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Dispatch services in USA

It is very popular in the US these days to be a truck dispatcher. But what are the duties of a dispatcher? What skills does a freight dispatcher have? What are the pros and cons of this job? Read this post to the end and you will find out all the basic information about dispatch services.

The role of the truck dispatcher is very important in the logistics industry because they manage and plan freight transportation. Typically, truck dispatchers are responsible for providing drivers with accurate logistics, setting the route, negotiating delivery times, and coordinating the smooth transportation of loads. Dispatchers are like the point of contact for carriers. That is why they schedule all the deliveries and arrange pickups of loads. They also review truck drivers’ logs. Since being a dispatcher is very important and responsible, there are a huge number of tools and softwares that help their work. This is why technical expertise is so significant for a truck dispatcher. A good dispatcher always knows how to use these technologies effectively.

Not every person can be a freight dispatcher, because they must have a certain set of personal qualities. For example, time management skills play an important role in the transportation industry. Punctuality and the ability to schedule properly increase the productivity of a trucking company. Truck dispatchers must be persistent, serious and determined. But in addition to these skills, there are cases when a truck dispatcher has to be soft and pleasant in communication. In this way, a dispatcher must develop interpersonal skills. A true professional knows how to speak clearly and distinctly, especially with drivers when they are on the road.

What education is required to become a freight dispatcher? First of all, you need to have a high school diploma or GED. For some companies this is enough. But an associate’s degree and specialized truck dispatching courses will increase your chances of getting hired.

What are the benefits of being a freight dispatcher? Although this is a full-time job, it is quite common for dispatchers to operate from home. This fact makes their work more flexible. But sometimes they must be on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, this work would not be so tempting if it didn’t include a high salary. This is a job with good pay and lots of opportunities. The average salary for a truck dispatcher in the United States is $50,000 per year. Where else can you earn that much money without any degrees?

Yes, being a freight dispatcher can be stressful. Sometimes problems have to be solved on the road, for example, when a truck breaks down or the cargo is damaged. This job is for reliable and responsible people. But it also includes a lot of bonuses. There is an opportunity for career growth and a high rate of income increase. Many things in a truck dispatcher`s work primarily depend on personal qualities, and not on education. But, in case you are good at accounting, mathematics and geography, then it will be easier for you to get used to the work. In addition, a truck dispatcher career opens up many possibilities and a unique experience.

How to Dispatch Reefer Van

What is a reefer van? 

It is slang for refrigerated trucks. In fact, the reefer is a trailer that is designed to haul perishable goods. These loads may include foods and beverages, or other items with specific climate requirements. There is an active cooling system that provides transportation of both frozen and refrigerated loads. It may also include a special system for heated goods. But this is much less common. There are different types of cooling methods, like diesel-powered generators and cryogenic cooling systems. 

What is a reefer truck dispatching? 

This is a specialized service based only on refrigerators. A reefer truck dispatcher meets all customer’s needs, knows all the specifics of this type of trailer and understands the industry regulations. In this post, we are going to take a closer look at the responsibilities of a reefer van dispatcher and learn why their services are so important.

First of all, the job of dispatchers is to support. They help drivers to make deliveries on time. Dispatchers also find these loads and negotiate about the best rates. Moreover, their duties include handling billing, paperwork, and documents management. They are like assistants who do all the routine work for drivers. You should understand that reefer drivers haul a specific type of loads, that is why the dispatcher must know the market. Reefer dispatchers have to understand how and under what conditions to find customers who need this type of service. Moreover, as dispatchers negotiate rates, they also need to understand the demand in the market. The driver’s income depends on the dispatcher’s professionalism. That’s why, reefer dispatcher must have strong communication skills and deep knowledge in the field of refrigerated transport.

Reefer dispatch service is also responsible for equipment monitoring. So when it comes to shipping a load, they need to make sure a carrier has necessary tools to dispatch the load. Since most often perishable products are transported in refrigerated vans, dispatchers guarantee the delivery of the products safe and sound. This fact means that they also control the right packaging and shipping methods in place. Of course, sometimes it happens that goods are damaged during transportation. Dispatchers must be able to quickly solve problems and handle customer complaints. To avoid situations like this and work like a professional, we recommend that dispatchers always have a delivery plan. It should include time of day, week, and delivery locations. Then you need to track the progress of the van. Use GPS systems, maps and special applications.

Reefer dispatch services have many benefits. For example drivers get the ability to concentrate on work. Dispatchers look for new loads for them so carriers can earn more money. Therefore, drivers have more time for shipping, and dispatch services increase their income and the income of drivers. It is also about new connections and opportunities, good relations with clients and a structured work plan. There are also many advantages for dispatchers. They can work from home and of course they make good money. This post contains a quick introduction to reefer van dispatching services. But in fact, the work of a reefer dispatcher is even more interesting and has even more responsibilities. Our team of professionals hope that the post was helpful to you. Thanks for reading!

How To Use DAT Load Board For Your Dispatch Business

If you have your own freight dispatch business, you know how important it is to be able to search for information correctly. For example you always look for info about freight brokers, shipment and transportation processes. The fact that in our time there are various tools that help you run your freight dispatch business greatly simplifies this task. That’s why today we are going to speak about DAT Load Board or DAT Power. It is one of the well-known companies that helps to find loads and trucks. There are also carriers who can be hired to transport loads for your customers. Using this marketplace you can post your trucks and negotiate about price. But most often it is used for freight-finding services. It’s crucial to know how to use this platform correctly in order to build your business. DAT Load Board allows the best rates. 

So, how to use it in your dispatch business? Here you can offer to use your truck to other brokers or you can find a truck to transport a load. In case you decide to post trucks you need to create an account. It is one of the most profitable ways to make money, so we really recommend it. After that you should choose a monthly package and “Post Trucks” option on the top left of the screen. You should understand that you provide your vehicle to brokers and then they transport their own loads. It is their money, so they need as much information about your truck as possible. Write about the origin, destination and availability. Then you will see the rate. Don`t forget about the comments option. Feel free to write additional conditions. For instance, you don’t want to transport a specific product or do orders with a tarp. Just enter this information. 

Now let’s talk about what to do if you want to find loads. DAT Load Board provides a simplified search option. So you have to create an account. Then you will see the “Search Loads” option on the top left of the screen. After that just enter all the necessary information. For example the origin and destination. Don`t forget about the correct vehicle category. Do you have a van or a flatbed? Add this information. And of course you should know free dates, so check the truck availability through the calendar. One more thing that must be added is information about maximum weight capacity and your contact details. Finally you can start your searching. The platform offers a list of exact matches. 

In case you want to check the latest rates, please, double click on the rate option. If you like the load, but the rate is too low, you can always contact the company and discuss it. Don’t be afraid to negotiate the rate, it is completely normal on this platform.

With the DAT Load Board you can also understand your market. You should use quick rate search for specific locations or loads. This service helps to negotiate the best rates. So there is another benefit, here you also pump your communication and negotiation skills. Over time, you will start getting even more than the market rate. Of course, all these facts will positively affect the growth of your dispatch business. So don’t waste your time and register on the DAT Load Board!