Got turned around in Jackson, MI once and had to get our bearings. My co-driver typed and sent something on the qc. I asked him "what did you send?" He said "We're LOST!" Needless to say, I told him "we're NEVER lost!" and "you NEVER say so on the qc!" because the customer can see that. Well... we were right down the street anyways. And with the help of one of the more experienced dispatchers (a rarity at the cat), we got to where we were supposed to be.
We've heard plenty of stories about the dispatching problems and non-communication among them. What I'm getting at is don't put yourself in that position. Know where you're going before you get in an area you can't get out of. We, as drivers, have no excuses anymore as there are so many tools to benefit us with this. Using the excuse "the dispatcher directions were crap" is no longer acceptable.
-I think it's safe to say most of us have a computer and air card. If not, you're behind the times.
-If you can't get anything on mapquest or yahoo, maybe the street name is wrong. Look up the company on google, and find the right address. Maybe they'll even have a local map.
-If that fails, call the customer and ask to talk to shipping. Chances are, they've been thru giving truckers directions before.
-Know what streets are before AND after your street, so you'll know if you went too far.
-Write directions down. Plus, viewing the map on the computer helps if you're dyslexic, like me. I've often looked at my directions and known to make a R instead of a L, like I had written, because of the map in my mind.
Just remember we're the professionals in this equation. When things get petty, just remember that. The burden is on US to get freight from A to B, and it's up to US to find a way to do it.
