On October 5th 2010, the front page of USA Today featured a story about potential serial killers dumping bodies along highways near rest areas and truck stops.
The article begins with the story of a severed head found of a teenage girl a few hundred yards from a truck stop in Barstow, California. Alarming? Your’e Darn Tootin!
The disturbing map included in this article showed how many bodies have been dumped in each state, a body count for each contiguous state including Alaska with the exception of North Dakota. ( USA Today Article Link: Along highways, signs of serial killings by Blake Morrison )
Familiar names were included in this article like Frank Silio who works for Covenant Transport (my employer), Lisa Mullings, President of the National Association of Truck Stop Owners (NATSO) and Norita Taylor from OOIDA who I met when OOIDA inserted themselves in the Dan Rather Series based on my student truck driver training story.
The article was stunning, not only due to the topic but the evasive answers given by these three “spokespeople” for the trucking industry who could have acted more responsibly with their answers.
I contacted the writer of the article, Blake Morrison, to let him know that his article seemed to twist the dangers to be parking at rest areas yet safe trucker parking is a major issue as well as violent crimes against truckers and violence against women within the trucking industry.
I wanted Mr. Morrison to understand that drivers are experiencing increasing crime in specific areas and the lack of security and lack of accountability within the industry is part of the problem.
I particularly had a problem with the side bar to the article called “Avoid being a Victim” with tips from AAA but nothing about trucking industry specific challenges.
I posted the following comments to his article in various places and I emailed it to him directly, it has also been posted on the Facebook fan page called “Real Women Truckers”.
“ I am a female truck driver who has been blogging about violence against women within the trucking industry for almost three years. Frank Silio actually works at the same carrier as I do, but he could have pointed out that our fleet is forbidden to stop at some NATSO represented “Travel Plazas” as CEO Lisa Mulling refers to them. Our employer does this due to high crime and freight pilferage that occurs at these locations, but because Frank is an ATA “YES” man, he did not.
NATSO CEO Lisa Mullings tries to make it seem as if the “Travel Plazas”, as they have tried to rebrand the truck stops, are family friendly safe havens, but this is untrue. I find safer and quieter parking at welcome centers and rest areas, unfortunately, many of these rest areas are closing. NATSO has not cleaned up their “Travel Center” act which permits activity like truckers see at TA locations in Nashville, Barstow, Ontario, Jessup, Maryland, Gary, Indiana, West Memphis and Little Rock Arkansas, to name just a few.
A group called “Truckers Against Trafficking” aims to raise awareness of Human trafficking which exists at truck stop chains like the ones Lisa Mullings represents, yet they have NOT yet been embraced to display posters and other informational materials about potential signs of human trafficking or other violence against women literature.
“Jason’s Law” S971 & HR2156 a safe trucker parking bill lay in the environmental & public works committee ( Senate) and the transportation and infrastructure committee(house) ignored, and again it is NATSO who does not want the truckers parking elsewhere despite the fact that they do not want to clean up the crime or create enough suitable parking for commercial drivers.
Norita Taylor, media woman for OOIDA may have used her opportunity to note that trucker safety is as much an issue as safe parking to highlight the failure that is occurring within this industry. She should have noted that safe parking is an issue for truckers and travelers alike, yet, the article is permitted to imply that rest areas are less safe than travel plazas which I disagree whole heartedly.
The topic of violence against women is taboo in trucking. It is ignored by the ATA, NATSO, OOIDA, WIT so it is no wonder there is a less than serious proactive approach to a small population of alleged serial killers in this industry.
This in effect harms the majority of hardworking honest truck drivers who are out here doing their jobs. It is totally irresponsible of trucking leaders to ignore it.
A major problem is the denial, indifference and apathy within this industry, which protects a few predators and retaliates against the people who speak out. Violence occurs regularly to females entering truck driver training, domestic violence occurs regularly at truck stops and women are often thrown off of trucks at “travel plazas”.
There is no way to know who these women are and often law enforcement treats all women at or near truck stops as if they were expendable lot lizards. The entire industry is responsible for looking the other way at this issue.
I can go into a TA Travel Center and buy studded condoms and sani wipes to kill herpes in the ladies room but it is considered soliciting if I ask to leave information to help a woman in distress so she can get help to escape from a situation or if she is being held against her will.
The ladies bathroom and shower might be the only place these people have a chance to ask for help yet NATSO does not want the literature because it might scare off families!
I guess the studded condom machines are okay though.”
