How dangerous is it out there?

If you want to take some classes and learn quickly how to apply real world defense look at Krav Maga. Nothing fancy. Quick and dirty. The mantra really says it all. "No quarter is expected, no quarter is given."

 

I have been out here for a whole 2 years.... And in my vast experience (notice my tongue in my cheek) it is 'relatively' safe out here. However I am also lucky; I team drive with my husband, so I don't HAVE to walk in a dark truck stop/parking area/street alone. Only my husband has been 'propositioned' and that was by a male 'lizard' at a rest area in CA... Needless to say I teased him for DAYS about that!!

 

Dont have any problems at all

 

So you couldn't unhook to make it easier for any one of the 'several drivers' to get in beside but you felt good about taking up two spots. You definitely don't need to say more.

 

Thank God, i go to bed, sleep like a baby, every night

other than my once a year knock from a lizard, its pretty uneventful

but i get to truckstops late, leave early, that may have something to do with it

 

He still wouldn't have gotten in without hitting my trailer or the other truck. He clearly had a problem with his vision since he was backing right dead into the center of my hood thinking he was hitting the hole.

 

Do your homework on here and from other drivers to find out which truck stops to just plain avoid.
Try to drive at night to avoid night time shenanigans at truck stops (I know that isn't always possible...)
Stay in your truck if parked at night. If you can't, avoid walking between trailers.
If someone pounds on your door, talk to them thru a sleeper window or vent.
Avoid using on/off ramps to park at night unless there are other trucks parked (safety in numbers).
If you have to drive beyond your 11/14, explain to safety you needed to reach a safe haven. I've had to do it once on elogs, but now I'm on paper, so nobody knows...
Always have your doors locked, even when moving.
Have a thumper or hammer beside your seat. Or maybe pepper spray within reach.

Bottom line is, is it safe out here? Yeah, pretty much, but bad things do happen. Drivers get robbed, drivers come up missing, cargo theft/truck and/or trailer theft happens.
Never divulge your cargo or where you are going. It's OK to be friendly, just don't be THAT friendly.

And avoid the J in Texarkana... I happen to like the Denny's there and its where I stop if I leave Laredo with a full 11/14. Never had an issue parking, but apparently others do.

 

Oh yeah Coast Guard you never know when your gonna see a undocumented cuban running across the FJ in Ohio..lol

 

Yeah I miss the nightly knocks on the door from the commercial company..truck stops are to lite up now days ..scares them all away..

 

Avoid the FJ in Texarkana are you nuts there's a great bar there..