bobwg
Expert Expediter
Paid tourist??
Would real expediters?
- Thread starter PTN2011
- Start date
I'm not a fleet owner or an employer who hires drivers but if I was, I would prefer that a prospective driver tell me that he or she can read a map and navigate anywhere at anytime without using GPS.
I think you have things turned around. GPS is not central to anything. It is an accessory, an aid, like air conditioning or an AM/FM/satellite radio in the truck. It is a nice to have item but not essential and certainly not something that should add to a driver's pay because he or she knows how to use it.
If such a certification existed, I would rank it with Certified Air Seat Sitter or Certified Radio Listener.
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purgoose10
Veteran Expediter
I have stated the issues that I have with Tom Tom and that I'm going to try a Garmin. Well I have tried the Garmin on the trip that I'm on now. While I'm trying to make up my mind about what type truck I'm going to get for myself I have run a couple of runs to the northwest running double with my driver and he uses a Garmin. It actually works. Matter of fact it works so well I paid him back for his investment and when we get back I'm going to by one for myself. I am so pleased with my driver I bought his CB and gave him a telephone. I'm not looking for alkaloids (whatever) I'm just saying I have a good driver and I appreciate what he does. If I could find a few more like him I would buy a few more C/V.
So for the RE: Would real expediters? Bill is a real expediter and I'm glad he's driving for me.
So for the RE: Would real expediters? Bill is a real expediter and I'm glad he's driving for me.
Indeed you are correct to question should they be driving a truck.
Consider this for a moment. You have taken on a load that will
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.
Thank you very much for you comment.
These questions are just insulting.
You are talking in a forum that includes numerous expediters who make convention center and similar delivers in New York City as a regular course of their work. Some use GPS as an aid. Others including Diane and me, turn off our GPS when in NYC because we find it to be more of a bother than a help.
You are talking like no freight was ever delivered in NYC before GPS was invented. Get off it. Expediters know how to plan a route, plan our time and get the job done. If you took expediters' GPS devices away; their carriers, shippers and consignees would notice no difference, because we would still do the job.
Asking expediters if they see value in becoming certified in using GPS is like me asking you if you see value in becoming certified to tie your shoes.
The arrogance behind your idea and the subhuman view of professional drivers that is required to come up with it is astounding and highly offensive.
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Of course it's offensive - to those of us who haven't 'always' had a GPS to plan trips. We can read the atlas and maps, know who to ask when it gets tricky and phone numbers are worthless, and have a million creative ways to find our destination, and find it we do. So we naturally have fun with the idea that we aren't smart enough to use the GPS, or would be [literally] lost without it. We'd just do what we did before we had it, no problem.
But, as Moot pointed out, there are a lot of newer drivers who haven't had to fly by the seat of their pants [without satellite directions], and some who can't even read a map correctly. My guess is that a great number of such drivers are employed by the big guns mentioned, and those carriers [and new driver schools] may well see a GPS training 'class' as a good idea.
I just hope they don't think it is [or ever will be] a substitute for learning to read maps and using your head to figure out where you're going.
But, as Moot pointed out, there are a lot of newer drivers who haven't had to fly by the seat of their pants [without satellite directions], and some who can't even read a map correctly. My guess is that a great number of such drivers are employed by the big guns mentioned, and those carriers [and new driver schools] may well see a GPS training 'class' as a good idea.
I just hope they don't think it is [or ever will be] a substitute for learning to read maps and using your head to figure out where you're going.
Geez, I was using maps before many of those who developed the GPS system were born! No one NEEDS a GPS receiver to do this business. They are a great TOOL, nothing more.
Thanks for the comments.
It is truly great to read all of your posted thoughts. We do appreciate the input, both the good, bad and funny.
Our other market inquiries indicates a more favorable acceptance for a GPS tech training program from the following prospective buyers; new drivers, drivers desiring to move from dedicate routes who have been in those positions long term, truck driving schools and non-truck related industries that have staffing traveling for sales, tech support etc.
Always with any new product or provided service there are each time consumers who are negative or positive for a variety of reasons, which in turn, needs to be filtered into categories that we can best formulate the end product to serve the consumers that are interested in consuming the product.
Again, thanks to each of you for your comments. I do look forward to seeing more comments.
