When the market goes down, having a good dispatcher to pick the best loads for you can make a difference. But if your dispatcher is not experienced enough and cannot help you earn more, you might find yourself in a tough financial situation quickly.
This is the reason why many truckers have chosen to dispatch themselves in the past period. They believe that their experience behind the wheel can help them bargain, find loads that pay more, and plan their routes better than a dispatcher can. But are they right? Can their decision to switch to self-dispatching truly pay off? Let’s break it down.
Pros of Self-Dispatching
1. Cutting expenses - Dispatchers will usually charge you 2-10% of the gross load income for their services. By switching to self-dispatch you will cut on these expenses, keeping more money for yourself.
However, bear in mind that this equation works only if you manage to book well-paying loads for yourself, as there is no point in cutting dispatching costs if your gross income is significantly lower than before.
2. No forced dispatch - If you’re working within a company that doesn’t have a ‘no forced dispatch’ policy, you might have experienced situations where dispatchers want to persuade you to take a load you don’t want. Those things can be really uncomfortable for truck drivers.
So this one is pretty self-explanatory - once you switch to self-dispatching, you won’t have to worry about being forced to take the loads you don’t want.
3. Learning a new craft - If you don’t have any experience in dispatching, doing it by yourself will definitely be challenging at the beginning. However, once you gain experience, it will become a valuable skill that will allow you to consider different career paths. In fact, the majority of the best trucking dispatchers started their careers as drivers.
Cons of Self-Dispatching
1. It takes waaay too much time - The job of an OTR trucker is already complicated enough - navigating through heavy traffic, meeting deadlines, and consistently keeping focus on the road requires a lot of nerves and time. When you add negotiating with brokers, keeping track of your HOS, and booking loads to the already tight schedule, you risk prolonging your working hours too much.
2. Increased stress and burnout - Self-dispatching adds another layer of responsibility to an already demanding job. Truckers must master the craft of dispatching on top of their driving duties. This heightened workload can lead to increased stress levels and a higher risk of burnout, impacting the driver's overall well-being and safety on the road.
3. No established connections - Dispatchers often have established relationships and connections within the industry, which can lead to access to better-paying loads and opportunities for truckers. When truckers opt for self-dispatching, they may miss out on these benefits, limiting their access to premium loads and potentially lowering their earning potential in the long run.
4. Possible bad load selection - While some truckers believe they can secure better-paying loads through self-dispatching, this assumption may not always hold true. Without the specialized knowledge and market insights that experienced dispatchers possess, truckers may choose less profitable loads or encounter difficulties in negotiating better rates. This inefficiency in load selection could ultimately result in lower earnings and financial instability for self-dispatching truckers.
So, Is Self-Dispatching Worth It?
If you’re not planning to make extra effort and put additional pressure on yourself - no, self-dispatching is not a good idea. It may pay off if you already have experience in dispatching or strong connections, but it’s hardly worth it when you weigh all the factors.
We advise all OTR truckers to work only with skilled dispatchers who will help them earn more and focus on the road ahead without any worries!
At AAA Freight, for example, all our dispatchers have experience and know how to handle various kinds of challenges. Whether you want to lease our truck or bring your own, join AAA Freight and our dispatch team will be available 24/7, supporting you both on and off the road! Call us to learn more: 📞 773-250-7467
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