When I spoke to Mr. Morrison he told me he was trying to define what areas truckers see as high crime not to indict the entire industry but to offer help for travelers who are not as educated on the places WE truckers avoid due to high crime.
Well this is definitely something Frank Silio could have told him because our company sends us a message when they detect we are anywhere close to one of the “Off-Limits” travel plazas across the U.S.A..
In an effort to help Mr. Morrison I posed the question to drivers on three different Facebook pages ( Allen Smith of “Ask the Trucker” , Drivers Alike and Real Women Truckers” ) the response was overwhelming in a short period of time. The question was:
“What Truck Stops do you find to be high crime to be avoided? Please tell me name of chain, city and state. Thanks!”
Winner of the “Don’t Stop because even Truckers are scared of the Place” non scientific poll was hands down.
1. West Memphis, Arkansas Pilot & Petro
Frank Silio should have pointed out that we are not permitted to stop there and must plan our fuel accordingly to skip this location.
2. Ontario, California (West)
Travel Centers of America Notorious drug & prostitution trafficking activity
3. Atlanta, Georgia Petro, Pilot
*our company is not allowed within 25 miles of outer loop I-285 due to high crime in Atlanta Area
4. Dallas, Texas
Travel Centers of America, Pilot, Loves, Flying J
5. Jessup Maryland Travel Centers of America
6. New York everywhere considered unsafe
7. New Jersey everywhere considered unsafe
8. Indianapolis, Indiana Flying J
9. Barstow California Flying J & Travel Centers of America
10. Spartanburg, South Carolina Travel Centers of America
11. Carlisle, Pennsylvania Petro
12. Birmingham, Alabama Flying J & Pilot
13. Gary, Indiana ALL
Pilot, Flying J, Travel Centers of America, Steel City
14. East St. Louis Pilot, Gateway Truck Plaza
15. Salt Lake City, Utah Travel Centers of America (Tooele)
16. Stoney Ridge, Ohio (ALL)
Travel Centers of America, Pilot, Fuel Mart
17. Lake Station, Indiana
Travel Centers of America, Flying J, Road Runner
18. Knoxville, Tennessee Flying J
19. Nogales, Arizona Pilot
20. El Paso, Texas Petro
21. Brownsville, Texas Gordon’s
22. Hialeah Gardens, Miami ALL
23.Hunts Point, New York Zippy’s
24.Laredo, Texas Travel Centers of America & Gateway
25.Youngstown, Ohio Travel Centers of America & Pilot
26.Phoenix, Arizona Circle K
27. Nashville, Tennessee
Travel Centers of America & Pilot
28. Albuquerque , New Mexico Chevron
29. Amarillo, Texas Pilot
30. Fontana, California Three Sisters & all on Cherry Ave.
31. Memphis , Tennessee Pilot on Lamar
32. Olive Branch, Mississippi Loves, Pilot
33. Houston, Texas Key Truck Stop & Truckers Paradise
34. Little Rock, Arkansas Petro
Clearly a six year old can see some of the same name brand chains popping up. Here are some of the other remarks made by truck drivers “St. Robert, Missouri, safe for driver but not for loads.” , “Stolen fuel while I slept”, “Just about any Petro of TA (Travel Centers of America) is bad”, “Activity was not as bad as harassment from officials not letting you sleep”, “Never been stole from at rest areas”, “I no longer park in back row or walk between trailers after having someone hit me on the back of the head to rob me.”
Understand that truck drivers are not allowed to carry weapons. Some drivers mentioned carrying pepper spray and we have to give a “Woof Out” to Trucking Dogs who have warned off many potential attacks. My own little Truckin Dog Karma has kept me secure by warning someone off on several occasions. Still, many carriers have suspended pet policies due to increased idle laws. (Don’t even get me started on that one)
As an industry we can clean this mess up by communicating better. NATSO should educate their staff of signs of trafficking and provide them with wallet cards from “Truckers Against Trafficking”.
I have seen violence awareness information in the ladies rooms at Starbucks in rural Texas towns so there is no excuse not to provide it in “Travel Plazas”.
It was hard not to notice that the front page story of potential serial killers did not make the nightly news, which is a pretty powerful failure on behalf of the trucking industry who should accept responsibility for the climate they have created. Decades of neglect and trying to vilify hard working truckers in order to conceal how they manage their workforce. It is not a reflection on the drivers; it is a reflection on the executives who have not displayed the courage to take responsibility for the environment they have created for the drivers and the motoring public.
