Blocked in at truck stop
Posted by 138_hail_yourself@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 64 comments
So I’m parked at a truck stop for the night. I I’m pulled up alongside a curb, along with several other trucks. …and then some trucks started parking along side of us? I’m trapped in my spot, along with the person in front of me and behind me. I’ve never seen this before- I’m not sure what to do? I feel claustrophobic… I also have to leave early, and don’t feel comfortable knocking on these guys doors in the morning when it’s still dark. Has anyone else dealt with this?
graibeard@reddit
Always try to park with an exit strategy. Sometimes it's not possible I know. Sometimes people will still block you in when you think you have a good plan. It's crazy Sometimes You just gotta knock on the side of the sleeper and ask them to move. Most times drivers know when they park like that . Someone is gonna be knocking. Some just dont care.
SashaDabinsky@reddit
Idiots would do something similar at the Love's in Blytheville, AR. They'd park 2 or 3 wide along the south side of the tire shop, and block in anybody parked in the south row of parking. I had to beat on doors several times to get morons to move out of the way.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8843244,-89.9162273,220m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
KoiwazuraiAi@reddit
Lots of weird energy here. Every time I've ever been blocked I had no problem getting the other guy to move. The only time I ever had any issue was a flatbedder blocking one of the throughways in Atlanta's TA. Had to spell out for him that he parked in the path we drive through and that it's on him to get the fuck out of the way when asked.
Shallow-Thought@reddit
Knock on the door when you’re about ready to head out in the morning. They made the problem, they’re definitely going to be involved in fixing it.
RoadRatzzz@reddit
Allow yourself some extra time....sometimes this happens, they are probably expecting someone to be knocking on the door.
Ninja-Storyteller@reddit
Yep. If I ever put myself in the blockers position, I know that knock is coming. We've all had to make awkward parking choices now and then when the clock is low.
jabber1990@reddit
I knocked on a door once and he got out of his truck in his boxers with a freshly lit cigarette got in my face and said "I don't move for Swift Drivers"
I respected him for getting out of his truck and telling me to my face
Bamfurlough@reddit
He'll move for the police. Call them.
threeglude@reddit
Yup. Unlawful detention, and using intimidating tactics while preventing the progression of commerce. 1st one is a simple crime, 2nd one is a Federal crime, comes with big time fines, and or, several years behind bars!
jabber1990@reddit
...so that means DOT officers can go to jail right?
DumatRising@reddit
They would have to monumentally screw up but technically yeah.
It probably won't be for unlawful detention though. Law enforcement usually gets a slap on the wrist for that. Though in OPs situation it's pretty unlikely anyone would actually go to jail.l
MarmotWorldOrder@reddit
There are some absolutely feral people out here.
Jaycool10@reddit
Facts
EfyuSeekay@reddit
🎯
MajorHymen@reddit
I’ve had to knock on doors for people blocking in actual spots and typically they’re cool with it because they know want my spot.
tvieno@reddit
That's why when I park, I always position myself to not be in a position of being blocked in.
Slyfer29@reddit
I hate that, and sometimes when you're about to leave and you knock on their doors they want to get mad at you for it.
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
well if you're too scared to confront them then there's kind of jack shit you can do about it. enjoy your long rest driver, you're there until you grow a pair or they feel like leaving.
AgapeAnus@reddit
When you park creatively that's the risk you take. You very likely could be boned and stuck until everyone else moves. If they literally just parked next to you you could try talking to them and asking if you two could trade places, but if you talk to the truck stop about it they're definitely either going to make everybody not parked in a spot move or more likely they're not going to do shit because they don't want to have to get the cops involved and a tow truck and likely get threatened with violence.
You're boned. Let dispatch know immediately that you're parked creatively and might be delayed in leaving in the morning and that you'll update them when you get up. That's the best you can do that doesn't threaten to blow up your clock and force you to move. You also need to go to sleep now, like right the fuck now, because all of you are likely getting a knock on the door at 5am sharp and told to move or you're getting trespassed or towed.
LikwidHappiness@reddit
Dramatic much? I park creatively at least once a week and I mean real creatively and I have never had my door knocked on and told to leave at "5am sharp". Or any time for that matter 😂
AgapeAnus@reddit
Depends entirely on where you're doing it brochacho. Most places are cool, some are fuckin assholes, and I'm not waking random drivers up at whenever the fuck o clock while they're sound asleep to move because I've had guns drawn on me for doing it. That's why I start my day dummy early anymore.
SubzeroWins1-0@reddit
Yup this happened to me a few months ago. I woke up to warm up my engine and dude was there. I just knocked on his door and he moved.
CMDR-L@reddit
You better get comfortable real quick
138_hail_yourself@reddit (OP)
Is this common? I just haven’t seen this before.
