GPS or good old maps?

Ok if that's what you want to believe.. Watch out for that 13-5 bridge. OPPS that GPS didnt tell you? Before all of this electrical stuff.. We used pay phones. Talked to the shipper and receiver, got directions to the business, they told you of shorter ways, ways with less traffic, if there was a truck route or a restricted road, and then now.. Hold on to your seat here.. They knew you were going to be there in a few minutes so they could get ready for you.. Does that GPS do any of that..and that city cop will enjoy pulling you over for being on that restricted street that that GPS sent you on. But these new children know better. So we will let you get lost, get pulled over for that ticket, and won't tell you how to get unstuck under that low bridge.. As they know it all.. And then we will see who's faster and don't damage anything or the load. But go ahead and do it your way...you know best.. HAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

You make really good points...up to A POINT.... We did deliver our products/freight on time and with-out all this technology. Did it for decades..with a map and a pay phone.....not slamming the newer tools that are available for use today , I'm convinced that they save time and probably save money along the way...But...1 5 minute phone call from you to the shipper confirming your date and time of delivery cannot.... and will not ever hamstring your ability to deliver your load on time...it could even get you info that a GPS can never give...Attitude and communication with your customer is/has been/and always will be the best way to go trucking.....

 

Ok, here is how I did it. Rand Mc Nally, C.B.!! GPS, HAM radio, Cell Phone. The most crucial part of my navigation system was my Wife. She picked up the map & told me where to go. She said, I have the best job a woman can have, I always know where he is, what he is doing, & tell him where to go everyday!

 

Isn't that the job of a woman.. To tell us what to do and exactly where to go? God bless them .. So far it hasn't been directions to hell.

 

Hey Tony-I thought I was the only one still using top-o's. Maybe I,m still behind the times. But the atlas will never brake down or go "false"! I still use grease pens to plot my course. Remenber "Map Training" LOL Mike

 

<<<<< Old School......."Thomas Guide" is what I used.

 

Great books. Once in a while they would put the maps on the pages backwards.. But easy to figure it out though. And never failed you.

 

Calling a business for directions should always be a last resort IMO. In some cases such as job-sites it's prudent if you have a good contractor number, otherwise I won't bother them, unless there are certain unusual circumstances.

 

GPS but always confirm the basic route by doing the map work. At least my GPS always steers me onto the interstates and away from perfectly good state roads that would shave miles and minutes off my run. I run from Virginia to Michigan and GPS routes me up I-81 to I-70 to Breezewood. Well its a lot shorter to take state road 37 around Winchester VA and connect to 522 up to Breezewood. I could multiply the examples where GPS misses perfectly good, shorter routes in favor of all interstate driving. HOWEVER...there is no atlas that can provide you with detailed enough maps to find your way into every obscure little road in some industrial park on the edge of wherever. Unless you wanna carry detailed maps of every state and town you operate in, GPS is just a life-saver for the final few miles of your trip. I honestly don't know how I used to do it without GPS!

 

Most businesses now days have a recording which gives you the directions so you never have to talk to anybody there. Others don't but I would still rather call than use my GPS on my phone. Good way to get routed into no mans land. I have had trouble with directions in the past when right shoudlve been left and left should've been right. But we should not forget all the headaches and fines those handy little turn left turn right machines have cost drivers. I still use a map, still call ahead, still get lost on occasion too. But to this day I have never...aside from missing 435 in independence and having to turn around in a grocery store parking lot because of a 12 foot bridge had any major issues. I missed my turn I think we all have, and there's nothing that says I wouldnt have if I had a GPS.

It depends on the person I'll keep my map. I think a GPS would just end up being a distraction...besides that they can't program it to say "what the #### are you doing?" Or "turn the #### around idiot" or "Jesus I'll drive the ####### truck you listen about as well as a deft person". If it said that I may consider buying one just to piss it off lol