So I just graduated from trucking school, and am heading out with my trainer in about a week just want some information on trip planning.
I get you use your Atlas to get to the destination. But say once I traveled from Florida to Virginia on highways and get off the exit to the receiver's plant what would be the next safest step? When you're dealing with nothing but streets. for the last couple miles that aren't on your atlas.
Trip planning question
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by snowez, Jul 23, 2021.
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Nowadays we have google satellite maps for that, but another option is to call the customer and ask them.
Rideandrepair, mtoo, Cattleman84 and 1 other person Thank this. -
Call the receiver and get truck directions. Use google maps for overhead and street views.
Rideandrepair, TripleSix, O.Henry and 3 others Thank this. -
tscottme, Accidental Trucker, Lostmykey and 4 others Thank this.
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As mentioned above, use the Satellite view on Google maps. There may be 2 or 3 ways to get there, but.......one best way! Always write your directions down with a pen and paper. I use large post it notes and write CLEARLY in big block letters. Easy to read at a glance. Paper does not require batteries, a satellite signal, nor will it lead you astray. Get in the habit early. At first it will take you a little while to figure out the best route. It will become much easier and faster the more you do it. The beauty of Sat view is you can see landmarks and write them down. Example: Exit 227.....Turn right.....go 3 blocks......turn right at McDonalds....go 2 miles past Main Street.....take 1st left.....docks are the 2nd entrance on the left. Make them specific. As time goes on you will come up with your own abbreviations and "shorthand". Good luck. Great question by the way. BTW a GOS is a great tool. Just follow your directions and 95% of the time the GPS will catch up with your route. NEVER NEVER EVER rely only on any GPS. It will get you in trouble. Do not ask me how I know that.
Rideandrepair, CrappieJunkie, Rollr4872 and 1 other person Thank this. -
You worry too much. I mean, what could go wrong?
tscottme, Rideandrepair, slow.rider and 2 others Thank this. -
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After working for a local Petroleum carrier, I started 2nd shift dispatch at a Chemical Leaman terminal inside a customer plant. There were 15 tractors doing a mixture of local and long haul with dedicated [come home empty] trailers. The number one and two drivers were ancient and close to retiring and all the junior men would, after getting a dispatch to someplace unknown would seek then out asking for directions.
They would reach into their duffel bags for their copy books...2 or 3 children's copy books full of directions gathered over the years and after a discussions of mergers and acquisitions, they would produce the desired page for the newer driver to copy into his book.
Couple years later I'm in central teamed with an 'old salt' ex. driver and he's rolling his eyes each time he gives directions to a terminal where he was sending this foreign team unit for their back haul.
When questioned his response was "when I was driving, if I dared to ask for directions; all I heard was the sound of the phone hanging up."
This from a guy who was probably standing in the rain at a phone booth before turning and climbing back into the arm-strong steering, no A/C, under-powered cab over freight shaker with spring suspension...ALL he had was his atlas and gas station road maps.Speed_Drums and Rideandrepair Thank this. -
Call for directions... Use a marker to write them in large letters on the windshield. Dry erase markers work ok, but come off if the window gets foggy. Permanent Sharpie markers work really good, and glass cleaner with ammonia will take it off the glass.
I do however advise testing your marker and cleaner in a portion of the window that if it doesnt come off it wont cause an issue... Make a few small marks and leave them for a couple days. Then use the cleaner and see how well it comes off.Rideandrepair, Last Call, O.Henry and 1 other person Thank this. -
Rideandrepair and Frank Speak Thank this.
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