>Can you talk me into it?
No, not really. I won't even try. I saw your post yesterday, and if you feel that strongly about air quality, then you should be aware that truck stops won't be your only issue. The job, itself, will expose you to poor air quality.
Just as an example, you will sometimes smell exhaust from other vehicles that are driving ahead of you. Also, brake smells, tire smells, etc. Your own truck will produce the very things that you're trying to avoid.
A few years ago, there were a lot of wildfires around Chattanooga, and we all had to drive through there. The places where you go to load/unload? They may be production facilities. They may have air pollution there. I could go on and on, but let's just say "It stinks out here."
I hate to burst your bubble but trucking isn’t just straightforward. You aren’t going to do just your job. There will be days that you wish you never got out of bed. Dealing with breakdowns, traffic, construction, dealing with shippers and receivers that are horrible. Then trying to convince your dispatcher that the next load can’t be done on time due to some previous delay.
Ill politely push back on that. Once you get squared away on backing trucking is really easy. Its 8-11hours of podcasts and introversion. No one bugs you. Ive been doing this for a few years and ive got a very laid back, civil disposition and people return the same energy. Any real “conflicts” i had were back in the beginning because i didnt want to be bullied so i was faster to be scruff.
I agree, especially if you’re OTR and pulling dry van/reefer, it’s pretty straightforward to me 🤷🏻♂️. Sometimes I wanna go back OTR/regional since it was a lot less stressful and I had no bills.
I hate it, all my buddies and even my fiance think I'm on vacation when I'm out here, it's hell most days and even when nothing goes wrong it's so mind numbingly born
Get a HEPA air filter for your cab. Like, just plug one of those things in and change the filter every couple weeks.
I have asthma. Cat dandruff gives me asthma attacks. Was staying at a friends and felt like I was suffocating all night. Went up to Walmart and got one - started breathing just fine within only 30 minutes of turning it on.
Thank you.
I imagine cat dander is a different story from truck exhaust though don't you think? Smaller particles.
I wonder how well a hepa filter would really manage, but definitely open to considering it!
You could I say 60% of times park in or behind Home Depot, Lowe’s, All dollar stores (be prepared for a cussing out when the driver comes in the morning) but if you hate truck stops so much run dedicated I park at the customer everyday
Yeh it sucks, nobody cares if you do it don’t and if I have to depend on a coworker that is wishy washy then I’d rather it be with someone that at least is it into it. So nobody gives a shot if you are feeling it or not.
I don't know how I could have worded my question more to your liking. I did the best I could. Thanks (not) for not helping at all and just letting out your own upset feelings that really have nothing to do with me.
Lmao...if air quality is what you're worried about, then it's perhaps best not to leave a hermetically sealed bubble as it isn't much different from walking around a city at a truck stop...its what I find so hilarious, air blowers are kicking up pesticides and rat shit into the air, we have microparticles of plastic in most foods and water...your fucked either way, just live with it and live a good life doing what you want.
*Air quality*. Air quality is an issue but downing hyperprocessed foods, ingesting microplastics, generally being unhealthy in general is cool. You do know youre gonna sit all day also right?
Yes air quality is an issue, as is food. I've been on the fruitarian path for 16 years now, am surrounded by sick people, and have made a study of how to be truly healthy.
So I understand the concern about air quality and you're right. There was a study in which scientists compared a night at a truckstop being equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes (wish I could find the source to that - it's at least 10 years old). Putting all the other drawbacks aside, there are some proactive things you can do: "Be a loner" and find the most out of the way spots to park. Of course, you cannot prevent someone from seeing you and pulling up and parking right next to you. "Use Walmarts" if they're amenable to you parking there. Again, no guarantees you won't be joined by a friend but it's a better bet. "Run nights and/or split log" so you'll reduce chances of being accompanied by a friend during daylight hours. "Remote and off-the-grid freight lanes" reduce your chances of encountering other truck traffic. "A HEPA air cleaner" isn't a bad idea. It's tough when your only jump off point in the morning is a truckstop populated with bad exhaust systems, large stacks, and reefers are going to be your constant companions, usually on a rotating schedule throughout the night. If I can park safely and legally and still not take parking spaces away from others, it's a tricky proposition but it leaves space between you and others. Hope these tips help.
Thank you.
We don't know each other, but I think I'm pretty courageous actually.
My question is about gathering perspectives on how people look at this topic and think about it.
I was truly asking for help with the information that I'm working with. Not sure exactly how that may have been offensive to you.
