Is Protection Necessary?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by gclayton86, Mar 5, 2014.

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  1. gclayton86

    gclayton86 Bobtail Member

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    May 21, 2012
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    I see a lot of people on here asking about guns. What to do when someone attempts to hijack you. Lots of complaints about lizards and dealers threatening drivers.

    With the amount of miles driven yearly (Central Refrigerated alone does nearly 250m) some drivers are bound to have "issues", sure. And the negative reviews are often the loudest, because if nothing happened, you have nothing to talk about usually.

    So, vets of the industry. How many times in your career have you had issues such as getting "hijacked" or getting "attacked" in a truck stop? How many miles/years do you have? It can't be as dangerous as everyone makes it out to be, can it?

    Obviously, situational awareness and smart practices like stopping at full/well lit truck stops, not smarting off to someone that might have a gun, not being aggressive are all going to help. But do I really need to assume that every car following me, every person approaching me, is going to try to mess with me? Or is this, as I think it is, simply a result of the negative voices being much louder than the positive?
     
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  3. jsprocket

    jsprocket Heavy Load Member

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    Columbus, GA
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    The worst I get is a lot lizard who goes away after I say no or gives me a few choir words or homeless guy selling stuff. Had one knocking on door selling antennas tonight.
     
  4. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    You will get to learn the places where shady activity is more common than other places ... just try your best to make wise decisions on where you are going to sleep at night, plan your day accordingly ...
     
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  5. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    May 10, 2012
    Temple, TX
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    It is not necessary.
    Never had a problem.
     
  6. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    10 years, 48 states - no problems.
    I'm too adorable to attack.
     
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  7. Jokingypsy

    Jokingypsy Medium Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2013
    Baltimore, MD
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    My buddy got threatened all the time, it was very scary. But it was always his wife doing the threatening. Didn't matter what state or truck stop, she was always calling threatening to kill him.

    Adam
     
    brysol01, droo, Hammer166 and 19 others Thank this.
  8. poppapump1332

    poppapump1332 Road Train Member

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    birdsboro,pa
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    You don't need a weapon be one
     
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  9. jsprocket

    jsprocket Heavy Load Member

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    Nov 4, 2013
    Columbus, GA
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    Plus my cheater bar is easily accessible if needed.
     
  10. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    A can of wasp and hornet spray (with the 12 foot stream) is a pretty effective deterrent when sprayed in the face. Plus, it's even legal in Chicago and New Jersey! :p
     
    Pegasus50, dog-c, KnoxFox23 and 3 others Thank this.
  11. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    $100 bet that a mod will close this topic lol. To answer the op, I would have a gun even if I was the last living thing on this planet.
     
    retlow8 Thanks this.
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