That reminds me.........
Anyone up for duck hunting with the Cheney's this weekend?
:wtf:
way
fftopic:
Sean McQuaid
Whiny baby
I can see where a GPS not intended to route big trucks would be a problem if the driver does not use a little insight and look where the GPS is telling him to go. I never had a problem with my AUTOMOBILE GPS. I looked at the roads, and looked for signs before turning Low bridge signs will be posted at the intersection BEFORE the bridge is encountered - same goes for weight and size limits. If there is no sign, then the driver is not at fault. If anything, GPS has helped me when I was driving as it is more dangerous to be reading directions or looking at a map when you are nearing your destination in a congested area. You can't just pull these big trucks over like you are in a car to read maps and directions yu may have copied from the Qualcomm.
lightingboy
Active Member
Simple solution,build the bridges higher the sky is the limit,why I the fu##### world do they make them so low in the first place do not live I a perfect world,any body can get lost.and like 2xr said u break it u pay for it
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device
Beechvtail
Well-Known Member
Stay out of New York...Problem solved!
firecracker24
Well-Known Member
While staying out of new york would be nice, many people can't just avoid it.. I personally found a GPS made for trucks and it hasn't steered me wrong yet. Heck its dont better than my past co-drivers!
Now at loves theres so many options of GPS's for semis and their prices aren't bad either.
Now at loves theres so many options of GPS's for semis and their prices aren't bad either.
patriciajnsn
Steering Wheel Holder
Oh my lord you have got to be kidding.Don't blame GPS blame the driver.Can he not see that low bridge?You know i'm not surprised they wanna ban GPS.I mean why not we are the most hated career out there.I do have GPS but I still call the customer every time.Only they know about the low bridges or surprise construction.Thing I like about my GPS,is im delivering a ld at nite and u can't see the street signs due to nite and heavy rain and the GPS tells u the street.That's when GPS is really handy.
Sinister
pari animositate
Thing about smacking a bridge...if youre about to, chances are someone before you already has, and has damaged the hell out of the bridge, so it should be obvious that caution is necessary.
ATS takes overheight loads VERY seriously, and won't really accept much in the way of excuses and I don't blame them. There really isn't any reason to smack a bridge at all.
A large part of the problem in NY is that people in big trucks don't realize until its too late that big trucks are not allowed on the parkway system in New York.
Also, there are worse cities than NY to run. Personally, I hate Pittsburgh, and think it's infinetly worse than NYC.
ATS takes overheight loads VERY seriously, and won't really accept much in the way of excuses and I don't blame them. There really isn't any reason to smack a bridge at all.
A large part of the problem in NY is that people in big trucks don't realize until its too late that big trucks are not allowed on the parkway system in New York.
Also, there are worse cities than NY to run. Personally, I hate Pittsburgh, and think it's infinetly worse than NYC.
Chae Transport
Well-Known Member
I understand what everybody is saying and do agree, and please for any new younger drivers do not take offense to what I am about to say.
My children are a prime example of a world of progress and technological luxuries, if they had to do something the old fashion fundamental way. My children would be lost right along with the upcoming generation. I have never used a GPS, not ssaying they are a bad thing, but if you know how to read a map (Atlas) it is a whole lot cheaper.
If you get the one with all the low clearances and so on, chances are you will not need to update it for a few years. I meet a young driver 2 months ago that was having issues with his GPS, he ask if he could get directions from mine and I informed him I did not have a GPS and offered him the use of my map. To make a long story short after setting in my truck for 69 minutes he handed back to me and ask me to tell him how to get where he was going. I ask him if he found it on the map or not and his answer was: I might have, if I new how to read the dang thing.
My children are a prime example of a world of progress and technological luxuries, if they had to do something the old fashion fundamental way. My children would be lost right along with the upcoming generation. I have never used a GPS, not ssaying they are a bad thing, but if you know how to read a map (Atlas) it is a whole lot cheaper.
