Question:
Am I correct in assuming forced dispatch is basically when the company says "you ARE taking this load and you don't really have a say in the matter"? If that is so, how do you find out which carriers are not forced dispatch. I can't really find any answers to this in the archives. Is Swift forced dispatch? I have to call the recruiter tomorrow. They are doing my background check right now. What training companies out there don't use forced dispatch if any. I would kind of like to have a say in what loads I take, especially if I don't think I'll have time to get the load there on time.Why do drive-up ATMs have Braille on the keypads?

Answer:
Yes, Swift, Schneider, Werner and most of the entry-level carriers are "forced dispatch". So are many of the premium, experienced-driver carriers many hope to step-up to after they have a few years exprience....but not all.
You're correct -- It means you don't have a choice which load you'll be assigned. However, it doesn't necessarily have much to do with being assigned something you can't legally deliver on time. Most drivers who find a carrier that offers them a choice prefer to choose where they're going, the length of the trip, and the conditions of that customer's loading or delivery -- some customers waste more time than others. Having a choice also allows you to avoid bad weather sometimes.
Dn't worry about being assigned trips that you can't get there on-time. Some trips will be very tight -- you don't have time to stop very long on the way. But as long as you manage your time properly and don't goof-off (of goof-up), Swift and other forced dispatch carriers generally won't hold you reponsible for late deliveries that aren't your fault.
It may be dificult to find a carrier that's not "forced dispatch" and takes new drivers, since there are always loads no one wants and someone has to do them. It comes with the territory. Crete, for example, offers a "load select" choice of three loads to choose from (when three are available and a reasonable match to your truck) but you have to take one of those three, etc. But I don't think Crete trains new drivers....? Getting away from forced dispatch may be something to wait on until you have a some experience and can qualify for companys that offer more choice.

Answer:
Thanks Shuffler, that cleared up alot. My biggest concern was getting stuck with a load 3 days out and having 1 day to get there. Some of the horror stories I'm hearing about dispatchers is kind of unsettling. It sounds like they can make you or break you. I don't have a problem running long and hard as long as I can do it legally and safely.
I should probably find a company first before fretting about dispatchers, eh?
I'm the type of person that analyzes EVERYTHING, sometimes to the point of paralysis. And I have a tendency to ramble.....
Thanks again for the info.Why do drive-up ATMs have Braille on the keypads?

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I used to drive for Swift from 1999-2000. When I was there dispatch would send the driver a Preplan. The driver could say yes or no. If a driver says no he was supposed to give a reason why.

Answer:
When the rubber meets the road, from a company driver's perspective (especially a newbie) all companies are forced dispatch. Doesn't make any difference if the load needs to be delivered in 7 days or 7 minutes... if they tell you to pick it up, and you have hours and safe conditions to do so, then you pick it up.
If it's a 7 day load, it is up to the dispatcher or perhaps the fleet manager to arrange for the load to be dropped somewhere so that you can go on to other more productive loads.
If it's a 7 minute load, you will generally be told to "do the best you can". This you should do, legally and safely. Of course it is going to be late, but in many instances no one (including the customer) really cares.
You will occasionally have to run at times you do not want, in cities that you do not care for, and in weather that may make your sphincter tighten slightly. As long as these things are done legally and safely, that is forced dispatch.

Answer:
phlegmaticjay, some of the horror stories your hearing is typically from the MOM and POP carriers, especially reefer Mom & Pop outfits. Your not going to have to worry about that just yet.
My carrier runs under forced dispatch, BUT, many times I have load selection available. I've been with this carrier for awhile.
If you do a good job and your dispatcher likes your work, you may find more load selection from your dispatcher then others drivers that cannot run loads.
You have to establish a good track record with your dispatcher[s].
You'll have to be careful about "telling" your dispatcher where and how you like to run when your "new"..
When I first started with my company, I ran "Everywhere" never complained about the load or it's destination, but, still ran legal. Now I have more options, but, not as many options as our most senior drivers in our fleet.

Answer:
phlegmaticjay, some of the horror stories your hearing is typically from the MOM and POP carriers, especially reefer Mom & Pop outfits. Your not going to have to worry about that just yet.
My carrier runs under forced dispatch, BUT, many times I have load selection available. I've been with this carrier for awhile.
If you do a good job and your dispatcher likes your work, you may find more load selection from your dispatcher then other drivers that cannot run loads or complain alot.
You have to establish a good track record with your dispatcher[s].
You'll have to be careful about "telling" your dispatcher where and how you like to run when your "new"..
When I first started with my company, I ran "Everywhere" never complained about the load or it's destination, but, still ran legal. Now I have more options, but, not as many options as our most senior drivers in our fleet.

