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How common is it to get lost?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by jayo2009, Jun 20, 2011.

Page 9 of 10
  1. Jun 25, 2011 #81
    johnday

    johnday Road Train Member

    2,487
    825
    Aug 14, 2006
    Barton City Mi, under a rock or log
    0
    Same here, but then I'd notice there was no city name, Ontario is a big province.:biggrin_25523:
     
    johnday, Jun 25, 2011
    johnday, Jun 25, 2011
    #81
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  3. Jun 25, 2011 #82
    Sequoia

    Sequoia Road Train Member

    2,692
    1,794
    Dec 4, 2010
    Tampa Bay, FL
    0
    You know it's bad when your GPS says "Where the h--- are you going?!"
     
    Sequoia, Jun 25, 2011
    Sequoia, Jun 25, 2011
    #82
    BigRo, Lilbit, Freebird135 and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Jun 25, 2011 #83
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,756
    45,806
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    I had to deliver to McKees, Rocks, PA.(Northwest of downtown Pittsburgh) I had just gotten a GPS and tried to use it to get there. The phone numbers weren't being answered,truck routing was a nightmare(PA is renowned for oddball restrictions, like no tandem tractor trailers, but doubles are allowed on a bridge?)

    I finally get ahold of the owner of the business, she says why don't you use a GPS, I said to her the truth, "The GPS just keeps telling me to turn around when possible."

    She didn't get it, and I have been there half a dozen times now. It is interesting, some of the places I get to.

    Not all places have someone, even a voicemail to answer the phone, some places don't have phone numbers available(Coca Cola, anyone?), not all street addresses are in GPS or even on Streets and Trips, not everyone gives a thought to how you are going to get around the corners or under the low clearance if you do manage to get ahold of someone.

    I once had a really nice lady with a British accent in Chicago give me mirror image directions. Dispatch at that company wouldn't let us bother the safety guy who knew the way, company policy (per the goofball, playboy, owner), was for drivers to call and ask for directions.

    There are so many ways to get lost and so little time, I doubt anyone will experience all of them.
     
    25(2)+2, Jun 25, 2011
    25(2)+2, Jun 25, 2011
    #83
    Bumpy Thanks this.
  5. Jun 25, 2011 #84
    Freebird135

    Freebird135 Road Train Member

    1,527
    906
    May 7, 2009
    In the air conditioning
    0
    come on driver, they get trucks down that street ALL THE TIME
     
    Freebird135, Jun 25, 2011
    Freebird135, Jun 25, 2011
    #84
  7. Jul 2, 2011 #85
    deerslayer1543

    deerslayer1543 Light Load Member

    57
    10
    Jan 21, 2010
    topeka kansas
    0
    screw gps ! CALL the shipper/receiver and get explicit directions from someone who actually works there and KNOWS how to bring the trucks to them.Take the time to write directions down then read them back to check accuracy.A gps doesn know anything about a sharp turn that you cant possibly make or a broken water main they are tearing out on the road its telling you to take but the person on the phone does.
     
    deerslayer1543, Jul 2, 2011
    deerslayer1543, Jul 2, 2011
    #85
  8. Jul 2, 2011 #86
    I_HATE_MINIVANS

    I_HATE_MINIVANS Heavy Load Member

    773
    478
    Jun 20, 2011
    LOST, PLEASE SEND DOGS & HELICOPTER
    0
    When you get in town, find a pay phone and call 911. Tell them that 2 naked college girls are having a fist-fight in front of (name of shipper/receiver). Every cop in town will immediately drop whatever he's doing and head there. Just follow the flashing lights.
     
    I_HATE_MINIVANS, Jul 2, 2011
    I_HATE_MINIVANS, Jul 2, 2011
    #86
  9. Jul 2, 2011 #87
    BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

    1,972
    1,599
    May 13, 2011
    SW Missouri
    0


    IMHO, this is the best method. It has worked many times for me. Just remember many don't see or mention low overpass clearance. Twice, over the years, after telling them I was in a van/high trailer with a 13' 6" height, I have been sent on a route with low clearances that required a turn-around in a residential neighborhood. There are many tools available today, use everything at your disposal to insure a successful outcome.
     
    BigJohn54, Jul 2, 2011
    BigJohn54, Jul 2, 2011
    #87
    25(2)+2 Thanks this.
  10. Jul 2, 2011 #88
    Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

    8,501
    9,491
    May 15, 2010
    West o' the Big Crick
    0
    Talking to the shipper or receiver won't do you a whole lot of good on a rural 2-lane 100 miles from nowhere, not wide enough for a u-turn, no wide spots to turn around in, cross streets are all gravel roads, at 0100am and no GPS or cel phone signal.

    I didn't mention. This was me, last night. After turning the wrong way on US2 in Washington.
     
    Injun, Jul 2, 2011
    Injun, Jul 2, 2011
    #88
  11. Jul 2, 2011 #89
    I_HATE_MINIVANS

    I_HATE_MINIVANS Heavy Load Member

    773
    478
    Jun 20, 2011
    LOST, PLEASE SEND DOGS & HELICOPTER
    0
    How to U-turn on a 2-lane road:

    Go to next intersection, turn left. Straighten out and stop. Carefully back straight across, watching traffic. Then go forward and make a left, going back the way you came.
     
    I_HATE_MINIVANS, Jul 2, 2011
    I_HATE_MINIVANS, Jul 2, 2011
    #89
    BigJohn54 Thanks this.
  12. Jul 3, 2011 #90
    Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

    8,501
    9,491
    May 15, 2010
    West o' the Big Crick
    0
    That's what I tried to do. It was too dark to see what I was backing onto, even though I had a good eyeball on it before I took the left. Also, US2 was suddenly too busy at 0100 to chance a blind stab at the speed I felt comfortable with. Luckily, I chose the right road to turn left onto. It dropped me right into town, almost at the junction I needed anyway.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2011
    Injun, Jul 3, 2011
    Injun, Jul 3, 2011
    #90
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