Thomas - Bulk Dispatcher
We’d like to introduce you to the team that drives us. As part of our #TeamSpotlight, we will be releasing interviews with various team members across all divisions at Q-Line.
What is your role at Q-Line? How long have you been with Q-Line for?
My name is Thomas Miller, and I have been here with Q-Line for almost 2 years now.
Can you describe what types of activities you’re involved with in your role? What does a typical day look like?
My job as a dispatcher in the Bulk Department consists of sending orders to our drivers as well as being in contact with them regarding many different things. These things can consist of special instructions for their current job, unload appointments for various locations, answering miscellaneous questions that they may have, and trying to solve the occasional problem here and there. I have also recently adopted more responsibility in dealing with customs at the border down south for our trucks running back and forth.
How often and what type of interactions do you have with drivers?
I keep in contact with our drivers typically all day, mainly talking on the phone. Generally, the conversations don't last longer than a minute or two at a time. A majority of these conversations are regarding questions about loading and unloading procedures at various locations as well as inquiries about the product being hauled.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
I enjoy the variety. It's unpredictable what the day will offer. Walking through the doors in the morning, I don't know if it will be relaxed and everything running smoothly or if the day will be packed full of challenges and problems to solve.
What are some of the challenges associated with your role?
The biggest challenge associated with being a dispatcher is dealing with problems quickly. Whether an elevator loaded a truck with the wrong product, or a driver just got into an accident on the highway, it has to be dealt with properly, professionally and in a timely manner. Often a day can change very quickly from calm and normal to chaotic from one phone call.
What does it take to be successful in working in the trucking industry?
It takes a willingness to learn. Learning new skills and just overall learning information about the industry makes the world of a difference. It takes patience. Patience is needed because no matter how much preparation and planning occurs, something can always go wrong at some point while a driver is completing an order. The best laid plans can be ruined by quite a number of things, and it takes patience to fix it. Also, patience goes a long way when dealing with difficult phone calls.
What are some hobbies you enjoy outside of work?
I really enjoy exercise and spending time at the gym after work. I also like to paint. I am not very good at all but nonetheless I still like it.
What’s the weirdest/interesting job you’ve ever had?
I have spent a lot of time in numerous jobs doing construction. Pouring concrete walls is quite a memory. These walls got to be 20ft tall at the largest and it was pretty freaky stuff. It doesn't help that I'm not a fan of heights.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I really have no clue what I would do if I wasn't working here. I enjoy coming to work everyday and I believe that any job that makes you happy and pays your bills is where you should be.
Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
Despite living in Saskatchewan and playing the sport as a kid, I am not a fan of hockey. At all. Sorry.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would very much like to learn to speak different languages. I have been trying and wow… it's difficult.
What genre of music is your favourite?
I don't really listen to it very often, but I like rap.
What do you enjoy the most about working with Q-Line?
I like the feeling of my work being appreciated; both by my coworkers and management. Going the extra mile sometimes is a lot easier knowing that it is recognized and acknowledged.
Thank you to Thomas for taking the time to chat. Stay tuned for more interviews from the team that drives us!