This is a chance for us all to move forward by being more cooperative to address the parking situation, the crime and climate in this industry that women are disposable.
If you have not yet watched the video trailer from “Truckers against Trafficking” about how Truckers are actually HEROES for reporting crime at truck stops I have included the link.
I have said before, I believe the crime at certain locations is a failure by individual management structures. If a low paid staff if being offered a couple hundred dollars to look the other way you will have this sort of activity.
Many drivers have the “No Lot Lizard” stickers on their windows and we hear plenty of jokes but no one deserves to be killed, mutilated and thrown on a roadside.
These are human beings, they may be runaways, they may be kidnapped teens who have been trafficked and sold. As truck drivers, we see things that would keep the executives up all night shaking in their flannel pajamas.
The climate in trucking is to keep your mouth shut, this a prison inmate mentality, this is a street gang mentality. If you see someone killed or hurt keep your mouth shut or you are next. That is “Street Smarts”, is that what the message is of the ATA?
NATSO can change that entire message, please listen to the mainstay of your your business, your patrons, the American Truck Drivers. These stories affect them by tarnishing their image
The irony behind it all is that the USA Today article implies that many serial killers are truckers, avoiding the real issue that truckers are actually targets and victims of violent crimes themselves, mainly due to the inadequately patrolled truck plazas that are havens for criminals. The fact is that there are criminals who are opportunists, and they see a trucking career as means of hiding their criminal activity through the cover up of a legitimate job.
The article does not accurately portray the character of the REAL OTR truck driver who is hard working, and sacrifices life luxuries to deliver them to everyone else. Truck drivers risk their lives in order to make a meager living. Many do live in their trucks and stay on the road for several months at a time.
The article actually creates more hostility and apathy towards drivers rather than the empathy that they deserve as they are targeted victims. This is what NATSO, OOIDA, Frank Silio, and the ATA should be displaying.
The truth is, NATSO and the ATA would rather just allow the misled public to believe the negative stereotype image about truckers so it will divert attention from the real issues: Lack of safe truck parking and the human trafficking crisis occurring at truck stops. In doing so it ensures that their bottom lines will not be affected, namely maintaining trusting customers to travel areas, deterring people from going to rest areas, preventing the encouragement to pass Jason’s law to create more safe parking areas, and keeping the “lowly image” driver pay down.
The ATA and NATSO are a tightly knit group and they continue to support each others goals and ambitions, denying and disregarding the true problems of the trucking industry for their own personal gain.
Additional Reading:
Is there a link between human trafficking, CDL training and Jason’s Law?
To get specific about Beto Junction, KS TA truck stop I had a truckers wife post on my facebook wall last month that her husband was robbed while walking through the parking lot. A black man held a knife to his throat, demanded his wallet, money and wanted to know what he was hauling to try and jack his load. I have the phone number for this gentleman and have spoke to him on the phone.
The other incident reported to me about the same time was the Steel City truck stop in Gary, Indiana a trucker was awakened to hear someone trying to get in his truck. Something told him not to go back to sleep so he lay in his bunk not moving or saying a word. Twenty minutes later a lot lizard with a lock pick kit broke in to his truck, popped the lock. The driver got up, tried to hit her with his door but she can away.
A woman trucker of 35 years, (sorry I forgot about this one) was attacked from behind and left for dead in a truck stop. Her husband thankfully found her. The attacker hit her from behind, she still suffers problems to this day over the incident.
My husband was physically pinned up against his truck in the fuel aisle of a truck stop by a big prostitute.
Cumberland, MD- Pilot was a warm night, so the window in the truck was down while waiting to get fuel. A man approached my husband’s driver side door (with his hand in pocket to resemble gun) and demanded all his money. Needless to say the robber was intimidated and ran away before anyone was harmed.
I am sure there will be more that will happen. As soon as they do I send out mass messages to our members. I will keep you posted.
Thanks!
Oh of course convict a truck driver of being the serial killers of such, just because the coincidence of finding body’s near them.. what else is new, can’t find / convict the criminal.. BLAME a trucker.. this whole story in the USA today, just makes me shake my head.. thanks for the retaliation/ clarification and standing up for trucker’s again Desiree ; )
In your blog you post this non truth “Understand that truck drivers are not allowed to carry weapons” this is false !!! NOT ONE law in this country says “truckers” or CMV drivers are not allowed to carry weapons.
Company policy does say this at alot places but one can chose who they do not want to work for. I have pointed this out to you before in your web presence on another site but I cannot be sure that you seen it so I will post it here.
