Can truckers record dispatch conversations?

In TN it’s perfectly legal, as long as 1 person knows. Meaning, you can record somebody talking to you without their knowledge, but you can’t record a conversation between 2 other people, in a call that you aren’t a part of.

 

I am aware that there are states that are one party consent. But if someone is going to record conversations, they better know the law. Because illegally recording someone falls under states wire tapping laws and is a felony. I think any convicted felon would tell you how hard it is to find a job as a convicted felon.

 

It's a requirement at Western Express

 

True, but one has to wonder if any individual has ever gotten a felony conviction doing 1 party consent. I would say the answer is near zero, if there weren’t other aggravating circumstances.

 

A few years ago I was going through a rough divorce and I recorded all my conversations. In Texas it’s a one party consent so it was legal.

One Sunday afternoon I called the local TA and asked what the wait was for a PM. They said we can get you right in, so I gave them my information and they went to work on getting through a approval while I was on my way over.

The company I was with used the TA Road Squad as their night and weekend maintenance crew.

When I get to TA they said the work was declined. I called Road Squad and they said, “Oh, well the TA said you said you were an owner operator, so you have to pay.” I said, “I’m a company driver.” They called me liar and said I was changing my story to get an oil change.

I emailed the conversation to my company. A short time later I got a call apologizing and my pm was completed. TA put $100 on my reward card to apologize.

Not one person brought up or discussed the legality of my recording. “It was legal.” I was thanked for bringing this issue to their attention and not losing my cool.

In a work environment if you’re not being vindictive and petty they’re most likely going to fix the problem and not worry about the legality of the recording IMO.

 

While my experience is slim, I have had a couple situations with dispatch that made me shake my head and think "someone lost their blessed mind"...
And, upon me firmly and professionally requesting they put the instruction in writing, their tune changed quickly.
Saying something vs putting it in writing is a provable and tangible evidence of things.
It also puts the responsibility in the proper place.
You still own your actions, of course, and never go against your gut instinct.
Most will change their tune with putting anything in writing, and they'll realize their misguided intentions.
Not always though.
Never accept being disrespected though.
Remain professional and courteous.
It generally cools their fire, and elevates them back to your level.