B&T Extra: Greg Warren Warren Report - Truck Stops

Summary

Summary of "B&T Extra: Greg Warren Warren Report - Truck Stops" (Released March 12, 2025)

In this episode of B&T Extra from The BOB & TOM Show Free Podcast, Greg Warren delves into the multifaceted world of truck stops. Joined by regular cast members Bob, Chick McGee, and Josh Arnold, the discussion covers everything from amenities and regulations to the cultural significance of truck stops in America.

Introduction

[01:14] Christopher: Introduces the segment, highlighting that Greg Warren will present the Warren Report focused on truck stops.

Exploring Truck Stops

Amenities and Services

Greg begins by expressing his appreciation for the diverse offerings at truck stops. He mentions the availability of food, showers, and other conveniences that cater to truckers' needs.

Greg Warren [05:17]: "I love truck stops. I like the stuff you can buy, the food you can eat, the showers you can take. I love it all."
[05:17]

The conversation shifts to the privacy and accessibility of showers at truck stops. There is a humorous exchange about whether shower facilities are communal or private, with Bob questioning the safety and privacy of such amenities.

Bob [06:06]: "You think those truckers aren't gonna catch a beating coming out of that shower... That's not for you, buddy."
[06:06]

Notable Truck Stops

The group discusses some of the most prominent truck stops in the United States, with particular emphasis on Iowa 80.

Greg Warren [08:02]: "Ivyasha owned the sandwich... That's delicious, the best one I ever had."
[11:50]

Bob [08:16]: Highlights Iowa 80's extensive facilities, including eight restaurants, a movie theater, a dentist, and event spaces. He emphasizes its grandeur with 950 truck parking spaces, underscoring its status as the largest truck stop.

Bob [08:54]: "Iowa 80 truck stop was delicious. Best one I ever had."
[11:50]

Additionally, the crew mentions Pilot Flying J as a favored chain among truckers, noting its widespread presence and reliable services.

Events and Activities

Greg introduces listeners to the Truckers Jamboree and the Trucker Olympics hosted at Iowa 80, events that celebrate the trucking community with competitions, concerts, and other festivities.

Bob [09:49]: "They have the Trucker Olympics... Let's go to that."
[09:49]

The Truckers Jamboree includes unique competitions like the beauty contest for trucks, tire rolling, and strap winding, which add a fun and competitive spirit to the event.

Chick McGee [10:31]: "Do they have like concerts and jamboree would imply music."
[10:31]

Regulations and Environmental Concerns

A significant portion of the discussion centers on idling laws affecting truckers. Bob explains that 30 states have implemented regulations to curb idling due to environmental concerns, requiring truckers to turn off their engines when parked.

Bob [17:09]: "There's a big issue with truckers is idling... laws against it because it's bad for the ozone."
[17:09]

They explore alternative solutions truckers use to stay comfortable without idling, such as battery-powered air conditioners and other innovative devices.

Bob [17:54]: "They have like almost like window unit air conditioners that run on batteries."
[17:54]

Interactions and Stereotypes

The conversation touches on stereotypes and challenges truckers face, including interactions with non-truckers at truck stops. Chick humorously narrates an incident where someone mistook truckers, highlighting the sometimes tense dynamics.

Chick McGee [18:44]: "Oh, okay."
[18:44]

Lifestyle and Companionship

Greg shares insights into the lifestyle of truckers, including traveling with pets. He mentions that 40% of truckers travel with a dog, emphasizing the companionship and support pets provide during long hauls.

Greg Warren [19:35]: "40%. Yeah."
[19:35]

There’s also a nostalgic reference to pop culture, recalling how truckers in the past traveled with animals like chimpanzees in movies, adding a light-hearted touch to the discussion.

Greg Warren [19:54]: "BJ in the bear was a chimpanzee."
[19:54]

Pop Culture References

The hosts reminisce about classic Clint Eastwood movies featuring orangutans, blending humor with their discussion about truckers' lifestyles.

Greg Warren [20:07]: "Clint Eastwood, it was right turn. Clyde was an orangutan."
[20:07]

Conclusion

The segment wraps up with personal anecdotes and humorous exchanges, reinforcing the camaraderie among the hosts while providing a comprehensive look into the world of truck stops. Greg’s report offers listeners a deeper understanding of the essential role truck stops play in the lives of truckers, highlighting both the practical amenities and the vibrant community events that define these roadside hubs.

[20:29] Chick McGee: "This has been very informative, Greg."
[20:29]

[20:32] Josh Arnold: Concludes with light-hearted banter about pop culture and personal experiences.

[20:55] Christopher: Signs off, reminding listeners to catch the show on various platforms.

---

This episode serves as an informative and entertaining exploration of truck stops, blending factual insights with the trademark humor of The BOB & TOM Show. Whether you're a trucking enthusiast or simply curious about the infrastructure that supports long-haul drivers, Greg Warren’s report provides a comprehensive overview that's both engaging and enlightening.

Transcript

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[Christopher]

Welcome back. It's another Bob and Tom Extra. This is Christopher. Not only is the Bob and Tom show live every weekday morning, but every afternoon we'll give you a little extra. In case you missed anything on today's big show, Greg Warren with the Warren Report today on Truck stops. You'll hear that right after this.

