Would real expediters?

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
With computer-type technology, necessity becomes the great motivator. Those who cant use a GPS, sure some may be so technotarded they will never get it, but for most its a case of, "Because I don't already know how to use it, I cannot therefore learn how."

But the reality is that if you can successfully enter a destination address into Streets & Trips, PC Miler, or Google Maps, then you already know how to use a GPS unit.

My step-dad graduated at the top of his class in technotard school, and if he can master a Garmin, anyone can, if they have the desire or the necessity to do so.
 
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highway star

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Truly bizarre comments.

That's exactly what I'd be typing if this thread had brought out a bunch of responses like, "OMG! Finally! I've had this GPS for 2 years and I just can't figure it out. I've been desperately searching for a GPS class and can't find one."

So, how would you handle the convention center senario you asked about?
 

tenntrucker

Expert Expediter
If you can't figure out a GPS, how would you get to where the course is taught?

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
 

PTN2011

Seasoned Expediter
With computer-type technology, necessity becomes the great motivator. Those who cant use a GPS, sure some may be so technotarded they will never get it, but for most its a case of, "Because I don't already know how to use it, I cannot therefore learn how."

But the reality is that if you can successfully enter a destination address into Streets & Trips, PC Miler, or Google Maps, then you already know how to use a GPS unit.

My step-dad graduated at the top of his class in technotard school, and if he can master a Garmin, anyone can, if they have the desire or the necessity to do so.

:)Below are the same questions I asked before and never received answers to. Turtle you seem more than capable of explaining/answering to those questions. Please, would you do so and thank you in advance.
Consider this for a moment. You have taken on a load that will deliver at 9:30 am on a Monday morning @ Jacob Javitts Convention Center 655 W. 34th St. NY, NY 10001 . With your handy “whatever brand GPS” you takeoff to make your delivery.
With the scenario above in mind I have a few easy questions. Has your GPS included routing that will take you on a parkway? What side/entrance of the convention center will you deliver to? Have you planned for a post trip layover prior to your delivery? I would envision a formally trained GPS driver as being able to respond to the questions with the correct answers.
:)
 

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
Consider this for a moment. You have taken on a load that will deliver at 9:30 am on a Monday morning @ Jacob Javitts Convention Center 655 W. 34th St. NY, NY 10001 . With your handy “whatever brand GPS” you takeoff to make your delivery.
My carrier is unlikely to pay enough for me to take a load to the Javitts Center at this point, but OK, I'll play along.

With the scenario above in mind I have a few easy questions. Has your GPS included routing that will take you on a parkway?
No. My informal GPS training consisted in part of peeking inside the instruction manual that came with the unit and learning how to select different vehicle types, so mine is set for "truck" whenever I'm around NYC, despite me being in a van.

What side/entrance of the convention center will you deliver to?
I don't know. That's information missing from the above scenario. That's a question which doesn't really relate to GPS, as the answer would depend on the type of delivery (weight, size, contents), any additional information on the BOL, the consignee, and where they located are within the Center. The convention centers in Memphis, Cincinnati, Chicago and most other large cities would all have the same multiple possibilities for a delivery, none of which a GPS could answer, regardless of how well trained a GPS operator might be at entering the address of the convention center or picking a spot on the map into the unit. I've delivered to the Javitts several times, usually off 11th Ave, but not always. But in all cases that's something that the GPS, nor my knowledge of how to operate it, had anything to do with.

Have you planned for a post trip layover prior to your delivery?
Yes, I have, but that's a non GPS-related question.

I would envision a formally trained GPS driver as being able to respond to the questions with the correct answers.
:)
You envision formal GPS training as being something far more than training in how to operate a GPS, apparently.
 

LisaLouHoo

Expert Expediter
If you can't figure out a GPS, how would you get to where the course is taught?

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
Bingo. Good question, LOL!