If you get the one with all the low clearances and so on, chances are you will not need to update it for a few years. I meet a young driver 2 months ago that was having issues with his GPS, he ask if he could get directions from mine and I informed him I did not have a GPS and offered him the use of my map. To make a long story short after setting in my truck for 69 minutes he handed back to me and ask me to tell him how to get where he was going. I ask him if he found it on the map or not and his answer was: I might have, if I new how to read the dang thing.
2xR
******* Derelict *******
Truckers, and travelers in general, used to consider that old trusty Rand McNally their Bible. Chae Trans is most certainly correct when he says the younger generation relies too heavily on technology.
For example, did you know that in the case of a national security emergency, GPS can be scrambled or shut down completely? It is government satellites and they were conceived for defense purposes, not our convenience in finding a pizza joint.
Even if the POTUS is in the area, GPS is scrambled, and if you're relying on it, at that particular time, your lost by about 100 meters, or more.
Better grab yourself a Trucker's Atlas and learn to use it. There is a wealth of information in one, and, once you're familiar with it, you can find what you need nearly as quick as electronic media.
With all that said, I do utilize, and like some of the on-line mapping services, especially for a street level look at my next destination. Sometimes, using aerial views, I can even figure out the traffic pattern for a facility, including where the truck gate and docks are located.
For example, did you know that in the case of a national security emergency, GPS can be scrambled or shut down completely? It is government satellites and they were conceived for defense purposes, not our convenience in finding a pizza joint.
Even if the POTUS is in the area, GPS is scrambled, and if you're relying on it, at that particular time, your lost by about 100 meters, or more.
Better grab yourself a Trucker's Atlas and learn to use it. There is a wealth of information in one, and, once you're familiar with it, you can find what you need nearly as quick as electronic media.
With all that said, I do utilize, and like some of the on-line mapping services, especially for a street level look at my next destination. Sometimes, using aerial views, I can even figure out the traffic pattern for a facility, including where the truck gate and docks are located.
There you go.
What I did was check the GPS route ahead of time vs the route I was given from the interstate exit. They usually agreed 100%, but when they didn't I'd use the directions given and the auto rerouting function took care of the rest.
It's not brain surgery. You can't depend on auto gps to route you in NY and Chicago, plain and simple. It will dump you on the parkways or on a route that has a low bridge and then you're screwed.
I wouldn't drive without it. It's a great tool.
patriciajnsn
Steering Wheel Holder
Ive been to NYC many times and that is one place u dont wanna rely on GPS even Chicago.I won't deliver to a place unless I have the customers phone number.Unless they dont want the drivers to have their number then for the most part brokers are good about giving me good directions.I'm not too fond of mapquest either.My company tries to go that route with me.There has been 3 times I came up on a low bridge all times in Chicago,I put flashers on and called 911.Many will just back out of it,not me too much traffic to deal with.
Sinister
pari animositate
I drove past Fallon NAS in Fallon, NV a few weeks ago, and my GPS tanked, and stayed that way for a long time. Ooooohhhhhh....
I had my wife on the phone yesterday, and I was looking something up on the atlas faster than she could pull it up on mapquest.
I've become totally addicted to Streets and Trips, and use it to plan just about every trip.
I feel so ashamed. Like a heroin addict stealing baby food...
Sean McQuaid
Whiny baby
It's been interesting to read all the opinions on GPS. Like I said earlier, I like having in when I was nearing the consignee or shipper at night, in a rainstorm, in a congested area - any instance where I was very near my destination and when stopping the truck is not a safe option. To say nothing of the risk of playing around with the atlas book or reading the directions you wroye down on paper.
I agree with a lot of what so many have said. In the end, my number 1 "bible" is the hard copy of the Rand McNally U.S. atlas. I am very old school in my preference in what is best and most fool proof. I look at the GPS as a tool to make getting to where you are going once you are very near a little easier.
