I don't know how regional boards operate...I'm on the national board.
We can take a different route than the 'suggested route' if we want to. I'm sure I'd hear about it if I took a longer route all the time, however. If I can find a shorter route, I still get paid the miles listed in the load assignment.
I can call my home terminal and get a different fuel solution, but only once per load unless I have a really good reason.
The national board operates with area dispatchers- we don't have assigned dispatchers. You deliver a load in a different area and then you have a different dispatcher for the next load.
The problem with area dispatchers is this: you are not assigned to the dispatcher, so the dispatcher has no loyalty to you. Their only concern is getting their loads covered. You might want to get home; they want to get their loads delivered on time. Your terminal manager and their surrogates are supposed to get you home, but they have no power to get this done. They can't have you drop a load at the terminal; they can't dispatch you. They can request a dispatcher to do this, maybe the dispatcher will agree. My home terminal has hundreds of drivers, and one person to coordinate home time requests. He is understandably quite overwhelmed. So it is difficult to get home on time. I usually get home several days (or more) early or late.
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...another place, where the faces are so cold
I'd drive all night just to get back home
Last edited by Barrelburner; 09-07-2009 at 07:12 AM.
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