Things to learn in your first 90 days

catshavestaff · Mar 30, 2007

We're just at the end of our 2nd month and want to ask the veteran drivers among us for some insight into some of the things that can drive you crazy...For example:

The QC: Dispatch drives us crazy with nonsense questions and messages:

R u rolling? (Rec'd 30 minutes after a comfort/fueling/driver switch stop-you'd think they'd be able to tell by pinging the truck that we are rolling)

SHOWING DELAY, ROLL TO CONS! (Rec'd just after we've been loaded and were on the road - what did they think we were doing after we sent the "depart shipper" message? Picking daisies?)

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!!! ROLL TO CONS!!!!! (Rec'd after we arrived at the address given on the QC and on BOL only to find out it was the wrong one...AAAAuuuugh! What the SAMHILL did they think we were doing?)

And of course the midnight logs and DVIR that wake you up.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 30, 2007

Seeing your a newbee, they mught be just over-baby sitting you No trust on thier part. You'll get used to it...For me I ignore them. Theres a warning on the QC. DO NOT OPERATE WHILE DRIVING! I throw that in thier face when I am in a rowdy mood!!!
Example: Pick up in NYC at rush hour and they are pinging every 15 minutes that your behind time! Now that can get real annoying.

And Welcome to our nightmare by the way!!!

LDB · Mar 30, 2007

The computer automatically tracks time based on a programmed formula. If a truck shows delay it automatically alerts the dispatcher who has to act on that or else the alert will just continue until either they do act or the truck catches back up to the computer. It's a nuisance for them too many times since they know that real world you are on time even though not on time per the computer.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

jaminjim · Mar 30, 2007

The best thing is if you stop for a break of some kind, do it after you have put some decent miles behind you. That way you biuld up some time because of there 47 miles an hour thingy. Meaning if you run four hours averageing 60 mph then you are 52 miles ahead of the curve, and could take up to a one hour break without showing up as late on the computer.

greg334 · Mar 30, 2007

You know that many people think that the Qualcomm system is a perfect tracking system.

For basic subscriber, it is not. Basic subscriber is like a van/straight truck where just basic info is used; location and basic messaging.

With the millions of units being used, two satellites and the system being an active system (meaning that there is two way interaction between the units, opposed to XM radio which is one way and passive), there are priorities given to the truck and subscribers information.

Pinging a truck with a low priority means that it is spooled up for a check â€“ it does not always happen within the seconds of the request.

So when I get a message that I am running late after I am checked in to an express center, I know it is not FedEx. The same goes for my late delivery charge against me when the system put me 50 miles from the delivery at the time I was sitting in their parking lot and waiting for the customer, the computer system said I was late not a dispatcher and it was corrected easily but it is Qualcomm, not the dispatcher.

catshavestaff · Mar 30, 2007

>Seeing your a newbee, they mught be just over-baby sitting
>you No trust on thier part. You'll get used to it...For me I
>ignore them. Theres a warning on the QC. DO NOT OPERATE
>WHILE DRIVING! I throw that in thier face when I am in a
>rowdy mood!!!
>Example: Pick up in NYC at rush hour and they are pinging
>every 15 minutes that your behind time! Now that can get
>real annoying.
>
>And Welcome to our nightmare by the way!!!

LOL, thanks for the welcome! We thought about the "babysitting" factor, and could certainly understand that...we also wondered if some of the alerts were auto-generated that the dispatchers had to respond to...it also seems as if there is a short flurry of activity at change of shift, especially when you get messages that indicate that the sender hasn't read the recent comm traffic.

I guess it is easy to take those messages personally, especially since they are always in ALL CAPS, and when we've communicated what we are doing and they still ask 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING??!!!'...it feels like you're being yelled at in an already stressful situation that is not entirely of your own making. If you are driving and your partner is sleeping, you're certainly not expected to answer those messages? And what makes them think it's safe to even read them while driving? What do the solo's do? Our QC holder is under the console and difficult to reach...we've put it on the floor, hard to reach while driving...we've put it on the dash, slides around..but bottom line, it's not safe to read and respond while driving.

Surely they could change the daily log to a better time of day than midnight? I know that the DOT day begins at that time, but if you're not driving, you're probably sleeping, and don't wish to answer it at either time....

I know, sounds like I want perfect, when I just really want it to make sense and be reasonable from the driver's point of view, since we're the one's with the rubber on the road.

:7

theoldprof · Mar 30, 2007

The QC in my van has a little button that controls the volume of the beep. Lower the volume and keep on rollin'. Must be a newbie baby sitting thingie. I havn't been beeped for a long time. Yes I have. I got the when ya gonna roll thing. I replied that I am either rolling or the trees and sign post have grown feet and are running past my truck. Didn't get a reply with that one.
:+ :+

cheri1122 · Mar 30, 2007

I got the 'are you rolling?' beep just this morning, one hour and ten miles from the consignee, and I don't do 'late', so it annoys me, too - especially since when they ask if you're rolling, you pretty usually are, so you can think up all kinds of great replies, but not be able to send them.x(

Bugsy Siegel · Mar 31, 2007

I'm glad someone mentioned this. With my short fuse, the first "ARE YOU ROLLING?" would have resulted in a truck backed into FedEx's lobby.

