Qualcomm GPS

To find your location? Use your phone or gps unit. Qc logs will say "15 miles away from xxx" or in major cities it will say it

 

Lets not forget using your eyes to read signs and focus on your surroundings as well.I think most people get into a situation when they're close to the customer and forget everything around them.that's when you really have to be alert and ready for a plan of action at any given moment.

 

Road Atlas backed up with Google maps, and written on some notes taped to the dash always served me well. Don't forget to call customers for directions too.

 

GARBAGE. But so so as a backup. Be very careful using it.

 

The Qualcomm GPS is about 99.9% spot on accurate. But, if you don't back it up by checking your destination with other sources (atlas, Google Earth, phone call, etc), then that .1% can be rather hair raising. It will almost always route you the shortest truck route, but not necessarily the best route. For example, if you're going from Cincinnati to Wausau, WI, it will route you through Chicago. I find it much easier to keep heading west through Bloomington, IL, and hit 39 headed north. It's 40 miles longer that way, but much less hassle and probably the same amount of time.

 

Do companies get upset if you don't follow the Qualcomm route though?

 

I can't speak for everyone, but when I was OTR, nobody ever said a word to me about my routes. From what I know, most companies aren't that concerned about it as long as you're not too abusive.

 

Does the company pay you though for the miles you go "out of route" on the Qualcomm though?

 

Let me see if I can explain this correctly...to answer your question, No they don't. When you're dispatched, you will see the miles you are being paid. No matter which route you take, those paid miles are usually less than the actual miles. That's another topic altogether.