If I seem a little overboard with this response here is my reason. Would you post a sign in front of your house that says “This homeowner cannot carry a wepon” even if you cant carry or just dont like them for whatever reason ,would you tell the bad guys you dont have one?
That is what you doing to us each time you post something like this to the internet.and I am pretty sure in your heart that you not want to do anything that may cause any of us harm,as you do alot of things to help(thanks for all the work that you do)
Myself ,I do carry in the states that I have a permit in and alot that I do not. I have been stopped many times in both types of states and the first thing I do is tell the officer that I have a firearm and I have a Georgia permit for it. not one time has it been a problem. I even have a big sign for my windshield that says “I have a gun and I dont want to be messed with” it is a homemade sign some of you may have seen it on that purple pete.
Dear Cory:
Here is a post from Allen Smith on the “Ask the Trucker” website . The post is called “Truck Drivers and the unlawfull posession of a Firearm”
True, many carriers prohibit weapons and many shippers and receivers prohibit them on their properties.
Local laws differ from state and federal and being that truck drivers travel into many different municipalities everyday they take the risk of dealing with local law enforcement if they are stopped and the waepon is found.
Some drivers do carry weapons, some do not , regardless of the laws.
Many will say, they will not risk getting in trouble further for violation company policies or taking the chance with local law enforcement.
I do not live my life in fear, if you have read my site you will know I have experienced an event in my life that even a gun under my pillow could not have protected me from.
When it is my time to go, I will be ready. Until then , I will write.
Corey,
With all the truths and information in this article, I’m shocked that you’ve decided to fixate on the statement that “drivers are not allowed to carry guns” THis was obviously a statement to further expose the seriousness about the crime against truckers that is existing, rather than expose the vulnerability of truckers.
THe truth is that most carriers do not allow drivers to carry a gun, and the next truth is that many drivers take their chances carry anyway!! Guns aren’t the issue here, the issue is the lack of concern the trucking industry has displayed towards the criminal and hostile environments that truckers live with and the apathy that those who can do something to relieve it possess.
Let’s get back on track here.
And so that everyone reading this blog knows…
MANY TRUCKERS DO CARRY EVEN IF THEIR EMPLOYER DOEN’T ALLOW IT….Better?
Sue , The flare gun is a great idea and and could help in many other ways to help save a life,also for those that cant carry a firearm for whatever reason that would be a great choice.
But I do not know of any FEDERAL LAWS against firearms in a Commercial Vehicle. could you please help me find them as I cannot locate them in any of my searches? thanks for any help on this , I do not wish to spread any false information that might get someone in trouble!
Also if you find that there is no law to that effect,could you please be so kind to admit that my post did have some merit to it as I did for part of yours.
Thanks for all your help
Cory.
I have been on a rapid search for over a hour, I know at one time I used to carry a 25 semi automatic in my truck, and they made a rule to change to allowance to carry in a commercial vehicle because drivers were shooting at each other within road rage, it was in the Federal Handbook under new laws, about year 96-01 can’t remember what year, and of course I have since thrown out old regulation books when new ones were issued.. I’m at ah.. that I cannot find the regulation in the handbook, thinking the gun activists have made them reverse the regulation, so my post could be incorrect, but was reading state law regulations, and many of the states so far the majority do not allow to carry with out permit, and without residency in each state, can’t get a permit to carry.. so the question is STATE laws do over precede FEDERAL laws if there is not a law of specific.. so now it comes down to DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE.. So, the answer is check each and every state and see what their law is.. and make a decision, take a chance .. or carry a safety device such as a flare gun, and spare shells… think about it.. watch them burn to death, or make a bullet hole.. and hope they go down within defending yourself..
((still searching when they made it a law and when it was in the handbook, and when they changed it again..guess been driving to long, with to many ongoing rules, changes, and just bullshit thrown at drivers and the industry, and some here and gone for the violated our constitutional rights..))
Do you not know the FEDERAL LAWS.. it is against the LAW to carry firearms in a Commercial Vehicle.. a straight to jail ticket if one is found in your truck, it has nothing to do with company policy’s .. That law was passed a few years back, due to DRIVER ABUSE OF ROAD RAGE.. do as I do for protection, Carry a FLARE GUN.. it is legal, a great protection device, and if ever asked it is a SAFETY DEVICE.. you can buy them in any fish / boating store..
there is no federal law stating such…that’s a myth. If it is truly a law, please state what statute it is and where it is printed because you won’t find it.