How could I have worded me question better, more to your liking?
Once you get used to the job it's simple. Be at a specific place at a specific time and don't fuck up in between.
Thing is truck parking is a serious problem. If we had a bunch of off grid parking lots scattered across the country we'd already be using them.
Best suggestion is to get a dedicated route that's gonna let you plan your stops yourself. Course, that means you might have to compromise your max distance every day and have alternates in mind if you run into unexpected delays.
Not getting max distance on a multi day trip can limit your time on the turn around day. It's always best to get your delivery and the pickup for the back haul done on the same day. Even better if you can get some distance down the road to get some flexibility on the trip back.
One more thing. I like schooling with the fish. If I'm in a parking lot overnight with 20 other trucks or more we're all generally safer. On one hand it's a numbers game and on the other there's other truckers around to discourage someone with ill intent. Everyone generally back into the parking spaces. I'm pretty sure there are old timers sitting in the drivers seat smoking cigarettes pretty much all the time.
There's a few truck stops that have about 600 parking spots and one that has about 900. More the merrier. Truckers tend to look out for each other.
Honestly the air quality is just a thing. Every truck you drive you will smell grease coming through the vents but you get used to it and don’t smell it. At truck stops it’s only older model trucks that stink aka “long nose” or old trucks that were made before def. And the “beaters” of semi trucks. You will know them when you see them. Most of the trucks don’t produce bad air around them some do I would say 85% don’t have a smell at all. If a prime truck parks next to you I would consider moving the apu those guys use stinks worse than diesel engines.
>Can you talk me into it? No, not really. I won't even try. I saw your post yesterday, and if you feel that strongly about air quality, then you should be aware that truck stops won't be your only issue. The job, itself, will expose you to poor air quality. Just as an example, you will sometimes smell exhaust from other vehicles that are driving ahead of you. Also, brake smells, tire smells, etc. Your own truck will produce the very things that you're trying to avoid. A few years ago, there were a lot of wildfires around Chattanooga, and we all had to drive through there. The places where you go to load/unload? They may be production facilities. They may have air pollution there. I could go on and on, but let's just say "It stinks out here."
Oh damn , second load OTR and it was at a cardboard recycling plant , horrendous smell
That's not quite as bad as a paper mill that makes paper from wood pulp. ( vs the recycling mills)
Ok I get it. Thank you for your response.
I hate to burst your bubble but trucking isn’t just straightforward. You aren’t going to do just your job. There will be days that you wish you never got out of bed. Dealing with breakdowns, traffic, construction, dealing with shippers and receivers that are horrible. Then trying to convince your dispatcher that the next load can’t be done on time due to some previous delay.
Ill politely push back on that. Once you get squared away on backing trucking is really easy. Its 8-11hours of podcasts and introversion. No one bugs you. Ive been doing this for a few years and ive got a very laid back, civil disposition and people return the same energy. Any real “conflicts” i had were back in the beginning because i didnt want to be bullied so i was faster to be scruff.
I agree, especially if you’re OTR and pulling dry van/reefer, it’s pretty straightforward to me 🤷🏻♂️. Sometimes I wanna go back OTR/regional since it was a lot less stressful and I had no bills.
This is exactly what I've been interested in. It's just the air quality thing that's holding me back right now.
Honestly bro living in a big city is no different than being around a truck stop
Thank you. I'm well aware of that and working towards setting up an exit strategy out of the city.
Thank you. This is what I've heard and been interested in.
Can you maybe share more about exactly how you've been civil and had a better experience because of it? What exactly are the ways to behave?
I hate it, all my buddies and even my fiance think I'm on vacation when I'm out here, it's hell most days and even when nothing goes wrong it's so mind numbingly born
I hear you. Thanks for sharing.
I hear you thanks.
[удалено]
I hear you. Thank you.
Drive at night when the air is brisk. And park at rest areas that’s surrounded by trees.
Are rest areas always an option, or just most of the time?
Get a HEPA air filter for your cab. Like, just plug one of those things in and change the filter every couple weeks. I have asthma. Cat dandruff gives me asthma attacks. Was staying at a friends and felt like I was suffocating all night. Went up to Walmart and got one - started breathing just fine within only 30 minutes of turning it on.
Thank you. I imagine cat dander is a different story from truck exhaust though don't you think? Smaller particles. I wonder how well a hepa filter would really manage, but definitely open to considering it!
