Trucker Etiquette Question

I have unintentionally gotten into a debate on another site about appropriate reaction to breaking unwritten rules in the trucking world. Since I am not in that world yet, I'd like your opinions about it.

I know it is wrong to do, but how would you react to someone coming up to your parked truck while you are in the drivers seat and opening your door to talk to you or give you some paperwork? Not first waving to you, or knocking on the bottom window, but just stepping up and opening the door.

I'll tell you what my argument was about after I hear some of your unbiased opinions.

Well, first to clarify for anyone new to the trucking industry - that is exactly the same thing as walking up to a stranger's house and walking straight in without knocking. It's basically unthinkable. 99.5% of the drivers out there would be floored if someone made such a move, and anyone who does so should not be surprised at all if they catch a tire iron upside the head.

That being said, the "appropriate response" will depend heavily upon the circumstances. Is your truck parked at the company's terminal and a mechanic climbed in to take it to the shop not knowing you were in the truck? Or were you parked on the South Side of Chicago at 3:00 a.m. when someone with their face and head partially concealed with a hoodie suddenly climbed in?

Those are quite extreme differences and the reaction to those seems pretty obvious. So let's talk about somewhere in the middle - you're parked at a truck stop on a nice afternoon in July and suddenly the door opens and someone starts to climb up the step. I've had this happen a few times over the years and here's what I did.

For me, the first thing I do is yell "WHOA!!!" because sometimes a driver that works for the same company you do will accidentally start to climb in your truck thinking it's theirs. I've almost done this a time or two, and a few people have done that to me. You laugh it off, apologies all around, and usually a friendly conversation ensues. No harm, no foul.

I've also had DOT officers do that a few times at rest areas, but never at a truck stop. In that case, once the shock wears off that someone is climbing in your truck you simply say with a smile "Good day officer. How can I help you?" Obviously that is a dangerous and inappropriate way to enter someone's vehicle but you keep your mouth shut and treat them with kindness and respect if you know what's good for you.

Say it's someone who has never driven a truck before. I've had dock workers do that a few times when they were bringing out my paperwork or coming to tell me what dock to back into. In that case I very kindly tell them, "Listen, just so you know it's very dangerous to pop in like that without knocking. There are a lot of drivers out there who will scream in your face for 20 minutes if you're lucky, or hit you over the head with a tire thumper and ask questions later if you're not. So make sure you always knock on the door and never open up a driver's door or climb on their step without permission. That way everyone is safe and happy."

That's how I've handled it when it's happened to me. The thing is, you have to keep in mind that you never know who you're dealing with. You don't just start screaming at a stranger because they open your truck door. They might just be someone begging for spare change but they have a hair-trigger temper and a switchblade at the ready - you just don't know. There are too many variables and too many unknowns so be real careful how you handle things like that out there. Try to keep the peace and get along with people to the best of your abilities while remaining vigilant at the same time.

Hmm, even climbing on the step huh?

Growing up in rural midwest has left me woefully naive. I will have to go back to the other site and apologize for my argument. I thought pushing them off the step or closing the door on their fingers would be sufficient, while others said pepper spray or taser was standard.

I thought pushing them off the step or closing the door on their fingers would be sufficient, while others said pepper spray or taser was standard.

Well, tasers are not legal to carry that I'm aware of - so be careful about that.

Unfortunately, what's become all-too-standard is people treating each other like garbage and truckers taking an unbelievably bad attitude toward pretty much everyone and everything. As I mentioned in my comment, there are a list of reasons why someone may jump up on your step or even open the door without meaning any harm or disrespect. If someone clearly intends harm, then you do whatever it takes to protect yourself of course. But to assume someone intends harm or is being intentionally disrespectful is really a terrible approach to take in my book. You're just going to cause a ton of grief and ill feelings over nothing.

In 15 years on the road I never had a single altercation with anyone. I've never been robbed, never got in a fight, never been harassed or threatened by anyone.

Ya know, I would really love to see new drivers coming into the industry take it upon themselves to try a new approach. As a driver, be proud of what you do, take care of yourself, be kind and respectful to people, and win back the respect of the general public. After 15 years of being treated like the lowest possible scum of the Earth by just about everyone I came across for no reason other than I was a truck driver was incredibly disappointing and sad. Most people only need to know you're a trucker and they automatically assume you're an undesirable. And who's fault is that? Well drivers of course. People didn't just make that stereotype up out of the blue. Way too many truckers are rude, filthy, nasty people and this has gone on for decades. The general public has come to expect it and it's disgraceful.

This topic is a great example of the opportunities I'm talking about. Just because someone jumps up on the step of your truck or opens the door doesn't mean you have to slam em on the head with a tire iron, call em every filthy name in the book, and spit in their face before stepping on their teeth. Like I said, if someone is obviously a threat then you do what you have to. But to all of the new drivers out there - for God's sake and the sake of truckers everywhere take a little pride in yourself, have some respect for the people around you, and represent the trucking industry with pride and integrity when you interact with people.

Heck, you might even consider smiling if it won't crack your face open

Well, if they open the door on our truck, they will get a face full of ****ed off Jack Russel Terrier. It amazes me that anyone would really do that. But I guess there are times when people just don't think. We had a truck that had a DOOR BELL on it !! I really liked it.

I got an 8 lb sledge in my door called Bertha she don't take lightly to idiots thinking my sucassa is ur sucassa ,better to knock if they want ya in they will invite ya in or they will open the door ,the driver opening the door is a respect thing he is saying I wont hurt ya if ya don't try to hurt me. Dnt ever just walk up and open another drivers door or step up without asking first.

Great topic,even better responses. Situation dictates,but people who don't knock can't complain when they get into confrontation. I can understand you confusing your truck with another because you weren't paying attention, but there's no other reason to not knock. Common courtesy.

Well, smart truck drivers lock their doors, so atleast if you try to get into a similar truck as yours,ya gotta hope the key don't work

Lol very true

Im gonna agree with everyone else. It's no different than just barging right on into your own house, because that truck is your house for weeks at a time! so they have no right to get angry if they get theirselves into a confration. but that being said I believe you should handle it in a proffesional manner unless the situation dictates otherwise!