Going into bad area of the city ?

Ive been to a lot of bad areas and slept there but the thought of getting robbed never entered my mind.When you do go to Chicago make sure you ask customers for directions back to the interstate.I had a lot of turns and didn't think about asking how to get back.Thats whn I called 911 had a low bridge staring at me.

 

I'm from Chicago. My dad had businesses on the South Side for many years.

Best advice I have for you is, you can go anywhere in America as long as you don't go looking for trouble.

Regarding the trouble makers here in Chicago, never show weakness. They yell at you, yell right back at them. Get in their face if you have to. If they think your weak then they'll escalate it. In order to gain their respect, you MUST be strong.

 

I wouldn't be as worried about "known" bad areas as "unknown" bad areas.At least if you know its a bad area you're on the defensive you're senses are heightened.If you don't know it's a bad area you may let your guard down.

 

I still hold strong to my belief that every trucker should have the right to carry a weapon preferably a big *** Glock that will make a robber pee in their britches if they try to get in your truck. We have a huge vehicle that could be used for who knows what in bad hands not to mention the freight and the areas we have to go through that would make average Joe crap if they had to even take a step near the area.

 

Be prepared to lay down and be a victim, as a trucker that's your only option.

 

You have more to worry about in Memphis and some rural areas/small towns of the country than you have in NYC, Chicago or Detroit.

 

I have tried to sleep in bad areas during my rookie years. After a while, you learn to get directions, ask if the shipper/consignee has SECURED parking, and if not, sleep somewhere safe and slip in at your appointment time.

Use your head, and avoid the stress.

 

One driver I knew had his airlines disconnected at a STOPLIGHT in the Bronx. One guy kept an eye on him in his cab(armed) while several thugs cut his seal,opened his trailer ,grabbed stuff quickly loaded electronics into back of pickup truck. After they peeled out ,the guy watching him ran down an alley. This happened at night. Nobody around going to get involved. Another guy showed up at 1030 Pm at a Home Depot early for next morning delivery decided to camp around back in Tampa Florida.Got out to do something (I think it was to take a leak behind his trailer) someone walked towards him pulled out a gun and demanded him to toss his wallet to them then ran off in the darkness. Ive stayed in some bad parts of Chicago(in secured fenced shipper lots) still creepy though. I had to stay over in Atlantic City all weekend in a dock by an alley. Wasnt too bad just ran the seatbelts thru the door handles and latched them.