PTN2011
Thanks to you Cher1122 for your comments. Experienced drivers often comment that physical maps are and will always be their first choice for navigation. Many also comment they do not need and will never own/use a GPS device.
Hard maps are “the when all else fails” road navigation consideration and we are including topics/training to that extent. Thank you for your comment.
It is truly great to read all of your posted thoughts.
We do appreciate the input, both the good, bad and funny.Our other market inquiries indicates a more favorable acceptance for a GPS tech training program from the following prospective buyers; new drivers, drivers desiring to move from dedicate routes who have been in those positions long term, truck driving schools and non-truck related industries that have staffing traveling for sales, tech support etc.
Always with any new product or provided service there are each time consumers who are negative or positive for a variety of reasons, which in turn, needs to be filtered into categories that we can best formulate the end product to serve the consumers that are interested in consuming the product.
Again, thanks to each of you for your comments. I do look forward to seeing more comments.
PTN2011
Thanks to you Cher1122 for your comments. Experienced drivers often comment that physical maps are and will always be their first choice for navigation. Many also comment they do not need and will never own/use a GPS device.
Hard maps are “the when all else fails” road navigation consideration and we are including topics/training to that extent. Thank you for your comment.
In other words, people who have not yet learned enough about trucking to know that GPS is an optional accessory with built-in limitations not a necessity. You can market a program that trucker wannabees do not need as long as your targets do not know they do not need it. Seems predatory to me.
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
And just when can we look forward to the "Marketing Blitz" that will inform us of this coming great educational product that will give those that complete it a really nice "certification" and hopefully a nice frameable "certificate" to hang in the cab of their truck....and also the great "show your buds" wallet sized ID card...
Hey people bought pet rocks...
Speaking of business opportunities...
I had this thought to give seminars at x amount a head....On "How to Optimize Load Opportunities" with focus on positioning using past performance and load trends within a specific carrier....using my 11 yrs experience to take advantage of shipping trends past and future and "closest truck" theory.
I had this thought to give seminars at x amount a head....On "How to Optimize Load Opportunities" with focus on positioning using past performance and load trends within a specific carrier....using my 11 yrs experience to take advantage of shipping trends past and future and "closest truck" theory.
golfournut
Veteran Expediter
I have a hand bearing compass and sextant for sale. Seriously I do, from my offshore sailing days. 6" metal, optics, mirrors and lenses without a scratch.$450 takes them both!
How many knots do I need to avg to get to Laredo in 22 hrs?
I NEVER go offshore without a REAL compass and a set of REAL charts. Even on waters that I know well, like the Detroit River and the extreme western basin of Lake Erie I have a set of high end recreational charts. I don't need full nav charts out there. Too many things can go wrong with these electronic toys. I don't have a sextant, sadly I never learned how to use one.
jansiemoo
Seasoned Expediter
Perhaps the OP should focus his idea on people like this:
From the Chicago Tribune:
Do not rely solely on GPS for western U.S. travel: experts
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - Travelers in the western United States should not rely solely on technology such as GPS for navigation, authorities said, after a Canadian couple got lost in the vast Nevada wilderness recently for 48 days.
The full story can be viewed at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-r...0a-20110513,0,1435957.story?track=ctiphoneapp
They're still looking for the husband. Maybe they just needed a "class". :rollseyes:
From the Chicago Tribune:
Do not rely solely on GPS for western U.S. travel: experts
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - Travelers in the western United States should not rely solely on technology such as GPS for navigation, authorities said, after a Canadian couple got lost in the vast Nevada wilderness recently for 48 days.
The full story can be viewed at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-r...0a-20110513,0,1435957.story?track=ctiphoneapp
They're still looking for the husband. Maybe they just needed a "class". :rollseyes:
On the flip-side (for those of you old enough to know what that means), my Garmin was blind as a bat and as useful as bodacious tatas on a bull while delivering last night around midnight in the rain in downtown Chicago onto Ohio Street between Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. I managed to easily find my destination, despite my extensive GPS knowledge and training.
Hello Turtle,
Could you expand on your comment about your Garmin becoming "Blind". Blind in what way? At what point did sight return, and how you determined it had. Thanks very much for your time.