How Often Do You Interact With Your Dispatcher And Boss In Person?

From what I've read, it seems like you just talk to them on the phone and by messaging through Qualcomm? Is that correct?

I imagine that's kind of strange not ever seeing them in person, or do you? Is it kind of a Wizard of Oz thing where you don't really know who the man is behind the curtain?

I work for a small family owned/operated Haz-Mat carrier, so I see mine about once every 2-3 weeks when I take a bit of home time. But I think I'm more of the minority in that regards. But to me, I don't mind. So long as they provide good loads and support when needed I'm fine.

I talk to my driver leader (same thing as dispatcher) on average about 1-2 times per week. And that's usually just to discuss hours or upcoming loads. If I'm stopping at my home terminal and have a few minutes to spare I usually try to go in and say hey to him and our fleet leader, just to check in.

From what I've read, it seems like you just talk to them on the phone and by messaging through Qualcomm? Is that correct?

I imagine that's kind of strange not ever seeing them in person, or do you? Is it kind of a Wizard of Oz thing where you don't really know who the man is behind the curtain?

Since I live in the truck and take my "hometime" at our company HQ in Cedar Rapids, I try to see my driver manager in person once a month.

I rarely talk to mine, but do talk to him in person when at the home terminal. Other than that I may send a message but it is usually just to be authorized for fuel or some other simple thing. As long as I ain't hitting anything, I don't hear much.

You mean there are real people behind the locked doors and plexiglass windows? Next you will tell me they have feelings!

But in all seriousness, I have talked face to face with my driver manager (Dispatcher) only twice. All the communication for work is thru Qualcomm and phone. Now the 2 night dispatchers, I have had far more face to face interractions with. Mainly because they operate out of the bunk house office, not the actual dispatch office.

Unfortunately it is just how it is. Dispatchers and load planners are kept behind lock doors and shatter proof windows. I guess 1 too many drivers have gone postal. On that note, do they let Rainey behind the locked door? (Ever)

Drive Safe and God Speed

I met my dispatcher once back when I upgraded to solo in March. Since then I only occasionally message back & forth with him, and even more rarely by phone.

The way I figure, he's busy enough dealing with the "problem children". The less I have to be in his ear, the better. He sends me a load, I get it done. And that's that.

I've heard that some companies keep their dispatchers and planners squirreled away in a safe zone away from the drivers. But at Prime I can walk right up to my dispatchers desk whenever I want. I'm just never there when he's there, so I've never had a chance to pop in and say hello.

My main contact is located in a very small terminal that shares property with a Pilot where we have a small drop lot sectioned off, so it's not too often that I'm routed that way, but when I am, I try to go inside and talk to them (my leader, the support rep, maybe the division manager) if I have time and I have a question about something. Other than that, our communication usually is just Qualcomm messages or the occasional phone call if there's a load related issue.

The reason some companies may not allow their drivers to interact with the dispatch office is a reason I’ve encountered countless times in the taxi & limo industry for years. Most of those dispatchers were notorious for wanting kickbacks for cream work. The worst case I know of happened at a large limo company where a dispatcher was feeding “his” driver so well that the driver was making over 150k per year. The company couldn’t figure out how the driver was paying the dispatcher so they audited him. Turns out the driver was paying for the dispatcher’s kid’s college tuition. Needless to say they were terminated but I never followed up to know if they filed criminal charges too.

Not having any experience in this industry, I pray I don’t have to deal with that stuff here. I refuse to have a dependent that I can’t claim on my taxes. We had electronic dispatch systems too & they still found ways around it. Any way, I’ll be doing what I always have done, hi & bye unless I have any questions or concerns.

Reyn worries:

Not having any experience in this industry, I pray I don’t have to deal with that stuff here.

Save your prayers...you won't need to worry about that.

The nature of the Dedicated account I am on, I usually see them every day.