Please contact Allen Smith from “Ask the Trucker” to clarify for you. http://www.askthetrucker.com allen@truthabouttrucking.com
Allen has written a few articles about the topic of truckers and guns. Here is his latest regarding the issue of truckers carrying guns
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/126/675/Truck_Drivers_and_the_Controversial_Gun_Debate.html
Thanks Ladies. I do understand that Desiree has done so much good for the truckers and I wouldnt want take any light at all away from all the time and effort she has put in to spread the word and help,she is a big voice in trucking. and I dont think for a minute she had any intent to do anything other than get the message out about the risk and dangers that we face. and I thank her for that !
But take the case of Jason R. ,I know it was a sneek attack from what I have read and if he had been armed I dont think it would have helped him one bit. but the fact that the low lifes were pretty sure he was not armed along with the parking issue made him a target. these people were cowards and did not want to target someone that may strike back, so thinking that Truckers cant carry firearms made him the choice.
I hear people almost every day say that we cant do it ,when the fact is some of us can. so let the bad guys wonder,and if one just one says to his buddies “hey dont mess with that trucker he might have a gun” other than “I here that truckers cant have guns,lets go rob one” thats one life that could be saved and that sounds like a big issue to me !
Sorry if I did not pick my words very well I was typing on my phone and I tend to shorten things a little to much and just use the strong words to get my main point across.
I think folks like you , Trucker Strike and Allen Smith do us a great service out here on the web. Thanks again.
Cory
Thanks Cory, it’s all good.
Nice to see there are others out here with a brain and a similar dislike of the ATA and most anyone else who claims to be our friend. REMEMBER THE 70s. I also write for the industry, http://www.examiner.com/grandjunctiontruckindustryexaminer
Thanks for your articles! I was felling like the lone ranger.
Thanks for posting Gary, you are not alone! There are a number of drivers on facebook and twitter. If you are on there too, please look us us.
Cheers,
Desiree
I have read your commits, I have seen the news, and I have been out here on the road for over 30 years. I have seen things out here that would give Charles Mansion the heebee-jeebees. I have carried guns, dogs, snakes, you name it, just to feel a little safer, but the best thing that I have found to detour the strange from trying to get in, is anything that suggests that the driver is crazy and not afraid to use it. I don’t know if it helped me, but I was not the one that went to the hospital that night.
http://www.askthetrucker.com/truck-drivers-and-the-unlawful-possession-of-a-firearm/
This article Desiree posted is much explained.. and still goes back to the mention of the 2nd amendment rights in violation,.. now still searching when they made it a Federal Reg. and when they removed it,.. I know I quit carrying it when the law was in the Federal Handbook,.. and still very shocked it’s been removed, and I could and should be carrying it again.. ; (
((Instead carry the flare gun, and 2 big dogs, with BIG teeth )) (GRINS)
Sue , Its ok. Law or not even if has been changed one way or the other. my whole point was “lets not tell the scumbags we cant protect ourself” I have been in this discussion many times and each time someone yells out “Its Federal Law that we truckers cant have a gun in the truck”(and thats NOT what Desiree said,it was someone else 😉
If the DOT made a new law stating that we had to leave our doors unlocked while on the road in case of a wreck so the Fire/EMS could gain entry to give us proper care in a timely manner, would you want the whole world to know that our doors were not locked?
Im just saying.
I have hijacked her blog for too long so I will not post the same thing again (sorry for that T.D.)
everyone be safe out there , and thanks for the discussion.
Cory
Totally agree.. and no harm, no fowl… I just wish I kept up to when it became ok again, I quit carrying on the road years ago and never slept well without proper protection. And, agree drivers are targets. I fortunately have been very lucky out there, but to be that way I am/was very selective on where I parked. It’s like don’t walk down a dark ally in the middle of the nite, you have to protect yourself out there and don’t subject yourself being a target also.
I had one incident in Montana years ago. I was in the truck stop taking a shower and someone broke my wing window, and attempted to enter my truck, I would reckon’ the big dog, with big teeth ran them off for they got no further than the broken window.
