Saw Driver Purchasing Barley Pop At Truckstop

I was fueling at Loves and saw a driver come out with a six pack of microbrew (frosties, beer, ale etc). I was stunned because frankly I didnt think alcohol could even be purchased at a truck stop. I also saw the driver get into his truck. Owner op from the looks of it not a mega carrier.

I really didnt want to say anything or paid much attention to it as my focus was on getting my gas, relieving myself at the bathroom and getting on back home with the empty trailer.

Should I be reporting stuff like this? Do snitches get stitches out on the roads? I've had friends who did time and that was one of the first rules they told me.

I just minded my own business. I'm not sure if the guy was on his 34 or not etc.

Youd think that the truck stops wouldn't sell alcohol but low and behold this one did.....crazy. after all we have to go through to get and keep our CDL why f^$k it up for something stupid like that???

Maybe you older drivers who've been out here longer than I can elaborate on this?

I just minded my own business.

That's what you're supposed to do.

Moe, I've never seen a truck stop that didn't sell alcohol. It's not illegal for a trucker to drink. As long as the alcohol in his body has been metabolized and won't show up in a test, he's legal.

A lot of people drink a beer at the end of their day. Some of them drink quite a few beers at the start of a 34.

I pretty much have all I can do just minding my own business, hopefully you do too.

Okay thanks for letting me know. It was just a shock seeing it. I'm not naive or dumb either, just wasnt expecting to see it at a truck stop.

I just minded my own business.

That's what you're supposed to do.

Moe, I've never seen a truck stop that didn't sell alcohol. It's not illegal for a trucker to drink. As long as the alcohol in his body has been metabolized and won't show up in a test, he's legal.

A lot of people drink a beer at the end of their day. Some of them drink quite a few beers at the start of a 34.

I pretty much have all I can do just minding my own business, hopefully you do too.

Legally, no alcohol can ever be in the truck, and only in the trailer if it's being hauled from Point A to Point B with a Bill of Lading.

I would not have reported it, either.

No, in trucking snitches don't wear stitches. Snitches wind up in ditches...get it...cause we drive...ditches.... Best to mind your own business unless it's a life or death matter ie. Truck driving down the road tossing down beers while swerving across lanes etc.

Yep got it.

Thank you

No, in trucking snitches don't wear stitches. Snitches wind up in ditches...get it...cause we drive...ditches.... Best to mind your own business unless it's a life or death matter ie. Truck driving down the road tossing down beers while swerving across lanes etc.

Just for clarification...

I don't condone mixing alcohol and commercial driving. I just wanted Moe to realize when we see something like this, we don't have all the facts. There's no reason to report something when we don't have clarity on it.

Now, if I see a commercial vehicle driving erratically and dangerously, I'm likely to report it. There's absolutely no reason for a person to be operating dangerously. They may be having a medical issue, or they may be under the influence, but having seen them causing possible havoc warrants a phone call.

My company has a no tolerance policy on alcohol. We are not supposed to even drink on our home time if we have the truck in our possession. I'm curious about other company's alcohol policies if anyone would like to share theirs.

Drinking at truckstops happens quite a bit. Take a walk around the lot in the morning as everybody begins to leave and you'll see quite a few beer cans. Personally, I do not drink any alcohol atleast 24 hours before I need to drive and I will not operate my personal vehicle even after 1 beer. To me it isnt worth the risk. Others feel different and as long as they're not a danger to others I don't care what they do. Truckstops are trying to cater to different groups and if the beer is selling they'd be foolish to discontinue it. When my family travels (even before I had my CDL) we always aimed to utilize truck stops. Always well lit, open 24 hours and most have food options other than the roller grill if we're hungry. Usually the unleaded pumps also have a ton of room to maneuver if hauling a small trailer. The house I purchased a couple months back has 2 truck stops within about 5 miles. It's very convenient to swing in on my way home in my personal vehicle to grab a 6 pack if I have a couple days off so I'm thankful they sell it.

My company has a no tolerance policy on alcohol. We are not supposed to even drink on our home time if we have the truck in our possession. I'm curious about other company's alcohol policies if anyone would like to share theirs.