Yep, I'm rolling right to your desk! Any more questions?

TeamCaffee · Mar 31, 2007

Bugsy Siegel if a little computer generated message about running late can set you off you might need to look at a different profession. You are going to be in a state of always mad if you are not careful. Everyday can be a challenge from waiting in line to get fuel, to a long slow line for showers, to slow restaurant people, to slow shipper or consignee people, to dispatchers having a bad day, to highway construction and 4-wheelers in a bigger hurry then you are, to problems with the truck, and the list goes on. You have to really watch your reactions or this job will drive you crazy. The good list of things that happen every day really out weigh the list of frustrations. Just depends on what list you concentrate on.

catshavestaff · Mar 31, 2007

I guess the other aspect to this aggravation, besides what I've already mentioned is this: how seriously do we take these messages? After our last trip, the one where we were given wrong addresses and directions, we decided not to even answer or pay attention to them when we were driving...the 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING??!!!' decided that. We also decided not to respond to them, especially if it should be apparent what we are doing, such as rolling, or the delay messages, when we know we are doing well time and distance-wise. We felt pretty harassed at first, and would reply back all the time, but quickly learned that it did no good.
We are early for pickup and early to deliver, except in those 2 occasions where either Canadian Customs or wrong directions worked against us...we put enough stress on ourselves without dispatch serving up an extra helping

jaminjim · Mar 31, 2007

There are times when dispatch will have customer service also watching a load, so that can mean two groups of people who do not talk to one another. then add in a possible shift change and you have pandemonium. I have found the customer service people to be as sarcastic as me.

If you don't answer them you will get bombarded my more stupid remarks. If you do answer them they wont read it and still give you grief. So pick your poison. I have gone as far as to call and explain the situation, and explain that we are doing our best, but the next time the QC beeps I will pull the truck over to answer the questions.

With a border delay, I have found that it is best if we send a message early and often, until I get a message via QC moving out the delivery time.

catshavestaff · Mar 31, 2007

>Yes, expediting has its agrivations. But so did the jobs we
>left to become expediters (big time!). We have been at this
>3.5 years now and every day still feels like a weekend.
>Attitude is everything.

It's true that it's all in your perspective, once you've formed one that is...when I worked in the operating room, running heart cases, I quickly learned which surgeons yelled out of frustration/fear, and those that yelled and cursed because that's the only way they knew how to communicate. Not that I liked being yelled at by either party. x(

We've both talked about the "office politics" we don't miss, and the 8-5 rat race, the penny-ante rules, regs, and write-ups Administration generates.

It's an old saying that "nurses eat their young", and I'm sure that's true in other professions as well. Let me just say how much we have appreciated this board and the time and effort so many folks put into sharing their lives and experiences with us. You guys are all priceless!

easyrider2697 · May 11, 2007

All those wonderful little beeps dont bother me since the speaker on my QC does not work, sometime I will pick it up to see what all the fuss is about, but I have found out if they really need me they will pick up the phone and call me.....works for me!

Dog_House2691 · May 12, 2007

People who won't get out of THE LEFT LANE...ARGGG

lisalewis · May 14, 2007

We get those messages too...mostly "are you rolling". It used to bother me, but with time it just becomes part of the job. I especially enjoy the "wake up calls"! We could get to a cons. five hours early and be sitting in their parking lot and get a "wake up call" hours before delivery time. I understand dispatch is just doing what they are told so I try not to take it personal but the ALL CAPS thing can really put up the defenses! Just remember a polite reminder that you can not operate the QC while driving always helps, but be prepared to have that cell phone handy cause they will just resort to that other fun means of communication! LOL!!

JohnO · May 14, 2007

I remember those QC messages while with FedEx and don't miss them at all.

With Landstar Express they have a different system and that is they don't send these messages. Since January I received maybe 6 messages from headquarters advising adverse weather conditions or upcoming safety meetings.

Now we do regularly receive loads offer and confirmed load messages from agents which I enjoy receiving.

dieselteacher51 · May 14, 2007

dixie52
You've got to learn to let it roll off your back. I always reply with the same message... yes,I'm doing my job and if you were doing your job, you would see that. But thanks for the concerned message.
bye ya'll

Doggie Daddy · May 18, 2007

>I'm glad someone mentioned this. With my short fuse, the
>first "ARE YOU ROLLING?" would have resulted in a truck
>backed into FedEx's lobby.
>
>Yep, I'm rolling right to your desk! Any more questions?
>
>

And the very next place that you would be rolling to is to a nearby drug screening clinic,I "triple guarantee" that would happen.DD.