You all drive safe, and choose carefully where you park. ; )
I agree with your comments and thoughts. The same chains keep showing up. I read some of the ariticle and I can’t for the life of me get how anyone could think a truckstop is a family oasis. Some locations are just bad, no matter who the chain it that’s there. It’s easy slant the story portray truck drivers in a bad light, we have no group that speaks for drivers.
i’m surprised the sapp bros. t/a travel center, and pilot in denver, colorado didn’t make the unsafe list. the t/a in wheat ridge, colorado is another one that is worthy of the unsafe list.
the company i drive for uses pilot as their primary fueling source. unfortunately i have to go into that pilot off of i-70 and vasquez once in a blue moon. i’ll skip it if i can make it to the next fueling location with the amount i have in the tanks at the time. i only recommend drivers go in there to refuel and absolutely nothing more. get in and get out! if there’s a long line, skip it! go somewhere else.
the sapp bros. and t/a are sleaze stops. i stopped once in sapp bros only to end up violating my 10hr break to get outta there. i’ve been to many questionable truck stops in the short 5 years i’ve been trucking, and that place takes the cake. i was doing my laundry while some very vocal convicted sex offenders were talking about why it should be legal to have sex with a minor. it took all i had in me to avoid taking a nearby heavy object and doing something with it. my laundry was half dried when i pulled it out of the dryer packed it into my duffle bag, went back to my truck, and left that dump. there were other questionable types hanging around there, too. i haven’t been back there since.
don’t bother stopping in either place within the denver city limits. drive down to walsenburg, co, lamar, co, or hit up the superb place called johnson’s corner in johnstown, co. johnson’s corner is worth driving through a snowstorm for.
A very good response to the US Today article, which sadly was written behind the times; these crimes have been occurring at truck stops, rest areas and interstates for decades. The majority of truckers are not criminally minded, and are just as often the victims of crime themselves, but the fact is that certain aspects of the profession do appeal to those individuals who choose to abuse and kill, such as Bruce Mendenhall and Robert Rhodes.
While I am not a member of the trucking industry, I travel the U.S. extensively and have in the past went to some of the truck stops on the list mentioned above. I’ve had prostitutes solicit me, I had a trucker start masturbating in front of me when we were alone in the bathroom, and ask where I was headed! I’ve been approached to sell or purchase all types of drugs. I can’t imagine lone females feeling safe in these places.
Scariest experience was at an isolated rest area in South Dakota where a spooky drug addled couple attempted to pressure me into helping them jump their vehicle– and only backed off when I notified them I had a handgun. I’m pretty sure I was being set up to be robbed. I’ve started going to 24 hour Walmarts when I can find them, something truckers don’t have the luxury of doing if they need to fill up. These places have never been family oriented–they’re places where you have to be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Carry some kind of weapon if you can.
[…] Serial Killers and Trucking October 2010 20 comments […]
I have been following you for awhile, and I understand what it is that you are trying to do. However, I have been driving a truck since before there was ever a truckdriving school in my home state of Oklahoma. My brother took me out, and showed me the basic ropes. I have only once, in 28 years, felt unsafe in a truckstop; even then I was protected by the staff. I put on around 200,000 miles a year by myself. I have been a serious career trucker, by myself in my rig, since 1986. I started driving in 1981. I don’t see this problem you are talking about. I believe you are sensationalizing. If you do not like trucking, go to college. If I graduated with a degree, then you can too. IN college you can get a teaching certificate; then once you have learned the different teaching concepts, you could start your own trucking school.
Without trucking, I probably would have been killed in my own home by an abusive husband. I might have lived in poverty…for certain, I wouldn’t have had the means to finish college. Trucking has done a lot for me…and I am eternally grateful to my industry. It sounds like you should be too.
Dear LaWanda:
I am familiar with your name from twitter. I too had an abusive Husband, an abusive Childhood and should have been dead many times over but I am not.
You say you have been trucking since before there was ever a truck driving school in your home state of Oklahoma and that you’re Brother took you out, and showed you the basic ropes.
I have addressed this sort of statement time and again but I will repeat it here.
1. A Brother, Father, Mother may be able to show a family member the “Ropes” of how to operate a Truck but they cannot provide the experience to QUALIFY a new driver to this industry BECAUSE it has turned into a Government Funded Machine.
2. Not all people have a Brother, or a Father.
LaWanda, I have a Brother and he is quite imposing but he is Harley Mechanic and he knows nothing about Trucking so going to him would have served no purpose to me in trying to navigate my way through the government funded truck driver training machine that is currently in place RIGHT NOW.
He knows I can handle myself quite well with regards personal safety, I am not known to walk away from a fight, my ex husband who used to lock me up to beat me is one of the last people who would ever challenge me again. I do not start fights…. I finish them.
I lived in poverty and gave up the chance for a nice comfortable life on more than a few occasions so that I did not have to live in the conditions of abuse I grew up in or married into.
I have had more lives than a cat.
