has parking always been this bad?

Depends on the city. Usually walmart/Sams dcs won't take you more than an hr early so you have to anticipate that during your trip planning

 

Yup, unfortunately Walmart and Sams never unload early, even when I deliver to their stores water or paper as a outside carrier...
The longer You drive the better You will become with time management and learning parking off the beaten paths.Chain truckstop usually are packed.

Good luck!

 

Hi LS ( no D), no, things were never like this, as I remember. Some truckers, who are pigs, ruined it for everyone. Trash, P bottles ( or worse), and drivers dropping trailers and taking off, pretty much ruined it for the rest. Insurance regulations also had a big effect on who parks where. As far as places to park, years ago, drivers came in, took a little nap, and moved on. There was usually a place to park, or would be soon. Now, everybody takes their break at the same time, and it's a huge problem. On and off ramps are taboo as well. Some sleepy 4 wheeler ran into a truck parked on the ramp, now THAT'S off limits. Just one more negative strike for OTR. I'm sure it will get worse before it get's better. Good luck.

 

No, it wasn't always this bad.

When i started. Trucks actually rolled at night. Instead of parking for the night. And there wasn't as many truckers. You could almost park any time of day or night. Depending on destination and area.

Things like time management, and elogs were unheard of.

 

The parking situation has gotten exponentially worse the last 15-20 years as logistics models have changed. However, truck stops have grown in exponential numbers too, but it's still not enough to keep pace, plus they can't put truck stops where they need to be due to cost feasibility and zoning issues.

More and more trucks hitting the roads, and more and more places being marked off limits, and more and more mandated to sit more and more due to new HOS rules and eLogs. It's a recipe for problems for truckers. It will only get worse.

 

I can remember back in the 80's you could find parking almost anywhere. Off ramps or under an under pass were favorite spots.

But yes.. pigs ruined it. I was in Va Beach last year.. came in early for a delivery in the am. No where to really park. I saw a walmart with a nice large lot all open. Pull in and park. Walk over to the wendys for dinner. Come out and a security guard is asking me to park somewhere else because truckers were not allowed. I asked since when? Said since they started leaving special gifts in shopping carts and leaving trash and other special things all over the place.

Sad really. What is so difficult about having a 5 or 7 gal trash can in your truck? When you stop at a rest area or truck stop.. you empty it.

Hurst

 

I stopped at Walmart in calexico one day. Just for some shopping. Made delivery and had nowhere to go at the moment. Got told i couldn't park there. Told the guy i'm only shopping. He told me to park 1000 feet away. So i yelled at him.

WE BRING YOU YOUR GOODS SO THAT YOU HAVE INVENTORY TO SELL TO YOUR PEOPLE. AND WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SHOP FOR THOSE VERY GOODS WE SUPPLY YOU. KISS MY A--

 

It's not just a few pigs. The majority of truckers today. Are pigs from other countries.

Gone are the american cowboy days. We're just a small minority anymore.