As a new driver, how does one usually find one's way around the various cities, states, shippers etc, with a high degree of accuracy ? Do the trucking companies provide GPS ? Are there any specialised maps for truckers, which specify truck routes, restrictions, highway exits, pull-off areas, rest areas, truck stops etc ?

Also, when it comes to hand-bombing loads ( hand loading or unloading ), how frequent is it ? How long does it usually take ? Does it simply involve unloading the loaded pallets with pallet-jacks ? After driving, say for 10 hours, does one have the energy to hand-bomb ?

You'll start with a major carrier that may give you some directions over an onboard quallcom sattelite communications system, you'll go to the truckstop & pickup a motor carrier atlas so you can trip plan & route your trip, when you get close to the receiver, again it depends on where you work, but you may get directions from your dispatcher, the broker, the reciever of the goods, you cb radio, a local map, a gps, etc. As far as loading / unloading goes you're likely to load & unload with an LTL carrier or local foodservice provider or other multiple stop delivery gig - chances are slim that would happen for a 1rst job... for starters you probably will start with an OTR training company, some have no touch freight where you simply open the doors & dock it, others might have you & or a lumper load or unload on an as needed or occasional basis while others have you busting your body more often, all depends on the company, there's electric pallet jacks or if it's not on pallets it would be by the box or case or ? As far as having the energy for loading or unloading, just depends on if that's part of your particular job as well as how you manage everything including taking care of yourself.

When I worked for Central Reefer they sent you the route planning including what exit to get off of and buy fuel at and how much fuel to buy there.

I usually called the receiver/shipper the day before delivery to make sure I was coming in the right way.

So.... your saying YOUR company MAKES you run illegal. Who pays the fine when you get caught? Who gets the report on his/her DAC? Not all drivers drive illegal all the time. I can see how you have to cook the books a little from time to time, but not all the time.

disregard.
I'm trying to learn how to post a pic and it didn't work.

I would not totally rely on directions given over the qualcomm. They have been known to be wrong. The first thing you need to do is get a Rand McNally and cell phone. I always call the receiver or shipper for directions. Most will be familiar with the truck routes and best way to get to their location. Maps don't always show all the little streets you may need to travel on to get to your stop. The map will get you close. Many shippers and receivers are near a major interstate and should be easy to locate. Others may be more difficult to find. Don't worry, you will get the hang of it.

I hope it's not a picture of you... My computer is crappy as it is and I don't want you to break it. :P

Don't worry Glasman. No pics of me. I like my privacy. You never know if the Feds are watching. :lol: and Url is not the name of my barber.

no you can not rely on q-com. q-com told me to go down a road that was posted NO TRUCKS OVER 3 TON. this load was a haz-mat load that was placarded with 3 different cards. ya right I'm going to go down a road in CA caring hazmat thats posted no trucks ... I pulled the fastest U-TURN got back to the interstate parked on the side and rerouted myself to the receiver. if you run illegal you pay the tickets not no-one else. you choose to ether run or not run, so you choose to pay for your tickets.