Truck stop safety?

[jmcglone]

Hi, all--

I'm working on a piece for EO on truck stop safety and thought I'd ask you guys a couple questions. As per usual, chances are pretty good I'll quote you here and there. So, here goes.

1. Besides simple advice like "Be aware" and "Lock your doors," what kind of advice would you offer to other expediters to make sure they stay safe in a truck stop?

2. Are there any specific truck stops out there that you would consider to be unsafe?

3. What would the tell-tale signs of a safe truck stop be (e.g., lots of lights, busy, etc.)?

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate all your insights on the industry.

 

[Slo-Ride]

Not just truck stops but anywhere...
Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings,
If parked (camping waiting for a load) for a while, leave your marker lights on when possible,this shows the truck is occupied and if something does happen,, lights draw attention to someone that sees the truck day after day..

Stay away from the 53fts they have a tendency to smash into other trucks

 

[pelicn]

Be aware of your surroundings, walk with purpose head up and watchful. Stay away from dark places, park near lights and avoid walking between trailers if possible.
We won't stay at any of the truck stops on the loop around Atlanta. We also won't stay at the TA east or west in Ontario, CA because in the past we have been approached by lizards and scam artists.
Most of the time if the truck stop is clean inside, the lot doesn't have a lot of trash laying around and it's well lit, we consider it pretty safe.

 

[greg334]

I really have to say this, you should spend some time out in a truck, not van, at a few of these truck stops. You should see what goes on. Many times it is the subtle things.

I would take a trip to Atlanta, go to the one on the loop on the west side, go to Bordertown, and try the Toledo Pilot on Alexis. Try the T/A in Dallas and also there is one in Maryland that slips my mind but it is on a big sloop. Try not to go to Memphis, it is a **** hole. I like Olive Branch a lot.

See asking is one thing but experiencing it first hand is another and it gives you a lot of insight. If you have done that, great which means you are naturally thinking on our level.

The other thing is read some of the posts here, like about excersizing and other fun stuff.

 

[arkjarhead]

A can of hornet and wasp spray makes good defense

 

[dhalltoyo]

Greg,

If new folks go to those places you named, there won't be any drivers to replace those who are retiring or quitting.

Oh, never mind...that means more load opportunities for those who are prepared to navigate the "War Zones".

 

[moparnewt]

Jessup Maryland,just south of Baltimore,lovely place(like a nightmare).

 

[Desperado]

downtown truck stops usly the worst but I've seen truck stops in the middle of no were be just as bad but most lot lizard's understand a simple no thank you

 

[Bruno]

Anyone remember the United Truck Stop in the Flats in Cleveland. That place was next to a water treatment Plant. I remember when Roberts had the rule you had to be 25 miles from your Express Center or they wouldn't let you check in on the board. The place wasn't the best, but it was old and had good food. When they changed the rule I stop going there.
I don't even know if its still open.

 

[x06col]

I very seldom used truck stops for anything other than fuel and shower. My only advice for a truck stop would be to NEVER park on the end of the row.

For the other, I always had a image by the door handles of my truck with the words "I don't call 911", and meant it.

 

[fastman_1]

Anyone remember the United Truck Stop in the Flats in Cleveland. That place was next to a water treatment Plant. I remember when Roberts had the rule you had to be 25 miles from your Express Center or they wouldn't let you check in on the board. The place wasn't the best, but it was old and had good food. When they changed the rule I stop going there.
I don't even know if its still open.

Yea its still there and you must have been there in the good days, I used to have to meet a driver there to hand stuff off going west, and it was and is the pits.

 

[guido4475]

I really have to say this, you should spend some time out in a truck, not van, at a few of these truck stops. You should see what goes on. Many times it is the subtle things.

I would take a trip to Atlanta, go to the one on the loop on the west side, go to Bordertown, and try the Toledo Pilot on Alexis. Try the T/A in Dallas and also there is one in Maryland that slips my mind but it is on a big sloop. Try not to go to Memphis, it is a **** hole. I like Olive Branch a lot.

See asking is one thing but experiencing it first hand is another and it gives you a lot of insight. If you have done that, great which means you are naturally thinking on our level.

The other thing is read some of the posts here, like about excersizing and other fun stuff.

Actually, Gregg, Since coming into a van from a s/t, I am shocked at the amount of funny business that goes on in a four wheeler parking lot, day and night. Never a dull moment.I thought it would be the other way around.

