xpc91:
its sitting behind a desk doing pretty repetitive stuff and arguing with people full of their own self importance and opinion.
Pretty much the same as sitting in a transport office and dealing with middle management and accounts then
You need the on road experience mate, honestly you do. All the best planners Ive known have been drivers first. It stands you in good stead to truly understand the distances between places, what drivers come up against, timings, what drops have time restrictions etc etc, its all insider knowledge that gives you a step up.
Ive done planning for 2 pretty big companies, but Im a driver first and foremost.
It`s stressful, hard work and will knock 10 years off your life or give you a heart attack lol, above all else if you go for it, listen to your drivers, for the most part, the sh!!!t they tell you is to try and make BOTH of your lives a bit easier
Good planners are generally those that know the job inside out so they can understand or empathise with the situations the drivers are in, I spent 16 years driving and I was asked to help out in the office as our planner spent most of the day staring at the computer screen hoping the world would leave him alone.
I eventually gave in and moved into the office full time and there was some benefits and I even enjoyed the daily challenge of trying to get the proverbial two pints into a pint pot when trucks broke down and the customer was on the phone screaming knowing full well that you could not change a thing but it made them feel better to vent which was also the case when the driver came back moaning about the heap of dung he was driving again a situation i could not change but it made the driver feel better to moan at someone.
There were days that I thought god I hope I didn’t used to moan like that! But most drivers had a genuine problem that needed resolved no matter how big or small but the underlying trend here is that you are a go between the bosses and the drivers and you act as a filter generally absorbing all the crip before it gets to the manager.
I did that for about five years before I moved into another department of the company where I can honestly say I am enjoying going to work each day and I have a supportive boss who is realistic in my targets and my hours, the stress lifted from my shoulders the day I walked out of the traffic office! I did consider returning to driving but I would have left the company to do that but I am keeping up my DCPC ect and I have been offered some weekend work but I like my beer too much I guess but maybe someday!
In short go driving then planning, it’s the only way, drivers are people too and they need to be respected (know which ones are taking the ■■■■ and tell them) and stand up to the customer when required.
Just because you’ve driven a truck it doesn’t mean you’ll be a good planner or Transport manager, just because you’ve never driven a truck doesn’t mean you’ll be a bad one.
I’ve worked in companies for both types and the best had never driven a truck in his life, the worst had been driving trucks for decades and took the office job a few years before retirement.
However if traffic problems annoy you with one car, they’re really going to annoy you when you’re trying to deal with several trucks on the road trying to get to destinations.
I think every job I’ve worked in there have been annoying people and those full of their own importance to deal with, and the haulage industry is no exception.
I’ve been driving trucks for 20 yrs…but I’m also a planner.
It’s nice if you can get on with your drivers but not an essential requirement. Let’s face it, you’re often going to be asking them to do things they don’t like…like working.
At our place we have drivers who are on 4 on 4 off and paid for 12 hrs per shift minimum…but if you actually expect them to work for 12 hrs…oh the outrage! And who gets slagged off for it? Yep, the planner.
The planers job is to make the most efficient use of the companies resources, of which drivers are one, not to be best mates with the drivers.
I try to keep my drivers happy, but ultimately I won’t hesitate to ask them to do something unpopular if that’s what is required. They can ■■■■ and moan all they want…as long as they do it…I’m a big boy, I can handle their hissy fits.
Of course, the drivers that continually complain about anything you ask them to do, might get more than their fair share of the 'unpopular ’ jobs!
Have you ever wondered why there is only a small window between the transport office and the drivers canteen? Simple so ■■■■■■ off drivers can’t get to the planners.
Ours like anywhere have their share of office bods who aren’t drivers who through no fault of their own don’t know what we put up with day in day out,To be a planner maybe it’s just me but to apply for the job you should at least been a driver and have half a clue where the jobs at.Yes I know it will never happen and pigs will fly but you can hope.
OP you maybe good at problem solving but unless you know what the problem is ie shop windows no access truck problems you might struggle to sort it,not meant as a dig or knocking you but driving is one of those jobs where unless you have done it you can’t really understand it fully.
