Life at USA is about ready to change big time!!!!!!!!

When I worked at Roehl they ran a program similar to this. I would stop at my designated fuel stop but instead of 20 gallons here and 40 gallons here, I would just fill up and skip the next fuel stop. As for routing, I found out how our system worked and made it work for me. So I made my own routes and never got "out of route" messages.

I agree that we are truck drivers, it's our job to navigate. Unfortunately there are a lot of drivers out there that rely 100% on a GPS for directions and since they're new, they are not fully aware of everything on the road that needs attention. Such as road signs, changing road conditions, etc.

 

Well with the newbies that rely on thetre gps 100% are really stupid and thats some reasons for USA Trucks accidents too what fool would rely on a gps 100% I myself set the address in the gps then get out my map book look at what route then i use my map on my phone to find the place see how big it is roads then I call the place and get directions![/QUOTE]

I hear ya, I used to plan out my route on paper, then just follow it. Always called customers for directions for sure!

 

Calling a customer for directions is a joke. Do you think they are going to provide you with good truck routes? They dont have a clue. If I havent been somewhere before I will go as far as to use satellite and street level views to check roads, turns, bridge clearances, and location / orientation of the docks but I rarely call for directions. Satellite views also come in handy when you need to find street parking in a particular area.

 

Looks like you are still a newbie to since you have only been driving for 1 year.

 

Yeah I only have one year of experience. Most of the customers I delivered to had truck directions. In our system we also had directions that are from other drivers on how to get there.

Seems like you assume a lot of me, I may have a year of experience but I'm not completely clueless as how to get somewhere. I also used google maps on my phone, satellite view to check to see how much room I have to move around. I've made many mistakes and learned from them

 

That's exactly why they come up with programs like these. So they can hire those that aren't able to think for themselves and pay them monkey wages.

 

If they are so concerned about saving money they really need to look at some of their practices.

Today I had a mid section turn signal out on the trailer. Normally I would call them wait for an hour to get a comck for the part, put it in and be on my way. But, since my delivery time was closing in I went and bought the part, put it in and sent them a message for the comck so I could get the money back.
My mistake, since I had already bought the part they won't give me my money back.
Ok, I guess Ill play the game. Stopping at TA, taking my light, harness and connectors back. And having TA put theirs in. My cost for parts and installation $23.45. TA charges will be triple that. What idiots.

 

I worked for a carrier that perhaps used this same software. It was highly flawed and they knew it. They were cool about trying to make it work better through driver input. There are ways to make it behave, like reporting less fuel on board than is actually available. I can't allow as how your carrier will respond to manipulating the software, but I doubt any sensible carrier wants you to fuel more than once or twice per day.

In other news -- I've been driving since 1978. I don't see a problem with calling a shipper or receiver for directions. 98% of the time it has worked very well. Google doesn't do low bridges and one way streets and no trucks allowed streets very well. GPS for trucks - last one I listened to (a $390 late model made for trucks unit) wanted us to turn around for 600 miles from West Texas to Denver because we used 287 which shaved 200 miles off the trip.

I still use a truck specific GPS, but hold my breath the whole way.

It is a miracle it hasn't flown out the window yet.
One of these days...

Now to get really ol' skool up on y'all - I use (gasps) paper maps! I stop at state line welcome centers and get their free yet o-ficcial late model folding paper maps, and use them for all but the last few miles of the trip. I know - caveman boy. PA even offers a trucker's map, where every route shows what types of trucks may pass on what roads. Very nice map. Free at PA welcome centers. I haul doubles, so it's interesting to me how it all works. I only run a dozen or so states or less now, so you 48 state drivers would probably be better served with a trucker's atlas. My company gives directions, and all the drivers are helpful, so I'm often all set to begin with.

 

You are right when you say that Google maps doesnt show low bridges but If you check the street level views you can see the bridge clearances that are posted. It works for me. I have been driving for about 5.5 years now on Google maps accident free.