is this true

[sam william]

i started school last week and i find it really something new and big jump from being self employed to be a trucker
any way we had this driver who is 65 years old and had under his bet about 42 years of experience that's what he said and the point of him being in the class is to teach us about how to drive in the winter and rainy weather and so till the second part of the day he was OK then he state talking about how it is not safe to be in a truck stop and many driver got mugged and even killed in the truck stop and how bad is the industry in dealing with drivers and many many negative stuff.
till now tow of the student decide to leave the course
i am not that type of a person who just leave from a first challenge but relay what he said made me wounder .
if the trucking industry that bad why there still thousand of drivers still on the job and happy
i am relay confused i need input about this
is this true ??

[NevadaJim]

It may be true to a point. How extreme is a different story. Just watch the 6 o'clock news and see how safe it is walking down some streets in America these days. No job, location, or situation will ever be 100% safe and risk free. Where ever you are common sense and basic safety measures will always prevail. Truck stops and being out on the road are no different. If two people bailed just on what you said alone they better lock themselves in their house and never leave.

[mapleleaf_1]

Sam... I've been driving for 6 years now and I am a woman driver. I stay in truck stops fairly often and the rest of the time in rest areas. I've never heard of anything like that happening, I'm not saying that it doesn't happen though. Maybe it does and I'm just not aware of these incidents. I feel that you have to always be aware of your surroundings and don't put yourself in a position where things might happen as a result. Maybe some of the other drivers can be more informative to you and others. I wouldn't give up your desire to drive if I were you, not till you get more input from others. I wish you the best of luck with your decision. Drive safe everyone.

[mowman]

Listen to some stories from some of the old-timers. It used to be a very dangerous job - particularly before credit cards.

They had to carry massive amounts of cash for fuel, food - telephone calls to dispatchers.

Interesting stuff. Then again... a lot of guys just like to hear themselves talk.

You hear A LOT of "fighting" talk on the CB, but it's just that.

"Where'd you learn how to drive, you dumb*****"

"Oh yea, why don't you pull over at the 36, and we'll see who the dumb***** is"

It never happens.

Just keep your eyes open, stay out of places that don't feel right and you'll be OK.

[Mars]

I had somewhat of the same speech in class as well. You have a higher probability in you are in a "rest area" than a truck stop.

We were told all kinds of tricks, like thieves using quick start(contains ether) and spraying that into the bunk vents, knocks you right out.

Like others have said, there are hazzards anywhere, anytime, with anyjob.

[Snowman7]

Listen to some stories from some of the old-timers. It used to be a very dangerous job - particularly before credit cards.

They had to carry massive amounts of cash for fuel, food - telephone calls to dispatchers.

Interesting stuff. Then again... a lot of guys just like to hear themselves talk.

You hear A LOT of "fighting" talk on the CB, but it's just that.

"Where'd you learn how to drive, you dumb*****"

"Oh yea, why don't you pull over at the 36, and we'll see who the dumb***** is"

It never happens.

Just keep your eyes open, stay out of places that don't feel right and you'll be OK.

I never knew there were so many ex-green berets and navy seals in the world and that they all drove truck after they got out. :wink: hahahaha

[GMAN]

While things can happen, I have never been in a truck stop or rest area when someone has gotten mugged or killed. I am not saying it doesn't happen, but it a rarity. If you are traveling, it would be just as easy for you to get mugged or killed in a 4 wheeler, if not more so. When you are in a truck stop, someone is always watching, whether you know it or not. About 2 or 3 years ago, someone backed a trailer into my truck while I was inside the truck stop. Two other drivers saw it happen and helped me find the guy who did it. I would not have thought anyone would have seen anything. There are some truck stops where I won't stop, such as the Flying J in Dallas. There is too much going on at that truck stop. Drivers will tell you about those truck stops which are not good to stop. As someone else stated, if it doesn't feel right leave. Until 9/11 I didn't even lock my doors and left my engine running most of the time. I never had a problem. Now I lock my doors any time I am out of the truck. Just use common sense and don't put yourself in a bad situation. Don't let one individual discourage you from getting into the business because of safety concerns. I don't see personal safety as a high reason for concern.

[classicxl]

sounds like your typical exaggerated trucker story

[ssoutlaw]

I had somewhat of the same speech in class as well. You have a higher probability in you are in a "rest area" than a truck stop.

We were told all kinds of tricks, like thieves using quick start(contains ether) and spraying that into the bunk vents, knocks you right out.

Like others have said, there are hazzards anywhere, anytime, with anyjob.

