Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

The Tom Tom GPS devices will let you load different voices and such my old one had one of those foul mouth kids from South Park on it. It did say "hey @@@hole you missed you turn". Lol.

 

Go over to the trailer shop. If they're working on an mt ask when they'll be done, and if it works out for you ask if you can park in front and take it when they are done. It might take some time but when the alternative is "wait until tomorrow" it's a good option.

 

I have never had a new Qualcomm, but I remember when that was a problem, I used to hear other Qualcomms. I had a heck of a time with numbers, especially when they're rattled off like that, so I was SO glad that I didn't have to hear that.

When I was OTR, we had one of the Garmin Truck GPS, the first one they made, and a large print atlas. For the last 2 years or so we were OTR we also had Android phones, so it became a game of figuring out exactly where to go using the GPS, the mac 27 directions, the paper map, and the phone for when we got close. I was glad there were two of us, because it helps to have someone look for street signs and house numbers while you're driving.

 

The problem with a lot of the midwest dedicated routes, is that if you don't live along the route, you're going to have a heck of a time getting home. And Central seems to hire mostly within 200 miles of their terminals and the west, east, and southern coasts. The midwest is a place they don't seem to recruit a lot of drivers from, or at least don't recruit a lot of drivers from. But a good chunk of our freight is from there. It didn't used to be that way, the midwest used to be a dead zone except for meat.

 

I just loaded out of Newly Weds Foods in Chicago. I had a heck of a time finding my way in, so I was prompted to by a gps app for my tablet. It was Smart Truck Route by Teletype. So far I'm happy with it. It doesn't have a lot of features, but its nice that I can pull up satellite imaging on it. I think it will be a useful tool untill I can buy a full featured gps, though I may use it for sattelite and back up even after that. Another nice thing is having it on a nice sized tablet screen. It gives a better sense of where I am by being able to see more terrain.

 

Man, what a crazy 4 days. DH from WVC to Gonzales, CA. Got a load going to NC. First off, I want to mention that, ironically, I got PSUmoose's trainer. What a small world. Its been a rush rush rush kind of 4 days. I kind of feel like Im teaming, since day 1. We were both doing 10 hour days until we got there.

Ill be honest here, my first day driving, thru the mountains. I was just like, holy crap, what did I get myself into, and I wasn't even loaded. lol. But the past 3 days have been awesome. Im glad I chose to do this. Have been getting a lot more comfortable with the truck. Im floating now. Still working on my downshift, floating, the freightliners feel different to me, but I like it.

So, like I said, the past 3 days have been hurry hurry. Just tonight has been a crazy night itself, Especially When I got into NC on 40. Where all the curves are. That was a learning experience, seeings how I have never driven even a car thru the mountains. It was wet, dark, and foggy, so it made it even more of a fun learning experience. Im sure the 10 trucks behind me didnt like me going 45 in the posted 50. But Oh well, my goal is to get thru it in one piece. And when its dark, wet, and foggy, Im taking my time. But got thru it, thought I was going to be able to make it to the 99 before my 11 ran up, but then EB 26 was closed down completely. So the trainer had to take over since I only had 45 minutes left, and I didnt know where to go exactly. So as Im typing this, we are on some road In SC, not an interstate, finding our way back, listening to the GPS.

 

Sounds like your having a good time. Keep up the good work and be safe. Keep us updated.

 

Almost makes me wonder if it'd be cheaper to buy a tablet and a suction mount and just use that instead of buying a gps. That is, if there is a half decent truck gps app out there, Ill have to check out teletype.

 

There's always someone doing 45 through the gorge, and once you run it a few times you always catch them. Its best to just plan for it.

 

I use to run Midwest regional and the directions from a Mac 27 will get you there if you ignore all the "no truck" sign! The bridge by the gate is very low in the sides so hug the center if you are going that way... I like that place only cuz you can sleep there.

At CRSCO knocking out my safety meetings. Saw a flipped box truck this morning on I-75. Stay safe y'all, my Chinese is almost here!