I'm not sure what the policy is about drinking when I am responsible for the truck (in a hotel room) but I know a couple drivers that purchase a beer or 2 with cash then pay for dinner using a card so the company reimburses the meal and is unaware of the alcohol. If we report to work and smell of alcohol we'll be given a breathalyzer. They also will randomly have HR and management waiting in the office periodically and give everyone a test. Even a trace results in a 30 day unpaid suspension, 2nd offense is termination. I find it's easier to just avoid it and not worry about it. We had a driver just before I started that got done with his day about noon. Went home to do yard work and put down a few beers. He reported back to work at 11pm and got a random breathalyzer. Just a trace resulted in him missing 30 days of work (and income!). I enjoy throwing back a couple beers occasionally but not enough to jeopardize my families well being or my career. I've almost done with my week vacation and I'm starting to go crazy. I love spending time with my family but I'm ready to get back to work. The weeks been full of projects ( like fencing in our 1/2 acre yard!) And whining kids.

Good Morning Old school its 7am where I am at here on the west coast.

My company also has a zero tolerance policy regarding alcohol in the CMV while on duty, even if you are on your 34 while OTR. The bottom lone where I work is pretty much the same. If the CMV is in your possession, dont do it.

We do have a local yard where we can park them and then go home and as long as the CMV is not in your possession then obviously your business is your business.

I cant and don't much drink anymore anyway for my health's sake so it's not really a deal to me.

Stay safe out there old timer!

Just for clarification...

I don't condone mixing alcohol and commercial driving. I just wanted Moe to realize when we see something like this, we don't have all the facts. There's no reason to report something when we don't have clarity on it.

Now, if I see a commercial vehicle driving erratically and dangerously, I'm likely to report it. There's absolutely no reason for a person to be operating dangerously. They may be having a medical issue, or they may be under the influence, but having seen them causing possible havoc warrants a phone call.

My company has a no tolerance policy on alcohol. We are not supposed to even drink on our home time if we have the truck in our possession. I'm curious about other company's alcohol policies if anyone would like to share theirs.

Oh man that sounds like you had quite the week. Sometimes vacation is more work than a vacation

Drinking at truckstops happens quite a bit. Take a walk around the lot in the morning as everybody begins to leave and you'll see quite a few beer cans. Personally, I do not drink any alcohol atleast 24 hours before I need to drive and I will not operate my personal vehicle even after 1 beer. To me it isnt worth the risk. Others feel different and as long as they're not a danger to others I don't care what they do. Truckstops are trying to cater to different groups and if the beer is selling they'd be foolish to discontinue it. When my family travels (even before I had my CDL) we always aimed to utilize truck stops. Always well lit, open 24 hours and most have food options other than the roller grill if we're hungry. Usually the unleaded pumps also have a ton of room to maneuver if hauling a small trailer. The house I purchased a couple months back has 2 truck stops within about 5 miles. It's very convenient to swing in on my way home in my personal vehicle to grab a 6 pack if I have a couple days off so I'm thankful they sell it.

My company has a no tolerance policy on alcohol. We are not supposed to even drink on our home time if we have the truck in our possession. I'm curious about other company's alcohol policies if anyone would like to share theirs.

I'm not sure what the policy is about drinking when I am responsible for the truck (in a hotel room) but I know a couple drivers that purchase a beer or 2 with cash then pay for dinner using a card so the company reimburses the meal and is unaware of the alcohol. If we report to work and smell of alcohol we'll be given a breathalyzer. They also will randomly have HR and management waiting in the office periodically and give everyone a test. Even a trace results in a 30 day unpaid suspension, 2nd offense is termination. I find it's easier to just avoid it and not worry about it. We had a driver just before I started that got done with his day about noon. Went home to do yard work and put down a few beers. He reported back to work at 11pm and got a random breathalyzer. Just a trace resulted in him missing 30 days of work (and income!). I enjoy throwing back a couple beers occasionally but not enough to jeopardize my families well being or my career. I've almost done with my week vacation and I'm starting to go crazy. I love spending time with my family but I'm ready to get back to work. The weeks been full of projects ( like fencing in our 1/2 acre yard!) And whining kids.