Importance Of Building A Strong Understanding Between Driver And Dispatcher

An essential partnership in trucking organizations is observed between the dispatchers and the drivers. To be precise most of the dispatchers will have almost 35 to 50 drivers under their sections. Maintaining this large number of people in work and keeping them happy is not quite a simple task.
Drivers individually hold a different personality and everyone wants to build a civilized lifestyle and to be capable of getting home regularly. Since drivers are only aware of their own small world their needs and demands may be different compared to the dispatchers. Generally, the working period of the dispatchers may be limited to 8hours, whereas drivers are basically on call 24/7. This kind of business requires the drivers to work irregular hours and that condition may not always fit with their health. Overdue shipping can really question a driver’s capability to make a high-quality living and his manners.

The role of a Dispatcher

A dispatcher performs several works. The prime duty of the job is to direct the pickup and delivery of goods with a minimum charge to the shipper. Especially, a dispatcher arranges the drivers to deliver and/or pick up loads respectively to customers and/or vendors. They also check records that include driver logs (paper or electronic), vehicle inspection reports and hours of the service contract. A dispatcher is required to be acknowledged to the federal rules. Truck drivers follow a lot of regulations for maintaining security and hence a dispatcher needs to be well acquainted with such parts as:

·         Hours of service

·         Unfavourable weather events

·         Drive time compared to work time

·         Tractor-trailer safety

·         Weigh station facts

This list is a general idea of the more common services of a dispatcher.

Importanceof the Driver-Dispatcher Relationship

Building a relationship between the truck driver and the dispatcher begins since the first day.

It is important for the drivers to understand the facts and bonds they share and must maintain with the dispatchers. Though at some point it may seem like a quite isolated agreement, drivers are regulated a certain direction to meet a target. Therefore, the drivers, being the good employees, follow commands from those in charge of the management of the journey.

Practically it is seen that many dispatchers intensely care about their drivers and moreover, stress on the safety guides than just saving time on the way. In regards to humanity like anyone would concern about an individual’s life they also care about their drivers’ safety on the road and well-being of their family members would do.

Dispatchers and drivers must build some type of working business relationship where they are capable of talking about the nature of the job frankly. Drivers should not worry about letting the dispatcher know their opinions and efforts towards certain training or taking a definite direction. Also, the dispatchers are expected to be realistic in what they must order in turn to keep the shipping service going forward for a customer. Certainly, it is difficult to form a perfect 50-50 split on the demands of drivers and dispatch expectations, yet keeping an open line for communication can do a great job and understanding that it is useful for both parties.