Well, I'm on the road! I finished training, got a truck issued, and am on my third load. Man, what a scary situation. I am going places I have never been. If I didn't have my GPS, I'd be screwed. Now, I know you are going to tell me not to count on a GPS and to depend on the MC Atlas. But, when the clock is ticking and the load has to get there, its hard to sit down and plan your route and end up explaining why the load was late.

My longest run is the one I'm on now. Picked up a load of interior doors in southern Oregon and am delivering them to Edmonton, Alberta (there now). I'm sitting outside my 1st drop for the morning.

I can hardly believe they issued me my own truck and turned me loose with no adult supervision!!! ops:

I love the driving. The finding the pickups and deliveries is scaring me some. I keep telling myself, I'm in the same spot all other new drivers experience. Time takes time.

Just remember that when your GPS puts you on a restricted route or on a collision course with a low bridge. :shock: :shock:

they will also try to place you the wrong way on one way streets!!! My new car has a GPS and its just rather silly sometimes..

Well at least you had time to "look" at your map during 10 hour breaks, right? I know you told me, but what GPS are you useing again?

Good luck, keep us posted. I like reading newbie post, as I will be falling into that newbie spot very soon.

Exactly! GPS should be just another aid, combined with your own trip plan, directions from dispatch or other drivers, etc. :lol:

GPS??? What's GPS? I've been driving for 27 years without one. Have I been doing it wrong all this time? :?: :!: :?:

if your load is late because you cannot look at your map and plan your trip, then you need to tell dispatch because you are not being giving enough time to deliver. the 5...maybe 10 minutes it takes to read your map and plan a trip should not be making you late to appointments.

Thanks for the dayum warning!! :lol: :?

I use my GPS, but I make darn sure of the route with my atlas! I'm waiting to get unloaded, but I have my next trip pre-planned and did my trip plan while I'm sitting. Of course, that's if I get unloaded on time and my pre-plan confirms.