What are the safest and most dangerous truckstops??

i was just there last night... first time. Your right. it is a very nice truck stop.

 

i found the Iowa 80 ts to be safe,well lit and clean.The worst was ta exit 57 off of I-95 Baltimore south very dim i pulled in and pulled out and went to the 1 in Jessup Md exit 41 a i think not much better but a little better lit(and you have to pay at both)unless you fuel or purchase 20 bucks or more from the T/a

 

After my last post Pilot of Flying J in Pheonix are on my "avoid at all cost" list!

 

The Pilot in Dallas, TX was the place I felt least safe of all. As I'm pulling in trying to park, some dude starts walking up with something in his hand (stolen, I'm sure) and giving me a sob story so I will buy it. (I didn't) I did my set up, and stopped to switch to reverse, this jerk actually OPENS the door on my truck (I keep it locked now) and climbs on the step to continue to try and sell this thing. I said I was sorry, I didn't have the money to give him what the item was worth, (It was a camcorder) and asked him to remove himself from my step so I could close the door and park before one of the other drivers flying around the lot turned my truck into instant junk. I had to spend 34 hours there for a restart (had just changed companies and didn't realize we had a terminal a little further down the road), and I saw lot lizards galore, including one who knocked on my door, despite the fact that I had a "no lot lizards" sticker on the truck, swearing that someone had called her and told her to come to this truck to meet him. Told her I was the only occupant of the truck (dumb, I know, since I'm a female) and I didn't require her company. She finally left. Then some Asian lady comes by, asking to use my cb to find a ride. Nope sorry lady, it's broke. Mind you, I don't mind helping folks, I have done it plenty of times, but this was like the fourth interruption I'd had since I parked at the place an hour before. After having the guy open my door in mid-park and climb on my steps, I was not a happy camper, and wasn't feeling safe at all. The only time the lot lizards took off is when a cop was on the lot talking to some drivers at the other end. They came around the corner and saw the cop and vamoosed quick. They were back the next morning. I wouldn't even FUEL at that place ever again.

Second bad experience I've had was at the TA (surprise surprise) in Montgomery, AL. I was still fairly new, got in there late, and had squeezed into the one remaining spot on the lot, with some help from another driver. This was about midnight. At 5 am, I am awakened by someone banging on my door like it was a police raid. I jump up front, RIP back the curtain, and see the most gawdawful looking female I have ever seen in my whole life take one look at me, then take off running like her behind was on fire, and she was looking for water.

Last but not least, the Petro in Bordentown, NJ. I actually had some guy (another driver) follow beside me as I was walking to my truck talking to me, then throw his driver's door open to show me he was naked. I'd sure hate to be the next owner of that truck, that driver's seat will definitely need replacing I'm sure. Those are my horror stories.

 

Yep the Flying J, and Pilot in Dallas were tough places to get any sleep last time I was through there. All night long banging on my cab, nasty crack head chicks, and lowlife scum trying to sell stolen goods, or beggin for money.

 

I'm not a driver but I love going on the road with my dad. There was one time we were stopped at a pilot in East St. Louis, MO. I'm sure some of you have been there, it's the one right across from the racetrack. I didn't feel safe there after a lot lizard approached me in the women's bathroom and asked me if I wanted a friend. I'm said "No and EW HELL NO!"

After that I ran my happy self back to my dad at the fuel desk. I don't want to go there ever again lol.

 

I have to agree with the folks who said the J in Gary is pretty nasty. One of the few places where I've seen ARMED security. Even though the J in Laredo is pretty new, man that place is going down FAST. The QuikTrip in Tomah is one of my favorites, as is the TA at exit 4 just east of the MN/WI border. It's small, almost never anyplace to park, but folks are nice there. Since the J opened in Winnipeg, the Husky just west of there is a great place to get a good night's sleep... place is quiet as a morgue at night.

 

Have any of you been to the truck stops in Brookville, PA? There is a Flying J (I think it's a Flying J) and there's another one. I THINK it used to be a Petro, not sure though. It's now a TA (yet, again, I think). I've never been to the Flying J, but the TA was always nice.

There's a Pilot in South-western PA (Fayette, Greene, or Washington county area) or maybe in West Virginia, I'm not sure. It's alays nice too. It's on my favorite list.

Then there is a Citgo in Smithton, PA. If any of you have any problems there, just tell me, I have a friend that works there and he could probably get things straightened out. (He told me that the dayshift janitors don't do anything at all.)

 

I drive team with my son who is quite large. However, when I first started I drove solo for about 9 months. During that time I saw and experienced a lot. I drive a late model Freightliner and quickly found out that there are only a few keys out there and most of your questionable types have copies of all these. My son actually had a girl unlock his door using a key and climb into the drivers seat with him in the back. She quickly backed out when he got up, however I wonder what would happen if he hadn't been so intimidating with his size.
I was told of this secure way to keep your doors closed
Pull your seatbelts thru the door handle and then latch it. Even if someone has a key they cannot open the door. Don't open your door for anyone no matter what. (Had a driver next to me open his door rather than roll the window down to talk to a female knocking and she immediately climbed into the truck.)

New management at TA(West) in Ontario, CA. Was there about a week ago and security was out all night long. No one knocking at door for anything. I hope they keep up the good work.

 

On my way from the ATL got off 75 on he Fla\Ga expressway headed to Dothan Alabama.Been through a stop there in a little town called Bainbridge,Ga just off 84 the food was decent but it reminded me of a scene from the okay coral.Not much of a crowd. Did'nt feel bad about leaving the truck or concious about my person.