So how did you get your start?

S

Seth Allen

Member
Feb 18, 2011
31
15
8
5
Just curious on how you guys got your start in the business.

I've been driving for 14 years, and have been looking at getting off the road and becoming a dispatcher, did it briefly years ago helping out my Dad in high school before computers came along. Most of the ads I see want experience, so my question is how does one get experience when all these companies advertise wanting experience, and does my 14 years on the road count for anything when it comes to a dispatch position?

I would think it would, but I'd like to ask some of you on here for some feedback.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Good Morning Seth,

In my experience, having a professional driver who understands what it is like to be on the road, understands HOS and the other in betweens is experience in my eyes. It's really common sense at the end of the day. If you are logical, know how to plan LTL and FTL runs, understand geographics, great team player, solve issues calmly and with professionalism, sure beats only kowing how to use a computer.

I dispatched for several years myself before computers and in my opinion so much easier than the computer dispatching that we have today. But I'm very old fashion that way. I guess it depends on the companies that you are interetsed in applying to that indicate "experience" and how you represent yourself at the interviews. And perhaps your experience of a driver can be a fresh start for these companies in which you can also offer new ideas....

Good Luck.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Seth,

The last dispatcher (in case you didn't know, we are on the 3pl side of the industry) I hired had no transportation experience at all. Some of the 'qualities' required to be a good dispatcher include - strong communication skills, attention to detail, able to work unsupervised, organized, strong ability in a fast-paced environment, computer literate (and I don't mean able to turn it on).

Many of these skills are 'untrainable' although some of them can be 'polished'. I interviewed many 'dispatchers' that had a variety of experience with carriers, brokers, etc.. but I found that I'd rather teach an individual about transportation (lingo, software specific to operations, etc...) and focus on improving the above skills rather than take an experienced dispatcher who did not present these skills in the interview.

In the end, this has worked out well for the hire that took place (originally planned as a parental leave coverage has turned into a full time position).

Of course you can't forget the benefits of a 'seasoned' dispatcher - they may have contacts, carriers, customers, etc that would compliment the mix already set up within a company (win for the company, win for the supplier, win for the customer).

The other great news is that with your driving experience you know much more of the 'ins and outs' of what really happens on the road, you are more than familiar with routing, geography, etc...

Providing you have strongs skills as mentioned earlier, any employer would be at a loss to not seriously consider having you in for the first round of interviews to see if you are suitable to the corporate culture and go from there.

The best of luck to you!!

Keep well,

Mike
 
The problem is you will start out as a junior dispatcher and take one heck of a pay cut. Experienced, really good dispatchers make as much or more than highway drivers but what we call junior dispatchers make about half. They can climb the ladder quickly if they understand revenue per mile, areas of operation etc. If you understand the trucking business and have the ability to look at it from "management perspective" and are willing to take a pay cut for a while you can do okay.
 
A real dedication to customer service is the main difference from a driving position to being a dispatcher. Sure, a driver has to be polite and professional in front of shippers and receivers, but as a dispatcher you maybe talking to someone higher up the chain. A driver has lots of other things to worry about and concern himself with. Remember that your customers, even when they are being unreasonable, are your employer.
 
I fell off the back of a turnip truck and some Erb Driver picked me up. He brought me back to their terminal and told me to answer the phone.
 
Seth Allen said:
Just curious on how you guys got your start in the business.

I've been driving for 14 years, and have been looking at getting off the road and becoming a dispatcher, did it briefly years ago helping out my Dad in high school before computers came along. Most of the ads I see want experience, so my question is how does one get experience when all these companies advertise wanting experience, and does my 14 years on the road count for anything when it comes to a dispatch position?

I would think it would, but I'd like to ask some of you on here for some feedback.
Click to expand...

You may enjoy it and be very good at it or might hate it, I have seen guys take to it both ways. It's a big step. Why not take a few days during your next vacation and sit in dispatch. Just watch and listen. Tell your boss what you are thinking and you will have a much clearer perspective on what it is like.
 
Dispatcher

Wish you the best of luck, you will not know if you can do it until you try.

Are you a good chess player? If you are you have the skills you need.

The computerized software will only help you and is no big deal , 2 months initiation should do it.

Understanding driving habits and laws will really help you. You will know if a driver has a different agenda when things are going wrong, and you will be able to come up with solutions.

Another important skill is being quick at making decisions when looking for freight. If you are not someone at your competition will be.

