For all the Veteran Truckers out there...

I have never known of a person getting thrown out of a truck stop unless they are soliciting, either unlawfully, or without the owner/managers permission.

I would call the manager of a truck stop and speak with them first to OK being on their premisis. I would also have a professional looking website to refer the manager to in order to verify that you are legitimate.

There are many scam artist and con-men who like to frequent truck stops and prey off of the drivers, so you want to be as professional looking and acting as possible, with as much material to back up your story as you can get.

Most drivers will be wary of you and what you say to them if you approach them. The best thing in my opinion would to be able to be inside the lobby, even if you have to pay a small fee, and have signs, posters, and brochures indicating what you are doing.

In approaching the subject this way the driver can see and read what you are doing, and then have time to think it over while he is having a meal. Drivers don't like to be approached and badgered. If a driver is looking over your brochures or signs, then you may want to ask if they would consider talking with you.

Remember that most drivers are in a great hurry to eat and shower, and may seem rude, when in reality they are pushed for time, tired, hungry, and in desperate need of a good shower.

There will be drivers who are laying over that will think on the subject and come back to speak with you. Some will be willing to speak right up if they see a camera, others won't.

If you want to speak primarily with drivers who have been in this business a long time, make sure that is known in your advertising.

Just be up front, professional, and make sure that you let them know that you want no money from the driver, and no personal information such as DL#s and SS#s. You may have to spend a couple of days at the truck stop, but you will learn much by just observing.

I hope this helps.

 

stranger made many good points, you will find most seem rude but you must take into consideration on what we deal with.. Almost every time we pull into a truck stop we will get somebody knocking on our door or catching us walking up to the truck stop asking for money.. As mentioned most are in a hurry to grab a bite to eat or shower and hit the road..
I would start of I with
"I am not asking for money or trying to sell you anything, just trying to gather a few questions about the trucking community"

Get the issues out of the way right at first and people probably will spend a minute or two to talk with you.

 

I've never had any trucking company (including present employer) tell me where to fuel, when to take a break, or what route to drive. Granted, I am required to use common sense in my route planning, but the choice of the routing is left up to me. I get tracked by satellite, and have no problems with it. Instead of the phone ringing when they need an update on when I will make my delivery, all they have to do is make a few keystrokes on the screen nd they can tell how far away I am. Based on that, they can estimate pretty closely when I will make my delivery. That satellite is of more help to me than a hindrance.

 

I don't either. I would never work for such a company. I got into trucking becuse of the independence and if It came down to that I'd go buy another truc to run before I would take such a job. But you know it happens. How many guys get handed a piot fuel card and get sent out on the road. How many guys have you seen on the side of the road out of fuel because they didn't make it to the next flying J because that's where they HAVE to fuel since the co gets a fuel discount.
My company last year went to all ryder trucks (they are almost all ocal except me and one other) those guys can only fuel at ryder and we are expected to as well but luckily there isn't any ryder out west so I also have a co credit card to fuel where I like but I stil get talked to a little if I don't buy any ryder fuel when I can. Likewise they tried handing me a pc miler list for a trip plan when I first started. it had the location of breaks and sleper birth locations and I propmptl told them if that is what they wanted they hired the wrong guy. Id gladly quit on the spot if they tried to hold me to that. I drive where I want and when I want and they ave my word it wilbe the shortes miles I can do it in given conditions and that the load will be delivered when it is schedualed to be.
After 6 years I think they trust me enough to know I'm god for it. A while back they talked about going to paying book miles ( I get paid of the odometer) I told them I wouldn't do it and they never pushed it any further. They know I do my best to keep the miles down but if for some reason I have to make a deture Iexpet to be paid for it