what are common dirty tricks from the dispatcher/administration?

About the closest to a "dirty trick" is a dispatcher who knows the new guys don't always know what questions to ask, and withholds information rather than volunteer it. It's probably because they just don't want to deal with it at the time, but it will definitely FEEL like they were messing with you when you discover at the shipper that the load has nine drops (or whatever).

 

I wonder why dm does that because the money saved would not flow into his pocket, but to the corporate's account. Isn't it true? If so, why should he do that?

 

Because then he can show that his division or his drivers cost the company less money. Probably won't benefit him directly but could be something that his superiors remember sometime down the line.

I agree with most of the other posters that dispatchers/management don't really try to play any tricks, since its in their best interests that you remain relatively happy and get the job done. But you definitely need to watch out for pay issues, understand what you get paid for, when, how, what the requirements are, etc. For instance, say a load is hazmat - we have to make sure we get the PO for the extra hazmat pay BEFORE we empty-call the load, or else it's difficult/impossible for them to add it on to a completed trip. Sometimes these things are made clear but other times they are not.

 

That's the truth. They'll tell you the good about a load versus being quiet about something that might make you mad. If you do alot of drop/hook and you have to do a live load. That might be secret info until you get there.

Or they might slip in that one last load before they really try to get you home.

Or you ask if you will get detention or layover... they might say "maybe" which means you won't see it.

I've had dispatchers give you your accessory pays with no hassle and others that act like it comes out of their pocket.

 

I don't think there is any such thing as dirty tricks by a dispatcher. It is in any dispatchers best interest that you do your job to the best of your ability. It is not the dispatchers responsibility to see that new recruits pay attention to pay or other issues during orientation. It is up to the driver to ask questions and to pay attention. Most things that some may consider dirty tricks are nothing more than the driver not paying attention or not asking questions if he is not clear on what is expected of him. Some carriers drop and hook, others mostly do live loads. Some dispatchers do a better job of getting drivers home than others. Most of the time it is a matter of finding a load that will either get you through the house when you would like. This is the trucking business. We must be flexible. This is not a 9-5 job. Each day is different for most of us. That is one reason so many are attracted to this business. It is also the reason some may leave. If there is something in which you are not clear it is important to communicate with your dispatcher. Ask questions. After all, he is not a mind reader. I think that lack of communication between drivers and dispatchers is the primary cause of many misunderstanding that could be corrected or prevented by simply talking with one another. I have seen many drivers who leave carriers because they did not communicate with their dispatcher or didn't get their way about something. Dispatchers can be responsible for as many as 30-50 drivers. The driver only has to deal with one dispatcher.

 

Have you ever known somebody who screwed around with somebody else and had nothing to gain from it ... kinda like sticking a knife in somebody's back and then taking bets as to wether he falls to the right or the left. Methinks it's called a power play for whatever reason. Some people just don't interact very well with other folks ... they have no people skills. People are people and some are just plain A-holes ... you risk just as much in this business or any other business by being naive as by being suspicious.

 

I think some of the problems between drivers and dispatchers could be resolved by requiring dispatchers to experience driving for at least a couple of years before moving into dispatch.

 

I don't think they could pass the drug tests

 

You'll make $60K your first year trucking.

 

Nice! I thought I was only gunna make 50-55K my first year!

BTW, just finnished week #2 at our friendly community college, passed all tests (including all 3 endorsents) at DMV today, and went to get fingerprinted for HAZMAT... Heck, I might just clear 65K this next year while being home for three days each weekend!!