Force Dispatch

1. It's getting close to going home for hometime and getting a load heading me in the wrong direction.
2. Getting a load that has impossible load and unload times, distances, etc. Although, often times when I discuss the situation, they adjust the times and such to be manageable. But, have and will turn down a load I obviously can't run and make appointment times.
3. When I need a day off, I've already told them and they try to give me another load anyway. This is situational, I have done this. But, I've also taken the load and then take a day, or two, off after the load. Several factors involved. But, overall I've learned my need for an work balance and need to maintain that balance. Folks I work with know about all this and generally don't have any issues with me taking a day off when I want/need. But, on occasion things go a bit sideways. I do what I can to be flexible, but if I get run too much for too long, I get, well, it isn't fun and not really useful to anyone. So, I have turned down loads simply because it was time for me to take a day off. But, usually don't have that conflict.

OK, you asked, there are 3 reasons why I have, and will turn down a load.

 

When I first started driving I ran for Swift. One of the common runs I would get was going to downtown boston. I refuse that one because, 1. I didn't want to go to downtown Boston being a new driver. And 2, it required a CB to check in with the office, and I refuse to go to some place that Swift did not provide the equipment to do the run for it.
I used excuse 2 and never had a problem with them removing the load.
Another one they like to pull, is assigning me a load when I was already on home time, to be delivered during home time.

 

Union days forced dispatch was different.

The week started on Sunday and the mileage guys would be 'time in' by thursday, meaning they were at 40 and not eligible to dispatch until all the bottom men were out.

As guys booked off for friday you called the junior men and if they refused you went down the list to the last man.

When he refused you 'forced' him out or he was terminated.

Sucked to be the bottom man and sucked to ruin his families weekend too.

 

It's nice to have a choice about loads, but when you are new you will not know enough to pick well and if you could pick your paycheck would be low. Just run what they give you.

 

Customer takes 6 hours to load/unload, no space for a truck & trailer, overloads trailer

 

CB use has dropped to maybe 10% of trucks. More customers in the past used CBs to direct truck drivers, now most people call your cellphone number after you check in.

 

We got you a nice cool load, it’s going to Hunts market.



And...it’s not a Cascadia @Cat sdp

 

You’re serious? Swiftly isn’t forced dispatch lol?