"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

Posted via my Droid EO App while munching a Halo Burger Double Beef with Cheese and Onion Rings
 

LisaLouHoo

Expert Expediter

Seriously? We believe the Garmin (whom Jeff calls "Bambi") has tried to kill us more than once. "She" seems to act up more when I am along for the run...jealous rage? Why would "she" want us to get off every exit in eastern New Jersey? Why would "she" demand we get off the beaten path in western Texas at 3:00am, deviating from not only "her" original calculation but the hard copy map? Why, when Jeffman is sleeping soundly in the back of the van at 5am, would "she" insist I all of a sudden make a U-Turn?!?!

"Bambi" is, at heart, a possessive, diabolical, jealous creature. After all, it was just Jeff and "her" until he decided to start taking me along 9 months ago. I am an intruder? Maybe "she" thinks I "broke them up"?

You would think "she" would learn, I have no problem unplugging "her" homicidal behind and switching over to my Verizon GPS. Maybe "she" thinks one day "she" can get me to drive off that cliff and "she" will have "won"....
 
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jansiemoo

Seasoned Expediter
:)Below are the same questions I asked before and never received answers to. Turtle you seem more than capable of explaining/answering to those questions. Please, would you do so and thank you in advance.
Consider this for a moment. You have taken on a load that will deliver at 9:30 am on a Monday morning @ Jacob Javitts Convention Center 655 W. 34th St. NY, NY 10001 . With your handy “whatever brand GPS” you takeoff to make your delivery.
With the scenario above in mind I have a few easy questions. Has your GPS included routing that will take you on a parkway?(#1) What side/entrance of the convention center will you deliver to?(#2) Have you planned for a post trip layover prior to your delivery?(#3) I would envision a formally trained GPS driver as being able to respond to the questions with the correct answers.
:)

One: no parkways, my gps has truck routing and knows better. She may still try to route me on a possibly non-truck route if there is no truck route available, but that is why I will NOT go anywhere in NYC without a trucker's road map.
Two: whichever side that says "trucks- this-a-way". I may have directions from the shipper/consignee listing exactly where I need to be, but when I visit a large urban facility, I check google maps satellite images to check for funky deadends and such.
Three: of course, which would involve me typing "costco" or "wal-mart" into the gps. I got that down.
Although, in NYC, I would search for "favorites" near me.
And the most important part of all of this is to cross the GW before 6am anyway, which wouldn't be in the class. There's no class for experience- most definately when it comes to NYC. Sorry, GPS isn't perfect, doesn't have all the answers, and isn't a replacement for experience.
Don't even get me started on how often the GPS is wrong...
 

PTN2011

Seasoned Expediter
Turtle Quote "You envision formal GPS training as being something far more than training in how to operate a GPS, apparently."

:)Yes, Turtle thank you very much for your time, and input. Indeed we do envision the formal training to be more than simply turning on a GPS unit.
I have placed a few of the topics/training areas below we would cover,
Navigation Hardware;
• Laptops
• Phones
• Dashboards – Tom-Tom, Magellan, Garmin, Rand McNally
• Small form factor computer/monitor mounted in cab of truck
• External Sensors
Software
• Google
• Map Quest
• Streets and Maps
• Map Source
• Co Pilot
Navigation
• Finding the address – even when they say it doesn’t exist
• Finding an address in Google, marking it & saving
• Deciphering a satellite image
• Deciphering which bldg. is the correct one
• Marking Latitude Longitude on map & saving
• Taking snapshot with all info on it for future reference
• Creating route profiles
There is much more than the topics/training areas above, but I think you likely get the idea.
Delivery of the program would be through scheduled seminars to Truck Driving Schools, Truck Company Orientations and various large city sites.
Thanks to you Moot for pointing out the Javits spelling mistake, as you know many pickup/delivery addresses contain errors that are not so easy to spot. How often is Ave. meant to be Hwy., how about Blvd. was meant to be building? The formal GPS tech training would cover the common and uncommon address problems and how to quickly resolve them. The address resolving tips/methods we hope will be especially valuable to newbie drivers. Not to mention saving dispatcher time on the phone and minutes used on your cell phone. Thanks Moot:)
 

