LITTLE ADVICE PARKING AT A TRUCK STOP!!!

[LadyTrucker]

Get your bathrooms needs done before you park. If you have to get up during the night, either learn to take care of it in the truck, or pull back around the fuel island and then park again....but this may mean loosing your parking space.
Try to park your truck under a light, or as close as you can and avoid parking in the last row.
Never walk across the lot at night!
Keep your eyes open, even in the daylight. :wink: : :wink:

[sweet_whiskey]

Sorry I'm new here..

Never tell another male or female driver what you are driving.

Carry wasp spray for emergency uses, such as spray in the eyes and in the mouth. Legal to carry and can harm.

[Big_Dave]

The main thing to be aware of is your surroundings.

Park under or near a light.

Park as close to the building as possible.

Carry pepper spray or mace.

Get in and out of your truck from the passenger side. It makes it look as though you got a driving partner.

Always be aware of what's going on around you.

[Hillbilly]

Whenever I am running down the road with a lady driver, and we are stopping at the same place for the night, I try to park as close as possible and usually give her my cell #, in case she needs to go inside late at nite. All she's gotta do is call, and I'll get up, and walk her in.

i remember when truckers where family and well some still treat other drivers as family and others sad to say don't i try and help when ever i can and well that's what my dad tought me to do

[nitestar]

When parked at night and you need to go inside, Don't leave your dome light on, it tells everyone that the truck is MTY and you are alone, NO Co-Driver.

The thieves can see what you have too, and it will be gone by the time you get back. I have the dome light switch in the doors deactivated .

If some one parked next to you gives you the willies , just act like your talking to your co -driver as you get out and lock the doors as you exit.
Pull the bunk curtains as if a co driver was in the bunk.
Always carry your Cell phone and pretend you are talking on it .
The bad element usually won't mess with you if you are in contact with someone.

Never walk between the trailers and always walk down the main isle or drive way. Even in the day light.
This gives you room to maneauver or run, it also gives others a chance to see the bad guy a bit longer.

Carry your key in your doninate hand to use as a weapon if needed, or your fuel card for a cuttring edge.

A squirt bottle of amonia is real good for backing off bad guys and it also gets bugs off the glass well too. Not considered a weapon

A little tip, You should get in the habit of looking under trailers as you walk to see if someone is waiting, You will see their legs. That is the time to change direction.

Hope these tips help keep you safe.

.

when you pull in to a truckstop always pull in nice and easy because being a showoff will lead into trouble

Get in from the passenger side.... if someone is going to jump you, they will be waiting on the driver's side for you. ( if they know your truck)

[scubadiver]

more suggestions. First get one of those little porta potties , that way if the need arises ya'll don't have to get out. They can be bought at most camping stores. Second if your company allows it get a midsize dog. They are good company and at least warn you of strangers around the truck. If not get some men's clothing. Make sure its xlarge so they think your co driver is the size of Dave or bigger. 6'5.

[HSLD]

It's just sad things are like this. Have to agree with the poster about the old days being like family. I wasn't old enough for that era, but rode with my uncles and saw what life was like then between drivers.

However, the last couple of ladies that parked close to me looked like they could probably handle things better than most of us. The song Lola by the Kinks comes to mind. :D :D :D :D

HSLD

[scubadiver]

I agree with ya and it isn't only trucking industry that has gone bad. I can remember my grandparents leaving their backdoor unlock and you could leave your car keys in the car overnight and the car will be there in the morning.

[DrivingZiggy]

Also, it is 100% legal for you to have a GUN in the truck as long as you comply with the laws of the state you're in. If you're unsure of the laws in the state, you can easily get a copy of a guide from gunlaws.com.

[Big_Dave]

Also, it is 100% legal for you to have a GUN in the truck as long as you comply with the laws of the state you're in. If you're unsure of the laws in the state, you can easily get a copy of a guide from gunlaws.com.
The one problem I can see with that is the 'laws' or ordinances that Municipalities and Counties have on their books.

Some cities and counties 'outlaw' guns but yet you can have them anywhere else in the state. Remember, LEO's do NOT need probable cause to search a truck!

The penalties for having a gun in your posession in some areas call for a mandatory 20 year sentence. :yikes:

I'd hate to sit in prison for 20 years just 'cuz I had a gun in the truck.

Ya might wanna read this! (http://roundtable.truck.net/viiewt.php?p=379887&highlight=firearms#379887)<~~~~~click here

[DrivingZiggy]

The McClure-Volkmer Act ensures that no state can prohibit you from carrying a gun through it. They can, however, dictate that it be unloaded and in a locked case and inaccessible.

