The Dispatcher Is Not Your Punching Bag
Dispatchers are the backbone of your portable toilet or roll-off operation — juggling routes, breakdowns, and complaints. Here’s why it’s time to give them the credit (and respect) they deserve.
Let’s get one thing straight: dispatch doesn’t just “answer the phone.”
They juggle routes, manage chaos, play therapist, and keep the whole operation running — all while catching heat from every direction.
They hear it when:
A customer wants “just one more unit” added to a full route.
A driver calls in late and someone else has to cover.
A container got blocked in by another trade and the customer is mad.
The toilet isn’t where the customer thought it would be.
The GPS shows the truck’s not where the driver says it is.
Who takes that call?
Dispatch. Every time.
👂 They Hear It All — And Still Keep It Moving
Dispatchers aren’t just message-takers. They’re problem-solvers.
Good dispatchers keep trucks moving, calm people down, and reroute on the fly when a pump truck breaks down in 100-degree heat with four stops left.
They know:
Who has time to grab an extra delivery.
What tech just had a bad morning and needs space.
Which customer is blowing smoke vs. which one is actually on fire.
That’s more than a job — that’s a damn skill.
🔥 Don’t Let the Fire Roll Downhill
Too many times, we let pressure roll downhill — and dispatch is at the bottom of the pile.
If a driver’s route is overloaded?
Yell at dispatch.
If a unit wasn’t serviced because it was buried behind rebar?
Blame dispatch.
If a customer’s yelling and the driver won’t answer their phone?
Guess who’s stuck in the middle?
That’s got to stop.
🤝 Build the Bridge, Not the Wall
Want a smoother operation?
Then:
Back your dispatch. Don’t let them get steamrolled.
Check in weekly. Ask what they need — not just what’s wrong.
Don’t dump problems — bring solutions. "Hey, can I move this stop?" > "This route sucks."
Give them a voice. Let them explain what’s working and what’s not — they see everything.
💪 They Keep the Company Running
Your dispatcher isn’t just “in the office.”
They’re in the trenches — just with a radio instead of a wrench.
If you're lucky enough to have a good one, don’t wear them out.
Support them like you support your drivers and techs — because when they burn out, the whole thing starts slipping.