Comments By Larry K.

Larry seems to have reservations

Do not worry about having the absolute latest Atlas edition. I have a 2014 and have had no real issues. Don't sweat it.

Reservations/concerns ehhh Tomato/Tomaato

Syntax and inflection.

Just new, and asking what is the norm, did not see any mention in previous threads.

Was going to get my own atlas, his suggestion was wait.

So yesterday my trainer told me for the next 2 weeks i can only use his 2016 commercal driver atlas, the trucks fuel book, and the qualcom to route plan. I cannot use the prime mobile app, not even to get the macro 19 messages.

He also proceded to tell me he knows the atlas has some "issues" but will not buy the 2017 yet.

And he has an older qualcom.

Is this some kinda part of TNT training?

He's letting you use the Qualcomm? That's nice of him. There are some places in the US where the Qualcomm does not have internet access. For instance some southern stretches of US 287 in Colorado that I can think of right off. A few places in Kansas that I've found too. You need to know how to do it old school, because sometimes that might be the only way. Sure your GPS might store the map, but what happens if it falls off the GPS mount and the touchscreen hits something conductive and registers a command to shut the map app off? Or, if it's voice activated, what if some radio person says a phrase that your GPS doesn't like? Your Qualcomm might suddenly decide to restart itself for an update, and when it comes back up, you aren't in signal range of anything, or, it doesn't come back up.

I had to do my trip planning with an atlas, pen, paper, and ruler. Once I showed my first trainer I could do that for a few trips, I was allowed to use other tools.

That fuel book might be gold though, he might be checking to see if you realize it. If the fuel book tracks by trip, with stops, you might have everything you need right there for common routes, or parts of uncommon routes. Neither of my trainers had anything you could call a fuel book.

Am liking it so far, but then as noted, i always did enjoy digging for facts....

What i am understanding is one use of the fuel book is to locate and plan my rest stop, and final stop.

Guess i am surprised none of this was touched on in orientation, but then guess they cant hit everything.

Am thinking this all would maybe be good to compile into a single tnt training thread of the process /progression through the tnt phase of training, dont think i have seen any of this mentioned in any thread, so, I ask. Ya dont know, what ya dont know.

Beware ... KY at I 69 is different in 2016 than 2017. ;). Found that out. Exit numbers changed.

Be glad he is doing this. Many trainers care only about u driving and getting them miles. Many don't do trip planning ... Be sure to ask about SOKO time management.

The new QC have GPS in them with useful things like "find fuel stop"

SOKO time managment?

They simply need to know that you can route plan and read an atlas.

During training for new cdl grads, my company doesnt allow gps.. Only atlas and qualcomm written directions, if any and the given route suggestion

Sounds like you have a good trainer.

Cool beans, was thinking it was a little odd, but then, i like doing research. 😊

Question for anyone who has gone to the FedEx on Dowd.

Did a macro 19 for directions got back directions that start at Rt1&9, and some apperantly bad directions from I95 N, ( exit 4??? Seriously !!! )

Am coming in from I80 east, i have not yet settled on how to get from I80E to Rt1/9 s.

That is a huge spagetti bowl....

Anyone..... ideas ☺

So yesterday my trainer told me for the next 2 weeks i can only use his 2016 commercal driver atlas, the trucks fuel book, and the qualcom to route plan. I cannot use the prime mobile app, not even to get the macro 19 messages.

He also proceded to tell me he knows the atlas has some "issues" but will not buy the 2017 yet.

And he has an older qualcom.

Is this some kinda part of TNT training?

I took welbutrin a couple of years ago to quit smoking.

Ditto, tell them as such, it is not just for depression.

Smoke free for just over a year now.

Good point Rainy, my trainer is real anal on mileage, started on day one.

Week or so back we did a 18k load, but over teton pass, he complained about my fuel mileage. We just did a light load he insisted on attaining 10mpg.

Guess in light of what you just commented, i get it a bit more now on the "load by load" basis.

Has been very helpful, knowing the full size are very capable of 10 - 11 mpg.

Expect by the time i am solo, will be real stingy with the fuel. Just bot at my trainers level ☺

Great tips guys, never thought of some of the repurcussions, well short of full headphones.

All good info......

What kind of fuel mileage is a good target/ expectation.

I get differant trucks larger, lightweights etc, just a kindageneral expectation.

I understand various companies reward better fuel mileage. Just eant to see what kind of target to shoot for during tnt phase.

Having no experience at all in the trucking industry I was amazed at how good the fuel mileage is, especially when compared to the diesel ambulances I used to drive

My trainer has a Peterbuilt 579 w/a PACCAR (sp?) even with me driving on a permit and struggling to shift it got 8.7 one week and 9.3 the last week of my permit driving phase. Both times we were well above Fleet average

Didnt happen to be wi5h prime was it? 😀