Update And Info For Prime Newbies

Hey everyone. Taking my first set of time off. A few things for new drivers and anyone in training to remember when they get their own truck.

Please be nice and respectful to your dispatchers. Every morning I send a message saying good morning (if a Monday or pre/post holiday I make sure I go the extra step and call as well yo wish them a great holiday.) They will really appreciate the consideration.

Keep communication with them as detailed as possible and frequently. However don't do it too frequently. Give them a daily general update, then traffic or weather issues as needed. Again I try to go the extra mile and do the math out for them. I give my dispatcher everything laid out. I have X amount of hours, Y amount of miles to go, my daily updated eta. I also if needed let them know whatever weather issues that might affect me ahead and possible traffic issues to warn them so if a repower is needed, the load will be transferred quickly and promptly.

Check your equipment, pre and post trips and actually document issues. I can't tell you how many issues I've ran into that other drivers or even my previous trainers have left the issues for other drivers to document or even let the tires blow on road rather than get them fixed. Less of a headake for everyone involved.

(If anyone feels you lose time or miles doing this I have still gotten a 3100 mile week after stopping 3 times to fix trailer and tractor issues. No late deliveries.)

Doing these will not only help your image to the dispatcher but will also help you with favors needed in the long run. I got 2 extra days off for my vacation because he said just take them off and he is throwing me a few bucks for them as well.

Tldr version, be a good friendly person, they'll be good back.

Could not agree more!!! My FM does this as well. Every morning I know when he comes in I usually get a Good Morning message also. Usually something like Good Morning whats your ETA or Good morning and be safe something along those lines. No matter how upset I am with something I keep my communication with him professional and polite because I understand what is bothering me is 99% of the time not his fault. One day I went up to the dispatch area just to shoot the breeze and realized how difficult his job really is. He has so many messages coming in and so many phone calls I honestly don't know how he breathes. So i keep my communication to him quick and to the point. I try not to bother him with things I can figure out on my own. I could not imagine being that busy and getting bombarded with silly things so I respect his time and his job.

Also about the equipment yes if something is wrong please do your part and fix it. Do not leave it for the next guy. Don't be that person. Karma always has a way of coming back to you believe it or not.

Everyone is busy... best to always be brief, bright and relevant. I never call my dispatcher , QC is so much more efficient. If he wants/needs to chat, he calls me.

In my first solo week I had now elogs or communication device in my truck. All I had was my cell phone. I had to call into dispatch with every move I made. I am at our headquarters in Joplin now to have assorted things on my truck fixed and have the People Net installed. When calling in I will get faster help by selecting the option to take the next available dispatcher. I am always polite and professional and speak with a smile. I am working to get a good reputation with dispatch. Once I have People Net, I will do most of my communication through that. The company prefers it that way. I don't know about other companies, but here our curomers can see all communication about their loads in real time. So, they want us to be very professional in our communications. I treat everyone I interact with at CFI with the same respect and professionalism I expect in return. I get treated very well.

Also make sure before you go solo if you don't know your FM , try and meet with him/her. My FM doesn't really do the small talk thing. It's business 100% of the time. I send him updates when it's going to effect the timeline of the load good or bad.

Just make sure they understand your communication style as well you theirs.