Dispatcher

Vol. 1
No. 7

May
1925

Some Reasons Why a Dispatcher's Job Is Important

By W. L. GADDIS
DISPATCHER, PUEBLO COLORADO

W L Gaddis son dispatcher.jpg (17092 bytes)

IT IS the dispatcher's duty so to handle his trick in accordance with the rules and special instructions that the best results in train movement may result, giving special thought and consideration to the handling of more important trains, such as passenger, stock, fruit and "red balls."

It is a dispatcher's privilege to act for his superior officers when they are not available to rule on movements, and it is very essential that his acts are in accordance with the policy of his superiors, for the layman does not distinguish between authority when he does not receive the services and considerations which are due him.

Very often the dispatcher can make firm friends and boosters for his company by some special information or advice given to shippers or passengers, if it is kept in hand at all times and an effort to do this is made whenever the occasion presents itself.

Frequently when off duty, at recreation, in clubs or other places while the railways are being discussed the dispatcher as well as other railroad men can lend their arguments and first hand information in favor of the railroads and help mold public opinion favorably, because as our railroads prosper, so do we, and we cannot expect them to prosper when handicapped by adverse legislation or public opinion, which so often is based on distorted and untruthful information, obtained by the public from various obscure and generally unreliable sources.

The dispatcher can help very materially in promoting cordial relations among the various employes with whom he works, by always being ready and willing to accommodate date them in every legitimate way and to give advice and information to those who are not as experienced or as well informed as lie may be.

While helping to make a better record for his division his efforts are helping the company to sell transportation more effectively to the public, and this results in more business for the railroad'. and more business is just what this company needs to prosper. As the railroad prospers so do the employes prosper.

It would appear that the dispatcher's greatest service to his company would be to ever try to better co-ordinate the co-operation of those with whom he works, in the mutual service to the public. There are so many ways to do this that it is almost futile to attempt to enumerate them, but among other things the dispatcher can do, is to make a special effort to have the station bulletin boards reflect the correct information about trains at all times changing them should trains lose time. Nothing is more distressing to, or more talked about by patrons of the road, than to wait for a train after the marked time has expired.

ALWAYS take time to fully in form shippers or prospective shippers in regard to their queries through agents or other mediums. Most of the shippers now have associations wherein unfriendly treatment and poor service is cussed and discussed. Unfavorable criticism of any railroad means loss of business
to that road. But when first-class service is spoken of, it results in appreciation and more business for the road thus complimented.

The dispatcher also plays a very vital part in the fuel conservation program. He can save fuel by figuring very close on calls on trains to connecting divisions and at his own terminals; by keeping train and enginemen notified in advance of prospective work to be performed; by making it a point to always have his orders waiting for trains, rather than trains waiting for orders, through placing the orders and making plans in well in advance of their arrival. In many other ways the work of the dispatcher can help in fuel economy, if the matter is kept in mind, and an effort is made in that direction.

The dispatcher can lighten very materially the heavy burdens of the chief dispatcher by bringing things of interest to his attention promptly and making notes of work performed, or failures to perform work that had been planned, and during the chief's absences by acting on a basis of honor to the best interests of the company.

The work of the section forces, extra gangs, bridgemen and linemen may be facilitated by the dispatcher's readiness to promptly and cheerfully give accurate "line-ups" on approaching trains, when conditions will permit. From the standpoint of safety he should always keep before these forces the fact that it may be necessary to detour a train or turn an engine short, which may make a train movement earlier than their lineup would indicate.

The use of discourteous or unfriendly remarks to fellow employes should be avoided, they hurt sensitive people and are not conducive of the best results at any time. Courteous discourse and treatment is more effective than "rawhiding." When notifying crews to fill or reduce it should be done in as specific a manner as possible. For example, do not tell No. 65 "To fill to 100 cars at A," but rather say, "No. 65 pick up 3 loads 15 mtys on Lower No. I at A." The latter way enables the crew to plan its work more intelligently and it frequently saves much unnecessary confusion and delay.

IN short, the dispatcher should always remember that his most valuable and efficient service is that of "The Great Co-operator," and by working with that view at all times, he will help to increase business instead of losing it through avoidable faults of his own.

All of this we know deep down in our hearts, and if we will all put more heart into our work better results are certain to follow which will be of mutual benefit to the company and to ourselves.