Hi,
What are the key differences/roles of the truck driver vs the dispatcher? I know they’re not your boss, even though they definitely try to be sometimes, just trying to fully grasp what my job is so I’m more prepared and don’t mess up.
I was told by breakdown to bring the truck in within 2 days to get my idling problem fixed so that I can run my AC, dispatch told me yesterday he’ll “get me here soon” and today makes 3 days; is this the time when I should put my foot down, or “suck it up, buttercup” time? I’m not sleeping well at all, but I can keep going; I mostly don’t want to go against what the man told me when he said “2 days” and need to know if I should listen to my dispatcher or not.
Finally, I want to request home time two weeks from this Friday, but I’m not sure if I should “request” or basically “demand” since the person I’m talking to isn’t my boss.
Best regards, John
Trucker Dispatcher Job Roles
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by farmerjohn64, Jul 1, 2020.
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Trucker should be able to troubleshoot, interface well with the general public and customers, be able to find problems with load scheduling before the last minute, and everything else you can think of.
A GOOD dispatcher should be aware of how you operate, know what loads are manageable for a solo/team, and keep you moving. Remember, even a good dispatcher still has to rely on your performance.D.Tibbitt, Coffey and farmerjohn64 Thank this. -
bzinger, Dale thompson, aaronpeterbilt3787 and 5 others Thank this.
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A dispatcher is a term that has been replaced with Fleet Manager or Driver Manager. In most carriers today a dispatcher is a load planner that has limited to zero contact with a driver. You can bet the top dollar a driver's Fleet Manager/ Driver Manager IS THEIR SUPERVISOR! Their job is to keep you running as well as manage your movements as they relate to home time or getting service. What can be confusing as to the "boss" is with trucking is a driver can be fired by operations or safety. In fact, maybe as much as 90% of drivers fired are fired by safety. As a driver, if you have a doubt who your "boss" is I highly suggest you ask!
nredfor88, meechyaboy, bad-luck and 1 other person Thank this. -
If the dispatcher is not your supervisor, then why are you wasting time talking to them. Talk to your Boss.
D.Tibbitt and farmerjohn64 Thank this. -
I'd go over their head, if you can't rest you're not fit for duty, aka unable to drive. That should speed up repairs.
nredfor88, D.Tibbitt and farmerjohn64 Thank this. -
My AC hasn't worked correctly most of the summer. It's a Freon leak and for some reason 3 different dealer shops couldn't figure out how to fix it. They just add more Freon and tell me it's fixed.
This time my partner and I told them, they aren't just going to add more Freon and tell us it's fixed. Here's the leak... right here. Please just fix it. lol
My partner is one of those artic types, he likes to run with the AC full blast 24/7. How a Texan wants to keep the truck like that, I don't know. But I've had 2 guys so far native Texans that want to keep the truck as close to how we keep the reefer as possible.D.Tibbitt and farmerjohn64 Thank this. -
faux_maestro, Wasted Thyme, meechyaboy and 5 others Thank this.
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Tell ur dispatcher if he dont route u to a shop then ur gonna have a talk with the safety dept about how you are not sleeping well and not able to do ur work with a goods night rest because ur ac is broken. Safety dept has as much authority on the operations team than anybody.
faux_maestro, farmerjohn64 and SoulScream84 Thank this. -
Im sure the mechanic said "get it back in, in the next couple of days and we'll fix it". The office ### bag doesn't give a F if you're sweatin your ### off and not sleeping well.
You want to get the truck in and fixed? Call your safety dept and explain the situation and you'd like to get it remedied asap.farmerjohn64 and D.Tibbitt Thank this.
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