I dont think it is about "being old school", Technology is great, But when drivers dont even have the basic skills to read a map, find a fuel stop or even keep track of their logbook unless they have a computer with them is sad. A logbook is two basic things. The ability to tell time and add fractions.

 

Now I totally agree with you 100 and a half %. Like the story i gave earlier about the driver who couldn't read a map. THAT i have a problem with. One of the things we spent half a day on in classroom, was map reading. figuring out how far it was from point A to B....adding distances between red triangle to red triangle, etc. We knew how to get from point A to B to C after that day (if we didnt have half a brain already)

But there again, is another 'tool'. I cannot believe you have to use a watch to tell time....why isnt a sundial good enough? lol.

but i find it funny how it is such a problem for others to see fellow drivers using GPS, when they dont know if that driver can use a map or not. I for one, can. I did for weeks and months before i got my GPS. So i use GPS, and write down on the windshield my fuel route, and write down the directions off the interstate or highway to the shipper or the drop as a back up.....so what?

Love it when i hear drivers telling others how to drive their truck.....its cute =)

 

Weeks and Months :lol:

 

Seen some good ones today

Truck was just driving around and around the truck stop..........Some yelled on the radio "What's wrong can't your GPS find the fuel island?"

Coming down Flag today there was a blue truck pulling a Schneider trailer with his 4 ways on and he was standing on the brakes. Brakes were smoking and everyone was yelling get off the brakes Schneider. I passed him and went on and I kept hearing on the radio that Schneider was going to kill someone. About 30 minutes later here comes Schneider by me like I am standing still and I had the cruise on 72mph.

 

yeah, there was a time 2 years ago when you were saying the same thing when someone asked you how long you've been driving. there was a time you said "weeks" and "months".....unless you were shat out of your mom and already were 30 years old driving truck....

 

Um no I started driving a lot longer ago then that. I was driving a tractor trailer hauling hay from the feild to the barn at 12 years old, I also can find my way with out a GPS, hell give me a compass and a map and im on my way.

Finished my training at the top of the class, was one of the first ones hired out of school. only went out with a trainer at Gainey for a week, not the month and a half everyone else had to endure. Im never lost, and if I am I can find my way with out all the tech that you guys have today :lol:


Not saying that your not a good driver, but you act as if you would be lost with out your GPS, that is what was so funny to me :thumbsup:

 

where did i ever say i would be lost without a GPS? i used my map and directions before i ever got a GPS. the main reason i use the GPS, is so i know what the hell the next street is before i'm right on top of it. Especially at night, and especially when every city in this union has different ways of mounting dang street signs. I dont follow my GPS to the letter...as it would have led me in the wrong direction had i not jotted down the directions from the company.

I love those 'my daddy taught me how to drive before i could color inside the lines' truck drivers. Doesn't impress me any, nor does it impress me where you graduated in your class, or how long you were on a mentor's truck. You were lucky to get on with a company that promoted you based on skill. It took me 6 weeks....so what? we're both solo now, huh....and thats all that matters to me. And at Swift, we didnt have to sit in a room, and wait to get picked for a team like 5th graders playing dodgeball in gym class.

and not that you'd care, but i was graduated 2nd in my class, was tied for 1st with one other guy with lowest score on the skills testing. Even did better than guys who drove log trucks and dump trucks in the past. But guess what....your CDL dont tell that story...and why should it? It don't matter.

 

I'll say it.....I would be lost in LA without my GPS and Mapquest.

I graduated near the bottom of my class. I had no intention of driving a truck when I took the class so I didn't take it too serious. Uncle Sam wanted to retrain me for a new occupation when the plant where I worked closed. Trucking driving was the shortest class so I took it.

I didn't have a mentor, I tried that route for 4 days and decided that anybody who can live in a closet with someone for 6 weeks is way tougher than me.

Bought a truck and took off. I always wondered what this mentor really taught in 6 weeks. Common sense is hard to teach and driving a truck takes more common sense than anything.

It's been 8 months and haven't had any problems and doing quite well in the money dept.

 

Sounds like another version of Steve Booth.

More power to you!

It all comes down to cost/benefit analysis for me. Cell phone & GPS pass the test, a TV & microwave in the truck don't.

Everybody's values are a bit different.

 

I've got the GPS and cell phone. <check> I've got the TV and microwave <check> Stripper pole and disco ball <check>.....