Let's talk bathrooms for a second...

I'm going to go off on another rant here...So scroll on by if ya aren't feeling some honest truth....and maybe a little TMI...

Shortages...Let's talk about shortages. We keep hearing about these trucking shortages...

Not enough drivers, no one wants to drive, we can't get drivers to commit to the career choice...Blah blah blah.

There is no, I repeat, there iss no shortage of truck drivers...

Just like in nursing (there's no shortage there either, BTW....) the whole story isn't often told...

What there is a shortage of is parking and access to basic things like a restroom facility. There's many other things but this is what really chapped my behind in this instance.

Tonight's overnight stop in in between Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ may help to clear up some of that shortage misconception.

We pull through town and there's like maybe 2 big name truck stops with a very limited amount of parking spots. This forces people to have to get creative and make a spot because, ya know, they need to sleep They are lined up along both sides of the entrances, down the streets, truck after truck after truck after truck after truck...you get the picture .

So we continue down the road a bit to find a rest area that's labeled as being opened 'for trucks only"...That's awesome right? A safe area to park and get some sleep that isn't on the side of a busy highway or road putting everyone at risk! Think again... Oh they have spots to park, I'll give them that! But get this, they had a company to come in and barricade ALL the bathrooms. Shut em down. High fences and all!

So yeah, I have questions...Where should one go to use the restroom, because ya know, people have to go at some point Where can a person wash their hands with soap and water? It's a little easier for men to circumvent this issue in some aspects because they can utilize bottles, whatever is at their disposal for at least 1 bodily function. Kind of SOL (pun intended lol) for the other bodily function

But what are women supposed to do.??

Seriously, what are women drivers or passengers (like myself) supposed to do?!? Not just for using the restroom, but for other reasons a woman may need toileting facilities to clean up (without getting too into the biology of women issues lol) We are just left to get creative with a ziplock bag, trash can or large cup? And wipes and hand sanitizer?? Seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not so privileged that I can't pop a squat outside in the great outdoors, it wouldn't be the first time and sure as hell wouldn't be the last, but this is a public rest area lol A very well lit rest area mind you. And I don't want a ticket for indecent exposure

Denying people access to a bathroom, not because they aren't in the area, but because you don't want them using the bathroom on site?!? Come on!

This denial of basic human rights and necessities isn't just limited to rest areas by the way, it also includes shippers and receivers who adamantly refuse to allow drivers (who sometimes have to sit for HOURS to be loaded/unloaded without pay mind you) access to a restroom, not even a port o potty in some cases...

Shame on you AZ! Shame on you Department of Transportation!

Sooo yeah. There's my rant... There's no lack of drivers, but there IS a lack of basic amenities being provided. Ugh. Sorry not sorry.

So I'm off to give myself a wipey bath and hope I don't have to go to the restroom until morning and tlwe are on the road to deliver, otherwise it's McGyver time! Thank god I have critical thinking skills in this and am not afraid to think outside of the box

End of rant...Holy $@#+, where's the Tylenol

#thereallifeintrucking #realtalkabouttrucking #ShameonyouDOT #ShameonyouArizona