New routing system

That 2008 map isn't completely useless. Like it was posted Roehl will give you one. It will probably be either a 2009 maybe a 2010. The reason for updated maps is because road statuses change year to year and you want to make sure you are on a road that trucks are suppose to be on. You will do fine. If buy an old map is your biggest mistake you make driving a truck you will have no problem. (I am not implying you will be making mistakes or that you will be an unsafe driver.) I'm sure you will be fine.

 

hey belleye thers a pilot right there in Rotterdamn been there a few times and they have the motor Carriers atlas there. I bought mine at a Loves last yr $20 and the best 20 ive spent. I always cross check my fuel route with the map found better routes too. good luck

 

Man..... How does one feel when one trys to drive under a low bridge and piels back the top.... I fear this so much....... I have been looking at overpasses now real HARD and some do not have any signs telling their height.... (CHRISTMAS, I don't even know the height of my trailers yet... 13' 7") ? How does a driver know everything about his or her trip? The Atlas? I look at my new Garmin 465T with utter contempt now..... I will use it as a tool not a crutch.... Thank you all for your kindness and guidance... I will stay current with you all. Just please remember, I am totally committed but hopelessly green until I am not. I have NO Preconceived Ideas but WOULD love to hear yours... I am a proud student and yes I will park where ever my Trainer tells me to but when It's my decision, I'll be in the back... I'm kind of shy.... (but proud). I'm telling you all this.... It's painful coming from a 25 year Printing Career being a major player (notice I did not say BOSS) (Been there , Got the Tee- Shirt) entering into a career where I feel so irrelevant and insecure. I am going to rely on my good judgment and training to get me success and SAFETY!!!!!! 5 nights left to be a Printer..... and counting the Min. I'm clean,mean, and a uninformed STUDENT to date and I aspire to that for rite now but I am taking in EVERYTHING!!!! Rotterdam aah? ROAD TRIP tomorrow!!!!! Thanks to all my friends and teachers... I'll make this up to you all someday....

 

The height is 13'6". When you trip plan you take the route they give you and check it against the atlas to see if there are any height and/or weight restrictions. Normally there are warning signs for low bridges and if trucks are not allowed on a road. Roehl routes you. We never ran into a problem.

 

Nice..... Real nice..... But I will (ALWAYS) triple check everything..... Check, check and re-check....

 

Remember were all in this together, well soon will be.

 

one thing I don't like is how it gives you all the numbers of a route and just seem to repeat itself. Guess I'll get used to it.

 

That's where I'm sitting right now. Getting ready to pull out.

You all shop for an atlas. There are huge variances in price at the truck stops. You might see it for $75 at one place and $29.99 at the next.

I hate the large scale ones. I bought one and it sits at the house.
It's so big the states are broken up on 4 pages or so. It's hard to see the best route when you are flipping pages. I like the normal print. There are very few changes between the years. A one year old atlas is fine. I still use my 2008 and I'll buy a new one when it wears out.

I'll usually look at the US map and then look at the individual states. If there are multiple choices, I'll plug the different legs into the GPS and see the actual mileage.

Always call the customer for local routing if you are going into an unfamiliar place. Even though your GPS or company routing takes you one way, the customer knows what the town wants as far as truck routing. Many towns will fine you if you don't use their truck routes.

All routing softwares have options for the user to select. The software is as good as the one that selects the right options. My company started a fuel program and probably is the same routing as yours. It was so screwed up as the fuel managers kept tweeking the options. They had us jumping off an exit to a side road just to get back on the next exit. Finally those guys were replaced and another person with sense was put in charge. He fixed the routing options but it still isn't 100%.

The way I see it is if a company is going to force you to run a particular route, then they should have to pay you them miles. Alot of companies want the best of both worlds.

Eventially you learn the main arteries of truck routes and won't need any help. You just have to figure out local routing.

If you are ever in trouble, you will always hear you are the one in charge of that truck. Same goes for routing then, you are in charge. Use their advice as advice and you make the final decision.