Research Question

Hey everyone, just registered and am loving this site. I had a question: what is "forced dispatch"?

Forced dispatch is an easy concept. Basically, whatever load they send to you, you MUST do it unless you have a very good reason not to or unless you can't make it. If that's the case then they'll be asking you a few questions.

For example, lets say I'm in Oregon. The load they sent me goes to New Mexico. You must do it.

Some companies send you a few loads and you decide which one you want.

But to be honest. Forced dispatch isn't as bad as it sounds. Don't over think it and don't think that just because a company does forced dispatch that they're a bad company. Either way you'll have to do whatever load they give you because if you don't then you'll find yourself getting the scraps. In other words your dispatcher and load planner will grow to not like you. When they need a 75 mile load they'll have you do it.

So please, I urge you, do not make a decision on which company to go to based on forced dispatch.

Daniel's said it right. The term "No Forced Dispatch" came about, I feel, as a recruiting tool...kinda giving the potential drivers the idea that they can "pick" their loads, and where they go. In all honesty, if you show that you will haul whatever, where ever, you will end up getting the best loads, long miles, and better paychecks. I know there are places that drivers don't like going. I, myself can't stand the new england states...don't like the roads, don't care for the rude shippers and receivers...but its probably me, and my cowgirl attitude....Anyway, forced dispatch just means, heres the load, load it and go. What alot of new folks don't realize, is that the load planners have to work around your "clock",ie, how much time you have before you run out of driving time. They don't want to put a load on you, and schedule it for delivery, just to have you run out of hours, and not be able to deliver on time. So...they not only get the loads, they then have to "get" the closest driver, with enough hours to deliver the load. True, if you show the company that you will run when and where they want, that you will get better loads the majority of the time. You load planer/dispatcher can make you wish you had never seen the inside of a truck. If you don't have a good relationship, that you have nurtured by proving that you are the go to guy....does all the favors, doesn't get difficult when asked to do something hard, makes the right decisions without bugging dispatch, etc. THATS the kinda driver every dispather/load planer dreams of getting. If you forget the term forced dispatch, and look at every load as one more paycheck, you will become what they dream of, and they will repay that with the best they can.

Forced dispatch is an easy concept. Basically, whatever load they send to you, you MUST do it unless you have a very good reason not to or unless you can't make it. If that's the case then they'll be asking you a few questions.

For example, lets say I'm in Oregon. The load they sent me goes to New Mexico. You must do it.

Some companies send you a few loads and you decide which one you want.

But to be honest. Forced dispatch isn't as bad as it sounds. Don't over think it and don't think that just because a company does forced dispatch that they're a bad company. Either way you'll have to do whatever load they give you because if you don't then you'll find yourself getting the scraps. In other words your dispatcher and load planner will grow to not like you. When they need a 75 mile load they'll have you do it.

So please, I urge you, do not make a decision on which company to go to based on forced dispatch.

Thanks for the info! I'd been thinking it was along those lines, but was just wanting some clarification.