How do I become a dispatcher?

Kindo of like the wizard of oz in reverse remove heart and brain than act with no courage ie don,t answer fone anymore the other route is to buy a truck hire a driver a poof your know a dispatcher

 

But if he does what your saying he wouldn't be a true dispatcher as a true dispatcher really doesn't have any risk in the game just reward.

 

I have been driving for 5 years, and i ami now in my first year as a part time driver and full time Dispatch for a bakery. I am dealing with 5 different trucking company, around 90 drivers and over 180 trailers. Boy is that à hard job.

I started to realize how some drivers how professionals, some wreckless and some just plain stupid. Sometimes I may not answer the phone right away, but its only because I get 60 useless calls in half an hour. I have to schedule all the trailer repair, inspections, préventive inspections, look at all the apoitments, track my drivers. Delay some loads departure time, add some special order that just poped out in my email.

As a truck driver I only had my problems to deal with, now as a dispatcher I am dealing with 90+ drivers problems. Lucky me I can cover 2 extra loads before coming to work with my truck, and one after.

Ps: my first language is french

 

I was tempted to answer the O.P. With some witty sarcastic bs. Guess I'll hold my tongue. One never need apologize for those words left unsaid...

 

Maybe you could start by calling your companys' H.R. Department and asking what the qualifications are.

 

First thing to remember is no matter how qualified you feel, you still have to do what the boss man wants. Some drivers are not worth the powder to blow them up. Others are worth every thing you can do for them. Not an easy challenge to over come. Don't be afraid to learn other things. Skills learned are never wasted.
Understanding both sides of the fence gives you a better perspective on how the real world of trucking works.
The basic thing is understanding , listen to the drivers and never let them curse at you. Ask them what would they do if the shoe was on the other foot.? That usually gives them pause to think and see how you feel or how dumb they are sounding. Now it can be discussed. If no control or common ground can be found they probably do not belong working for your company and talk like this at vendors and customers.

 

Some of the best dispatchers I worked with in the office didn't have a day's worth of driving experience. What they did have were excellent communications skills, stuck up for the drivers, and were honest and caring and understood the management and driver correlation.

 

If you want to become a dispatcher going to school isn't the answer. They really can't teach you how to deal with drivers. You have to remember not all drivers are professional. A good dispatcher will know how to make the company money, take care of the driver and be honest. Sometimes a dispatcher can't get to the phone all the time. I seem to get calls while I am in the ladies room. How convenient is that? You must remember that dispatchers are not machines either. We are just as human as the driver. We like to spend time with our families just as much as you. Just remember to have all your t's cross and i's dotted and the drivers will not have a problem with you.

 

A thank you to a driver goes a long long way. It is the driver that is in the snow and rain and wind and away from home. Not you, so be mindful of that. Drivers are miracle workers but the impossible takes a little time.