So how did you get your start?

Nawk said:
Wow.

As a senior guy 20+ years experience who is looking for a new challenge, change of environment etc . I find this somewhat disappointing.

Sad that doing what I do for so many years pretty much puts me on the "outside" with some companies.

:confused:
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Don't give up! I was an OTR driver for 38 years. The companies I worked for gave me a chance to sit-in/ fill-in in dispatch, progress through the safety aspect from trainer/mentor to finally get into a department and now I run a safety department.

You have to be persistant and let people know what your goals are and that you will be willing to train your tail off to achieve them.
 
Dave in London said:
Nawk sounds like he's looking for "downward mobility" lol.
Come to think of it, might not be a bad way to go!
My head never hurt as bad when I drove.
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No Dave... it was the... more experienced guys/girls have developed bad habits comments that stung a little that's all.

I've been pushing freight for 26 years... 2 employers. That doesn't happen by exhibiting bad habits.

So, the beauty of a more seasoned individual such as myself. After a short time of becoming familiar with a companies system and philosophy. Rookie mistakes that can cost you a customer these days (let's face it with a lot of customers these days... you're only as good as your last load - One strike and you're out) don't or have less of a chance of happening.

Anyway... guess I'm a little sensitive today.
 
I have seen average drivers turn into great dispatchers and great drivers turn into bad dispatchers. It is all about the attitude and willingness to learn. Same principal applies in sports. The best player on the ice may not be very good behind the bench. And a third line mediocre player may be a great coach. Case in point Randy Carlisle. (although the jury is still out)
 
Nawk said:
No Dave... it was the... more experienced guys/girls have developed bad habits comments that stung a little that's all.

I've been pushing freight for 26 years... 2 employers. That doesn't happen by exhibiting bad habits.

So, the beauty of a more seasoned individual such as myself. After a short time of becoming familiar with a companies system and philosophy. Rookie mistakes that can cost you a customer these days (let's face it with a lot of customers these days... you're only as good as your last load - One strike and you're out) don't or have less of a chance of happening.

Anyway... guess I'm a little sensitive today.
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I was under the impression that we had been talking about entry level positions, not about a 26 year guy/girl and I was playing Devil's advocate to see if others valued rookies over experience at entry level...

We do understand the value of experience and the "You get what you pay for" scenario. If I'm looking for a 26 year experience person, you had better know your stuff and, I will "show you da money" but you better be able to show me your value.

Still playing Devil's advocate, all I was saying was that, at entry level, taking a driver that's been on the road for 10 years that has enjoyed all the freedom to come and go as they please, sitting for hours bs-ing in truckstops, and sitting him or her down behind a desk, in my view is asking for trouble unless that is a very unique individual. They wouldn't last long in a structured office invironment with budgets, timelines, customer service, policies and procedures, etc.

On the other hand, taking a pimply face kid out of school full of piss and vinegar and putting him/her in the very same environment, they would probably thrive without all the re-training that would have to be done with the driver scenario.

Again, just thinking out loud...
 
Manitoba Moose said:
They wouldn't last long in a structured office invironment with budgets, timelines, customer service, policies and procedures, etc
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Oh, I don't want to get a lashing for this....because I do get everyone's point of view. But I hate to see a driver get the short end of the stick. Any driver we have had, has had to follow a very, very strict timeline to get work accomplished in 1 day. And the amount of policies and procedures they have to be in tune with to me is almost unreal. Most of them have expressed to me that they feel like they are not only professional drivers, but secretaries as well. In my opinion, it takes a unique set of skills to be a dispatcher...not all drivers would be able to fill this position. But I hate to see drivers getting a bad rap, because I know for a fact that very few have hours to spend around the truckstop during working hours to shoot the sh..... I know you're just thinking out loud, Manitoba Moose. I guess I am too :0)
 
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