questions/observations of truckstop from a non-trucker - Page 3 - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

Fratsit · **^ Top** #21 07.29.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe1

I've been periodically stopping at a truckstop (a National chain)to get a cup of coffee when I travel a certain route on weekends.

My comments questions follow:

- Some truckers emanate a strong body odor and it not a pleasurable experience to be behind one in the check out line. I can understand why this can happen when being on the road for weeks at a time.

- The restroom sinks are used as showers by many. This particular truckstop has showers. Is the cost of a shower prohibitive to do it every day? Do trucking companies typically reimburse for a daily shower on the road?

-A fair percentage of truckers appear to be tired, mentally burned out and ragged (unshaven, etc) and I'd classify some as "homeless" if I saw them on a downtown street.

My comments apply to a minority percentage and the vast majority do not exhibit these characteristics. But as with other things in life, the actions of a few reflect a bad image for all.

These are just my observations and I realize I am encroaching on truckers turf while getting my cup o coffee and I am free to take my business elsewhere, although the location of this particular stop is convenient for me.

I have a novel idea...instead of going to the local Wal Mart to get your shower stuff, why don't you just drive straight to Proctor & Gamble to buy your soap and shampoo...make sure you hang out in your car with the AC OFF while you are waiting...give yourself about 2 hours or so....then take a trip over to the Gillett plant to get your razers....and make sure you do it on a 11 to 10 schedule...then come back and tell these guys how YOU smell.....

Sorry guys and gals.... this just irritated me..... I dont care how you look or smell..... Its because of all of you that I am able to set here and have a Coke and a smile.....

And yes I am a 4 Wheeler....

Regards,

Frat

longbedGTs · **^ Top** #22 07.29.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducks

I find the responses in this thread interesting. When a four-wheeler asks a question about trucker cleanliness, drivers get defensive... but in a similiar thread started by a fellow trucker( [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. ), drivers readily agree there's a problem.

Thats because hes barking up a tree he knows nothing about. Uneducated, demeaning remarks about us will obviously get our guard up. Take his first statement as an example. He says he understands why we smell, but he feels the need to let us know about it anyway...as if we didnt know.
As for the other thread. When a problem is recognized by 'one of our own', we take less offence to it because we know that person has been there too.
The above is my take on your statement, Ducks. Im not trying to be rude, just stating my opinion.

tuckerndfw · **^ Top** #23 07.29.2008

I refuse to shave, bathe or launder my clothes because I keep hoping to drive all those tourists out of the few places drivers can stop and get a meal and take a break.

So far my plan has been a miserable failure. The worse I look & smell, the more they seem to come out to gawk.

Oh, well.

I just love Sunday afternoons trying to get a meal at a "Truck Stop."

The place is filled with people in their Sunday finest, screaming kids and people who appear to have little more to do than stare and point at the people they rely to bring them their daily bread. *Jesus doesn't bring it, truck drivers do.

(*Exception being truck drivers named Jesus)

I have a suggestion, if tourists don't like looking at or smelling truck drivers, why don't they go to Denny's or I-hop? Or, maybe they should just stay home and stop wasting gasoline/diesel.

Just a suggestion.

Pilots are the absolute worst about being crammed with tourists milling around in the aisles looking like lunatics who escaped from an asylum.

I NEVER go to t/s's unless absolutely necessary. I cannot imagine why anyone would unless it was likewise necessary.

To each his own.

Ducks · **^ Top** #24 07.29.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by longbedGTs

Thats because hes barking up a tree he knows nothing about. Uneducated, demeaning remarks about us will obviously get our guard up. Take his first statement as an example. He says he understands why we smell, but he feels the need to let us know about it anyway...as if we didnt know.
As for the other thread. When a problem is recognized by 'one of our own', we take less offence to it because we know that person has been there too.
The above is my take on your statement, Ducks. Im not trying to be rude, just stating my opinion.

Thanks, longbed! I appreciate you taking the time to answer. As a four-wheeler, I initially joined this site to get a simple answer to a question... but I hung around because I really felt comfortable here, and in doing so I've learned a lot about sharing the road with the big trucks.

I'm certainly not telling you anything you don't know when I say that the general public is pretty clueless about your lifestyle and the problems it presents. My concern is that when we hammer on four-wheelers here, we're only going to reinforce that image... and I guess that was the concern behind my question.

Thanks again, longbed!

Ducks · **^ Top** #25 07.29.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuckerndfw

I just love Sunday afternoons trying to get a meal at a "Truck Stop."

The place is filled with people in their Sunday finest, screaming kids and people who appear to have little more to do than stare and point at the people they rely to bring them their daily bread.

You mean people actually take their families to a truck stop for their Sunday dinner???

Heck, I've met a friend at a truck stop, but he just parks his truck there, we get in my car, and go someplace else to eat. That's one of the last places I'd treat someone to a meal...

longbedGTs · **^ Top** #26 07.29.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducks

Thanks, longbed! I appreciate you taking the time to answer. As a four-wheeler, I initially joined this site to get a simple answer to a question... but I hung around because I really felt comfortable here, and in doing so I've learned a lot about sharing the road with the big trucks.

I'm certainly not telling you anything you don't know when I say that the general public is pretty clueless about your lifestyle and the problems it presents. My concern is that when we hammer on four-wheelers here, we're only going to reinforce that image... and I guess that was the concern behind my question.

Thanks again, longbed!

I will not speak for anybody here, only myself.
I dont mean to hammer on anybody, but its kinda hard to look away from some of the comments being made by people who just see things on the surface. I wouldnt go to a forensics lab and start pointing out all the things I think theyre doing wrong. Being that I know nothing about forensics, would just make me look stupid and arrogant. I dont expect every car driver to know everything about trucking; Id just like them to be a little bit informed. We both share the same road so I think we both should know a little bit about eachother.
...and youre welcome BTW.

tuckerndfw · **^ Top** #27 07.29.2008

Ducks,

I've seen more families in major truck stops on Sundays than I have truck drivers. And, I'm not talking about mom & kids (or dad & kids) coming down to visit with the other parent or someone else in the family that is a driver and is passing through.

I'm talking about people who leave church and head for the local truck stop to pig out on the buffet and gawk at truckers.

That's been a common practice for years all over the nation. Don't know why other than the old myth that t/s's have the best food (lie). Hang out at any major t/s on Sunday and watch them and with rare exception, you should see what I mean.

So far as the Pilot goes, I have no idea why they hang around. Other than cheap (?) gasoline, Pilot has nothing to offer that can't be found a few blocks away (Subway, Wendy's, McD's, etc.).

I cannot imagine ever going to a t/s for anything unless I just had to.

chompi · **^ Top** #28 07.29.2008

I think it's family tradition in Nebraska!

tuckerndfw · **^ Top** #29 07.29.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by chompi

I think it's family tradition in Nebraska!

*ROFL*

It appears it's also a family tradition in all the other states, as well.

The only truck stop I know of where drivers have their own exclusive section to which tourists are absolutely not allowed at all is White's T/S in Raphine, VA.

There may be others, but that's the only one I'm familiar with. And, it stays full of trucks 24/7.

tuckerndfw · **^ Top** #30 07.29.2008

In my previous comment, I should have said "Dining Section" since some Petros, T/A's and J's (allegedly) have "Truckers' Only" facilities (restrooms, showers, telephones, tv room, etc.). But, those seem to be fast disappearing in their zeal to cater to the tourists.

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