Wish I had a majic wand for you buddy. That sounds like a real sad excuse for a dispatcher you have there. Were you trying to go back to Michigan or just any load with reasonable time.
An employer can't hold your check unless you owe the company more than the amount of the check. (there are probably ways that the company can say you owe them for varies expenses that would eat up a lot of the check like uniforms, time, use of equipment) So if you were talking about driving the truck empty back then they probably could deduct the fuel amount.
Sounds like a discussion for the state department of labor and FMCSA. Should get your company moving.
I guess your wife's medicine would be the biggest immediate problem. Luckily Jessup is not in the woods somewhere, maybe there is a CVS nearby where she can get an emergency refill or something if she gets her Dr. to call.
But for he more permanent issues that you definitely don't want to be a common thing. . .
You should have a talk with your dispatcher's superior and let him know what to expect from you and what you expect from your dispatcher.
Let them know that you intend to do all you can to be part of a team as long as you can do it legally but you expect not to be punished for wanting to perform your job legally.
Be stern, but tactful. Not yelling or disrespectful. If you don't like his reaction to that meeting and you can't switch your dispatcher I wouldn't stay at that type of company.