Cheers for all the feedback folks! I hear a lot about being a driver first- this isn’t something I’d do well at, however has it ever been known for planners to go out as a driver’s mate to see what you have to put up with? That seems the logical thing to me and to be honest its something I’d probably try to do on a few days off if it wasn’t possible during a shift.
kr79:
Trouble:
xpc91:
its sitting behind a desk doing pretty repetitive stuff and arguing with people full of their own self importance and opinion.
That is a transport planners job description to a tee.
The difference is that just now I argue with creative types on one hand, and on the other I argue with senior management types who just run to someone more senior to get their own way. I’ve no problem being a middle man provided I’ve got the right to make appropriate decisions.
Neville 1:
It was often said…Anyone can driver…or be trained to drive a truck…
The trick is to pay someone to do it for you…and to derive a profit from this.
I found …that by listening to and WORKING WITH the drivers that commanded respect there
was actually a solution to most problems.
Key word is RESPECT and of course that takes time to build and earn on both sides.
Surely the planner is there to assist drivers? At the end of the day the job can’t be done without the driver. It makes no sense to be an arse and make enemies I’d have thought.
Also maximising income opportunities but not being at the front line- thats what marketing is all about too!
All of our office staff have been out with me for a day to see what we deal with, what their decisions about the information we recieve result in. Our boss insists on it.
Equally we have all spent time helping out in the office to see what they have to deal with.
I know who has the easier job, it’s not the office staff
In all seriousness it’s a real eye opener. The latest lady came out with me and we went to a drop that was a golf course that’s a little bit out of the way, nothing too tight but tight enough to make her go, “wow, I can’t believe we come out here!” My reply was simple, if I’m coming out here just make sure the damned address is correct
xpc91:
Surely the planner is there to assist drivers? At the end of the day the job can’t be done without the driver. It makes no sense to be an arse and make enemies I’d have thought.
Yes and no. Your job is to plan the most efficient route for a number of drops. Or find back loads to help with costs of 1 way drops. Yes, listen to your drivers, as they have 1st hand experience, but some will (and do) take the ■■■■ given half a chance. Its a very fine line to walk keeping the figures looking good and keeping the drivers happy, thats the part that takes skill
F-reds:
All of our office staff have been out with me for a day to see what we deal with, what their decisions about the information we recieve result in. Our boss insists on it.
Equally we have all spent time helping out in the office to see what they have to deal with.
I know who has the easier job, it’s not the office staff
Sounds like an enlightened company,
does it also break down the them and us mentality that seems to be prevalent in so many companies?
Ex drivers who get behind the window… Are 90% the biggest P/takers when they were behind the wheel… What I resent is they judge everyone by how they performed on the road…
muckles:
Sounds like an enlightened company,
does it also break down the them and us mentality that seems to be prevalent in so many companies?
It is mate, the gaffer is spot on, and no one works harder than him. We are a small firm, and we all pitch in, the guys in the office also break down the loads and pick pallets, then load/unload us and the trunk wagons. I’ve been known to write an invoice or two out, and field a few phone calls, or take orders, without being asked, it’s just the done thing here.
And yes it does break down the barriers, we can all have a laugh with each other, and the gaffer takes us out regularly for “socials” and at the Christmas do you all switch places after every course so as to not encourage cliques.
What DonutUk said has pretty much hit the nail on the head. It’s a thankless task I’m afraid.
The drivers will always remember the days where they were “stitched up”, even though what happened was completely out the planners control. What they will keep quiet or forget is when the planner manages to get them home on a Friday early so they can start their holiday sooner, or get them back so they can see their children in a school play etc.
As people have said, it’s valuable knowledge going out on the road, get as much time as the company will allow. Best thing I found was if you have to change someone’s plan, explain to them what has happened & how you’ve got to sort it, usually the drivers will help & understand.
It all depends on the company you work for & the drivers they have. I’ve got a good bunch, don’t moan much & get on with the job, they know we try to accommodate them as often as we can.
Basically, on one hand you’ve got the drivers, who are convinced you’re out to get them and want to do the minimum work they have to. On the other hand, you’ve got the gaffer, who wants the maximum work for the minimum outlay. Neither will ever be happy with your work, but remember it’s only the gaffer who can sack you so his view trumps the drivers.
It’sa godforsaken thankless job, and it’s really hard to escape. There’s little point in changing employers, the job’s the same.
I’ve done it for several firms, from family-owned jobs to multinationals, and I really wouldn’t recommend it.
