Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/376180
Voices 10 | Overdrive | September 2014 I started in the restaurant busi- ness in the '70s. Back then, you were a waitress (not a server), and you could be yourself, as the people you served were not as thin-skinned as they are to- day. Due to a problem with my arm, I had to go into manage- ment. I say had to, as tips were fantastic and a regular shift was all I had to worry about before this move. Over the years, I have seen the transformation of the fun-loving truck stop into a travel center geared around tourists. ... Today, you have a handful of large truck stops with a 24-hour restaurant. The food is either thawed or "just add water." I really believe the dishwasher could read and fix [it himself]. It's everything but homemade, and I am fairly certain bad for you. So when I tell you I felt like I drove through a time warp, may- be you will understand. Nothing makes me happier than to get a load that will take me through Tuscumbia, Ala. Arnold's Truck Stop's restaurant has good food and friendly people. T his tip came from an unnamed reader. Dining in a 'time warp': Arnold's Truck Stop Throughout the summer, children from violence-plagued Central America arrived at U.S. ports of entry in record numbers. President Obama requested legislation and newly appropriated money to expedite the children's passage through the process to get them to custodians, in most cases deporting the minors back to home countries. Some commentators have blamed a lack of border enforcement as primary in the wave of migrants, as some have seen success reaching parents or other family members already in the United States. A slight majority of Overdrive readers saw current law as adequate on the border, provided appropriate enforcement was pursued. One in eight readers see removal of the requirement for a hearing as a key element in speeding up the depor- tation process. House Republicans passed a bill that would have removed that requirement, and also reverse the Obama administration's policy on illegal immigrants who've been living in the United States since childhood. Obama rejected the measure, vowing then to deal with the recent child-mi- grants issue unilaterally with available resources. Where should the U.S. focus efforts to deal with the tide of migrant children crossing the southern border? Enforce current immigration laws Expedite recent migrants' deportation Remove requirement for a hearing with an advocate prior to deportation Reverse path-to-citizenship policy for migrants who've been here since childhood Expedite all child migrants' path to citizenship Other I don't know OverdriveOnline.com poll 52% 19% 12% 3% 6% 4% 4% BORDER BORDER Handling the child-migrant flood Hot Buttons "I'm a long-distance road biker. Last night, I finished riding at 2 a.m., and every single semi that passed me moved over to the left lane before passing. I just wanted to thank you guys for look- ing out and let you know just how much I appreciated that. You guys are the best drivers on the road." — Brian Patrick Deegan, via Facebook Arnold's Truck Stop, 1460 Highway 20, Tuscumbia, Ala.: "Have been stopping there for 22 years," said another reader, commenting as "boxarrow" on OverdriveOnline.com. "They have great food – and semi-healthy. Black-eyed peas that tasted like they were from your garden out back. Fried squash that was cooked well and not crunchy. Baked chicken, corn on the cob and plenty more veg- gies to choose from. Homemade peach cobbler. All this for $7.79." Truckers are 'the best drivers'