iam of course a newbe of abiut 6 months experance and still have some small problems mostly finding my way with dispached directions. sometimes i can be caught by no truck roads and weather related hold ups. iam just wondering how i can get the gremlins out of my life and enjoy the profession i hsve worked so hard for I love my job and would like to keep it and steadly improve to some one i can be proud of. iwork so hard to understand what the problem is but the gremlins wont stop help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dazed and confused
- Thread starter rlmason
- Start date
Get your own GPS unit.. there have been recent discussions on the various kinds, look back a bit in the posts..
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I first bought a motor carriers atlas, laminated. It has been a great help because some times the GPS system does not mention the 12 foot bridge in Illinois on a road that no one ever drives on.
I have MS Streets & Trips, 2006 bought it with the GPS receiver, the software works well, sometimes there are roads where road should not be but hey it was cheap. The GPS receiver, well let's just say I can't wait to reinstall one of my other recievers back in to the truck.
I also have promiles, and copilot and someother software I have been Eval'ing. Honestly I like promiles but the cost is too much for most if not all owners ($895). Even their development kit is too much.
I have on my list to install MS map point 2008 when (or If) it comes out.
I have MS Streets & Trips, 2006 bought it with the GPS receiver, the software works well, sometimes there are roads where road should not be but hey it was cheap. The GPS receiver, well let's just say I can't wait to reinstall one of my other recievers back in to the truck.
I also have promiles, and copilot and someother software I have been Eval'ing. Honestly I like promiles but the cost is too much for most if not all owners ($895). Even their development kit is too much.
I have on my list to install MS map point 2008 when (or If) it comes out.
butterfly610
Veteran Expediter
We use a GPS everytime we get a load. I browse the directions by text, compare them to the company's directions, and then check the map when it shows those off interstate roads to make sure there's no restricted routes or low clearances. Sometimes I also ask for locals....in case they mention a landmark or something that might help in case the GPS fails. Two times recently we found our destinations by pure luck. The GPS decided we weren't on a road, but in the middle of a field, and it started to "freak out." It was trying to replan the trip so many times and we just laughed at it, and hoped we made the right choice in turning. My husband has a really good sense of direction, so we made it both places without trouble. I really would suggest getting one though, they really help when street signs aren't visible or even posted!
Get yourself a motor carrier road atlas and do your own trip planning. The process will be painful at the start but become much easier as you go along and start going back to some of the same places.
After you master the road atlas and the manual way of trip planning then consider getting some of the hi-tech toys for further assistance.
Why not go with the hi-tech toys at the outset?
Technology can and does fail. You don't want to find yourself helpless when your computer and GPS are not working... and you won't if you have mastered the process with the trucker's road atlas.
If you are just starting out then you are going to find everything hard, believe me it gets much easier as you go along... be persistent.
Any other gremlins?
Fast_lanefrt
Seasoned Expediter
I am also a Rookie expeditor but experienced T/T driver, stick with the motor carriers map book, spirl boundn ow on sale at Pilot for 19 bucks, not 60 anymore, forget the fancy pants GPS, not needed now, you will get to know the roads and the areas you go and could get one then. Being personalable, like to talk on the CB? ask other drivers, the motor carrier map book shows any possible low clearence problems.
write out your directions in a note book, take notes after you get there on any land marks or problems,that way you have them for future use.
write out your directions in a note book, take notes after you get there on any land marks or problems,that way you have them for future use.