Truck cradles that either don’t work, not charging the DIAD or the “GPS maps” feature is not available:
Let me start off, I fully understand the Orion system, I believe that’s what it’s called, not every center requires it and not every center has it, my comments are directed at those sites that do have it....
Also for the sake of this discussion I believe the issue is the cradle which the DIAD sits in is broken or the harness cables are malfunctioning ....
As a former DT (driver trainee) ..
Help me understand....
why DTs would be placed on routes they normally don’t drive, in trucks whereby the cradle or cradle harness is not working.
Oh thats rightthey don’t care.
UPS talks about back first exceptions and the importance of reducing these occurrences....
Operational cradles go a long way in helping prevent these occurrences.
Plenty of trucks have this feature and yet on Saturday’s, not all are used.
DTs are assigned “cover / make shift routes” in unknown areas and assigned a truck with no /faulty navigation system. The same system that would advise them if the next stop is in the other direction....?
Or at night, the system advises if you’ve arrived ...?
If all trucks had working gps ... this would be a non issue.
Oh that’s right... they don’t care.
“Back in the day we used maps...”
This old school response is typical from those who drove without the cradle. I credit them for completing their routes without this technology. However times evolved and if we are going to have a “back in the day” mentality then maybe we should ditch the cell phone and carry loose change for the pay phones to stay in touch?
Oh that’s right.... they don’t care.
Given the advancements in technology and UPS’s view of safety....
WHY would a UPS center, who has such technology, not factor this technology as a “safety concern” the way it views broken taillights or cracked windshields.
These cradles are installed on most trucks already, yet to send DT’s into new areas without this technology? We aren’t even talking about night time driving in such areas which magnifies your risk factor.
Oh that’s right.... they don’t care.
“Old school drivers may not need it because they know their routes...”
In time and assigned consistent routes so too will a DT’s.
Until then..
DT’s are being hired year after year to cover all routes as needed, so why not reduce your risk and ensure they are given the proper tools to complete the job “safely”
Routes are never the same or assigned to the same DT unless it’s peak season. Which raises the question for another day in terms of how do you evaluate DTs when every route is different, loads are different and not every truck is created equal ...? GPS no GPS
In short.... operational cradles benefits outweigh the negatives and yet one would think “extras “ would be available for immediate replacement as needed?
Operational cradles creates driver confidence, confidence creates safety and efficiency, efficiency creates savings.
UPS whose history dates back 100 plus years takes pride in servicing the public. Takes pride in safety ...
They should take such pride in seeing their future drivers are in a position to succeed. say the most important stop is the last one, getting home.
Ensure all trucks are fully equipped with todays TECHNOLOGY so it’s current and future DT’s are in a position to succeed and most importantly, get home safe.
Oh that’s right...... they don’t care.
Prison sentence starts at 9:30am until the truck is empty.
