Iraq safer than a truck stop?

Why do think there so many trucks parked along the side of a highway or on an off-ramp LOL. I think many of the posts focus on some the seedier places, but I think they are in the minority. People just don't tend to talk about a normal night somewhere.

I think you just have to follow general safety precautions that you would anywhere else. Park in well-lit areas, pay attention to your surroundings. If you don't feel safe getting out of the truck, don't, or move on to another location. Or try to set yourself up so that you are driving alot at night, and stopping in the daytime.

Or invest in a truck with a built-in shower/toilet. Throw some food in the fridge, and you'll only have to get out to fuel LOL.

 

IT all depends on the area. There are hundreds of decent truckstops, but those aren't the one's you'll hear about because nothing happens out of the ordinary there, either good or bad. You just have to be alert.

Also consider that a truckstop will reflect the surrounding neighborhood. Gary, IN is an example. Gary is a cesspool, always has been, always will be. On another forum, a poster relayed a story about how when he worked for a cable company in Indiana, they had to have Indiana State Police escorts to disconnect illegal cable hookups in Gary because the residents there would, not could, get violent. Consequently the two truckstops at the Burr St. exit are dumps. OTOH, just up the road in Lake Station there are better truckstops.

Gary might be one case of Iraq being safer, lol.

Sometimes you'll have no choice but to park in a dump truckstop, like those in Ontario, CA or in New Jersey outside of NYC because there are no other choices. In those instances, you just have to be careful and aware of your surroundings. I always kept my wallet separate from my company fuel card and drivers license, so if, God forbid, I ever got mugged, they'd just get my credit cards and cash and I could just call my bank and gas company and have them cancelled. Play it smart and you'll be fine.

 

yes, i do also agree on Gary, In. i once was there at the Union 76 (now a T/A i would imagine), and a co-driver came into the bathroom all bloody, but in this particular instance, it was his co-driver that took a knife to him. so, what would anyone say about a truckstop then.......watch out for co-driver fights....?? that particular truckstop was the absolute pits, how it is today, i'll never know as i don't run the roads (much at least) anymore.

you need to be carefull where you park, and if you're in an area where you have a choice or two about where to park for the night, ask questions of other truck drivers as to which would be safer.

location...........location........location............

 

as far as gary, I've only ever parked at the Schneider terminal, as thats who i work for obviously. Its not bad there at all. i feel safe. but no matter where i am, if I'm in or out of the truck, driving or not, the doors are ALWAYS locked.

I've been out here for about 4 months now, and i have YET to see a lot lizzard or any other type of devious behavior, with the exception of clean, honest appearing people asking for a few bucks for gas or something (of which i say no of course)

I park mostly at Pilots if i can, because they are usually approved fuel stops for me anyways. (although they can be SERIOUS mad houses some times) My next choice is usually a Petro, because there are some HUGE ones out there that are well lit and their restaurants "the iron skillet" is actually not too bad. Flying J's have been ok too, but i don't really seem to see too many decent sized ones. I only stop at t/a's if theres nothing else around... seems like they are usually pretty active.

You probably want to stay away from some of the smaller chains or independent places, using judgment accordingly of course. Also, i believe the reason i don't see much happening in the lots is because as soon as i park, if i don't go get something to eat, i climb in the sleeper and pull the curtains right away. maybe someone has pounded at my door before, but i haven't noticed. i'm a pretty heavy sleeper. also, i like to get up at 5-6 am and start my day so i'm parked and well asleep by 10 pm or so when your most likely to have a visitor. I bought a big ole truckstop directory book, and if i suspect they will be busy, i dont even waste my time with places with less than 100 parking spots. The bigger places usually have a better staff, which means cleaner bathrooms and better food, regardless of the increase in busy-ness.

 

keeping the doors locked at all times is the right thing to do, even as you're rolling down the highway.

always look into your mirrors if you're parked before you open up any door, or even roll the window down, as you'll never know if anyone is on your catwalk hiding, as the other person was knocking on your door.........(maybe even turn on the "porch light" first, to scare them away).........

 

I can't say that I have ever seen any real problems at any truckstop I have been to or parked at. Once in a very rare while, I may get an uneasy feeling about a place, and before getting out I open my pocket knife (large!) and put it within easy reach in my pocket. But not once has it ever needed to leave my pocket, so that isn't a really big issue. I lock the doors on the truck when i leave it, and once in a while i lock the doors at night. Biggest problem I have ever encountered has been overly persistent lot lizards that don't seem to understand the word "NO!".

Even the worst place I have ever parked at (TA Youngstown OH) I had no problems and spent a good 30 minutes outslde chatting with another driver.

At any truckstop, park in the middle of the pack, avoid the very back row which is where shenanigans happen, and mind your own business and you'll have no trouble.

 

Depends on the jurisdiction, but mace, pepper spray, and knifes are allowable assuming that you comply with the applicable laws. Most pepper sprays I know of require a class to certify prior to use or purchase. Mace may have restrictions. A pocket knife is always legal, (not Crocodile Dundee size though!) and if it isn't a handy dandy box cutter type of tile cutting razor blade knife slips easily into a pocket. I carry one in the truck, and it's simply treated as a tool.

I drive into Canada occasionally, and they always ask about weapons at the border, and i mention that I have 2-3 pocket knives in the truck and they are unconcerned.

As for a tazer, there are a lot of still developing legal issues concerning them, and some police using them have had fatal results. I donl;t know enough about them to give an opinion, but i don;t think that would be needed. Remember, any bad guy is only coming up because he thinks you won't fight. If you are willing not to be a victim, they will move on pretty quickly.

By the way, walking down the middle of the row is always better than slipping in between dark trucks and trailers.