You say you understand what it is I am trying to do but I do not think you understand at all or you would not have posted here.
In 2008, after I emerged from the insane truck driver training system and began writing my story on “Ask the Trucker” and the subsequent cyber-stalking from Women In Trucking I posted remarks which have now been deleted (I have copies) that predict that not only would the trucking industry try to take advantage of all the people who would be losing their jobs from our crashed economy but ALSO take advantage of our returning veterans , our young Men & Women who fought in Iraq & Afghanistan who would return home and need a job in our failed economy.
I said that trucking would present the “Truck Driver Shortage” to these folks WITHOUT fixing the provocative & unsafe manner of training which is actually a churning effect of cheap labor.
I also said that I felt it was imperative we lay the foundation to help those veterans who were already suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) find the TRUTH about the Trucking industry before they were taken advantage of by unscrupulous recruiters and truck driver training carriers.
Since that time when I said that about 2 years ago a program has recently emerged called http://www.troops2truckers.com
And this disturbing comment was made on Allen Smiths’s website just last week:
“My fiancée did 5 deployments since 9/11 and was promised by TDI Indiana that his 3 week course ($7000!) would be totally covered by his GI Bill from The Marine Corps – come to find out going through his paperwork that he was only ever paid back $400 of the $7000 he paid up front. He never questioned this as he has combat related medical problems – Traumatic Brain Injury and P.T.S.D. from his deployments. I called the VA and they told me the obvious that a 3 weeks course would not be covered – of which Ok I understand BUT he was not told this!. Should you look into a reputable truck driving school I just got off the phone with a guy named Bruce at “Take Flight National Training”. Told him our story and he said yes, that is why we inform Veterans that their school will NOT allow them to waste their GI Bill on a short term course as it won’t cover it and they don’t want to see Veterans being ripped off – however, they do offer a longer course to them that is covered by the GI Bill, so that they can utilize their hard earned education benefits in an appropriate manner. He advised me to call Indiana State. I have put a phone call in and am waiting for a return call. I can’t tell you how it makes me feel knowing that they took complete advantage of a returning Combat Veteran!!!!!!.”
LaWanda, do you understand how many people are hungry for a job in this country and are being lied to and taken advantage by CDL Schools and Truck Driver Training Carriers who also get tax credits and subsidies compliments of the American Taxpayers?
I posted a video last night on you tube where I read an email from a young man that I met who is currently a student and he was beside himself because he had no one to talk to who knew what he was experiencing. I KNOW WHAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING because I have been a student in some of the very same situations he was describing.
He wrote me an email and thanked me for letting him vent. He has had a hard time but he got through it and it helped him to understand he is not CRAZY and he is not being personally singled out. He is in a system set up for Failure and in order to beat the odds he needs to beat them at their own game.
This has very little to do with me, I am only helping people searching for answers.
I totally understand that most people do not care about anyone else except themselves… that is just not in my DNA… never has been since I was a child and I was not put on this earth to explain to anyone what possesses me to take action on the things that I feel are urgent.
I am also no wilting daisy so for those who think they want to poke the bunny…
I wanted to add also in response to LaWanda, that I was just short in a degree in International Business and Minor in Accounting before I came to Trucking.
I do not want to work in an office. I am a trucker by choice not because I am too dumb to do anything else.
This post is about a 2 page article that was in USA Today about a longtime FBI Investigation that was going on way before I ever considered trucking.
Just after this post went live I was contacted by TA who had been on the phone with the FBI.
This is a real story that is evolving LaWanda and the article began with a beheaded teenager, that is a FACT …. I’m sorry you find a fact to be sensational.
Perhaps you should take it up with the FBI, it is their investigation, not mine.
And PS… the TA called to give me a laundry list of changes they have forthcoming so obviously people are listening who can make changes.
LaWanda,
I too am from Oklahoma and was hoping to read something of value from someone of my home state.
Unfortunately I did not.
All I read was that since the negative aspects of trucking has never affected you, then you have no desire to be empathetic or care about those it has has affected adversely.
I too have NOT been poorly treated, but because I have witnessed so many others who have, I decided in 2001 to make a stand for THEM.
Lawanda, life isn’t all about you, I’m sorry to say.
I’m glad trucking has been so good to you, but unfortunately that is not the case for so many others.
