Routing for Dummies

Hey driver, just relax. I should have been more specific; I DO call customers, to get directions and proper routing. However, sometimes, you need to come in another way (because of accidents, road closure, etc), and sometimes (love Chicago for this) the route the dumb$hit gives you is still not passable. Or, all you have are crappy direcs off a qualcomm, and no good tele number (and the office is closed, but S+R is open). That's when the CB can be handy. And if you read my previous posts, I have never said that anyone should mention what they are hauling; that is the driver's business, and blabbing it is the fastest way to get your arse jacked.
As for the Motor Carrier's Atlas, I have NO idea how some drivers drive around without one, I bought mine my second day on my trainer's truck, and have kept once since.

 

We also use Co-pilot Truck and love it.. we also have Delorme Street atlas, but despite having these and me being a rookie, I love Motor Carriers Atlas to help me see the overall big picture of my trip. One thing that I like to do is to use a dry erase marker and make notes on the corner of my windshield and on my Laminated road atlas.. Yeah Yeah very rookie-ish.. but it works

 

LOL.. we found a 2007 copy of the MCA laminated at the hook today for $20.00.... jumped on it for that same reason .

 

Asking for directions on CB can get you into a world of hurt, I asked today how to get back onto a by-pass because a truck had fliped one guy gave directions, someone else said don't listion to him, and told me to turn on X street, I did a general thanks to both and pressed on. I hit the street the 2nd guy said to take and since I was unfamilary with the area did a hard look down the road before turning and low a behold it was a dead end street, first guys directions were spot on.

 

So is the Motor Carriers Atlas like the gold standard? That is the one we all should have tucked in the cubby above our heads in the cab?

 

Yes, that's the one you should have.

Open to the State you are running through and sitting on the passengers seat or within easy reach at all times.

Learn to use the map in conjunction with an exit guide before considering the use of any GPS system. If you can't use a map you will be in a world of hurt when the laptop dies or your GPS won't work for whatever reason.

The GPS and laptop should only be used as a backup to the map book, not the other way around.

Dan

 

EXACTLY

These CBs are a god send, yes it can be trouble but it can get you out of trouble...

 

I agree with Dan to a point. If you are not good reading maps, you should seriously get some experience with reading maps. I was lucky, I did a lot of work out of map books over the years, so I'm not worried about using them. I started using a GPS program on the laptop right away. It is very reassuring knowing where you are on your route and how far ahead that next turn is. Its also good to know you made a wrong turn right away.

While I swear by GPS, if your company doesn't give you a route to run, verify every road change with the Atlas. GPS programs with the exception of Co-Pilot don't take low clearances or truck restricted routes into consideration when planning routes. They assume you are in a car. The GPS is also a lifesaver in planning how long it will take you to get to a destination, especially when a Dispatcher puts you on the spot by sending you a run and wanting to know right away if you think you can deliver the load on time or not.