Drivers that fear dispatch?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by asphaltreptile311, Apr 21, 2019.

  1. asphaltreptile311

    asphaltreptile311 Road Train Member

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    I see this as something that’s common amongst new drivers is that they feel dispatch is their boss. Why do some drivers act like dispatch has the upper hand ? A dispatcher is a coworker much like a receptionist. Iv always talked to dispatch like a service never as if they are authority and Iv never had one pull anything quick on me after learning that. How do you experienced drivers work with dispatch and suggest new drivers handle dispatch?
     
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  3. tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Somedays my dispatch doesn’t give me exactly what I want .


    God I Hate them for a good 12 minutes until they do.


    I Always get what I Want. Love my dispatchers Best ever, Hands Down
     
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  4. tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Give a little in the beginning and later when it is needed goes along way for a easy dispatch relationship
     
  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    In my time Dispatch is the owner is the company. They have all the authority. You have nothing except HOS and other problems that has to be fixed to keep legal with yourself or the truck.

    In bigger companies you have no option under Dispatch, you do what they tell you and go where they send you. As a reward they might give you a choice of 5 loads, which would you like to take? They also have loads that everyone who knows anything at all does not take. It's a absolute loss against your earnings that week, if at all. I had one once 5 days to deliver 200 miles to VA Beach. Not acceptable. What I should have done is take the truck home for 4 of those 5 days. (A few hours away) Sometimes you sit somewhere for half a week waiting on shipper. That is a waste.

    If you have a good dispatcher keep him or her. If you have a bad one, replace him or her before things cause you to quit. If you have a group of dispatchers 24/7 scattered around the USA as with FFE, god help you. lol.
     
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Dispatch is like the mailman. They deliver the trip info. The driver translates that into the real world. Drivers should never ask dipatchers driving questions. They aren't drivers.
     
  7. QuietStorm

    QuietStorm Heavy Load Member

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    And they should never take any advice from them either.
     
  8. BCV

    BCV Light Load Member

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    I work hard to hide the fact that I have little respect for dispatch.
     
  9. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    I've worked for small and large companies over 45 years.
    The one person I've always felt I had to siddle up to was my dispatchers, followed closely by the mechanics.
    Safety, office folks or management including owners never could make my life/job easier.
    My personal key to success was to never let them know when you got mad at their incompetence, to realize they have freight to move and you didn't get that 700 mile weekend load because he doesn't like you...unless he doesn't.
     
  10. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    I find the best relationship to have with dispatch is a professional one... I do not want to be that guy thats cussing out my dispatchers and cursing everybody but his mother, that seems counter productive.. My dispatchers know my name, but they dont know anything personal about me, its clearly a business relationship and i like to keep it that way,, u need a load run across the country that need a dam good tarp job and needs to be there on time .. im ur man , its worked for me over the years. I make sure dispatch knows im the one they can count on , but i dont ever tell them that , i only put forth the work ,.. I dont believe in kissing their ### , but when ur dispatcher is the one who determines how much ur paycheck is gonna be and when ur gonna be seeing ur family next , u better make sure there is a working relationship with mutual respect or u might find urself in minnesota when its -75 and having to tarp outside in the frozen mud.. Just my. 2 pennies
     
  11. JC1971

    JC1971 Road Train Member

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    Dispatchers are like diapers. They should be changed often and for the same reason.
     
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