Sunday, December 12, 2010

Something nice to say, day 11

At work I have to talk dozens of times a day with dispatchers at truck terminals all over the country. It was a strange transition to learn the rhythm of language with those folks, and to understand their role and how their time has to be respected. I thought they were gruff and impatient at first, but I've really come to respect that they all have huge responsibilities directing the flow of transport, and most of them are keen to help accommodate the wishes of the customers on whose behalf I liaise with them. They seem like a hybrid of a truck driver, a choreographer and an air-traffic controller, no mean feat. Here's to 'em.

2 comments:

NotClauswitz said...

The flow of freight is especially important at this time of year - and otherwise when they are shipping me ammo!

John Peddie (Toronto) said...

Good analogy to air traffic controllers. No life and death mistakes here, but the good ones keep things moving along so smoothly you don't even realize that they mastermind things.

When freight moves smoothly, it's because the dispatchers did their jobs well.

A good one can save his company a bundle; a bad one wastes his drivers' time and employer's money.