There are those who have been:
Ripped off, Given false DAC reports and have had their careers ruined, Those charged thousands of $$ for CDL training and were then forced to quit ( a # of examples for this), Women who were raped and or thrown off of trucks during their training ( only to have the incidents covered up by HR), drivers who were intentionally scammed out of thousands for a lease purchase, and of course the “recruiters special” as I call it…” Make as much money as a college graduate with no skill required” ( Are college graduates working 70hr/wk and only making 20K a yr now when they graduate?)
hmmmmm we really must be in a recession if that’s going on.
And yes Desiree, the facts of this story have been given by the FBI, so I agree, any “sensationalizing” of truck stops and their dangers should be addressed to them.
Allen Smith
LaWanda,
A question I hope you will answer for me.
Since you believe that the truck stops are very safe, how do you feel about the children who have been and are trafficked in them for prostitution?
( Ok is a major target for human trafficking)
Do feel that this too is not going on?
DO you feel compelled to report it if you see it, or do you feel that would be disloyal to the industry that has been so good to you?
In case you do want to report it, here is the National Human Trafficking Hotline #
1-888-373-7888
I am very concerned and would like some feedback from Truckers out there both male and female drivers….. Do you feel it is safe to have children of truck drivers on the trucks while the drivers are working…. How safe are female children under 12 with their fathers who drive…. what age would it be safe for these children to be on the road with their parents Would you bring your female children under 13 with you on the road why and why not
I know women who began driving with their Das when they were small & knew how to drive a rig before they had their own automobile. During Christmas & other School Holidays , you often see kids visiting their Dad’s or riding along. I do not see a problem with it. You could have a Father who is a Multi Billionaire who is a total jerk off as a paretn & have a Father who is poor as dirt & be a great Father. I am not sure where you are going with this question but it sounds like you are trying to imply something about a job description which would be “labeling”. I do not approve of this. Americans are the largest consumers of child sex. Most of these Men at White Collar Executives.
LaWanda, as a respected driver has EVERY RIGHT to express herself and unfortunately, the other side of the coin in that women who aren’t bitching all the time do not deserve the same respect. Sounds like LaWanda has paid her dues.
She’s only making a point and it’s unfortunate that there are those that want to put her down. It is what it is. For those of us, our experiences are broad and different
and if the only voices that you want to hear from ARE THOSE THAT ARE ALWAYS IN
AGREEMENT WITH YOURSELF, then . . .
Life ain’t a bowl of cherries. AGAIN, because LaWanda doesn’t have a bitch,
doesn’t mean that her experiences are less important, she’s merely telling a few of us why we SHOULD get into trucking. What’s in it for me. Sometimes a woman’s worse enemy is another woman .
Dear “Bizbee”
I appreciate your trying to defend LaWanda but if you will notice this post is about Serial Killers linked by the FBI to Trucking Lanes” It is not about Me or LaWanda.
If fact, LaWanda does bitch often on Twitter and whenever she pops into my timeline she has less than half of the current facts which makes it a moot point.
Giving consistent negative commentary as LaWanda does on Twitter without doing proper homework on the topic implies an odd fixation, she can just as easily unfollow me but she does not.
Again, this post is about Serial Killiers & the relation to trucking lanes. It is not about LaWanda’s homelife or career.
Two weeks ago I was contacted by a journalist who has taken new articles about dumped bodies found in or around truck stops and many of those locations MATCH this list in this post that the trucking industry leaders FAILED to provide to the USA Today journalist .
That is the topic of this post. Please go troll elsewhere.
Your are either part of the solution or part of the problem.
What are you doing to help clean up this world? this industry? anything?
I agree with you on the drugs aspect of this story. Drugs and trucking just don’t mix. However, I do believe that lot lizards provide a much needed service. These girls keep male truckers from harassing the female truckers. They choose to be there and do what they do.They wouldn’t be there if they were wanted. Goes back to the old saying…What you do in your truck, I may not do in mine and vice versa.
Clarissa makes a statement saying “They choose to be there and do what they do.” This is false for most prostitutes.They do NOT choose, they are forced into those situations.Truckers Against Trafficking could provide more hard evidence if you care to know the truth.
What we are not talking about here is the benefit to society by the extermination of so-called “lot lizards.” The lowest form of human garbage deserving of nothing short of total extermination. One a woman has committed herself to that lifestyle,s he is no longer worthy of human rights–total garbage and a waste of life. The state should not expend any effort to any end other than their removal form the planet. Then the horrible garbage who use their “services” or who kill them must also be purged from this earth. Those people should be burned alive in a lake of gasoline. This self-feeding evil of human garbage in these truck stops will only end once enough examples are made of why someone should never even think about this lifestyle.