Truck Stops...?

Ok gang, Instructors and us in class had a little chat about truck stops, Some of the horror stories they passed along almost make me want to avoid them lol Murders, robberies, i understand you have to be careful wherever you go, but geesh, don't know if they were just "funnin" us or being serious... I'm guessing they are old school drivers and the stories are from long ago, I'm curious of your take on them. As always, i do research topics, and have heard they've cleaned them up up quite a bit regarding prostitution and such, Would you be willing to share some of your experiences? Thanks in advance everyone!

Ok gang, Instructors and us in class had a little chat about truck stops, Some of the horror stories they passed along almost make me want to avoid them lol Murders, robberies, i understand you have to be careful wherever you go, but geesh, don't know if they were just "funnin" us or being serious... I'm guessing they are old school drivers and the stories are from long ago, I'm curious of your take on them. As always, i do research topics, and have heard they've cleaned them up up quite a bit regarding prostitution and such, Would you be willing to share some of your experiences? Thanks in advance everyone!

90% of what Truckers tell you either are exaggerated or just not quite true. Lol! I learned this the 1st year of trucking. Yeah bad things happen and you'll see it posted on this board or online but I hear more bad news happening elsewhere then Truck Stops.

Andy I completely agree with Driver. Truck drivers are well known for telling a tale just to have the best story. Don't know why that is, we must be a bunch of losers. I've been in some pretty seedy looking stops, but as long as you don't do something stupid like wandering aimlessly around in the parking lot at 2:30 in the morning you should be just fine. I've crisscrossed this country many times and have never felt frightened or threatened at any truck stop.

Thanx Old school, I guess it's not that I'm worried, more curious i suppose. One other thing they did say.. "How do you know when a truck driver is lying?" Lol... I'm sure you know the answer to that haha "Their lips are moving!" Back home, i live near Jim's truck stop on Walden ave, if you know the area. Super place, love the diner! Everyone I've run into there have been awesome. Friendly. I was curious i suppose of good or bad experiences you all may have had...

Truckstops and I'll through in rest areas too, are like anywhere else. Some are great, some are good, some ok, and others total trash. As long as you are cautious you'll be fine. I had the pleasure staying at a brand new, paint smell still in the air Love's in Dayton Ohio. Beautiful place. Then I noticied they have 24 hr armed security. I couldn't resist. I had to ask why. I was told the area around the truck stop had its own issues so they didnt want any of it coming into or onto their business and is more a deterent for locals than its customers.

That's awesome PJ, Thanks for that. Hopefully I'll get a chance to see that one :) Of course the joke goes for recruiters also, But i should be doing a north east run. Ohio being one of the states. Sounds really kool

The biggest problem I see at truckstops is accidents. Pick your spot carefully, try not to pick a spot where trucks have to turn next to you. If I get in late and there's limited or no parking and have to make a spot I will set my alarm to get up early and move to a better spot. I see some drivers that park in a place that makes it tight for others leaving and they stay there for their entire break.

Andy, many rookies are curious about lot lizards. I've had maybe three encounters with them in all my travels. The strangest encounter I had was last winter. I was in Indiana and they had closed the interstate I was on, so I and about 250 other trucks were stranded at a Pilot - there were trucks crammed in there every which way you could get them. One night at about 3 am I was awakened by someone beating on my door. When I pulled back my curtain there was a young lady standing in three foot deep snow drifts wanting to know if I wanted some company. When I told her I'd never been so desperate that I had to pay for "company" she proceeded to the next truck and started her sales pitch again.

Too funny. I suppose i should mention, I'm kicking 50 in the ass, last thing I'd be interested in is a quickie in the parking lot lol Just throwing that out there. However, you are correct, in my "research" i have come across a few pretty funny videos and blogs on that subject. I appreciate the advice on the parking issues and the Gi. Had to be quite a site seeing sooo many trucks all in one place, And my Godz, All those truckers all yapping away at once lol had to be as bad as my ex wife complaining about every little thing I've ever done wrong lol Blahblahblah

Andy, I'm 54, but these gals will take their money from an eighty year old if he's willing to let them in his truck.