[Big_Dave]

They can, however, dictate that it be unloaded and in a locked case and inaccessible.
Then why carry?

You'd get shot trying to get to it. :wacko:

[eatonfuller]

it is a shame things are like this now. i dont have to worry about stuff when im at a truckstop because im a good sized guy but after being through some big cities,some things i learned is: be very aware of your surroundings,if your walking around with your head down an not looking very confident,people will see you as an easy target,regardless of how big you are. good posture,dont slouch or anything,stand straight up(good posture leads people to believe your on the ball,they will be less apt to think they can surprise you) and above all else if you have a gut feeling,go with it,dont test your own intiution.

[DrivingZiggy]

I'm not sure how the law would be in those states, but at night I consider the truck my "home" and take it out and jack one in. I'm pretty sure that's not against the law. Luckily, I haven't had to find out yet.

you got a point

[HSLD]

Also, it is 100% legal for you to have a GUN in the truck as long as you comply with the laws of the state you're in. If you're unsure of the laws in the state, you can easily get a copy of a guide from gunlaws.com

What are you going to with it when the shippers and recievers have signs stating their policy of prohibiting guns on their property? I know the chance of getting caught is probably slim, but still, you'd have a problem if your truck was searched and it was found on the property.

HSLD

i say having a handgun in the truck is a good idea for flatbed driving

and well going to get me a 9mm berettaand be totally leagal

[DrivingZiggy]

What are you going to with it when the shippers and recievers have signs stating their policy of prohibiting guns on their property? I know the chance of getting caught is probably slim, but still, you'd have a problem if your truck was searched and it was found on the property. The only places where it's actually against the law to take a firearm to is a military installation. Many of those let you leave them in a locker at the front gate or with the guard. Others will tell you where the police station or pawn shop is where you can drop it off while you're on base. As for the places where it's their "company policy", there's absolutely no way they're getting in my truck. They don't have any kind of authority to do so. If they don't want to let me on their property, so be it. I have the Constitution of the United States of America on my side and I'll be damned if I'll let a shipper or receiver take my rights away from me.

[allikat]

I always went for showers and stuff during the day, it's quieter at the truckstops. You can get in and out easily, and don't need to worry about it at night, and hanging around in queues for the shower room feeling all alone.

One idea - while you're playing with the dome light, get an electrically skilled person (which could well be you) and wire a 12v horn to the connections in the light from the door switches. That way, if someone breaks your door locks while you're in bed, you'll be awake to grab your mace/hair spray/.44 :ninja: Do make sure you have a switch to turn it off when you want to open the doors tho ;) Nothing is quite like bed-head with added siren :yikes:

[Lexy]

I know this may sound crazy, but.... When you find you have to walk a long way to the TS or whatever, (even at night).... Don't carry yourself like a victim waiting to happen.

A steady natural pace, arms at your side.... head up (looking where you are going, not looking at the ground). In other words.... walk like you would if you were walking from your car to the grocery store.

Every time I see a woman strolling across a parking lot with her arms practically wrapped around her, head down, and walking at an unnatural pace, it makes me think that she would be the perfect victim. It's a sure sign of being intimidated by your surroundings. Which means your mind is only on ONE thing..... that is getting from point A to point B asap. That is ok, but it doesn't give you much left to be aware of your surroundings and what is going on in them.

[allikat]

Walk like you own the place, it helps. Lexy is right. Confidence is key. And you DO own the place, it's there for YOUR benefit, you're a truck driver!

[HSLD]

The only places where it's actually against the law to take a firearm to is a military installation. Many of those let you leave them in a locker at the front gate or with the guard. Others will tell you where the police station or pawn shop is where you can drop it off while you're on base. As for the places where it's their "company policy", there's absolutely no way they're getting in my truck. They don't have any kind of authority to do so. If they don't want to let me on their property, so be it. I have the Constitution of the United States of America on my side and I'll be damned if I'll let a shipper or receiver take my rights away from me.[/

Firearms are prohibited from all Federally owned property (with the exception of LEO's and military personnel). Texas also has a law that allows property owner to prohibit firearms from their property. Most states will not allow you to carry firearms on state owned property either unless you're an LEO or in the military.

As for searches. You're subject to search any time you enter a military installation or Federally owned property. Some states require that for entry on to state property as well.

Better check some of the fine print of the paperwork you're signing at both shippers and recievers. Some include the statement that you agree to allow a search of your person and your truck when you enter the property.

HSLD