Do Any OTR Truckers Still Use Atlas's?

I use an Atlas once in a while if I drift out of my normal lanes..

 

My atlas is full of notes and routes and other info I've collected over the years, so yeah I still use it.

 

I think mines a couple years old...


or more..

 

..........................

 

You must be kidding me.

Ubu productions was from Family Ties. "sit, ubu, sit" was broadcast on TV in the 80s.

 

If you don't use a GPS, who wakes you up in time for the exit..?

Seriously though, I've had maybe 2 or 3 times this year where my GPS wanted me to do something stupid on the "open road" parts of my trips. If you're going from one state to the next, you're GPS is usually going to keep you on Interstates or State/US routes. Not always, I've had 2 times that I can recall cursing following the thing, but then again I'm not sure the Atlas would have helped. If you need the shortest, quickest route, GPS hands down. No way can you be as accurate in routing as a GPS on the average trip, and the cost per mile of operating a truck are too high to go 50 to 100 miles out of route. Assuming you're using a Rand McNally GPS, utilize the compare routes option, and check out where it's routing you each step of the way after. GPS are only as dangerous as these old guys tell you if you're a blind idiot. If you use it as a tool and question it when necessary, it's worth it's weight in gold.

Always have your atlas with you, lots of helpful info in their, and it's helpful to see where the routes are laid out, but I can't imagine doing it like the old guys now.

 

Not a night goes by that I don't reroute some lost driver who depended on his GPS.
I've yet to have a driver call me and say, "I was following this route from the Atlas and found myself on a dirt road with a low bridge..."

 

Dallas/Fort Worth doesn't have low bridges. Does it?

 

My Randy has NEVER put me in front of a low bridge, unless I missed a turn. No dirt roads either.

Maybe other GPSs are garbage. I've been following Randy for a year, and as long as you keep an eye on him, he works great.

Atlas's just aren't detailed enough to trust. You're nuts not to have a GPS now, no matter how much you like planning in your atlas first, the GPS can only help.

 

GPS is stupid and a road atlas is stupid.

I'm old school and I like to use a compass and sextant.

I do it Jesus of Nazareth-style.

Like a blasphemer/boss.