The next debacle: Central Dispatch

quad decade guy

Well-Known Member
Central Dispatch coming soon. Had a conversation with a dispatch manager.......there are plans to ELIMINATE dispatch as we know it.

To create a central dispatch like CMG in sleepers. One location for multiple buildings. We have huge hubs with literally hundreds of drivers.

My particular run has to be "fixed" by dispatch in some way at least 50% of the week....2-3 days of 5. Mine rarely matches.

Now in sleepers, you are given an LMA(schedule for the week). But this schedule is and can be altered by any local dispatch. Some LMA's can be quite fluid.

Some disturbing trends have emerged through the "Smarter Not Bigger" leadership. Along with load retainers, paperwork has become hit or miss. This requires a visit to dispatch. The hub refuses to address some other persons work(shift)...."nope, not my trailer..."

How about trailers not where they are supposed to be?.....this can eventually find you in dispatch. Mechanical issues.....how about connectivity issues....we don't have phones anymore. Delays. Hub delays....uncooperative pt supes. Even less interested ft supes/mgrs...

I will say, our dispatch folks for the most part are good at what they do. The obtuse live there too.....

So, how is this going to work? Sure, you can be dispatched.....and in a perfect....as in everything is where it is supposed to be, in perfect condition, on time on and on and on.....it "should" work.

As I see it, there will have to still be a place(with people) on property to resolve issues. Who will do this? Will we(drivers) be authorized to resolve/negotiate with the hub? Fill out paperwork etc? Make demands of hub supes? Hold them to departures etc? See? They don't listen to on property dispatch as it is....will ORS's be clerks too?

Speaking of IVIS.....we still don't have 2-way communication. Cell function has been disabled and not authorized. Our dispatch does not read return text responses....they claim it's just too hard. So, in practice with our inbound/outbound phones burned out shells like rows of payphones at a movie theatre....add in Covid germaphobe stuff......they are eliminating any tangible way to communicate.....unless you use your own cell phone.....oops....

Example: PT supervisor won't release my trailer....there aren't hub phones anymore on every wall or post....I refuse to use my personal phone.....hub FT won't help.....

Huge changes in comm. will have to be implemented. And we will still have to have local dispatch.
 

Johney

Well-Known Member
Don't hold your breath, if I recall they were talking about central dispatch for p/c even when I was still in package. Hasn't happened yet.
 

Shift Inhibit

He who laughs last didn't get it.
Central Dispatch coming soon. Had a conversation with a dispatch manager.......there are plans to ELIMINATE dispatch as we know it.

To create a central dispatch like CMG in sleepers. One location for multiple buildings. We have huge hubs with literally hundreds of drivers.

My particular run has to be "fixed" by dispatch in some way at least 50% of the week....2-3 days of 5. Mine rarely matches.

Now in sleepers, you are given an LMA(schedule for the week). But this schedule is and can be altered by any local dispatch. Some LMA's can be quite fluid.

Some disturbing trends have emerged through the "Smarter Not Bigger" leadership. Along with load retainers, paperwork has become hit or miss. This requires a visit to dispatch. The hub refuses to address some other persons work(shift)...."nope, not my trailer..."

How about trailers not where they are supposed to be?.....this can eventually find you in dispatch. Mechanical issues.....how about connectivity issues....we don't have phones anymore. Delays. Hub delays....uncooperative pt supes. Even less interested ft supes/mgrs...

I will say, our dispatch folks for the most part are good at what they do. The obtuse live there too.....

So, how is this going to work? Sure, you can be dispatched.....and in a perfect....as in everything is where it is supposed to be, in perfect condition, on time on and on and on.....it "should" work.

As I see it, there will have to still be a place(with people) on property to resolve issues. Who will do this? Will we(drivers) be authorized to resolve/negotiate with the hub? Fill out paperwork etc? Make demands of hub supes? Hold them to departures etc? See? They don't listen to on property dispatch as it is....will ORS's be clerks too?

Speaking of IVIS.....we still don't have 2-way communication. Cell function has been disabled and not authorized. Our dispatch does not read return text responses....they claim it's just too hard. So, in practice with our inbound/outbound phones burned out shells like rows of payphones at a movie theatre....add in Covid germaphobe stuff......they are eliminating any tangible way to communicate.....unless you use your own cell phone.....oops....

Example: PT supervisor won't release my trailer....there aren't hub phones anymore on every wall or post....I refuse to use my personal phone.....hub FT won't help.....

Huge changes in comm. will have to be implemented. And we will still have to have local dispatch.
@burrheadd
 

DumbTruckDriver

Allergic to cardboard.
Don't hold your breath, if I recall they were talking about central dispatch for p/c even when I was still in package. Hasn't happened yet.
We’re not there yet, but there’s already funny business happening with random nonsense stops showing up on various routes. OMS says it’s not him doing it.
 

Package Stick

"Send it."
If this happens, bigger paychecks.

I've been dispatched to pick up a trailer that has already been moved.

If my local dispatch does that, imagine a "central dispatch". Yikes.
 

Yeet

Not gonna let ‘em catch the Midnight Rider
If this happens, bigger paychecks.

I've been dispatched to pick up a trailer that has already been moved.

If my local dispatch does that, imagine a "central dispatch". Yikes.
This happens so much. I love when they give me an empty to D/S a CPU and I can’t find it so I have them ping it and they’re like “Oh! That trailer is showing 2 states over…”

Even better when two drivers show up at the same pickup and we just look at each other like that Spider-Man meme.
 

Jakamoe

I work for teamsters, UPS contracted me
I'm not sure I see a problem with a central dispatch. Our job is to move a box from A to B, nothing more. If a central dispatch has a lot of issues, then so be it. We get paid literally by the minute. Ups screw-ups are our gains. What they do, with their sups, equipment, or even the way they do things isn't our concern, unless of course it jeopardizes safety. Otherwise, just work as directed, do the job and go home. Enjoy your paychecks.
 

detmaintainer

Detroit Maintenance Rat
I'm not sure I see a problem with a central dispatch. Our job is to move a box from A to B, nothing more. If a central dispatch has a lot of issues, then so be it. We get paid literally by the minute. Ups screw-ups are our gains. What they do, with their sups, equipment, or even the way they do things isn't our concern, unless of course it jeopardizes safety. Otherwise, just work as directed, do the job and go home. Enjoy your paychecks.
Do you really get paid by the minute?
We get paid by the 100/th of an hour.
 
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