Qualities of a good dispatcher???

Honesty to a fault.Never lie.Only one in a million dispatchers can do it.

 

The problem with that statement is that trucking can be a very fluid thing and change is sometimes the only constant. What is sometimes perceived as a "lie" told by a dispatcher/broker is in reality a change in the game plan made up the 'food chain' from the dispatcher.

Not that their aren't some lying S.O.B.'s out there. I once worked beside a guy that would tell a #### lie when the truth would have done him better. It was painful to watch and listen to, and bad for the company. That type will not only lie to a driver, he'll lie to a customer too. He didn't last too long...

But, you are right, honesty, integrity, attention to detail and being able to think one step ahead of the situation at all times are the makings of a good one. Though not absolutely necessary someone with actual seat time in a truck is a HUGE plus too.

 

I was a contract oilfield dispatcher for five years and I never lied.The truckers always repeated the lies their DP told them to me however they always got the cold hard truth from me.

 

A good dispatcher is hard to find. They really have a thankless job. But there are as many bad ones (if not more) than good ones.

This article was one of the best I have read summarizing the position and how important the role is in any trucking company.

http://www.trucknews.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000225273

 

In addition to the obvious---don't knowingly lie---is its sneakier cousin: withholding information.

I had a dispatcher once that operated by the rule "only divulge the minimum possible, and then only at the last minute." She thought it made her job easier because the drivers couldn't argue with her about things they were unaware of, and then when they did find out were forced to deal with the fallout in real-time... which also spared her pushback & heartburn.

Please do NOT do this, cpape. Advance knowledge of problems/dufficult conditions/etc. and planning for them is a driver's best weapon.

 

I guess I am very lucky. I read all the horror stories on these blogs about dispatchers. I have now been driving for 9 months and have only experienced one dispatcher. He is, however, one of the nicest people. I highly respect him, he has gone the extra mile for me and got me home every time I needed to be there, never has complained if I request changes in a load or have difficulties or have done something stupid. Above all, he has kept me moving and earning and learning with simple suggestions about how to manage my time, tips on loads and routes, etc....

There are some good ones out there.

 

Hi Pape have been reading your posts with interest and visited your website.Very nice indeed.I think That one of the worst things to do is to not get back to me with something,anything reallly even if its I don't know,I'm working on it or just ok(acknowledgement that you got my msg) have waited virtually hours for a response and that is very frustrating . Also just be courteous and professional when corresponding,lf I'm new let me know right away if I need to do something differently then I had done it(so I can make the adjustment accordingly) just basic respect and courtesy goes a long way with me . I went thru 3 dispatchers in 8 mos with my current employer and finally The same one the last 8 months,it is a world of difference to your trucking life to have that consistency,she knows you, you know her(or him) trust builds,communication gets better and you make each others life easier (hmmm sounds like marriage good god!) lol

 

You should kiss him on the lips...