Weekend Dispatch
Topic 20907 | Page 1
I would bring it up with your regular dispatch and see if they can preplan you thru the weekend.
First take the load they gave you as long as you can deliver it on time. Then later in the week talk to your regular dispatcher about it. Sometimes it could be a slow freight area, or it could be an internal problem. I had to wait an hour yesterday to get the dispatch information for the load I was planned on because of a computer glitch.
And consider it's weekend dispatch. Lots of times the night and weekend shift I'd the newest and most inexperienced of all the dispachers.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
First take the load they gave you as long as you can deliver it on time. Then later in the week talk to your regular dispatcher about it. Sometimes it could be a slow freight area, or it could be an internal problem. I had to wait an hour yesterday to get the dispatch information for the load I was planned on because of a computer glitch.
And consider it's weekend dispatch. Lots of times the night and weekend shift I'd the newest and most inexperienced of all the dispachers.
I took there load but am not going to move until my 10 hr break is over. It wouldn't be so bad if they would tell you something so you could go shower or shop for food but I just sit an hope the preassigned arrives an then when your 2 hours in waiting then you don't want to drive anywhere an have to start the 10 all over again it's frustrating to me
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Waiting is unfortunately the name of the game. I waited for 4 days for a load in Seattle once. Nobody would answer my Qualcomm and when I called dispatch, I was placed on "hold" and the line would mysteriously disconnect. This happened several times. I ended up just waiting it out and eventually got a load out of there. When I did get a load, I didn't get upset with anyone and didn't take it personally; I just assumed it was a lack of freight. Oh, and for the record, this happened over a weekend with weekend dispatch running the show.
Hang in there. You might have to wait a little longer, but they'll get you on the road as soon as they can.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.
Our company has been having a problem with the people net on both ends. I have had to call a few times because, I would get a message that a form I had sent wasn't received. Dispatch as frustrated as the drives. I guess I have it to good. The night and weekend dispatchers I deal with are great. However, most Fridays, I get dispatched with the loads to take me through the weekend. Good luck.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Waiting is unfortunately the name of the game. I waited for 4 days for a load in Seattle once. Nobody would answer my Qualcomm and when I called dispatch, I was placed on "hold" and the line would mysteriously disconnect. This happened several times. I ended up just waiting it out and eventually got a load out of there. When I did get a load, I didn't get upset with anyone and didn't take it personally; I just assumed it was a lack of freight. Oh, and for the record, this happened over a weekend with weekend dispatch running the show.
Hang in there. You might have to wait a little longer, but they'll get you on the road as soon as they can.
My two days in Buffalo doesnt seem so bad anymore. Granted, they were trying like hell to get me out, just kept running into equipment/internal errors (first trailer had a smashed electrical box, the next two loads were incorrectly entered and didn't actually pick up until 4 days later.)
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.
Ive talked with other drivers and mentioned Qualcomm response times on here.
Seems as it can be a reoccurring issue with the major carriers. After Hours/Weekend the lines and msgs are shunted to the "Duty" terminal and depending on which one is on duty your service/response time may vary greatly.
As mentioned before, if at all possible try and get preplanned through the weekend.
Even it the best of times it will happen, and if you're super type A, or just like being able to have your day planned out in advance it can be an annoyance.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.
Don't forget, weekends and nights usually have a skeleton crew, but the same amount of trucks to take care of.
Thanks for the advice all. I guess I'm just alittle impatient but I just want to keep running since I'm out on the road. I did speak with my dispatch today as she came to work today an will be off tomorrow she told me pretty much what some of you said weekend dispatch isn't the cream of the crop an she would see that I was taken care of through the weekend from now on.
Thank you all for the advice
JD
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What should I do? I leave at 5am this morning with a load my dispatch during the week assigned I get it to consignee on time as I always have I have never been late with any load an for the second time weekend dispatch doesn't give me a load until I've been sitting for over 5 hours in a drop yard. I haven't responded to them yet an not sure I will I'm not happy with them at all just like someone else's opinion on this
JD
Consignee:
The customer the freight is being delivered to. Also referred to as "the receiver". The shipper is the customer that is shipping the goods, the consignee is the customer receiving the goods.