Trucker's opinions on hitchhikers, or people needing rides.

Be careful who you mention "bus ticket" to, Wayne.
Some of 'em are clever and claim you offered to get 'em one, round trip, to a destination
of their choice in another direction.

Seriously though, I think your thoughts on the matter are a prudent approach to the situations when encountered, ---
--- Usually, --- under 'normal' conditions, ....... 'normal' bein' 'bout 98% of the time.
There were, however, -- for me -- exceptions, -- unexpected situations and issues that prompted me to adjust my
boundaries, --- depending on the circumstances. One absolute NO BREAK rule of mine was to NEVER allow a passenger
aboard unless it was a company directive, or someone's life was in danger, when I was under a high-value load,.....
I'm talkin' cargo valued in the millions of dollars and highly desirable to thieves that'll hurt a Big truck truck driver
without hesitation to transfer possession.

The few times that I made an exception were reactions to a gut feelin' that it was the right thing to do. As I reflect
back on those times I'd do 'em again. I've come to learn to trust my gut feelings as they've proven to be accurate
more often than not.

Panhandlers are another story.
Had one ask me to "loan" him twenty bucks.
Asked him how he would repay the "loan".

"Just give me your address and I'll mail it to you."
Now, I'll admit that the word 'Stupid' is written on my forehead, --- backwards, --- so I can read it, to remind myself
every mornin' of what to avoid bein'.
Works for me.

Although, there was a guy in Arizona who asked me to "give" him five bucks.
Honest and straight forward, I thought.
Asked him why I'd consider handin' him a five spot.
"It'd be a donation".
A donation for what purpose? I replied.
"To keep me travelin'.
You see, I'm a professional traveler. That's what I do, --- travel.
When folks think I should get a job to support what I do, they don't think
about how I could do both, travel and work, at the same time. I depend on
folks, like you, who can understand my situation and need to keep travelin' on".

I can't say I totally understood his plight, but I understood enough to cut loose with the five bucks he requested.
I was gonna ask him if he'd ever consider travelin' by drivin' a Big truck, but before I had a chance he mentioned,
"I'm Navajo. I only walk".
Could it be that he read my mind?
Me, bein' a Professional Commercial Tourist, there wouldn't be all that much to read.
That happened in Williams, Arizona.
He wished me pleasant travels upon departing on his traveling, and that came to pass.
If his well-wishes had anything to do with how well things went after that it was well worth the five bucks I gave him.

In a nut shell, all things considered, --- play it by ear folks.
And listen to your gut feelin', --- your instincts.
When in doubt, bow out.

 

Understand wayne. I see on the Truckers group in fb. People been making post for rides from point A to point B. A few of them show up a couple of weeks later in the truckers group & asking for a lift from 1 state to the next. They I just be wondering how they do it be on the road & don't really have no income to rely on unless they being like about 30% of tge people that fruad the government for a monthly check & get direct deposit. Idk I always wonder

 

Aftershock thanks for the mind opening post. You shine some light on things I wasn't to much aware of. 1 thing that im not gonna lie that got me a little startled. Us as company drivers im fully aware of we can't pick up unauthorized passengers but when im riding down the highway it saddens me to see a cross with somebody name on it on the highway I guess they was killed at. When I pass by the cross with the names I look up online information *if I can find any* of that person & how they died.

I wonder if they was pick up off the highways could that possibly prevent most of the deaths that acquired on the highway or what solution could prevent them from death. So far in the past 4 months I seen a total of 3 hitchhikers including 1 in my hometown on nj turnpike & just wish they all be ok on there long journey.

 

SaY WhaT?!!
You're thankin' me?
I say thank You, sir!
That post of your's -- alone -- makes readin' this dead thread
well worth the effort.
Well said.
Misted me up a tad, too.

You've provided me with a lot to think about today, amigo.
I think I'll reply more, post thought process.

To those who've tuned-in to this thread on the last page, ---
This thread has been around a few years now, -- 6 or 7 as I recall.
It's an interestin' read, none the less, in my opinion.
Rules-N-Regulations have changed since it started, so some folks
consider it to be an antiquated thread. Maybe they're correct.
But I'm thinkin' this thread ain't dead, --- just matured.
Long enough to produce a post like Onshyne's.

ThanX again Oneshyne.

 

. I never give rides to strangers

 

Hello again everyone. I forgot I honestly responded on the thread some years ago back here and thought I update everyone with my experience. I was at the Pilot like 3 years ago with 1 of the tanker outfits. I seen this guy as I was getting my scale ticket call himself Rev Brown. The 2nd time I seen him I said your still here. He then went on and thrown 1 of the penny pinching lines about if he can get a ride with me. This was on I-80 at the pilot I think around exit 173 or somewhere near there. I said I'm going westbound he ask if he can get a ride going to the super motel 6 in Akron Ohio. At 1st I decline. Then he was persistent with keep asking me so I gave in and said ok I'll let it slide that time.


Man this guy was a joke to talk about being a Reverend. I told him before he get on my truck I had to search him to make sure he don't have any weapons on him. He admitted he had a pocket knife for his protection. I told him he gonna have to surrender it and I'll give it back to him when he leave. He said alright the Lord said we need to defend ourselves amen. I said yep, now we out riding he preaching the Bible and ask for donations for him reading his scriptures. I said my man I don't have no donations to give you. He said oh that's ok and then get back to reading the Bible. Then he did a complete 360 on me from reading the Bible to saying Deleted



That's when I was saying to myself am I'm gonna listen to this crap the next 3 hours or drop this fool at the next truck stop. So I go on and still ride with this fool since I offer him and he not causing me no physical harm. He goes back to talking about the Bible. Then all of a sudden this fool unbuckles his seat belt while I'm driving digs his hands in his pants and scratching his nuts. Then gonna sit there and say to me the Lord said you need to fix yourself amen. I said my man I'm not touching your hand you just scratch your nuts in front of me. You want some hand sanitizer. He declined it. Even if he would take it I still wouldn't have shook his hand.




I got to Akron and drop that him off. He tried to shake my hand to tell me thanks for the ride I said "did you forget you just scratch your nuts in front of me like 2 hours ago I'm not touching your hand". He said sorry and thanks for the ride. I said to myself never again will I put myself in that position. I had Lysol thank God and wipe the passenger seat down along with the door on the passenger side. I always wonder though how the hell he have the money to pay for the room there. That's the part that got to me.when I ask him before he started showing his wierdoness he said "when the Lord said they'll be a will they'll be a way amen" I just left it at that. But it's definitely a done deal I refuse by all means to experience again.

 

Good to hear from you, oneshyne.
You should post more often.

 

Thanks Aftershock will do. I kinda forget about this forum over the years since I got into this industry. And I'm slowly making my way back in. I thought when I come back you and a lot of others wasn't gonna be here

 

Passengers have to be listed on the truck's insurance or similar wording to that. It is in the green book somewhere lol I just don't have the chapter and verse in front of me at the moment.

 

It is the law, BUT there is a provision for emergencys that I think covers break downs.
I probably can't count how many people I have given rides to over the years.