Don't Touch Another Driver's Equipment

I'm at a truck stop in Burns, OR. I happened to be looking at the tandems when I caught another driver writing "FJB" on my trailer doors. First off, don't touch my trailer, especially back there near my load seal. I'm not a huge Joe Biden fan, but I don't want to drive around the country with YOUR stupid political take on my equipment. Don't touch my stuff. He was lucky to not end up with my fist in his mouth.

He was lucky to not end up with my fist in his mouth.

Really? A fist to the mouth? That's not extreme at all...

First, I agree that no one should touch your trailer, especially with their own political agenda. But it doesn't take violence to remove it.

Second, FJB.

Plus one to Turtles response. I personally cant stand Chairman Vegetables, and yet while I agree with the message in spirit, I dont want political messages on my trailer. Its a recipie for conflict in some areas that I travel to, such as the PRC, communist CA. But, I wouldnt go so far as to create conflict just to avoid a different conflict.

Depending on the appearance and manner of the guy who was doing it, I would probably just say "Hey, Im right there with you, but its a company trailer and I cant have political messages on it" or simply observed him, said nothing and wiped it off later.

Perhaps its age, it has a tendency to calm one down a bit, perhaps its being a long term CCW holder with an abundance of training, but you learn the value of de-escalating situations and observing rather than reacting.

I stand by what I said. I'm trying to represent myself as a professional on the road, not to mention representing my company. I don't want to show up at the receiver with that childish crap. I don't deserve to become the target of a complaint, or worse, road rage because of some other jerk's graffiti. Don't touch my stuff, plain and simple. Write whatever the hell you want on your own trailer.

I will say this, I’m kinda paranoid about people lurking around my equipment. Getting in a fist fight is probably is not going to happen since I’m 71 years old and would like to live to 72, but I do share scorchednuts concern about equipment tampering. He mentioned someone being around his load seal. I have heard about drivers having their load seals cut as a form of retribution for some perceived petty offense.

This brings up another good point. Whenever I am away from my equipment, like inside a truckstop for coffee, upon returning I always check things out before moving on. I always check the king pin release and glad hands connections. Can’t say I always do a complete walk around, but I should. This is something I learned to do a long time ago right here on TT.

Another thing. FJB? Why is there so much negativity directed at JB Hunt drivers?

Hmmm, interesting.

I agree no one should touch equipment in anyway that is not there’s. Plain and simple.

Messages drawn in dirt are very simple to remove. Wash it!! No damage will occur.

Using physical violence is only legally accepted in protection of life and property. In this scenario it would be illegal!!!

This pretty simple situation as stated had the potetional to escalate to a very bad end. I’m glad it didn’t.

So question is, What would your companies response be if you were arrested for assault and battery???

Our actions are all on display to the world. We should all strive to display it as the proffessionals we are.

Risk vs reward should always be evaluated in any situation.

Interesting that the replies were way different when I spoke up about keeping your hands off someone else's equipment.

Interesting that the replies were way different when I spoke up about keeping your hands off someone else's equipment.

Right?

Different circumstances entirely but still

I could be mistaken, tbh, I didn't go back and look at that thread, but if I recall correctly, most the replies, while assuming the individual was most likely nefarious in intent, didn't advocate responding with physical violence. The other replies, assumed that he was just being nice, also didn't advocate physical violence.

Seems fairly consistent unless I'm missing something?

Messages drawn in dirt are very simple to remove. Wash it!! No damage will occur.

No! I already have enough to worry about in this crazy job. I gotta go dirty up one of my towels? I instructed the artist to clean it off to avoid further problems, which he did, with the sleeve of his nice jacket.

Don't touch my equipment unless you're in the sleeper bunk. 😏