Does anyone else have problems with some of their coworkers being totally incapable of mapping a call?? If not what kind of suggestions can you offer related to how you train mapping. I know that this can't be a problem everywhere so I am sure that this is a problem that could easily be addressed by our FTO's. But I would still like to hear suggestions if you have any.

Thanks
Ed

Map reading 101 is needed every where. I know a few who can't read a map. Can't follow directions and even argue with the GPS. ( that's actually funny to witness) I actually carry at least 4 map books and I've made a few street books. I hate not being able to find places. My personel map books get interesting . I add the private roads. Mark where the land marks are. (even the old barn that burned down 10 years ago.) It makes a good reference.

I think you are one of the exceptions to the rule. I think the major difference between you and the rest is that you still care! Seems that there are a lot of new employees where I work that either got really really bad training OR my guess is that they just don't care to put the effort into learning how to do it right.

Just been doing it a while. It only takes once where getting lost has bad consequenses. people depend on us to be able to find them to help. That's the job. The bottom line. I'm old school and proud of it.

Part of our FTO is to make sure newbe's know how to read a map. Here in Louisville you can't rely on your GPS because we have 22 seprate little cities here and the GPS dosen't see it as just louisville. We have 7 different Manslick rd's. All in Jefferson county, which is Louisville, Ky since merger. But one is in Fairdale, one Shively, and the rest is in the GPS as Louisville. Some have same numbers just slightly different by north, south, or just the rd name, and different cross streets. Also our map books are usally out dated by the time we get the newest version because of all the new subdivisions going up. The city also recently required apartment complexes to name the streets in the complex and the map books don't have them listed. I some times require my newbe to take me to an address I know in our ride area that is hard to find. I don't do it to be mean, but, I do it to show them that they can't always trust a map book and not to be afraid to get on the radio to ask directions.

Map reading is the second most important thing we need to know. Some people will never understand how it works others can pick it up fast. Some of the problems in map reading is going from city to city or city to country. did the people in setting up towns and townships plan ahead and follow the numbering system or does it start all over once you leave the city limits? When i was traing people in reading a map i started them all off with north canada south iowa east wisconsin west north dakota and they would follow up with no shit how ever every once inwhile sombody would say okay now i understand a little bit better and then we would move it down to smaller city's and areas that we cover and then to hwy's and then down to city streets. all city planners need to pull there heads out of there asses when they make up street names it sould go in an order that makes sence and the numbers should increase from 2 points.

However i have been the one yelling at the gps unit before and i was right so do not rely on gps use your head