Did I Do The Right Thing?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Grumppy, Jul 10, 2014.

  1. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Dec 11, 2010
    West Monroe, La
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    I pulled into the Loves at exit 3 on I-20 in Greenwood (Shreveport), Louisiana a couple of days ago & there was two trucks waiting kinda in the driveway waiting for an open lane/pump. All lanes had atleast one truck at the pump getting fuel. When the 1st driver seen traffic backing up in the driveway, he went ahead & pulled up & got in a lane. The 2nd truck was a U-Haul straight truck & he wasnt quite sure what to, but he eventually eased on up & pulled into a lane as well.

    I was the 3rd truck so when the U-Haul pulled out of the way, I noticed all lanes had a truck fueling & most lanes had a 2nd truck waiting....
    Well not quite. There was a flatbed old purple truck sitting a truck link back & there was no truck getting fuel in that lane as the 1st truck had finished getting fuel & pulled out. In other words. No truck was getting fuel & had already pulled out of the pump. The 2nd truck (old purple FB) had not pulled into the pump yet. So, Since no one was behind me, I waited to see if a lane came open. After about a minute or so, the purple truck had not pulled in to fuel. So, I pulled up beside it & no one was in teh truck. So, I pulled in ahead of him... in to the pump.

    Well, just about that time, here he come... hollering, fussin & cussin... I set in the truck, got my mileage etc for the pump transaction etc. by this time he was at my drivers door still ranting at the top of his lungs. I opened the door & stepped out & we were nose to nose. He was saying he just went in to cash a comcheck & was waiting for the driver (in the 1st truck) to pull out.

    I told him: Driver... never get out of your truck & leave it blocking the fuel island.... especially with this many trucks waiting to fuel. He is still ranting while I am getting my wallet to get my cards to activate the pump. I tried to get a word in edgewise to tell him, I watched his truck for enough time to know he wasnt in it. I dont know if he is in there eating, taking a dump or flirting with the girl at the fuel desk... but, he wouldnt stop ranting long enough to hear me. Finally, I told him to get out of my face & he needed to get back to his truck. He was still ranting & yelling but eventually walked away, got in his truck & went to a different pump for fuel.

    Some of you may have a different opinion but, as for me, a driver should NEVER leave his truck at the fuel island in line... especially when there is so many people waiting to get fuel.

    Just wondering if
    yall think I did what I shoulda done....?
    would you have done that... ?
    Should I NOT have done that?
     
    77smartin, Grizzly1221, Mr Ed and 10 others Thank this.
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  3. Grizzly1221

    Grizzly1221 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 9, 2014
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    I agree with you, the other guy doesn't own the world and can't just abandon his truck where ever he pleases, he snoozed he loozed.:biggrin_2559:
     
  4. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Sioux City,ia
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    Snooze ya lose I always say.Are people suppose to cater to drivers like the one you described,I think not.Maybe that'll teach him not to leave his trk while waiting to fuel.You did your part and seen if he was going to go,he did not answer so heck with him go around him into the fuel lane.
     
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  5. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Burnsville, MN
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    The time to exit the truck is once you are at the pump - not while you are waiting in line.

    He tried to save a few minutes and it ended up costing him a few.
    Too bad, so sad.
     
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  6. DrivingForceBehindYou

    DrivingForceBehindYou Medium Load Member

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    Aug 29, 2012
    ChicagolandOfOpportunity
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    You were right.
    But in real life what works best is a quick apology regardless of who is wrong.
    I always try to deescalate a heated situation or if I'm tired I say:

    Stay right here, I'm calling the police
     
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  7. TomOfTx

    TomOfTx Road Train Member

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    Jul 13, 2013
    Friendswood, TX
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    The flatbed driver was likely not even planning to get fuel. Just another driver too lazy to park and now he has to wait for you to leave or back up. Happens all the time! I have done the same in the past and pulled in front of a truck in the same scenario.
     
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  8. tsavory

    tsavory Road Train Member

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    Paoli, IN
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    Ge was not in the truck to bad for him
     
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  9. ontheroadagain2

    ontheroadagain2 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 3, 2014
    everywhere
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    If ya aint in the truck,ya aint in line
     
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  10. Ebola Guy

    Ebola Guy Heavy Load Member

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    Manitowoc, WI
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    I wouldn't have done what you did but I don't fault you for it.
     
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  11. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    Jul 15, 2006
    El Chuco, Tejas
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    I've done that. No problem with it. He's holding up progress.

    That reminds me of the driver who got in my face at the Love's in El Paso telling me to move my truck despite the fact I was still fueling.

    Some drivers get an attitude.
     
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