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
I have placed a few of the topics/training areas below we would cover...
We? Who is "we"? Is "we" you and your company who will thankfully provide the necessary training to handle this critical and debilitating dilemma the trucking industry is suddenly facing, assuming that you can convince carriers and trucking schools that the dilemma actually exists? Because it sure sounds to me like you are trying to fabricate a need, convince people that it's a genuine need, and then be able to provide the solution to this serious and significant problem. You seem to be saying that only someone who is a certified professional trucking navigator can properly and efficiently deliver freight, and do so far better than, "Hi, I need directions to your facility," or by reading the local directions provided on the Qualcomm.

I'm still waiting to hear how a course in trucking navigation will tell me where, exactly, to deliver to the Javits Center.
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
We? Who is "we"? Is "we" you and your company who will thankfully provide the necessary training to handle this critical and debilitating dilemma the trucking industry is suddenly facing, assuming that you can convince carriers and trucking schools that the dilemma actually exists?

The first few posts by the OP led me to believe that he/she/we had a get rich scheme to sell this program to individual expediters who are members on E.O. Now that the OP has divulged a target customer and a basic course outline, well, he/she/we might be on to something. It shouldn't be too difficult to persuade the likes of Swift, Schneider and even Panther to buy this curriculum for their orientation classes. The sale to truck driving schools should be even easier. I seriously think this person has come up with a salable idea even though it sounds ridiculous. Good luck PTN



I'm still waiting to hear how a course in trucking navigation will tell me where, exactly, to deliver to the Javits Center.
This will be covered in the Real Time Satellite Image course and related unit How To Deal With Convention And Trade Show Union Employees.
 

Ragman

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Seriously? We believe the Garmin (whom Jeff calls "Bambi") has tried to kill us more than once. "She" seems to act up more when I am along for the run...jealous rage? Why would "she" want us to get off every exit in eastern New Jersey? Why would "she" demand we get off the beaten path in western Texas at 3:00am, deviating from not only "her" original calculation but the hard copy map? Why, when Jeffman is sleeping soundly in the back of the van at 5am, would "she" insist I all of a sudden make a U-Turn?!?!

"Bambi" is, at heart, a possessive, diabolical, jealous creature. After all, it was just Jeff and "her" until he decided to start taking me along 9 months ago. I am an intruder? Maybe "she" thinks I "broke them up"?

You would think "she" would learn, I have no problem unplugging "her" homicidal behind and switching over to my Verizon GPS. Maybe "she" thinks one day "she" can get me to drive off that cliff and "she" will have "won"....

LOL - I think :confused:
 

Ragman

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools.

Tools Explained

DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat
metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and
flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which
you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.


WIRE WHEEL: Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under
the workbench with the speed of light . Also removes fingerprints and
hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, 'Oh
****!'


SKIL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of
blood-blisters.

BELT SANDER: An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor
touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board
principle... It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion,
and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future
becomes.

VISE-GRIPS: Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt
heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense
welding heat to the palm of your hand.

OXYACETYLENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable
objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the
wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

TABLE SAW: A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood
projectiles for testing wall integrity.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after
you have installed your new brake shoes , trapping the jack handle firmly
under the bumper.

BAND SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut
good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the
trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST: A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of
everything you forgot to disconnect.

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or
for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your
shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw
heads.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER: A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to
convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering your
palms.

PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket
you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to make hoses too short.

HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is
used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the
object we are trying to hit.

UTILITY KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard
cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents
such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines,
refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing
work clothes, but only while in use.

SON-OF-A-***** TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw
across the garage while yelling 'Son of a *****!' at the top of
your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Well I guess it would be OK, with today's video capture/editing programs one could build a great library of educational videos but ...

If I have a navigation unit, some come with help built in while others have an owners manual and with my streets & trips/MS map point, I have a thing called help - all free.

The really important question I have is who is a real expediter?
 
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