40 Days, it's stories like yours that keep me coming back. It's incredibly rewarding to be a part of this site, where we can watch successful careers start and progress.
Yours was not an easy go, but you stuck it out and proved that tenacity pays off. Look at you now, showing em how it's done! Thank you, sir!
Operating While Intoxicated
Old School says this is a game listen to him and play it well my freinds!!! I believed before I started that I would only do good if I could depend on my dispatcher. You will only do good if you're dispatch can depend on you period... When he gives you the ball run it to the touchdown. Then it's like tag your it whatcha got. Good load Thank you bad load Thank you because when your dispatch throws you a bone he probably doesn't want to know how it tastes!! Old school Thank You Sir.
Hey 40 Days, thanks a million for the props! I do use sports analogies often when describing this career. It works too! Unfortunately many people don't see the similarities, but being successful at this is very much a competition. Drivers have got to separate themselves from their peers. A good record out here is something you must establish. You are certainly being measured by it whether you know it or not. All of us, including the managers above us, are being measured by their results.
I recently messaged my dispatcher concerning an appointment time that he had set for a particular stop on my load. The customer didn't require a specific time, but my dispatcher had put 10 a.m. for the drop. I couldn't be there at 10, but I would definitely be there at 11. I told him it was no big deal to me because the customer could receive me all day - I just wanted him to know.
He came back saying it was a huge deal, and he was so glad I let him know. He explained that in the almost 6 years I've worked on this account I've never been late for an appointment. His response was...
Are you kidding? I'm not about to have the system show you as late. You have no idea how many people in this company know your name. You stand out so ridiculously that it makes it really easy on me to lobby for getting loads put on you. Just last week they let me remove a load from a lesser driver so that we could keep you productive. No Sir, I'm updating your dispatch with that information you just provided. Thank you for that! Your communications are invaluable.
Running With The Big Dogs is a critical component out here. It sounds like you are putting forth that kind of effort. I can only wish you the best - it sounds like you are on your way to success!
I'm glad to hear things are going well for you 40 days! I remember some of the struggles you dealt with early on, considering throwing in the towel for financial reasons and the guilt of not being there to help your family. I'm glad you stuck with it and are now able to provide for them in ways that you didn't think possible when your training was taking longer than expected. Keep up the great work!
Operating While Intoxicated
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I remember before I started this lifestyle reading this forum. I had some scepticism after reading all the other sites and horror stories. If you will actually practice what is told here I truly believe your dream will come true. These are wise people and their wisdom if practiced will pay you dividends and separate you from the herd.
Turtle gave me advice how to start and leave my wife and family with realistic expectations in the best way possible to set her up and not disadvantage her as I began. His diary was a bible and his continued wisdom is golden. Thank You Sir!!
Old School says this is a game listen to him and play it well my freinds!!! I believed before I started that I would only do good if I could depend on my dispatcher. You will only do good if you're dispatch can depend on you period... When he gives you the ball run it to the touchdown. Then it's like tag your it whatcha got. Good load Thank you bad load Thank you because when your dispatch throws you a bone he probably doesn't want to know how it tastes!! Old school Thank You Sir.
I haven't talked to my dispatcher in 2 months it's a game of tag and challenges exceeding expectations of dispatch and you will exceed your own expectations. True story.
I feel like I'm living my dream and I see that in my rearview. So happy with the choice I made and would not be successful without the advice given here. My trainer did the opposite of what is told here and was not successful and is not trucking anymore. I showed him my weeks payroll and he could not believe it wasn't two weeks. It's real people. Thank you T.T and Brett for all you do.
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.