Answer:
Just remember who owns the truck, and the trailer, who is paying the insurance on it, who is paying for the fuel in it, who is paying to find the loads. It's their truck, and it should be their decision where to put it.
If you don't like where that company has loads, then get out of that truck and buy your own. Then you can choose where to go. Besides - a company driver gets paid by the mile, correct? What does it matter where they send you?

Answer:
It's that word "forced". It sounds tough. But a policeman is "forced" to go where dispatch need them. A sales clerk is "forcd" to sere those who need it. An engineer is "forced" to design the projects assigned them...
Your responsibility is to do the best you can safely and legally. Swift has something like 20,000 drivers facing the same problems every day. They'e got a procedure for communicating almost any situation that comes up.

Answer:
Revvassago, I am perfectly aware of who owns the truck , the trailer,pays for fuel, etc. I have no problem going where I'm told to go. My concern is having the time to get where I need to go, in the time allowed. The CDL is still mine and mine to lose. And I don't want to get a reputation for delivering late all the time be cause my dispatcher wants to give me impossible loads.Why do drive-up ATMs have Braille on the keypads?

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Any company that forces you to do something illegal (such as run a load that cannot be completed in the available time), is in violation of §395.3

They can get in as much trouble as you can......


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Look at Midwest Coast Transport: www.midwest-coast.com

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Interesting Article About Carrier Liability
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-trucking-company...03/06/1431143.htm

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Speed_Drums, looked at MCT. That doesn't sound too bad. It looks like it is more of a lease or O/O outfit though. I am not even going to consider leasing or buying for at least a couple years.
I talked to Swift today. I am tentatively slated to got to TN on the 22nd. I need to talk to them, though because I just found out that they have a contract school in Grand Rapids, which is only about 45 minutes from me. And the class is only two weeks. (I know some of ya'll are shuddering and cursing at that thought, but I assure you I have a very natural knack somehow for anything that moves. I used to help adjust routes for another company I was with, which should help. It will just be on a much larger scale, obviously with different parameters but the principle is the same-Point A to Point B to Pointc C, etc. in the most productive and least-time consuming way possible. time = $$ Those routes paid on production. (pest control) Anyway, I am starting to ramble.. Ya'll will get used to it
I am also supposed to call TMC tomorrow. That is where I'd really like to go. It sounds like they are kind of hard to get on board with, though. I think my job history may stop me, although the recruiter did say he was going to see if there was a way to not weigh it as heavy. I have a termination or two and a few jobs. No matter what though, if the past employers are honest they will say I did bust my a$$ and took EXTREME pride in my work. Almost to the point of being anal. Both terminations were more personality conflicts more than anything. One manager was a uh, morally and ethically deficient and the are other ,who was actually the owner was used to hiring 18-22 year-olds that he could manage with threats and intimidation. I'm 32 years-old, not quite seen the whole city but i've been around the block and well, I don't get intimidated that easy especiialy when I know that the threats can't be followeed through due to the Fair Labor Act Anyway, ambling again. Lesson learned, though.
Back on track, TMC doesn't have forced dispatch. It sounds like it is a first come first served style situation, meaning the first one unloaded gets first pick of the next load. (Put simply)
To sum up TMC is plan A, Swift is a plan B. You guys think that is ok to do. I usually try to have a couple options open when I job hunt, (in this case hopefully career hunt) unless I know that me needing to weigh options is going to hinder a company unnecessarily (say there is one or two positions that need filled , like, yesterday).
I'll shut up now. ( I hear those whispered "finally!"'s
Anyway thanks again and stay safe (and legal)Why do drive-up ATMs have Braille on the keypads?

Answer:
vassago and a couple others have it correct. You are under forced dispatch with most companies even when you have a selection. You take what they give you. B ut most also give you a "pre-plan". You need to look at the preplans and determine if you can do it legally. if you can then it's yours. if you can not then you simply check no and explain why. If you state it is because of not enough available hours almost no company will force you to take it. if you say it's because your to tired they will attempt to force you. But if your actually to tired they can not make you run illegal. fatigue, hours and sickness are legitimate reasons to turn down a load. But do it to often and your loads will turn to crap.