A dispatcher at a trucking company can look after upwards of 50 drivers. There is always going to be a mix of drivers based on experience, personality, attitude, background and so on. I have been on the dispatch side of the operation, so I will approach the subject of favoritism from the dispatch side first.

I believe that dispatchers do have favorite drivers, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with this. I’d almost go as far to say that if you don’t think dispatchers have favorites, you are being naïve.

If Driver A is always on time, always cheerful and helps you out when you need a favor, it is only natural that you would prefer them over Driver B who is always late, rude and unwilling to help.

I was recently chatting with a dispatcher with more than 20 years of experience, and he said that he has drivers that he trusts more than others, but he hesitated to use the word “favorite”.

Argumentative drivers

In fact, he said it’s sometimes bad to be one of the most trusted drivers because you could get more work than a less co-operative peer. If a dispatcher needs to get a truck to the shop or a trailer moved, they are more inclined to ask someone who will say yes and who at the very least will be pleasant to talk to. They don’t want to call the grumpy driver who turns every conversation into an argument.

Though on the flip side, the trusted driver will also be afforded certain perks based on their performance. This usually isn’t financial, but if they need to start/leave early one day for a personal commitment, the dispatcher is likely to be lenient.

Another friend in dispatch initially said “no comment” when I asked her if she has favorites, as if she was guarding the worst kept secret in transportation. Like the first dispatcher, she said that “favorite” isn’t the right word.

There are some drivers she really enjoys talking to, but they aren’t the ones who get the best jobs. It is the driver that she finds to be the most reliable that she leans on when something needs to be done correctly.

The drivers that are strong representatives of the company (truck cleanliness, personal hygiene, on-time performance, personality, etc.) She noted several examples of customers calling her company after a delivery to compliment the driver and sometimes it has led to more business.

Drivers suspect favoritism

When I asked a handful of drivers about this, they all believed that favoritism does exist. What I found most interesting is that they didn’t seem to have an issue with it. The underlying message was that the best drivers recognize that the dispatch/driver relationship is a give and take. The “non-favorites” tend to take, take, take and can be tough to please.

I must admit that I laughed a few times when writing this article as the overwhelming majority of drivers that I have worked with are quick to label other drivers “favorites” as soon as something goes their way.

I used to work with two drivers who had very similar runs, and like clockwork I would get a call from one of them at the end of every week complaining that the other guy’s truck is already back in the yard. The one who was complaining pretty much alternated each week!

My advice to any driver is: be professional, be safe and be nice. Help out whenever you can, but if you feel like you are being leaned on too heavily without proper recognition, raise your hand.

A good dispatcher won’t want to upset a professional driver like you, and can either restore balance or offer some perks for your efforts. It is not about sucking up, it’s about doing your job well and being someone who can be counted on.