Stories from the Road

West Memphis (who’s skeered?)

Here in west memphis, tn.. been running thru here for years on end and still some people say they will never stop in or stop at any of these truck stops around here. I guess they have heard lots of horror stories about this place.

I myself have never had any trouble or ever feared for my safety. I did at one time have some guys approach me about that 3 cards in a coke carton scam they had going on once. I just looked at the guys and said “Do i really look that stupid?” and walked away.

But I have heard that women drivers hate stopping here and never get out of their trucks in this place. But, I think that if a woman walks thru a truck stop with confidence and acts like they belong, they should not have a problem at all. Also, I think that if a person wants to go looking for trouble this might be the place to get into it. But, minding your business and being a good boy/girl keeps you safe and out of trouble for sure.

So, act like you belong and don’t get the “deer in the headlights” look. Wild animals and crooks can smell fear so don’t show it.

Jim

A TRUE STORY!

I Don’t Eat in Places Like This!

Has our image as truckers gotten so bad that the general public is afraid to be around us?
A while back, I was in the T.A. in Wyhteville, Va. Nice and pretty clean considering the traffic that was in there. Anyway, I had to go through the restaurant to the fast food area to get some ice. There was a lady walking with her mother and her son and said out loud that she doesn’t eat in places like these . “this is a truck stop and I will not eat where those people are” What kind of a screw ball statement is that? Out loud, where everyone can hear in the restaurant. Shes lucky nobody said anything to her. I mean, what kind of example was that for her kid? What DO YOu THINK????? Please comment and pass this along if you like.

Traveling around in a Big Truck for the past ten years has been so much fun! We have so many stories! We hope you will enjoy them and maybe even learn a thing or two!

“Aren’t You Scared”???

One night we pulled into Atlanta. Went to the yard to drop the trailer and scan our paperwork. While Jim was looking for an empty to hook up to, I went inside to do the scanning. It seems like no matter who you run for, the terminals are allways full of drivers with less than good attitudes. There allways seems to be a cloud of doom and gloom over their heads. Well, being the optomist that I am, I allways try show them a different way of looking at things. OK, so this guy asked me if I am afraid when I get out of the truck at certain truckstops and how do I handle all the stress of being a woman in this lifesyle?????? HA???? He showed concern for his own well being in this business. It’s so scary sometimes, he said! ???? I’m shocked that such a narrow minded “weenie” even had the balls to become a truck driver. I couldn’t believe some of the shit he was babbling about. I felt like telling him to go back home and crawl under the covers with mommie where he belongs. But…..I didn’t. Instead I kept a possitive attitude and gave him some advise. I tryed to open his eyes a little. Whether I had any impact is hard to say, he still looked confused when I walked away. My Dad allways said that no matter where you are and who you are around, if you act like you belong…..you will belong and no one will be the wiser. I firmly belive this and have lived by this advise all of my life. It has given me the confidence I need to overcome many sticky situations. Well…..i’m not sure if this “man” understood what I was saying or not. He may just remember me as some crazy babbling bitch!! Either way, there were others in the room listening, and I’m sure that I made a difference somewhere. You know, having a good way of looking at things goes a long way to keep your stress level down! I slept well last night!
So, what do you say to those who ask about being scared?

My “BUTT” Can’t afford It!!

With all the hooplah out there about truckers being overweight, out of shape, and supposedly suffering from all kinds of health problems, you’d think that the truck stops would want to cash in on this propaganda, like providing us with a work out facility and charging membership, making more healthy products available and promoting healthier living! No Way! Most of them would rather see us fat and practically dieing of a heart attack just walking back out to the truck as long as we are buying all the crap they try to shove down our throats! They think they are making more money off those twenty five cent cakesters than they would if they actually sold something that promoted good health! I have to admit, there are alot of rollie pollie’s out there, but it seems that I see more and more truckers that are walking, doing pushups, and sharing ideas and tips on staying healthy out here on the road. We need to keep this up. Keep your truck stocked with food. Buy a microwave or crockpot and do it in the truck!! You will save loads of money and even more loads of calories. This is just one more good way we can keep up the changing image of the American Trucker! So, next time the pretty girl behind the counter asks “wouldn’t you like a cakester for a quarter with your coffee?” Tell her “NO THANK YOU, MY BUTT CAN”T AFFORD IT” cause you know, it really can’t!
Stay Safe &Stay Healthy !

Thank You to Darrayl Hayward for your dedication to our industry!

Darrayl Hayward January 31 at 10:15am

On Tuesday, January 26th 2010, after 3 years as Freightliner’s ’Commanding’ officer, I received orders from my director to report for duty at Park Central Plaza on Wednesday, January 27th. This order ended what was probably the most unique experience in my 3 years with Green Valley Security, the Arrow Crisis, as most truckers in the Industry have come to call it, was to be the high point of my career, in which I recovered and returned more then a dozen personal belongings to former Arrow drivers, today begins my 5th day at Park Central Plaza, it has become clear that I will no longer see the beacon that is the Freightliner sign that stands as a beacon of hope and safety for drivers on the interstate. In closing I would like to say that it has been an honor to serve among the greatest drivers this country has yet to see, Im sure that stories will emerge from Park Central Plaza, but none as wonderful and exciting as the ones that come from Las Vegas Freightliner, thank you drivers, for all your hard work.

31 Comments »

31 Responses

on February 20, 2010 at 1:23 pm | Reply thekeystruckers

I woke up this morning thinking what a wonderful day it is. I have work, food and the company of a wonderful wife to share todays and tomorrows events with.
I wonder what other people wake up thinking about?
I guess a thief wakes up wondering what he is gonna steal?
A drug addict thinks about where his next fix is coming from?
A prostitute thinks about her next trick.
A polititian thinks about his next pay raise for ruining the country.
A law enforcement offical thinks about all the crime he is going to prevent or prosecute today.
A mother thinks about how she is going to help her kids develop into productive happy adults.
A father wakes up to think how he is going to provide for his family.
A truck driver thinks about his next load and how to keep his customers and dispatchers satisfied.
What are you thinking about today?