Truck drivers are often owner operators on exploitative leasing terms or training terms with their employer that dictate they must work X amount of time or they owe Y training cost, usually in the 10s of thousands of dollars. In addition to this, drivers are typically paid by the mile, which means they’re not paid at all for any time they take breaks, or even while trucks are loading or unloading. Not to mention the razor tight schedule they’re expected to make. Piss bottles, like every other uniquely horrible American cultural artifact, are a result of overworked and underpaid workers trying to make the best of their situation. They’re literally saving time and making money by pudding in a jug.
And America has had a huge problem getting new truckers gee I wonder why? Their solution is to reduce education and throw more new truckers on the road. “Pay by the mile” sounds like a huge safety issue too, stressing about being as fast as possible and not stopping or slowing down for anything as a cautious driver would sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Sometimes it’s just an inconvenience. This gas station is located in a rural town in the foothills of Tennessee which is at the convergence of two major highways. This appears to be the only truck stop within 20-30 min in any direction. The drivers could pull into a normal gas station or just pull off the road, but the roads and parking lots in this area aren’t really designed for vehicles of this size.
Some aspect of it is certainly over demanding bosses and workaholic drivers, but another part of it is just not wanting to bother with finding a place to pull over without going out of the way. Also, it never seems to be as simple as just pulling over to use the restroom. You have to pull off the highway, go down the ramp, if you’re lucky the gas station is right there at the exit, but if not you might have a short couple min driving. By the time you’ve gotten off the road, found a place to go, got your truck parked in a normal parking lot, and went in to actually use the restroom a lot of time passes. Probably 15-30 min per stop.
I don’t get this, why not just stop for 5 minutes to take a leak or 10 to take a dump and resume your ride?
If your planning depends on those 5 or 10 minutes, it’s just poor planning.
Maybe it’s more an American thing? I’m a European truck driver and never done this.
Truck drivers are often owner operators on exploitative leasing terms or training terms with their employer that dictate they must work X amount of time or they owe Y training cost, usually in the 10s of thousands of dollars. In addition to this, drivers are typically paid by the mile, which means they’re not paid at all for any time they take breaks, or even while trucks are loading or unloading. Not to mention the razor tight schedule they’re expected to make. Piss bottles, like every other uniquely horrible American cultural artifact, are a result of overworked and underpaid workers trying to make the best of their situation. They’re literally saving time and making money by pudding in a jug.
😋
That sounds so very stressful. Truckdrivers really are special people to deal with all of that. Be very lucky we got them!
I work for a company and here it’s the standard to get paid by the hour. I also get all my hours paid that I have to wait.
Here’s to better working conditions! You all deserve it!
And America has had a huge problem getting new truckers gee I wonder why? Their solution is to reduce education and throw more new truckers on the road. “Pay by the mile” sounds like a huge safety issue too, stressing about being as fast as possible and not stopping or slowing down for anything as a cautious driver would sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Sometimes it’s just an inconvenience. This gas station is located in a rural town in the foothills of Tennessee which is at the convergence of two major highways. This appears to be the only truck stop within 20-30 min in any direction. The drivers could pull into a normal gas station or just pull off the road, but the roads and parking lots in this area aren’t really designed for vehicles of this size.
Some aspect of it is certainly over demanding bosses and workaholic drivers, but another part of it is just not wanting to bother with finding a place to pull over without going out of the way. Also, it never seems to be as simple as just pulling over to use the restroom. You have to pull off the highway, go down the ramp, if you’re lucky the gas station is right there at the exit, but if not you might have a short couple min driving. By the time you’ve gotten off the road, found a place to go, got your truck parked in a normal parking lot, and went in to actually use the restroom a lot of time passes. Probably 15-30 min per stop.
Their bosses put them under pressure to just not ever stop.
It’s the way of the road, Bubs
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