I read here of someone taking over an hour looking at an atlas to find where he was going, and in the end still did not know. GEEEZE, how did this person get a CDL?!?!?! I totally agree that too many folks become to reliant on gadgets. I have the gadgets (GPS, Laptop to go on diffetent map sites for routing and aerial views - etc.). But you'll never see me without the good old Rand McNally. There is a wealth of information in there, and no reason to go wrong.
Again I say, all well and good if you use the standard AUTOMOBILE GPS. All it takes is what you were supposed to have learned before getting a CDL - LOOK for, and READ signs! Even a truckers GPS will steer you wrong once in a blue moon (I know of it happening). Besides, NO GPS can take the place of your eyes and good common sense. Suppose something had just happened on your route (road closures and such) where you must read road signs? As for hitting a bridge, no excuse for that unless a sign is missing. Even then, when it looks too low when you are approaching - it probably is. I prefer the little embarrasment of slowing and looking at trailer clearence to turning it into a big sardine can that was just opened. That is more embarrasing.
There are a lot of great posts here on the points of GPS (good and bad). In the end, it is a cool EXTRA/ADDITIONAL tool that should not be relied on as full faith.
I agree with a lot of what so many have said. In the end, my number 1 "bible" is the hard copy of the Rand McNally U.S. atlas. I am very old school in my preference in what is best and most fool proof. I look at the GPS as a tool to make getting to where you are going once you are very near a little easier.
I read here of someone taking over an hour looking at an atlas to find where he was going, and in the end still did not know. GEEEZE, how did this person get a CDL?!?!?! I totally agree that too many folks become to reliant on gadgets. I have the gadgets (GPS, Laptop to go on diffetent map sites for routing and aerial views - etc.). But you'll never see me without the good old Rand McNally. There is a wealth of information in there, and no reason to go wrong.
Again I say, all well and good if you use the standard AUTOMOBILE GPS. All it takes is what you were supposed to have learned before getting a CDL - LOOK for, and READ signs! Even a truckers GPS will steer you wrong once in a blue moon (I know of it happening). Besides, NO GPS can take the place of your eyes and good common sense. Suppose something had just happened on your route (road closures and such) where you must read road signs? As for hitting a bridge, no excuse for that unless a sign is missing. Even then, when it looks too low when you are approaching - it probably is. I prefer the little embarrasment of slowing and looking at trailer clearence to turning it into a big sardine can that was just opened. That is more embarrasing.
There are a lot of great posts here on the points of GPS (good and bad). In the end, it is a cool EXTRA/ADDITIONAL tool that should not be relied on as full faith.
Sean McQuaid
Whiny baby
And I definately always had the phone numbers to where I was going. I always called when getting near to be informed of any road issues nearby, last second directions - etc..
If I had to choose only ONE thing to be on the road with, it'd be the Rand McNally.
Sorry about the above typos. Tired and hit letter keys next to where I was supposed to hit. Hopefully the couple of words I fouled up will be understood LOL
If I had to choose only ONE thing to be on the road with, it'd be the Rand McNally.
Sorry about the above typos. Tired and hit letter keys next to where I was supposed to hit. Hopefully the couple of words I fouled up will be understood LOL
I grew up using the atlas, I use to look up places for my dad so I rather look at an atlas before I trust a gps. Honestly a gps is annoying to me and I hate relying too much on technology. If I need to get directions I usually go to Rand McNally's website and get directions from there. I don't like map quest at all, I hear Microsoft streets and trips is a very good program to use but I never used it myself.
Sean McQuaid
Whiny baby
I very much agree with Larry. When I was working in the industry, I always liked to route myself using the good old Rand McNally. I never go anywhere in any type of vehicle without a good old fashoned paper map book - I love them. The only time I sort of relied on the GPS was at night, in heavy rain or other condition where it is hard to read signs. I am easily frustrated when I can not get right to someplace without a problem. My GPS never failed me (in a truck or car), but I don't use it farther than a mile or two from my destination. I agree that most People definatly rely on technology and gadgets too much though. nSome people are lost when they have to look at a map.
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