They Need To Get Out More
Posted on Apr 10, 2009 - 8:15pm by Donna Snelling in General, Trucking
I know a lot of you do not take the time to watch regular TV on the road. Opting for the more important – sleep – than anything (and thank you for keeping yourself and others safe by doing so!). But I have a huge gripe about a nice little stereotype that was on the other night. First I was very angry, then I could not believe the stupidity of the writers of the show, and now I just sit here and think “Do these people live under a rock?”
The show: Law and Order. The episode that was on Wednesday night partially dealt with prostitution in truck stops. So let me start picking the show apart and you can either laugh, get mad, or sit and wonder “Do these people live under a rock?”
First: the truck stop. The “truck stop” consisted of them driving a container into what looked like, a container drop yard with a few chain link fences around. It looked like a container drop yard because all of the trucks that were in this “truck stop” had containers behind them.
Second: the building that was supposed to be the “truck stop” sat on a corner and had no – I repeat – NO fuel islands. It looked like a drug store in the city. Upon walking into this “truck stop” the undercover cop was to buy “mouthwash” as a signal he wanted to party.
Third: when entering the “truck stop” the trucker (undercover cop) immediately spots about ten prostitutes sitting together in booths. He proceeds to buy the mouthwash, a prostitute follows him, he tells the prostitute he wants someone specific, waits a half hour, gets the specific person, arrests the person.
Ok, now, quick poll, how many times have you walked into Pilot, Love’s, Flying J, Petro, etc. and SAW at least 10 prostitutes sitting out in the open waiting for someone to buy a specific item to follow them to their truck? Seriously.
And calling them prostitutes. Had they wanted to be “authentic” they would have known to call them lot lizards.
It’s bad enough drivers have a rough image to begin with but the stupidity of writers in Hollywood that have NO clue what they are talking about to portray this to everyone out there – simply sad. At least those who are in the transportation business know who the true idiots are – the writers, for not thoroughly “researching” what they are writing about.
Those people must live under a rock or have never seen a “real” truck stop before I guess they think trucks run on air since there were no fuel pumps.
People’s ignorance amazes me. If you don’t know about people, you shouldn’t try to portray people in the way that YOU see fit.
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Sounds like Staten Island or Jersey City. All containers all the time. Trucks make a truck stop out of a wide spot in the road next to a convenience store. Fuel islands in the area don’t have parking so you have to stop somewhere.
It’s not a truck stop in Iowa, but it sounds like a truck stop in NYC, including the other scenic stuff. Probably the only thing wrong was that everyone was speaking english and the hookers actually had a plan instead of just bugging drivers.
Maybe you should get out more. There’s more to trucking than hauling a reefer from the TA to the next Flying J.
I have been to NY and NJ thank you very much and the truck stops that I personally saw there and have been to, did NOT look like the ones that were portrayed on TV. I have also seen and been in container yards, again, not like they were portrayed on TV.
Why would I write about something that I had no clue about?
I don’t think anyone said anything about hauling a reefer? And I didn’t know that reefers only delivered to TA and Flying J? Apparently you are getting a little confused as to what the blog was about. Which was the fact of TV types stereotyping truck drivers. Period. Again, there was no mention of a reefer anywhere in the blog. So what was the point of that?
By confirming what they had on this TV show you are saying their stereotypes are right. If you are indeed a driver, it is sad to me that you would want the stereotype to be right.
But at any rate, I’m glad you are such an expert yourself and that you think other people have no clue what is out there.
Reefers was just a general reference meaning containers are trucks too and there are more to truck stops then just the franchises.
If I’m really a driver? This coming from a passenger. First it’s TV, get over it. Want to talk about stereotypes? Drivers have earned every stereotype they have. Been to a truck stop lately? I’d rather park in a pigsty, it would probably be cleaner. Walking my dog on the back row among the piss bottles and bags of sh** and trash, convince me drivers aren’t a filthy bunch of pigs. My apologies to the pigs.
Give me a stereotype you think is wrong and I’ve probably seen a reason today of how it’s still true.
Yes, if you are really a driver because honestly, I have not seen any other driver bad mouth their own. Nor have I seen them say they EARNED the stereotype people have given them. I’m glad that you have taken it upon yourself to think I’m a passenger as well.
Yes, I have been to a truck stop lately. I live about two miles from two different truck stops actually and both are very clean. So you are putting down drivers for throwing out trash and stuff yet you let your dog pee and poop in the same manner? How are YOU any cleaner? Do you pick up your dog’s droppings? I highly doubt it. And if you don’t like walking your dog there or how other drivers are – my suggestion would be to find another job instead of complaining about it. But then again, I guess you wouldn’t have nothing to do would you?
And by the way – if you are a driver (and yes I AM saying that again) do you realize you just called yourself a pig?
Donna….you should never mud wrestle a pig.
For one thing you don’t get anywhere…for another you soon discover that the pig enjoys it.
Secondly. Television? What’s that? I haven’t watched TV on a regular basis since the middle to late seventies. I’ve taken TOO many college courses and read of toooo many studies that discovered TV to be bad for you. Bad in multiple ways. Don’t take my word for it. Research it yourself. Nowdays we have the internet.
Thanks Everitt. You seem to be the only sound mind on comments. And I hardly watch TV but Law and Order is one of those shows that I like. I would rather have my nose in a book or enjoying life instead of being bitter, mean, nasty, and negative about things. But I guess some people live for that stuff…obviously.
You have to do some research before you write this stuff. Getting a thought in your head and rushing to write without knowing the facts is a really bad idea – especially when “real” truckers read and comment on what on you post. You might consider e-mailing myself, Wayne or Everitt before you press that “publish” button.
Just because you haven’t seen something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
I guess that there are certain ones of you that did not or maybe cannot read the banner at the top of the page that states “discussion and opinions”?
I don’t think I EVER said it didn’t exist. Blogs are usually based on PERSONAL experience.