Thanks aftershock. My research for the most part comes from posts here. I plan on talking with an OTR driver here at a local Love's gas station soon. But up to now this lifestyle of being a OTR driver sounds good to me. I enjoy driving and w/o having kids or a house I can rome around and bank as much green as possible!

One other thing. I saw a news report about gas thefts while truckers were sleeping/showering etc. Has anyone been victim of it or is it not that wide spread yet?

Originally Posted by Biker

WOOT!! I can put a hurtin' on an establishment when free coffee is on the line!!!!

YeAH buddy!
I kinda liked Flyin' J coffee, when it was fresh.
Filled up a 48 or 64 ounce, insulated J mug for free with fuel OR,
with a purchase of the mug, got free life-time refills just for THAT.
Coffee or soda.
And I was good for the next 100 miles.
Or the next Flying J.
Whichever came first.

And the LAST thang I wanted to miss
out on the highway, was the
Next Rest Area
150 Miles
sign.

Originally Posted by rollnrock

Thanks aftershock.

You're welcome!

My research for the most part comes from posts here. I plan on talking with an OTR driver here at a local Love's gas station soon.

Uhhhh, do you mean "fuel" station/truck stop?

But up to now this lifestyle of being a OTR driver sounds good to me. I enjoy driving and w/o having kids or a house I can rome around and bank as much green as possible!

Although I had a house with roots, it was occupied in my absence, and not by a wife, girlfriend and/or children, I know the feeling you've described -- and I'm here to tell you, with your attitude I think you CAN enjoy it.
And even excel.

One other thing. I saw a news report about gas thefts while truckers were sleeping/showering etc. Has anyone been victim of it or is it not that wide spread yet?

NopE!
We rarely worry about "gas" theft, ---
because we run on fuel.
And YeS, slipping and calling fuel "gas", might cause a few chuckles.
It's "diesel" or "fuel" or a combination of the two.

But to answer your question,
YuP!
Fuel theft is becoming more common these daze.
But if you park at the better, more secure areas, it's not something you need to worry about --- especially if you're a company driver. All you have to do is report it as SOON as you notice, and the company has to pay for the loss.
But that might affect a driver's potential bonus for mileage.
All depends.

I miss the hot bar at the williams truck stops...

some chicken and dumplins - some corn and a bisquit for 4 bucks...


now the old williams are big pilots

and now instead of the hot bar they have subways or mcdonalds...


man - speaking of "way back" you remember the independant "phillips 76" truckstops back WAYYYY BACK???

dirt cheap food - no frills and no wimps.

Originally Posted by slodsm

LOL, it's all gas to me, be it diesel, dinosaur, or synthetic race gas, alcohol, nitromethane, or even nitrous oxide, it's all called gas chuckles or not . The company don't pay me more to be a conformist lol, only to get the freight there on time, legally, and with no random 4 wheelers on my grill .

I don't know if it's so much a "conformist" thang or closer to acceptance.
For instance, a non-conformist might prefer to call a hammer a "mallet". But they're not the same thing.
In the Big truck truckin' industry, things have names to help curb a problem.

If someone pumped gasoline into a diesel's tanks --- BOOM!

BuT!
He/She TOLD me to put "gas" in it.

Y'all can be as non-conformist as y'all want to. You have that right.
Just keep in mind that has it's responsibilities, just the same.
And there may be side effects, like attention being drawn to you.
If you can handle the spotlight, that approach might work for you.

But on a serious note, I was robbed at the flying J one night in Denver on May 5th.

That IS serious!

I had run hard as hell the day before to get a load to my old terminal there on time and had a restart coming over the weekend. Filled up and showered for free at the Pilot and then rolled over to the J for the pizza, washing machines, and internet to kill time the next day. Fell asleep like a log shortly after and slept right through some jerk popping off my passenger side cap and almost emptying that thing.

Man-0-Man --- I know THAT feelin'!

My co-driver and I were treated to a motel room for the night across the street from the T/A in Mesquite, Texas.
We were bobtail and had just re-fueled before parking in the motel parking lot.
We lost an easy 75 gallons that night -- and my fuel bonus for the month suffered.
MaN!
I hate being ripped off!

Originally Posted by Lurchgs

happened to my trainer the week he first picked me up, too. In .. Idaho, I think it was.

Company was not pleased.

But, I note, they've not put locking caps on yet.

Ya reckon the companies have fuel theft insurance?

Their taxes are based partly on fleet fuel mileage averages. Too many thefts could cost them big bucks in additional taxes.
And I think the thefts will only escalate.

Imagine the potential outcome if the drivers
start carrying 9m/m (Craftsman) cap lock keys.
The fight for world oil in it's rawest form.
We'll be fightin' each other.

I hear only the strong will survive.
But I also hear the meek shall inherit the Earth.
Is that an oxymoron?
Or Prophesy?