Larger Carriers - How often do you talk to your dispatcher/DM

Yes to all of your questions. I talk to my dispatch and get a reply a few minutes later. Just today I did have a truck issue and the dispatcher called me since he knew I was driving and gave me an update regarding the delivery. It is just basic communication. Think of the qualcomm like texting on your phone with an employee.

 

i talk to my dm everyday on the phone. though swift likes you to use the qc due to phones being overworked, i like the phone conversation better since you get your problem taken care of faster. it might take a few minutes to get thru. i call 2 differant dl 's. as far as breakdown... i only call on the phone for the same reason...faster response. though swift says dont due both at same time. creates problems for breakdown. guess they assume you're having 2 issues

 

good communication with your driver manager will make you or break you in this business...

the squeaky wheel get the miles ... seriously

 

I usually see my coordinator in person a few times a week & rarely talk on the phone. The driver/coordinator relationship here at Walmart is different than at other carriers that use a driver manager or fleet manager. My coordinator is whoever is assigned to the board of drivers I am on at my home DC in Sealy, TX at any given time. In a good way, my coordinator is sort of like a personal secretary who takes care of many things, especially making sure I am paid for everything I do. I update my ETA and the ROC just keeps sending new trip data to the truck. Since it is all experienced drivers here, the need for a driver manager/fleet manager like other carriers is not needed.

 

Same dedicated loads every week for me.

Talked to my dispatcher maybe 2 weeks ago.
Haven't seen her since last year sometime.

 

5 years at Swift had me dealing with 2 DMs... one who was really good and one who was nice enough but didn't know his arse from his elbow. I'd talk to the first regularly. The second one I didn't deal with much because usually he wouldn't be able to help much and I'd have to call elsewhere within the company anyway. He's one of the reasons I quit Swift.

I'm with Crete now and I have an asset manager (they decided to dress up the job title) and he's useless. And that's putting it as nicely as I can. He is (like all asset managers) based at company HQ in Lincoln and after 18 months with the company I've never met him face-to-face which suits me fine. I deal with him only when it's absolutely necessary (and that's IF he chooses to answer his phone)... If it can wait I'll get with night or weekend dispatch because they'll actually listen and help when needed. On the bright side of things the terminal I run out of is small and has an awesome and very helpful staff.

 

Looking over at my outbox it looks like I talked to them every other day about problems....then again intermodal is nothing but problems

 

The question asked:

Mikeeee