 

[guido4475]

Anyone remember the United Truck Stop in the Flats in Cleveland. That place was next to a water treatment Plant. I remember when Roberts had the rule you had to be 25 miles from your Express Center or they wouldn't let you check in on the board. The place wasn't the best, but it was old and had good food. When they changed the rule I stop going there.
I don't even know if its still open.

It is now a trucking company.Imagine that.Yes, the food was decent, and it was a good place to go when waiting for a load while running local freight.Alot safer than our terminal at E55th and Central,Cedar. that's for sure.Of course, I was the only honkie working there, also....But I larned how to grill chicken on the grill using beeer from the brothers.They sure can grill!!

 

[guido4475]

Be aware of your surroundings, walk with purpose head up and watchful. Stay away from dark places, park near lights and avoid walking between trailers if possible.
We won't stay at any of the truck stops on the loop around Atlanta. We also won't stay at the TA east or west in Ontario, CA because in the past we have been approached by lizards and scam artists.
Most of the time if the truck stop is clean inside, the lot doesn't have a lot of trash laying around and it's well lit, we consider it pretty safe.

Best advice on here yet.If you are in the L.A area, there is a Wal-Mart not too far away from the T/A that you can get away parking there overnight.It is on I-15, north of 10,Exit 112,(Foothill blvd), on the east side of the highway.Gps will tell you it is on the other side.It is not very truck freindly to get into, but come in the driveway, go down the side of the building to the back,and park along the other building, along the bushes.If you are along the side of the building that is not the wal-mart building, you will be fine, and are not on wal-mart property.The security guard for the non-walmart buiding will let you stay as long as you want, (I stayed there for 3 days)while the wally world security guard will tow you.Very quiet, alot of cut grass for a dog to run around without a leash, and excellent restaurant in the same parking lot.Really enjoyable,shaded spot most of the day.

 

[Patriot44]

Dad drove a 18 wheeler for 17+ years and always told me "Never park in the back row" I always heed his advice.

I try to park under or very near to the lights in the parking lots and as everyone else has said --Pay attention to what is going on around your truck or the place you might want to park.

The Kroger in downtown Detroit might not be the best place to stay the night.....

 

[greg334]

The Kroger in downtown Detroit might not be the best place to stay the night.....

They have a krogers in Detroit? They only one I thought was still around was shut down because of the rat problems.

 

[guido4475]

Dad drove a 18 wheeler for 17+ years and always told me "Never park in the back row" I always heed his advice.

I try to park under or very near to the lights in the parking lots and as everyone else has said --Pay attention to what is going on around your truck or the place you might want to park.

The Kroger in downtown Detroit might not be the best place to stay the night.....

The back row thing- it has changed alot through the years, due to the new breed of lazy truckdrivers.Most drivers dont want to walk too far to the buffet, so they park as close to the building as possible.So when you get lot lizzards in a truckstop,They want to contact as many customers as possible, with as little as possible walking,reducing the chance of being caught.With this in mind, I have observed most lot lizzards work the heaviest populated area of a truckstop parking lot, being close to the building.I have always parked in the back row, and very rarely have been bothered, and slept alot better because I knew most of the rookies were up front tearing hoods off up there.And I would get excercise that I so desperately need by walking from the farthest corner away from the building.

 

[gsmacker]

I guess I must just be lucky. I've never had trouble at any ts I've been at. I've even had humorus conversations with "self employed" parking lot attendees. Maybe a friendly no thank you is better than telling them what ***** they are? Then again lately I've either been drivin with gas and dash or at home.
On the other hand I will sit just about anywhere other than Detroit. Seems like the closer to the downtown it is the less friendly it is. It does help kill the time watchin big trucks smash into one another. I try to find parkin spots where I have a curb on one side and away from the daily traffic parks.

 

[Hahpi_Savvas]

I park van in front by big lights on.

 

[DannyD]

I try to use the truckstops pretty much for fuel, showers, & now internet if I can help it. When I'm ready to sleep I'll drive to a hotel & sleep in their parking lot. I'm in a cargo van. This wouldn't work for trucks. No place is 100% safe but you're less likely to have the type of people who will want to break into your vehicle at a Marriot than ya will at a truckstop.

I'm working on a piece for EO on truck stop safety and thought I'd ask you guys a couple questions. As per usual, chances are pretty good I'll quote you here and there. So, here goes.

1. Besides simple advice like "Be aware" and "Lock your doors," what kind of advice would you offer to other expediters to make sure they stay safe in a truck stop?

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate all your insights on the industry.