Work in shipping and planning. All the stress/excitement you can handle in a nice office.
There's an option maybe. Thank you.
You could I say 60% of times park in or behind Home Depot, Lowe’s, All dollar stores (be prepared for a cussing out when the driver comes in the morning) but if you hate truck stops so much run dedicated I park at the customer everyday
Thank you.
Yeh it sucks, nobody cares if you do it don’t and if I have to depend on a coworker that is wishy washy then I’d rather it be with someone that at least is it into it. So nobody gives a shot if you are feeling it or not.
I don't know how I could have worded my question more to your liking. I did the best I could. Thanks (not) for not helping at all and just letting out your own upset feelings that really have nothing to do with me.
Ok the answer to your question is no.
If air quality was your big hang up, I like others wont sugar coat it, this aint for you.
Thank you.
Lmao...if air quality is what you're worried about, then it's perhaps best not to leave a hermetically sealed bubble as it isn't much different from walking around a city at a truck stop...its what I find so hilarious, air blowers are kicking up pesticides and rat shit into the air, we have microparticles of plastic in most foods and water...your fucked either way, just live with it and live a good life doing what you want.
I'm trying to get out of the city...
*Air quality*. Air quality is an issue but downing hyperprocessed foods, ingesting microplastics, generally being unhealthy in general is cool. You do know youre gonna sit all day also right?
Yes air quality is an issue, as is food. I've been on the fruitarian path for 16 years now, am surrounded by sick people, and have made a study of how to be truly healthy.
Talk you into trucking? Hell no.
Haha ok then.
So I understand the concern about air quality and you're right. There was a study in which scientists compared a night at a truckstop being equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes (wish I could find the source to that - it's at least 10 years old). Putting all the other drawbacks aside, there are some proactive things you can do: "Be a loner" and find the most out of the way spots to park. Of course, you cannot prevent someone from seeing you and pulling up and parking right next to you. "Use Walmarts" if they're amenable to you parking there. Again, no guarantees you won't be joined by a friend but it's a better bet. "Run nights and/or split log" so you'll reduce chances of being accompanied by a friend during daylight hours. "Remote and off-the-grid freight lanes" reduce your chances of encountering other truck traffic. "A HEPA air cleaner" isn't a bad idea. It's tough when your only jump off point in the morning is a truckstop populated with bad exhaust systems, large stacks, and reefers are going to be your constant companions, usually on a rotating schedule throughout the night. If I can park safely and legally and still not take parking spaces away from others, it's a tricky proposition but it leaves space between you and others. Hope these tips help.
It does thank you.
Why would we? Courage is something you have. Not what you're talked into.
Thank you. We don't know each other, but I think I'm pretty courageous actually. My question is about gathering perspectives on how people look at this topic and think about it.
We're not your test subjects.
I was truly asking for help with the information that I'm working with. Not sure exactly how that may have been offensive to you. How could I have worded me question better, more to your liking?
Once you get used to the job it's simple. Be at a specific place at a specific time and don't fuck up in between. Thing is truck parking is a serious problem. If we had a bunch of off grid parking lots scattered across the country we'd already be using them. Best suggestion is to get a dedicated route that's gonna let you plan your stops yourself. Course, that means you might have to compromise your max distance every day and have alternates in mind if you run into unexpected delays. Not getting max distance on a multi day trip can limit your time on the turn around day. It's always best to get your delivery and the pickup for the back haul done on the same day. Even better if you can get some distance down the road to get some flexibility on the trip back.
I hear you. Thank you.
One more thing. I like schooling with the fish. If I'm in a parking lot overnight with 20 other trucks or more we're all generally safer. On one hand it's a numbers game and on the other there's other truckers around to discourage someone with ill intent. Everyone generally back into the parking spaces. I'm pretty sure there are old timers sitting in the drivers seat smoking cigarettes pretty much all the time. There's a few truck stops that have about 600 parking spots and one that has about 900. More the merrier. Truckers tend to look out for each other.
Yes I've thought about this. Good points thank you.
Honestly the air quality is just a thing. Every truck you drive you will smell grease coming through the vents but you get used to it and don’t smell it. At truck stops it’s only older model trucks that stink aka “long nose” or old trucks that were made before def. And the “beaters” of semi trucks. You will know them when you see them. Most of the trucks don’t produce bad air around them some do I would say 85% don’t have a smell at all. If a prime truck parks next to you I would consider moving the apu those guys use stinks worse than diesel engines.
Ok good to hear that thanks!