Outline of my Ninth Oral Presentation

A Day in the Life of a Trucker

This is a presentation of Driving Lessons, J. Peter Rothe, University of Alberta Press,

2002, p 143-159 by Peter Rothe

By Jordyn Shark

Instructions for this Oral Presentations can be found at:

I. The Basics of the Trucker/Dispatcher Relationship

A. Micro Level

i. dispatched vehicles operated by the drivers

B. Macro Level

i. corporate needs

C. Dispatching is one form of Labor control

i. Drivers effect the roadways

ii. Dispatchers follow and adhere to the wishes of the industry

D. Function of Dispatchers

i. the go-betweens

a. of shippers and truckers

b. truckers and management

c. company and customer

ii. contract loads and back hauls

iii. assign loads to drivers

iv. negotiate costs of loads

v. define trip expenses

vi. concentrate on company’s profit margin

II. The Economic Influence Propelling Negative Dispatcher/Trucker Relationship

A. A quote from a Dispatcher “if we don’t show profit, we’ll be out of work”

B. Transport companies exist to make money

C. Biggest role is to make profits by expediting freight

D. Dispatcher/Truck Driver Competition

i. dispatchers are middle management

ii. truck drivers are line staff

III. Breakin’ The Law

A. Common belief that laws are “elastic” suggesting the flimsiness of laws in order to increase profit margin

B. Circumstance behind the scene

i. use of two log books

ii. Belief that everyone runs illegal

iii. The laws are bend often

iv. Laws and safety get overlooked when short on time

Helpful Web links

http://www.roadking.com/inside/story469.php