R_VEGETABLE@reddit
Overnight driver of 3 years here. I have people park directly in front of me all the time when i'm in proper spots. Knocking and telling 3+ people that they need to move is very common when i start my shift. People are almost always very understanding. Just aim to start your round of knocking before you need to actually be out. I've had people take 20+ minutes to get out of the way plenty of times
Lopsided-Move6309@reddit
Some will be happy to take the spot you're leaving, so that helps sometimes
External_Result_8560@reddit
Yes they’re just doing as you are. Finding anywhere to park since they don’t have a legit parking spot
138_hail_yourself@reddit (OP)
I disagree- if there aren’t any spots that won’t block in drivers, or in the driving lanes, then its time to go to a different lot. Plan for it, so you don’t run out of time.
External_Result_8560@reddit
I understand and disagree also but if you don’t have a real parking spot, anything goes
Dolorous-Edd15@reddit
No, blocking in other drivers is NEVER the move.
Usual_Safety@reddit
It’s an asshole move and any driver with a brain wouldn’t do it. Pound on their doors and tell them to move.
Exact-Leadership-521@reddit
They're parked for 5 minutes to get a coffee and leave. Maybe 30 max
Dolorous-Edd15@reddit
Are you there with OP?
138_hail_yourself@reddit (OP)
Nope, they’ve been here for over 3 hours- I’m sure they are parked overnight
MostlyUseful@reddit
I see it a lot. The creative parking starts and keeps getting more and more creative. I drive nights and sometimes I can barely get into and through a truckstop to get fuel.
Bamfurlough@reddit
Sometimes it's ok to be an asshole. This is one of those moments. It's something I had to learn in the industry. I was raised to be polite to everyone, but life doesn't work that way.
Voxicles@reddit
This was the toughest part for me when I started driving. I hate confrontation, I don’t like to make a stink. And for 30 some years I never really had to. As soon as I started trucking, I had to get better at asserting myself. I’m a 6’3 230lb scary looking teddy bear. It wasn’t easy, and even 5 years later I still hate being confrontational, but you gotta do it far too often.
Bamfurlough@reddit
Yup. Exactly.
Puzzled-Age-9053@reddit
pain
Islanderwithwings@reddit
Knock on their door or start calling the police. This is a big problem in NJ and Mass. Mass service areas are really bad with parking. Sometimes you'll get triple blocked. Sometimes mfers will park at the fuel lane.
138_hail_yourself@reddit (OP)
That’s insane! Parking in the fuel lane is feral behavior haha! I just woke up and see that I am currently triple blocked. This sucksssss
deezkeys098@reddit
That’s why you learn to plan out how other trucks will block you in so you park where you always have an exit no matter what🤣
Beginning-Loan1873@reddit
No, because I trip plan, but when you create spots and block people in, knocking becomes part of it.
Pakman____@reddit
You're overthinking it. They'll either be gone in the morning before you. The truck stop manager might make all of you move in the morning. Or worst case scenario you'll just have to ask them to move so you can leave. It happens a lot when the lots full and people start getting creative.
Frybread002@reddit
One of the best pieces of advice that I got while I was on the east coast; places begin filling up at 4pm.
jabber1990@reddit
I got blocked in once, knocked on his Door at 2am and he came from behind the curtain brandishing a 1911. So I ran back to my truck and told dispatch "nope"
Wide-Engineering-396@reddit
You didn't have yours?
138_hail_yourself@reddit (OP)
Jesus!! That’s scary! And also fucking with your income!
jabber1990@reddit
Thats common in this industry, aren't man enough to handle that? Then go back to college and get a real job
Responsible_CDN_Duck@reddit
Wouldn't a real man have shrugged and told him to put down the pew pew and move the truck rather than hiding in bed till the person left?
jabber1990@reddit
MFer had a gun
RobsHereAgain@reddit
Yea knock in the morning. Be cool about it. Just say something like “hey bud I got to head out now” they should be cool about it.
jabber1990@reddit
And if they're not?
we-meet-again@reddit
"No problem buddy, just thought I'd ask. Sorry for waking you." - Go back to the truck and call non-emergency police line and wait for them to arrive.
Snappypants9@reddit
This
bmf1989@reddit
Wake them up when you got to go and tell them you need to get out. Unless they’re completely oblivious they should be expecting it when they parked there
Richard_Tickler69@reddit
It happens
Solid_Yak9109@reddit
Just knock n let them know, try not to get in that situation again,
HelloGlarc@reddit
Dont let these animals push you around ever.
Acebeans@reddit
You are going to have to knock on the door in the morning man. It sucks but it happens. The drivers should at least be expecting a knock of they blocked people in.
TheRiftsplitter@reddit
Got blocked in at a pilot in Kentucky. Three trucks just parked in the drive lane. I had to knock on all three of their doors to wake them up and move, it took like 45 minutes
138_hail_yourself@reddit (OP)
Yeah that’s pretty much what’s going on. I would never even think about blocking anyone in. If the lot is full, then time to find another lot.
Cheah978@reddit
Jus wake up bout 20 min earlier and knock on the door for them to move, no big deal and everyone can get some fucking sleep without going over hours
jqmallah@reddit
That happens when a lot is over capacity and people start making their own rows. I would call the desk first and ask if they can page the trucks blocking the curb row. If that fails, document who is blocking you and start knocking while there is still light if you can.
For next time, anything along a curb or end cap is risky if you need to leave early.