bad directions!

This is something thats been bothering me ever since I got into trucking. My company(who will remain nameless unless you look at my avatar) has gotten a D- for their directions to customers. I just cant understand how something so important can be so screwed up! Does dispatch think we have a map of the United States downloaded into our head? Ive talked with other drivers who also have the same problem with getting bad directions from their company. I guess this is more of a rant than a question. Happy trails!

 

I actually had the nerve to complain about this to my dispatcher, and was told that it's my responsibility to verify the directions that they give me on the QC. No, sorry Skippy...if you're gonna give me info, give me the correct info from the start or don't give me any at all. What's the use in reading your directions off the QC, then calling the shipper/receiver and verifying them? Kinda redundant, doncha think?

 

oh i know exactly where yall coming from...

my company gets a F----- they suuuuuuuuuuuuck for directions, go west on a road that only goes North and South, stuff like that...

i like it even better when i call a customer and they dont know where they are at...seams like that happens to much

oh well its all part of the fun

 

Keep in mind, when dispatcher says, "Can't miss it." That actually translates into, "Can't find it."
Nothing worse than calling the shipper and asking direction from someone who doesn't know how to get to work.
I called a place in New Jerkski for directions. The woman asked, "Where are you coming from?"
I said, "Vermont."
"I don't know how to get here from Vermont." She told me.
"Just tell me the nearest route number."
Everybody in New Jerkski gives you directions from the turnpike, they always start with, "Get off at exit..." Like the turnpike is the only highway in the state.

 

ha! that is true

 

Oh yeah, I get routing info and it says go west on a north/south road too, but that I can deal with. Its the directions lke "turn left on Harrison then right by Bobs catfish shack then right after McDonalds and shippers 1/2 mile down on right after the old skating rink". Give me some freaking street names!
Welp, The old skating rink was bulldozed last week and McDonalds is now a gas & go. I guess Im screwed huh? I call the customer whenever I have a doubt about the directions on the QC, but now Im starting to doubt EVERY piece of directions! The last directions were fine until I had a right or left turn. Woops! Which way do I turn? It didnt say in the directions. That landed me in a residential and 20 mins late to the shipper. I guess I need to verify all directions myself! (Im still learning about this company)
Ive sent in numerous corrections but am not betting that they were changed.

 

Nothing worse than local directions that tell you to turn on a street that's presently going one way only, and NOT the way you want to go. I think most companies get their directions from either other drivers or streets and trips.

And there's nothing like directions for streets with missing signs or covered up signs.

 

I love getting directions from seven/11 orphans ... if the seven/11 on the corner ever burned down they would never find their home. A couple months ago I got directions from a very nice lady who started telling me to "go to where the old Wal-Mart used to be". Things didn't get much better from there.

 

Only askin cuz I don't know........

But what about one of the electronic GPS gadgets?? Are they worth a crud or just something to get ya into more of a jam. Been thinkin bout gettin one. Am curious what some of you vets think.

 

Well if the directions are usually bad I know your company gives you the phone number to the customer.. Call them and get directions..