As for salary, it will be low at the onset but can be re-negotiated quickly. I asked for a 70% increase within 2 months and got it at my 1st dispatch job.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If you have been anywhere for any length of time, and are dispatch material, I can bet that management already has their eyes on you. I think Dispatchers, mechanics and drivers, in that order, are the toughest spots to fill and keep, and most good managers are always scouting for talent.
But, if a company has 100 drivers, they are lucky if there are 3 that have what it takes to be a successful dispatcher.
I believe truck drivers, by nature, require a different skillset or social set than dispatchers. Drivers need to work well alone and handle monotony and boredom. Dispatchers need to handle sheer mayhem, keep their cool at all times, multitask, and whats often not considered---survive the social aspect of working closely with others, of both genders. And, as others have said, at a substantial pay cut.

It is a rare, and extremely valuable employee that comes from the driver's ranks and becomes a good dispatcher. I say this for one reason...if that person can make that adjustment, he/she is the prime candidate for upward mobility to management. I will take that person as an ops or terminal manager anyday over somebody with a BFA (bachelors of f*** all) and no driving experience.
If you go to management and explain your desire to move into the office, and they don't act on it fairly immediately, it can either mean they don't feel you have what it takes, or the manager isn't paying attention. Their tone and response may tell you lots.
Good luck.
 
Dave in London said:
If you have been anywhere for any length of time, and are dispatch material, I can bet that management already has their eyes on you. I think Dispatchers, mechanics and drivers, in that order, are the toughest spots to fill and keep, and most good managers are always scouting for talent.
But, if a company has 100 drivers, they are lucky if there are 3 that have what it takes to be a successful dispatcher.
I believe truck drivers, by nature, require a different skillset or social set than dispatchers. Drivers need to work well alone and handle monotony and boredom. Dispatchers need to handle sheer mayhem, keep their cool at all times, multitask, and whats often not considered---survive the social aspect of working closely with others, of both genders. And, as others have said, at a substantial pay cut.

It is a rare, and extremely valuable employee that comes from the driver's ranks and becomes a good dispatcher. I say this for one reason...if that person can make that adjustment, he/she is the prime candidate for upward mobility to management. I will take that person as an ops or terminal manager anyday over somebody with a BFA (bachelors of f*** all) and no driving experience.
If you go to management and explain your desire to move into the office, and they don't act on it fairly immediately, it can either mean they don't feel you have what it takes, or the manager isn't paying attention. Their tone and response may tell you lots.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

You nailed it Dave! Nice post
 
Playing Devil's advocate... Thinking out load...

With the amount of trucking companies closing up, once loyal employees moving around at the drop of a hat, and everyone looking for the BBP (Bigger, Better Paycheck), how many of you responsible for hiring look strictly for experienced people and how many are willing to train a rookie?

A person with experience will cost a lot more than a kid out of school but the kid out of school doesn't come with all the bad habits (been there, done that attitudes) that an experienced person has and can be molded to exactly what you are looking for.

I'm thinking right about now that no experience is worth a lot more than experience....

Yes or No???
 
We are not and have never been interested in hiring experienced dispatchers. You put it perfectly, we don't want their bad habits being brought over from another company. We do however search out certain types of people. Ex. The kid who can sit there and shoot the sh**, more a street smart type. The straight and narrow kids are not built for this business. You can them teach and mold them the way you want.
 
Manitoba Moose said:
With the amount of trucking companies closing up, once loyal employees moving around at the drop of a hat, and everyone looking for the BBP (Bigger, Better Paycheck), how many of you responsible for hiring look strictly for experienced people and how many are willing to train a rookie?

A person with experience will cost a lot more than a kid out of school but the kid out of school doesn't come with all the bad habits (been there, done that attitudes) that an experienced person has and can be molded to exactly what you are looking for.

I'm thinking right about now that no experience is worth a lot more than experience....

Yes or No???
Click to expand...

Both.

An experienced driver has to be retrained to your company's policies and procedures. Ever safety officer has a different approach to the position and has developed different parameters.
Experienced drivers feel they don't need an orientation, retraining or ride-alongs.

New entry drivers don't know anything other than what the "truckstop lawyers" have told them. All though they take longer to assimilate, they don't have bad habits to break first and are more willing to comply to your requirements.

Either way, a new hire is expensive, and time consuming.
 
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:
 
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:
Click to expand...

Nawk,

I'd agree that you are overqualified for a 'junior dispatch' position...

If I were looking for a replacement for me, however...

:)

Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom