Is it ever a good idea to give a dispatcher a Christmas gift?
 

I've never done it, never even sent a dispatcher a card. Even so, my dispatcher is my sole point of contact with my company and I do appreciate the relationship we have and how he treats me.

It couldn't hurt!! He or she will definately appreciate it.

I do.
Still even give my old boss (mom&pop outfit) a gift who gave me my first driving job.

I dont see what it could hurt.

Merry Christmas!

I don't recall ever having given a dispatcher a Christmas gift. However, since I am the chief cook and bottle washer (and dispatcher) for my company I think it would be a great idea. ;) :D

Let's put it this way, it can't hurt! I came back from the NASCAR and Indy Car races at Texas Motor Speetway in June and gave each of our 3 dispatchers a little $7 car with a Danica Patrick hero card in the package. While some of our drivers were sitting complaining about no miles, I was running my rear off. Not saying it was in any way related to the gift but, yes, mine will be getting a little something when I get back to the yard tomorrow!

Hmmm... I thought someone would say it was some kind of conflict of interest. Well, there isn't a lot of time, is there? Maybe I could call it a 'holiday' gift and get it there by early January.

Let's try this, a $50 gift certificate to Red Lobster or something, is that on the mark or is there a better idea?

Thats fair,I usually gave $50 Best Buy cards. Some companies it's against policy though.

I wanted to give something to my dispatcher, who is basically a nice guy but I couldn't figure out what it should be. Then I saw a trucking calendar at a truck stop... It was called "Custom Trucks". I figured he'd like to have it on the wall of his cubicle :) It only cost me 10 bucks. And it's tax-deductible :)

Are you kidding, in this business? There is certainly nothing wrong with a little bribery now and then. The one thing I have always tried to keep in mind though, is that you don’t want to make the gift so nice that it is obvious bribery.

When I was a leased-on operator, the night shop foreman used to give me all kinds of mechanical pointers and would even come up with cheap parts and labor if it was necessary. My last Christmas there, I gave him a liter of his favorite (Don Julio Repasado) tequila. To this day, I can still call him anytime and get free, quality mechanical advice. That gift has paid for itself literally hundreds of times over.

I skipped the card and gave mine a check this year. No card. Just a check :)

Edit: It's only ok for o/o's to give dispatchers cards :)