If you do call a place for directions try to get someone in the shipping/receiving dept instead of the office folks.
What things do truckers need on the road?
- Thread starter BDF346
- Start date
terrylamar
Well-Known Member
You will have to take another physical before you are hired.
notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
I started trucking over 30 years ago. I consider myself old school, but a GPS is a important tool to have. It made me a lot of money when I got fuel bonuses. When you get in a situation where the road is flooded or closed a GPS will help navigate a lot better than a atlas. Especially if you are in a situation where you can not pull over and replan. I kicked off in dallas one time. Place ran me out of there before I could even decide a escape route. GPS got me right where I needed to be without second guessing where I needed to go. GPS's have other functions that are nice. Can be programmed to alert you at every exit that has a truck stop. Sometimes you run past your planned stop or can not get to your planned stop or you might get a case of green apple quick steps and need to find info fast....View attachment 16466
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notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
Another nice feature. Get a load assignment, type in addy not only do you have your route in seconds. You also have the miles, how long it will take you to get there and if you can accept the run and make it on time. Try doing that with a atlas in 15 seconds.
Mr. Q
Silent Observer
Not to mention that I no longer have to mess around with dated paper city maps to determine the exact location of a customer within a congested city. I just call their 800 number for turn-by-turn directions, verify that the route is legal in the "A" pages that are in the beginning of the atlas (low clearances, restricted routes, etc.), and look out where to make the next turn. A GPS is usually helpful when you're trying to navigate through a dark area where the street signs are hard to see.
I wonder if ship captains are as retarded as some drivers though. I can see the arguement now:
New Pilot: "Our navigation and sonar equipment are pretty high tech, and have been extremely paramount in helping us to navigate in open and shoal waters!"
Old Pilot: "Bah, nonsense! I have been piloting ships for years and will only rely on using tools such as the sextant and long, drawn out calculations to triangulate my location, and the aid of lighthouses to keep me from running aground. Goddamned new breed piloting ships these days, sheesh........"
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notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
Some truck drivers have this mentality... Me cave man... no microwave... me club animal to death.. cook with fire.....
notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
When I was with maverick I kicked off at a walmart one time. Was another maverick driver I knew there that had been with maverick a long time. He was empty when I got there. I got empty and went in and got some deli food. Was sitting there eating and both our qual comms beeped at the same time. Was parked side by side with the windows down. My load assignment was bouncing to one of our yards. I had all the yards programmed. I hit a button and had my route. He had the ole atlas on the steering wheel planning his route. I said you ready to roll? I could tell he was still not sure. He said you know how to get there? Yep; I am cutting thru the woods. He followed. We got back on a main highway and he hollered on the radio and said I got to get one of them things...
terrylamar
Well-Known Member
My GPS' have all the Starbuck"s locations, need I say more?
notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
Nope you just talked me into going back to a atlas....
I recall having a pick-p one time; got directions, but the road was closed. No place to stop and call again. With a few educated guesses the GPS finally got me there. It would have been real difficult to navigate all those city streets without the GPS. I don't use it often since I mostly go to the same places, but when I need it it can be a lifesaver. Someties I'll even use Googlemaps when going someplace new. Don't bet your life on GPS though; sometimes its wrong; especially in rural areas.
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terrylamar
Well-Known Member
But, then, you are a godless heathen!
notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
Starbucks.. patooie....View attachment 16468 Mickey D's, BK, Dunkin Donuts View attachment 16469 is OK....
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notarps4me
Shy and Quiet.
Crap I got to get to bed... I plan on gunning down some tree rats in 5 hours...
Cerberus
In God We Trust
I remember calling a place one time and they had no clue how to get there, so basically just stated, "how do you get there every day to work?". Less than 10 minutes later i'm backing up to their dock.
I agree with a bunch of posters. The most important thing you can do is call the shipper and ask for instructions even though your Atlas or GPS says just right off the highway. Many times I could have made a major mistake. I did it again not too long ago. Looked at GPS and it was off the highway, 5 miles then turn left and it was right there. Well, I almost made the left hand turn then saw the bridge sign. 12'. Oh crap!!!! Called the shipper and they gave me instructions. Had to go back onto the highway, next exit then attack from the other side.
I don't think anyone can tell you what you need starting out. You will figure it out as you go. Once you think you have everything you will start to modify and re-arrange.
Myself. I think the most important thing to me is a nice bed with good sheets, blankets and pillows. I make my bed every morning. I wash my sheets once a week. There's nothing like being tired and getting into a clean bed.
I don't think anyone can tell you what you need starting out. You will figure it out as you go. Once you think you have everything you will start to modify and re-arrange.
Myself. I think the most important thing to me is a nice bed with good sheets, blankets and pillows. I make my bed every morning. I wash my sheets once a week. There's nothing like being tired and getting into a clean bed.
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