That either story is right out of the 70's. Its been told so much, I don't know what to believe. In 30 yrs of driving for me, the only problems for me have been the fights on the side of the road with some loud mouth, then a trip to jail for being a willing combatant. The rest areas I think would probably be the worst places to find trouble. One time outside Herford TX in a rest area, I parked and looked around for a few minutes, and saw a mini van blinking its headlights. Didn't feel right so I left, I think it was probably a ***, did not want to stay with these critters roaming around while I was sleeping, you know what I mean?....lol

[Mars]

I had somewhat of the same speech in class as well. You have a higher probability in you are in a "rest area" than a truck stop.

We were told all kinds of tricks, like thieves using quick start(contains ether) and spraying that into the bunk vents, knocks you right out.

Like others have said, there are hazzards anywhere, anytime, with anyjob.

That either story is right out of the 70's. Its been told so much, I don't know what to believe. In 30 yrs of driving for me, the only problems for me have been the fights on the side of the road with some loud mouth, then a trip to jail for being a willing combatant. The rest areas I think would probably be the worst places to find trouble. One time outside Herford TX in a rest area, I parked and looked around for a few minutes, and saw a mini van blinking its headlights. Didn't feel right so I left, I think it was probably a ***, did not want to stay with these critters roaming around while I was sleeping, you know what I mean?....lol

Yep, I took it with a grain of salt, I am not worried about it. But Hollywood does like to show rigs getting jacked.

[dle]

So far its been my experience that the biggest problems in T/S and rest areas are:

People coming up to me with sob stories
Spooking birds and cats underneath trailers and scaring the ???? out of me.

[rickll]

I very seldom worry about my wife going into the T/S's by her self ... most of the truckers are nice people ... unless they are under 40 and still kids most CB talk is bull stuff .... when the roads are bad all that talk stops and everybody is helping each other .... 90% of the time we love trucking. we hope to see you soon out there on the big road ....

[wot i life]

I know one driver who was gassed and robbed outside Paris and know another who was beaten up once. Just two incidents from bloody years of driving. In that time, how many postmasters have been held up at gunpoint? Lord only knows. This aint the worst life :wink:

[WildK9]

In 10 years, I have heard lots of "stories", yet only once have I been in a T/S where something "bad" happened. I was at the T/A in Gary,IN (back in '98 i think) getting out of my truck, when there was 5 or 6 gunshots. After a few moments, some truckers and I went around to where we heard the shots and saw a woman slumped over on the ground next to the drivers door. She was crying her eyes out and holding a gun. Come to find out, after police arrived,the woman was following her husband because she believed that he was cheating on her. She watched the lot lizard enter his truck, waited 15 minutes, then proceeded to shoot the both of them dead, in the sleeper. That's my only "bad" experience.

[sam william]

I would like to thank every one who share with his input and it is really encouraging thank you
by the way the tow student they came back today and that 45 experience driver came today just to restated his statement and he said there were misunderstanding of the who issue
we find out later that the manager of the school talk to him and ask him to rephrase his statement

[landstarrobin]

I have worked in a truck stop for a 1.5 years and have never seen anything bad happen. Things happen any where and every where.

[knightwolf71477]

I think the best thing to do is follow your gut. If your gut is telling you to get out of there, then you do it no questions. So I guess like everyone is saying just use common sense and you will be fine.

I guess I am just rambling because I have nothing better to do right now and I want to get my title over my avitar to read "Super Trucker". LOL

[golfhobo]

In 10 years, I have heard lots of "stories", yet only once have I been in a T/S where something "bad" happened. I was at the T/A in Gary,IN (back in '98 i think) getting out of my truck, when there was 5 or 6 gunshots. After a few moments, some truckers and I went around to where we heard the shots and saw a woman slumped over on the ground next to the drivers door. She was crying her eyes out and holding a gun. Come to find out, after police arrived,the woman was following her husband because she believed that he was cheating on her. She watched the lot lizard enter his truck, waited 15 minutes, then proceeded to shoot the both of them dead, in the sleeper. That's my only "bad" experience.

WildK9: You been driving for 10 years??? Dayum! Between your first avatar in your uniform and your pug nose portrait.... I thought you were a NEWBIE yourself! I guess I better show you more respect from now on!

What made you find this forum at such a late stage in your career?? And WHY don't you have MORE useful information??

You KNOW I'm just 'razzin' ya, right??

[homer]

sam,i think alot of canadians think of us as pistol packing cowboys and just mean.i have found most people to be ok.our population is 300 milion and things do happen.most likely you will encounter more scam artists than anything.always be aware of whats going on.you will find most drivers have devoloped a healthy suspicion.

[Cluggy619]

Sam.

I have said this before, I'll say it again. Alot of people learn to drive a truck, but few become truck drivers. Alot goes on in this world, along with alot of stress. Those stories you here? Small part. Ask him sometimes about being broke down in the middle of no-where. Lack of miles, low pay starting out, missing out on your family....and alot more than I can list.

It takes a certain kind of person to drive for a living. Most who start out don't last. For me, it's a good career. For you, who knows?

Best of luck, and drive safe.