I cannot take my dispatcher anymore....

You can't be afraid to say no to your dispatcher when you know your equipment is unsafe or you don't have enough hours to safely make a pick up or delivery. You might check with the owner and see if you can get another dispatcher. Not all dispatchers are created equal. And, you may need to work on your time management skills. It can be difficult to know how to manage your time when starting out. I can tell you that it is critical to keep the lines of communication open with your dispatcher and others within the company. I think that all dispatchers should be required to spend a year or two, minimum, behind the wheel of a truck before they are allowed to dispatch.

 

Good advice... except the part about dispatchers should be ex-drivers thing.



I know it isn't a blanket statement and a lot of it depends on what type of driver they were. What I have found though, is that a lot of ex-driver dispatchers have an inflated view of their abilities as drivers. If they haven't been on the road in quite a while, then they often are not up-to-date on current regulations. The worst dispatchers I have had have all been ex-drivers.

The best dispatcher I have ever had, by a huge country mile, was a 21-year-old girl who had never even been in a truck. A lot of it had to do with treating each other with respect and the fact that she was genuinely concerned about her drivers. She listened well, but she wasn't anybody's doormat either.

Good communication and an understanding, if not experience, of the role each position plays in the big picture is vital. And honesty. Don't ever lie to each other. Ever. Everybody is on the same team, so I really don't understand why the animosity is so common.

 

I agree with LostandFound. The worst dispatchers I've had by far were all former drivers. They were all of the "work the logbook" or the"do the best you can" (translated, get it there on time or get fired) school. The absolute best dispatchers I've ever had were college grads who never even saw the inside of a truck. They were willing to listen and learn if you talked to them like human beings. A good dispatcher, in my opinion, is one who is willing to listen to the driver, and learn about the limitations we drivers have to deal with everyday. Incuding our Hours of Service, and our limits with the truck. Like speed governors, traffic, restricted routes, and all that other stuff we deal with without even realizing it anymore.

 

There are dispatchers who don't have a clue. Some do a very good job. It is the responsibility of both the driver and dispatcher to keep good lines of communication open. Drivers cannot blame dispatchers for all the difficulties between them. I understand what you mean about problems with dispatchers who have been drivers. But, having been a driver first will give the dispatcher a unique perspective that a dispatcher with no over the road experience can relate. Some drivers do have an attitude. Dispatchers have a very difficult job. Most will have from 30-50 drivers to keep rolling in some of the larger carriers. It is very stressful. Using a little tact and compassion can go a long way toward developing a good relationship with your dispatcher. I think most do the best job they can.

 

And doughnuts.









I bought the office lunch a couple of times throughout the year too.

Cost?

Maybe $80-$100 bucks (Chinese take out).

Value?

Priceless.

 

I know pizza works on the mechanics of some companies, too. Which is why my truck usually gets bumped to the front of the line when I need service.

 

I gave my Dispatcher a hat a couple of years ago. the front says, "65 MPH Truck....85 MPH Dispatcher" He loved it! Sometimes you got to just say no, and then work on to their good side.

 

Had a "former driver" dispatcher at Total - he suffered from the syndrome of :the older I get, the better I WAS".... and he was so full of stories.

The terminal manager said "tell what you CAN do" instead of just saying no... and he'd throw a stupid/impossible load at me, I'd say I can do xxx, and he'd always counter with "when I was driving, I did 3 times that...".

So, in most cases, I don't think former drivers, especially supertruckers, should be dispatchers.

 

As soon as you start doing "favors" for your dispatcher, he will always expect you to do them. And when you dont or cant, then that becomes a problem. Do not let them walk on you. Be firm in saying no when the situation calls for it, but make sure you are doing the job right. When you can ask a dispatcher "what should i have done different" and he cant figure out what to answer that with, you can truthfully say that you are doing your job while he is not.