Pilot always seems to have plenty of trash cans around. (i know because i USE them LOL)
what bugs the crap out of me is when drivers dump their dang ashtrays out AT THE FUEL ISLAND!!! right next to the freakin garbage can. then i have to stand in that mess to fuel and track it into MY truck!

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"if you don't HAVE the money to buy it, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT"- DAVE RAMSEY

Trucker are bad for there own image. We dont need the media to make us look worse. Most are not, but it always the few that destroy the rights of the many. I have avoid truck stops if at all possible, most of them have nothing good to offer anyway. It really doesnt matter if its a Pilot or a Flying J most are dirty and disgusting and the only way to get them to clean up is dont use them, and let your company know which ones are problems to use. The drivers at our company have convienced the management to switch to CFN, Pacfic Pride and Petro. These seem to be cleaner, there doesnt seem to be as much of the lizards and the sort hanging out. The drivers seem to be more helpful as far as keeping the places clean.... Money, cash flow will get the other to clean up faster.

Our image as drivers will change when we change it! when we refuse to put up with these slobs yearing us down. No it won't be easy or quick. This has been going on since the 60's & 70's.. There are drivers out there that do not realize that "smokey and the Bandit " never really existed!!!! They need to get into the new age. we're not "cowboys any more. We need to be professional in our deeds and in the eyes of the public. Nothing will change until that happens. You may need to walk up behind the guy taking a leak on his tire at the truck stop and kick him right where he makes his living! You may need to pick up the bag of trash you seen the driver throw on the ground and set it on his runningboard.You may need to do all this and more. I HAVE!!!!! And I will do it again!!!!! I will continue to do it till the idea gets across that this conduct will not be tolorated anylonger. All the posts in the world will not do as much as people DOING SOMETHING TO CHANGE IT!!!!

Well that´s something that at least over here gives a bad rep to truckers.
Letting the engine idle while at rest/stop.
I myself hate to try to sleep next to one who lets his POS idle... usually I go and ask if your truck/starter is broke ´cause it´s running ?

1. It gives you bad mileage, up to 25% depending on the driver.
2. The engine wears out because it runs cold.
3. Starters aren´t that expensive.. if you feel like that you shouldn´t be in a business, any business.
4. Engines pollute while running and you don´t want to get cancer do ya ?
(thats what diesel exhaust gives you...)
5. Coolant Heaters are much more cheaper to run and keep the engine warm too by heating the water.

Every european make has them standard and they don´t have problems starting at cold.
Also emergency vehicles rely on them for instant starting.

Think that you idle your truck for ca 12hrs a day, 5 days a week, at 2gl/hr, for 4$/gl for 35 weeks a year.

Some links to think..

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Mikuni also has a coolant heater based on an old Webasto Model...
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I personally have never heard anything bad about truckers. I mean, my grandpa was a trucker, my uncles a trucker, my dads a wannabe trucker, and I'm a wannabe trucker, I've only heard good about truck driving, it just depends on the people your around. I have never heard of anybody talking bad about truckers, and I have never thought of truck drivers as bad people, actually I have always felt of it as a dream job, everyone really nice, maybe some rude drivers, but besides that I've only seen and heard good things.

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Following in my dads shoes, gonna get my CDL, just not yet

Just wanted to give my opinion on this matter. My father was a trucker and a uncle was a trucker so it seemed to be in the blood. I am pround to drive a truck for a living and I make a very good living. Just because I drive a semi doesn't mean I have to look like a grease bag. I shower every day and no I do not use a urine bottle. I stop at rest areas or at a truck stop. I wear clean clothes every day. The problem I have is that by the end of the day I am dirty because I am a flat bedder. I understood I was going to throw rusty chains and binders on every load. Then you have the tarp witch has it's own issues ie...oil, dirt, grease, and water. I try and avoid all the dirt and grime that we all deal with. I try to be the type of person I would want to be hauling my products across the nation if the roles were switched. You have to have pride in what you do.