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

A very good idea to have the key info written down. The visual from Google maps also, esp the last miles or interior roads. .

 

When you go into a city like Chicago, or most any on the East Coast, you will need to call the establishment you are trying to get to. They should be able to tell you how best to get to them. DO NOT rely on a GPS of any kind to get you to your destination in one of these cities, especially Chicago or NYC. Also, you need a bit of critical thinking ability and common sense to drive a truck, the GPS technology is nice, but it is not always correct. I go to several places that my GPS insists are not there, but up the road in the farmer's field or some neighborhood. The ELD navigation is even worse, it has yet to find any of my plants or suppliers. I find the two best units for general navigation is Google Maps on my iPhone and my Garmin DZL or whatever it is, GPS trucker unit, the big one. The Garmin is good, Google is much better, as you can bring up the sat image of your destination prior to arriving, and see how and where you will need to enter.

Good luck! And don't forget to use the phone if you are not sure, unless you are into moving bridges.

 

No, there is no truck mode in Google, and Garmin gets it wrong more than it gets it right. Commonsense and critical thinking skills will get you around the weaknesses of GPS, and there are more than a few. Use your noggin and your eyes.

 

Use your head and the phone if you are navigating around Chicago or NYC, even parts of California. When in doubt, call the customer. As far as GPS, I said in another post, I use my Garmin DZL and the Google Maps in sat mode. 99 times out of 100 I am fine. I have yet to get stuck. But, when running around an area with many houses, and you will be surprised how many small towns and cities have an entire neighborhood built around a plant, I tend to stick with the Garmin unit to get me in. Google will want to take you through Aunt Millies front door. But even then, you never know.

One thing I do look for though, are truck/trailer marks on the road. You will see the rubber on the road surface, if you see that, odds are you are in the right place. But again, commonsense still rules the day. You may have to ask yourself, would I take a 70 foot long rig down that road? When in doubt, don't. Pick up the phone and call the customer. Don't waste your time with dispatch, as they couldn't find their rear end with both hands and assistance.

Another thing I have done too, rare, but I have done it, is to stop in front of the fire or police department to ask for directions, those guys always know. But again, that is very rare. Or ask at a truck stop if it is close to where you are needing to go, most of the gals or guys that work there know the area and can give you solid directions. Just a few things off the top of my head.

 

Thirty years, been to every province in Canada, except for Newfoundland. Every state except Hawaii. Pulled a flat bed, reefer, tanker, bottle, drop deck, step deck, stinger, dump, doubles, van and probably a few more... LOL! You name it I have more than likely hauled it, other than oversize and windmills.

Right now, I drive a 2008 International Prostar, 600 hp 18 spd with a lift axle and wet kit, pulling auto parts mainly around Michigan. I bought the truck to put to work in the oil fields of North Dakota where I worked for four years, we had a place in Fairview MT, just SW of Williston. Now I am back in Michigan, outside of Detroit, in Plymouth.

 

You should be able to find something local, depending on where you live. I think the outfits hauling auto parts up here in Detroit will hire. I believe Old Dominion and another outfit that does LTL freight like OD will take new guys. Drivers are in high demand, so as long as you have a clean record and are presentable you might be surprised.