Do new drivers use gps? Truck driver stuck on the highway ramp

Rand McNally, found online, and at truck stops.

 

Just curious if you found a good job yet. Chicago area has plenty to offer.
West Side Transport is one of a couple dozen jobs you probably qualify for. Here's one of their benefits: "Your level of Pay Commitment will be determined based on your experience at the time you're hired. A minimum weekly pay commitment usually ranges between $800 to $1100 per week. If you make less than your assigned amount, West Side Transport will make up the difference."
FFE (Frozen Food Express) has a terminal in Chicago.

Couple dozen more companies to choose from.

 

All truck drivers eventually will get into a "situation". Following GPS blindly enhances the chances of that happening, BUT there will be times you get a load with little or no time for trip planning. Then you will be trying to make turns at the last minute.

The important thing is to make sure you don't hit anything. There will be times stopping, turning on the four way flashers, and getting out to look at your options is going to be the right thing to do. Sometimes you need to call the police to help extricate yourself from a situation. It's all part of the job.

 

That's what I've always used, plus the "large print" edition.
Get one for about half price on Amazon or Ebay.

 

if a driver were to want to avoid problems, he/she should "map out" the area LONG BEFORE getting there.

today's "newer" drivers seem to put too much faith into gizmos and gadgets over actually reading a map.

 

I use two Garmin GPS as well as the atlas for back up. I find that when I get in a situation where I am lost that if I go very fast everything works out okay.

 

There is no "Special GPS"

Truckers are special. The ones who use the computer god gave them between the ears successfully.

Dispatch will tell you what roads NOT to take and modern GPS systems have fences where you cannot go astray and leave the reservation. (You would be billed the fuel and miles doing that...)

Once in a while we do get into tight places. Getting out can be a problem.

In my time running NYC area, I had carried a dozen map books that detailed the entire 5 borough area down to alley level. It would take a bit of planning in the old 76 off exit 7 in Jersey's I-78 before proceeding. This was long before any kind of computer or even the internet (It did not exist for us in those days)

I remember another 76 not far from St Louis that contained a library cabinet by the fuel desk, it contained directions to and from every shipper, customer etc in the region at one time.

 

I don't know if you're talking about an OTR or an LTL/local. Another suggestion is to ask other drivers at your barn. More often than not other drivers will help if you have questions about routes or stops.

 

This sounds like one of those instances where the driver has to actually know his craft, and position his truck accordingly.

 

Yes,I agree. I'm a limo chauffeur,old school,here in Chicago.When I started driving,gps were not around. I still remember the 6 county's Rand McNeil paper map book.