Directions?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by GreenPete359, Apr 12, 2021.

  1. GreenPete359

    GreenPete359 Road Train Member

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    What is up with all the direction post lately? Can people seriously not read a map anymore, or is it just laziness?

    seems like every day there is another “what’s the best route” question posted up.

    i get asking local directions, but we have people asking for directions on 600+ mile runs.
     
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  3. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    I bet this guy wishes he started a directions thread. Just saying.

    980EB716-1A70-4712-8FAA-419E834EE0FD.jpeg
     
  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    When I started driving I would look at the front pages of the atlas on the pages that showed to whole country. Find where I was and where I wanted to get to and get the basic route in my head.
    Today, with such dependence on a GPS, drivers don't get to look at the big picture and I think it makes a difference. Most of the long time drivers have a map in the head after a few years of otr. Not so anymore.
    And before you newer guy jump on me for being "old fashioned", I think that having a good GPS these days is a must. But it is just one tool in your box and to depend on it exclusively can get you into trouble.
     
  5. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    Yup....
     
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  6. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    i keep mine in the passenger seat on the time.
     
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  7. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    The GPS has the same maps, and you can zoom out to see everything.
    The GPS also allows zooming in to the street level, which the atlas does not usually do unless in a larger city.

    GPS directions are sometimes lacking, but the maps (if kept updated) are as accurate as the atlas.
     
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  8. Ol'Shusquatch

    Ol'Shusquatch Light Load Member

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    Randy McNally is a friend of mine, that goes back long before the electronic tools of today. I will not be throwing it away and relying only on GPS.

    Like you say, for trip planning I can get a complete picture of a long route imprinted in my mind and easily refer back to it while running along.

    I do like the GPS to use the screen for calling out exits and tracking time and mileage.
     
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  9. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    You'd be surprised how many can't read a paper map, much less find one. On a trip to L.A. once, it took me 3 gas stations to find a map, and they were covered in dust. My favorite gloat, my daughter who relies solely on her GPS, one day she ran out of time, you should have seen the panic.
     
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  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    People can’t, it should be a cdl exam requirement.

    I tell my drivers getting from one city to another is easy, open up the atlas in the truck, it has everything you need.

    a fellow fleet owner or should I called her driver babysitter will get calls at 3am from her drivers who need routing instructions, one of them needed to get from Knoxville to Wichita, and could not figure it out,

    Also people can’t read signs, on my road, we have a creek bridge being rebuilt to handle more weight and there are two signs at both ends of the street saying “no through traffic, road closed”, you can’t miss them and they are right next to the extra large no truck over 10 tons sign we paid for. The road people have placed one flashing display sign and the other is a huge orange sign with 12 inch letters which the street light shines on it.

    It was bad enough to have some drunk get past the barricade Friday night and driving off the bridge road where the bridge used to be (and they put up two more barricades Sunday), but as I type this, there is a truck stuck in the ditch a few hundred feet away from my drive. Mind you, it is very dark down this road with no lights except at the intersections and we like it that way.

    This happens at least a few times during the spring and summer.

    It looks like the driver ignored the signs, going around them as he turns off the main road to cut through to get to the freeway instead of going down to the road 2 miles away with the four way stop signs which is paved and not truck restricted. He just did what others drivers have done, not learned how to read signs.

    It is obvious he finally figured out he can’t get through when he came up to the bridge that had three barricades across the road. I bet he tried to backed up a little then tried to turn around at the narrowest part of the road, wedged himself then maneuvered to try to fix himself and back out, backing into the ditch.

    Now he is stuck, really stuck, he hit the worst part of the soft ditch in front of my next door neighbor’s and it is going to be one hell of a mess getting him unstuck as it rained a lot the last couple days.

    The neighbor next to where he is stuck isn’t too happy with the fact that the guy took out his brand new mailbox, his freshly transplanted trees (spent a couple grand on getting them transplated) and the landscaping being just messed up, it is clear he is going to make sure that the driver learns his lesson, he and his fellow cops are out there.

    The tow truck is here, the guy is shaking his head and taking pictures and laughing.
     
  11. WildTiger1990

    WildTiger1990 Heavy Load Member

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    Except streets name in cities , yep your precious Atlas have everything, you reached Jackson MS, now have fun calling customer and asking how to reach them from whatever place you are.
    They will be solo happy .
    And don't forget to use odomet when direction will be 0,5 miles from exit, them 1,5 miles straight, then after 3rd light on a right , and another 300 yard forward:)
     
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