Has your Dispatcher ever written you up for using the restroom?

Smart move, yes, remember everyone always has someone above them in the boss. Go around him. The criteria set for harassing a driver as you’ve described should be based solely on whether or not you’re running loads on time. If you’re running loads on time you should be left alone. PERIOD!
Also, at most companies, dispatchers often get the mentality that they’re your boss. In most cases they are supposed to be your equal. They get this mentality because they’re directing you and sending you loads and such. You’re reliant on them, but they are not in fact your boss. sometimes you have to remind them of that.
Best of luck

 

I have a question…the next time this happens, and there will be a next time, what will you do differently?

 

I'm constantly monitored on everything I do by our OM.

 

Good drivers are in high demand…any company that does this crap, you should walk inside and say “here’s your keys”…and walk out and don’t look back.

 

Do you have to log your poops? Take length and width measurements? Send dispatch a picture?

 

new guy. that says it all.. its always a new dispatcher.. thinks they can yell and cuss and treat their drivers like ####.. got to put them in their place.. remind them why they have a job in the first place and what their job entails.. the dispatcher is not your boss and has no power over you.. they have a job simply because the driver exists.. nothing more nothing less. they work for you not the other way around.

 

Well I have to go triple thank on this.
@D.Tibbitt

 

Was at this wind farm in MilfordUT. Crane crew is at my truck. I am taking off the securement. This woman drives up in her company pickup truck, jumps out slams the door, walks up to me screaming and cussing. I shake my head NO, and walk to the end of the truck. She follows me. I walk around to the other side. She follows and gets louder. I walk around to the other side of the truck, the crane crew is laughing, she’s turning beet red and blood vessels bulging in her forehead.

“DRIVER!!!!!!! WHY WONT YOU STOP AND TALK TO ME????????!!!”

I stop, turn around and walk up to her, got right up in her face, leaned in, and whispered, “because I have sensitive ears and you are yelling.”

She whispered back, “oh.”

Now, we can talk and solve any issues. Her problem was with the shipper. Her solution was to yell at drivers. Yes, I know that drivers can be difficult to deal with and all, but WE aren’t going to do this. Until the yelling stops, we aren’t even going to begin to attempt any sort of communication.

 

I would never recommend quitting under a load , but I’d #### sure deadhead empty back to the terminal , Clean out the truck and take good video of the truck inside and out .

 

I quit under a load.
I’d stayed out for 4 months, getting 1-2 resets per week.
Said I wanted to be home my birthday week, kept trying to get a load, so 1-2 small loads per week.
Finally got a Chicago IL to Houston, TX.
After a month of local work at .50/mile of Chicago, I drive to Houston Via Memphis, my terminal, cleaned my truck out, 2 weeks passed when I had put in for 4 months prior.