Company keeps assigning me loads that won’t quite work?

Ok.....i used being offloaded late as an example. The actual scenario was not really what I was trying to convey. It was more concerning communication. What you'll have to understand is that there will be times where you run into this situation. Some companies a little more, some a little less. It'll never be perfect. No matter how much we stay on them, it will always go on. You can get stressed out about these things for that reason. If you can't make it, just communicate that you can't, give them an ETA, and put it in their hands. Either they'll change the time, take you off if it, or tell you, "Head over there, they'll load you. Don't worry about it." All you can do is drive the truck. Once you get loaded, the load will get to the consignee right after you do.

 

Isnt it great that on top of all the stuff you have to deal with being a truck driver , then you have to be a dispatcher as well. On top of all that, you have to learn to keep your cool when the dispatch tells you its only 2 inches on the map and you have 3 hours left to drive.

 

I understand the frustration, but DO NOT MAKE SMART ##* COMMENTS to them. There is plenty of time to get angry AFTER you try a calm and helpful approach. The next time you talk to them or when you have this issue again just calmly mention something like "I think we could do these loads if you would ask me when I can be there, instead of me calling you after it's assigned to let you know I cannot be there on time. I'm willing to work with you, but I can't help if nobody asks me." Ideally, you don't want them to even know you have a temper so that when you feel it's necessary it will have more impact.

I would also suggest you update them with the game plan you have in mind, like "planning to do 10 hour break at receiver before 6 am delivery. Will let you know when I am empty."

Lots of us drivers, me included, think if we are angry or yell or briefly mention something important in a 15 minute anger outburst that important info will be remembered and spread to everyone that needs to know it. Dispatchers have many drivers, usually, and they cannot remember everything. It's better for you to be the driver that is reliable and easy to communicate with, at least until everything else has failed. You can always scream and yell and insult people later. Ask me how I know.

 

If you're going to let little things like not enough Hours and ice covered roads stop you... Just kidding.
My dad had a dispatcher that told "his" drivers "Your job is to overcome all obstacles and get the job done." Uh, no.

 

I've heard a dispatcher telling the customer the load is late because of the driver, I can't remember the reason right now, and the load was assigned to the driver behind me at the dispatch window. The "late load" wasn't even assigned until AFTER the dispatcher lied to the customer. "It's the driver's fault" is the dispatcher's version of "the dog ate my homework."

 

Then I just drove off duty to go sleep somewhere legal enough. I'm not under a load anymore so safety isn't going to say a thing.

I reread ops thing and it looks like they preplan alot so what I said probably won't help the issue. Preplans suck ###. Poor dude

 

Only one of our dispatchers cannot quite fathom the difference between Google maps time and truck time for travel.
One specific load takes 40 minutes driving according to Google...
Real time is an hour to an hour and 10 minutes.
Total load time per Google is 2 hours 10 minutes, reality is 3 hours plus.
Busy store, two high congestion areas, and traffic lights every 100 yards.
Doesn't help having to push 8800 gallons through a single 4 inch hole either.
That dispatcher loves dropping that load on me at 2pm, when I'll time out at 4pm, then fusses at me when I reject it.
If it were one time, I'd probably be more understanding... but it's twice a week for the past 3 weeks...
You'd think they'd get the message?
Nope.
Other drivers are seeing the same thing from that individual too...
Their insistence is we gotta get loads in the ground....
Pizz poor planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
If you're unable to coherently budget load time to land me close to when I'll time out, I'm obligated to cover my own rear accordingly, and your load will be rejected.
I don't mind running over my 12 a little bit, but don't demand I do it ... call me and discuss it with me before putting it on me.
If you ask, I'll likely run it.
If you demand I run it, I guarantee I won't run it. That little reject load button will get pushed before I'll start the truck for that load...
I will accommodate any reasonable request I'm able to. Keyword being request.
I'll deliver to any store we run to, providing I can do it safely at that time of day.
(We have a few stores that require deliveries when they're closed or when adjacent businesses are closed to ensure we're able to enter and exit safely).

 

its almost as if we have the same dispatcher... large truck stop chain by any chance? lol