Question:
I am (still) a rank beginner, and am looking forward to training next month.
I have seen references to these types of truck stop hazards and I would appreciate the real skinny on this.
What should we expect and how can we protect ourselves and be reasonably safe?
Bg

Answer:
Truck driver stories are much more interresting then the truth!
Most of those lot lizard stories only started out as something anther driver had happen to him and most of it was made-up. (Because only thing that actually happened was, she just knocked on the door and walked away! And that happened back in 1977)

Answer:
It is rare for a driver to be truly harassed by prostitutes in truck stops, rest areas etc. The worst that usually happens is you might get woke up and asked if you want some company and when you say no they might ask if they can use your CB radio. If you say no again off they go and you go back to sleep.
As far as how to keep yourself safe while on the road the use of a little common sense goes a long, long way. Do not stop at night in a rest area that is vacant. If the rest area is poorly lit stay in your truck. Stay alert at all times, but do not act scared. If there would be some sort of human predater out there they will sense your fear and you become a target. If someone attempts to stop you while you are on the road and you have any concerns what so ever about it being a police officer put on your flashers, slow down a bit and continue to travel to a well lit populated area before pulling over. If you have a cell phone call the police and explain your situation.
What it really boils down to is being aware of your surroundings and following your insticts.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
I would rather go blind from self abuse then sleep or god forbid pay a lot lizard.
I have yet to see a good looking one. Most will scare you into being a Homosexual.
Keep people off your trk and inside your trk you will be ok.
"A choice between doin' ten years, and takin'out some stupid !@#$,ain't no choice at all."
Mr.White (Reservor Dogs)

Answer:
When I rode with my husband we were bothered quite a number of times.
Most lot lizards will just knock on the door and ask if you want company, all you need to do is SLIGHTLY crack the window & say no thank you. Never open the door!!
Alot of them use the CB to save themselves the task of going around knocking on doors. Just turn the CB off while in the truck stops,unless you have to have it on for some reason.
Once a few years ago when my husband was with CRE, we stopped at a truck stop so I could run in and use the bathroom, when I got back to the truck, my husband told me that a couple of drivers were talking over the CB, wondering how much I charged! My husband got on the CB and told them why don't you walk over to the CRE truck and I'll tell you how much my wife charges.They drivers felt like idiots.
He was so mad. I don't know why they thought I was a lot lizard, but they were obviously looking for one.
I'm just glad they did not go to my husbands truck, who knows what would have happened.Probably a fight or at least a confrontation... I told him he should have just ignored them, but he didn't think so..
There is obviously a demand for Lot Lizards, so you will experience one knocking on your truck eventually, just don't pizz them off to bad, My husband had an experience once where he told a lot lizard no thanks in a very rude way because she woke him up and when he awoke in the morning he noticed a fuel cap gone and was paranoid that she had come back and put something in his fuel tank..if she did, it did not affect anything, thankfully...
Just use common sense & pay attention to everything & everyone around you.
It's a good idea to have a cell phone so you can call 911 if you feel like you are in danger or harassed while parked somewhere thats not populated & desolate.
Lots of times we would get to a shipper/receiver and have to park in a industrial area and prostitutes work these areas as well,if not more than the truck stops, they know when trucks will be showing up & I have seen many drivers invite prostitutes in thier trucks.
"Soon to have lots to say, but for now will keep my mouth shut!"

Answer:
Ontario California TA has some good looking college students running around.
Actually their a nuisance knocking on your door or side box at 3am waking you up. Just get a no lizard sticker for your side windows. Or hang a plastic lizard with a string around it's neck from your mirror. Then if they wake you up yell real loud at them. If they tell you they need to make a little money to get home or to go see a sick relative. Tell them that you'll gladly pay them to wash the outside of your truck including your windows.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
the worst places i have encoutered for hookers has been memphis tenn, nashville tn (t/a by stadium) t/a in jesup maryland, dallas area truckstops, some in atlanta....to heck with it, they are everywhere..just stick your head out the window and tell them to get the "f" away from my truck like i do...i say "if i wanted your company i would find you, you dont need to knock on my door..thats how i deal with it...LOL

Answer:
I only had one apprach me in the short time I was driving..it was at the Sinclair oil truck stop in SLC. Can't remember the name of that truck stop. Anyways I just said no thanks and she left...no problems after that.

Answer:
are in it for the money. If you are not a paying customer or you won't let them use your CB radio; they will not waste time on you. Straight up -- they want the money. No money; no honey.
Three words to the wise: HIV, AIDS and SARS.
Enough said.

Answer:
Welcome to TruckNet Bgg! Hope to see you here often.
Here are 2 pages of threads found through the search function of the forums:
Lot Lizard threads
This topic comes up every once and a while. There are many ideas to help "discourage" solicitations in the link above. Some work, some don't. But, many times those soliciations come by way of the CB as soon as you get within range of a truckstop. This is yet another reason most choose to turn off the CB the majority of the time. You are bound to be bothered at some point, it's the nature of the lizard. Sometimes, avoiding the Lizard can become a game in itself.
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Answer:
It could be topic of a whole new bunch of threads:
..
Leezards and how to avoid them
..
Leezards. Why won't they leave me alone
..
Leezards: The gift that keeps on giving
..
just trying to help..sorry

dave

Answer:
Thanks to all for the useful replies, and thanks also for the welcome.
I have done alot of business traveling, by air and auto, so once in a while I may run into a solicitation outside an airport terminal, or someone hanging around a rest area at 3:00 in the morning when I pull in to use the rest room - and they tell me they "need money to get home"???!!!
I'm still pretty naive but I figured it out eventually.
But the idea of being in my 'home' (truck sleeper) on the road somewhere and having some stranger bang on my window was a bit of a concern.
Now I have an idea of what to do. Appreciate the help, and I'll check out the links suggested.
Bg