New Boot Device Being Deployed To Threaten Walmart Overnighters

Legally, these Walmart booters are violating law, and I wish one of these truckers would sue and get it settled once and for all.

Actually - the laws vary somewhat from state to state. An PERSON can trespass, laws about PROPERTY (a car/truck) trespassing can be vague and difficult to understand.

And booters/towers just don't come randomly on peoples property and start towing - the ARE contracted by the property owner. In some cases, the owner IS NOT the store itself, sometimes even the municipality does it. At any rate - the property/store DOES GET A PIECE OF THE ACTION. It IS PRIVATE PROPERTY.

There's a dental office next to a very popular Italian restaurant I frequent here in town. Restaurant tried to "rent" their parking lot during office off-hours, but they wanted an exorbitant fee. So the place boots and tows. The guy who boots is obnoxious as hell, and probably gets assaulted on a regular basis - he wears a body cam. I've seen the guy get his azz beat - and in that particular instance he deserved it. Wouldn't want HIS JOB. Nevertheless - it is posted, it is LEGAL. He waits in the parking lot, and as soon as someone parks - he BOOTS and calls the tow truck. Would it be "nice" if he said - "hey, you can't park here.". Sure would be. But his JOB is to BOOT AND TOW. The SIGN is sufficient warning.

What I find interesting in this discussion - is the attitude that WE somehow have A RIGHT TO PARK anywhere we want (or can depending on room). While it surely sucks that people/businesses/states/municipalities have ZERO APPRECIATION for what we do, how difficult the work actually is, and how hard it is to find a safe/legal place to take the required rest (so we don't become a safety hazard) - nevertheless, we ARE REQUIRED to follow the rules (and not ignore no truck parking signs), and be GOOD CITIZENS (no pee bottles, garbage, etc. - where we ARE allowed to park).

And while it would be NICE if they "warned us", or gave us a chance to move - THE SIGNS ARE THE WARNING.

For INDIVIDUALS - most signs say something to the effect of "LEO can advise someone to leave, persons are subject to arrest" - it's called TRESPASS AFTER WARNING. Depending on the cop (and your attitude) it an be "hey you gotta leave" - "why should I leave" - HANDCUFFS. Same thing goes for (example here in FL) places that have NO GUNS signs (like malls). In Florida - if they see I'm carrying, all they can do is ask me to leave. If I REFUSE - it's ARMED TRESPASS AFTER WARNING. If I just leave - no harm/no foul.

As long as the boot/tow signs are posted in accordance with state/local regs - there is no cause for action (lawsuit) - so unless some organization tries to sue, I doubt any trucker is going to find a lawyer to take this on a "contingency fee basis".

I'm not defending the practice - simply stating facts...

Rick

Dave, thanks for the info. I always read the news about trucking you post. I also read your profile. Is your son back from Afghanistan?

Anyway, thanks for keeping us informed.

Thank you.

And no, Matt is still over there. Just before he deployed, the area in northern Afghanistan where he is now was relatively quiet. But since the "peace talks" started the Taliban have made an extreme effort to take over the country ... beginning with northern Afghanistan.

We text regularly (isn't the Internet great!) and he says things are real busy there. I'll read about a major event where dozens of Taliban are killed and, Matt can't divulge details, but he says he was there for that fight. I have a feeling we're going to be hearing some very interesting stories when he gets home.

Dave, thanks for the info. I always read the news about trucking you post. I also read your profile. Is your son back from Afghanistan?

Anyway, thanks for keeping us informed.

Thank you.

And no, Matt is still over there. Just before he deployed, the area in northern Afghanistan where he is now was relatively quiet. But since the "peace talks" started the Taliban have made an extreme effort to take over the country ... beginning with northern Afghanistan.

We text regularly (isn't the Internet great!) and he says things are real busy there. I'll read about a major event where dozens of Taliban are killed and, Matt can't divulge details, but he says he was there for that fight. I have a feeling we're going to be hearing some very interesting stories when he gets home.

Dave, it must be a worrisome time for you and your family. I hope all the soldiers get back safe and sound. Thank your son for his service.

Dave, it must be a worrisome time for you and your family. I hope all the soldiers get back safe and sound. Thank your son for his service.

Ditto that!

I swear sometimes I feel like im in the twilight zone...

between the attitude that I am owed a parking space at a private property to which i didn't deliver (and only half of customers have parking)

to the ironic statement of "have ZERO APPRECIATION for what we do, how difficult the work actually is"

my head is spinning.

Keep up the good work Dave... we had a discussion last week about Walmart parking. Trucker Path said only about half the Walmarts in the country allow parking.

As for Bruce asking where else can you park...

Weigh stations.. some have as many as 50 parking spots yet drivers avoid them for fear of getting inspected. So you will see 100 trucks parked in a rest area, blocking each other in and the weigh station a half mile down is empty.

Casinos.... many especially in OK

Adult stores such as Lions Den and Passions.

Restaurants, rib joints, steak houses, industrial parks, streets near hotels,

Use google maps for a satellite view. You would be shocked at how many mom and pop stops have huge lots and tons of parking. Always Trucker Path for reviews. they will state "here at midnight and only 5 trucks" type of things.

I love some of these parking ideas. Someone should write a book on parking tips and sell it on iTunes. I’m off to see if this book already exists.