousemen, loader, lab guy etc. needs to take a day off or get off early it's "sure no problem". If a driver needs the same it's " OMG what are we going to do, the company will go bankrupt if you leave three hours early".

You know how many Doctors appointments I've missed because dispatch intentionally gave me a long day that they knew I couldn't get done in time? I hate that crap.