I'm Rollin With Swift

I trained with a company owned by Swift, and they didn't let us use GPS during training either. During that month with my trainer, we made several illegal U-turns and asked as least 3 non-customer businesses for directions. My trainer also regularly had us travel with hazard lights on in low gear on the roadway if we were looking for a specific cross-street, to be sure we didn't miss a turn.

But we didn't use that dreaded GPS! We did it the old fashioned way!

Now that I've been out on my own, I don't take any chances. I use the atlas and company fuel routing for city-to-city directions. I use Google aerial maps on my phone, as well as our customer location information on file, to plot my local driving directions. Then I put all my directions and mileage together, on a turn-by-turn basis into a notebook. Then I write my directions in dry erase marker on the windshield. Then I program my GPS (it helps automatically calculate ETA and helps identify cross-streets, as well as bends in the interstate). If something doesn't make sense to me on the aerial map, I call the company to confirm (if we even have a working phone number on file for them...)

All the preparation is worth every minute to me! I've missed cross-streets and turns, and had to deal with driving in the wrong direction before, and it's scary and dangerous. I do everything in my power and use every tool at my disposal to stay on-route. Companies would do well to teach their drivers the same, not to treat the GPS as some devil's instrument NOR to teach them to rely on it 100%.

...and all that preparation looks a lot more professional than bothering other companies and pulling into their lots to ask for directions.. but what do I know, I'm not a trainer

 

You can teach people to not rely on a GPS, but people are lazy. Heck, you can teach the Watussi, too. But some folks just won't learn, no matter what.

 

Dude, you can be my trainer any day! You sound like the guy who uses the tools he has to do the job. Isn't that the best way for anything?

 

My trainer at roehl let me use gps but before we moved I had to tell him every exit number interstate, us highway, and specific directions to the shipper and consignee. That is just trip planning it takes about 2 days for most ppl to get use to doing it. I love gps, Google maps, and correct phone numbers to customers. I never just punch in directions and go, that's how drivers get lost and make serious mistakes

 

It even happens in cars. I used a GPS to get to a hotel in Des Plaines, Illinois one day. As I came up to the last stop light, my GPS said I should make a right turn. The problem was I was looking at the hotel I was headed for on the LEFT.

I wonder where it would have taken me if my eyes were inside, not outside like they should be...

 

Problem with addresses in general a gps address is exact down to the meter. Unfortunately the building using that address is often either already passed or on down the road

 

I dont think they all suck. Sure some companies are worse than others but alot of it is what you put into it. I am excited to hit the road and I think if I go into it with a good attitude it will be good

 

When I first started driving, I was listening to my CB when other drivers would ask for directions to somewhere or to the nearest truck stop or a specific TS and was amazed at how many people would just list off every TS and what exit it was on for the next 50 miles. Four years later and I'm that guy. It's a lot easier than it seems to remember this stuff. As far as GPS goes, I only started using one last month (after 4 years). And that's only because it comes with the new QC that Swift has in the trucks. I just use it for the helluvit and to see if it comes up with any short cuts to my destinations.

 

If you keep that attitude you will be successful! No matter how bad things get stay positive be polite and professional with everyone. It will seem like your kindness and patience isn't noticed for a long time but once it is you should be really happy. There are a lot of really good and happy drivers at swift. Welcome to our industry and best of luck!

 

every year I run 1 month without it just to stay in practice of proper trip planning. I always check my gps routing and really all I use it for is helping find streets at night and knowing in large citys which lane I should be in for my next exit.