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[Greg Warren]

Every little tiny slice of life is part of a D. It's okay to act a little shy in front of your friends. Vega contest amigas might as well go ahead and do what you tell them all anyway. You can call it what you want but this is what I'll sing every stop to my boat. A tango, Tantric tango A sexy spicy salsa I know you want protesta and why don't we go to the Horizontal Mambo? Tantric tango I believe it's the YKTA I know you won't protest us so better why don't we go to the Horizontal Mambo? We rented a room there by the minute my chicken gets you half plain linen Because I'm so deep in it I swear we couldn't stop by vivid. Couple gallons of guacamole Submerge yourself in sour cream Decide to dip yourself in queso no need to keep it clean now get dirty horizontal my. So then why don't we go to the horizontal mama? A tangle tantric tango A sexy spicy salsa I know you won't protest them so baby, why don't we go to the horizontal mapa.

[Bob]

Oh yeah.

[Greg Warren]

Come on, girl. Vertically, upside down to the horizontal mumbo.

[Bob]

Man, here's some extra. This is Bob and Tom. Extra.

[Greg]

Hello, Greg.

[Chick McGee]

Hi, Greg.

[Bob]

Hey, guys. How you doing? Good.

[Josh Arnold]

How are you, man?

[Bob]

Good, good.

[Greg]

What's our topic today?

[Bob]

Gregory? Chick. I wanted to talk about truck stops today.

[Josh Arnold]

Oh, good.

[Greg]

I love truck stops. As do I. I like the, the stuff you can buy, the food you can eat, the showers you can take. I love it all.

[Bob]

Yeah, yeah. I saw some. You talk about showers and I saw some like question and answer site about truck stops and it said basically, no, no, the showers are private. Some guy thought the truckers. Hey, Bob, how you doing?

[Chick McGee]

Oh, like it was like in high school when we all had to shower together.

[Greg]

I thought that.

[Bob]

Tell us more about that.

[Greg]

Kristen, if you weren't an actual verified truck driver, you couldn't use the showers. But apparently you can. Like if I'm driving across country or a three or four hour drive, I can pop in and have a shower or.

[Josh Arnold]

Your money's great.

[Bob]

Yeah, yeah, you could. You could. Man, you think those truckers aren't gonna, you're gonna catch a beating coming out of that shower, though, you think? Well, yeah, yeah, they're gonna, they're gonna put a bunch of soap in the pillowcase like that military movie and take it to you. Yeah, you could do it legally, but that, you know, that's not for you, buddy. It's not for you.

[Greg]

Customer number 13, shower five is ready.

[Bob]

Shower is ready.

[Greg]

Showers.

[Chick McGee]

Have you ever showered at a truck stop, Greg?

[Bob]

No, I haven't.

[Chick McGee]

Okay.

[Bob]

I've spent a lot of time in truck stops. I mean, I'm, you know, I've driven across the country.

[Chick McGee]

Are you comedian? Comedian. Road dogs. What about you, Oscar?

[Josh Arnold]

No, I, I just look for a retention pond. That's very nice.

[Greg]

You know, it's getting harder and harder.

[Josh Arnold]

To talk to you, Greg. My grandpa was taking us all boating one day and he just decided he was going to pull off into one of those weigh stations to see how much his boat weighed. And I've never seen a man get yelled at.

[Greg]

And your grandfather. I'm just trying to see how the Boat weighs.

[Josh Arnold]

Yes.

[Chick McGee]

Did he get to find out?

[Josh Arnold]

They were furious.

[Greg]

What is the deal on that? If I'm a trucker and a way station is I. I come up on one and it says open, I have to stop in. Is that right?

[Bob]

I believe so. Yeah.

[Greg]

But sometimes it might, it might say closed and then.

[Bob]

Right.

[Greg]

Obviously you would. I don't understand why. Is that like a federal highway thing or something?

[Bob]

Yes.

[Greg]

Really?

[Bob]

Yeah, pretty sure. Like. Yeah, if you, if you pass up, that means you're probably overweight and they're gonna, they're gonna get you because there's a lot of times there's a cop car at those way stations.

[Chick McGee]

Yeah, right.

[Greg]

Isn't that interesting?

[Bob]

Yeah, that's what. You guys know what the biggest truck stop is?

[Greg]

I'm gonna say Flying J. Yeah.

[Josh Arnold]

What did I want? You mean the. Yeah, there's one in Iowa that claims.

[Bob]

Yeah, you guys got it. It's. And Flying J, I think is Flying J. Pilot is the biggest chain, but the biggest actual truck stop is Iowa 80.

[Greg]

Yeah, I've seen it. I've been there. Loved it.

[Bob]

Yeah, I've been there too. It's awesome. In, in Walcott, Iowa, which I think it's based. It's on I80 near the Iowa Illinois border.

[Chick McGee]

Will we be going that way when we go out there in February?

[Greg]

We will be right by. Well, yeah.

[Bob]

Well, where were you guys going in February? We're taking a bunch of comedians.

[Greg]

Yeah, a bunch of comedians.

[Bob]

You guys got, you got a bunch of Bob and Tom. Com.

[Greg]

Well, yeah. No, 25. No, here's the thing. Yeah, we, we invited so many comedians, turned in like a two day thing.

[Bob]

Now you remember, it's just pretty much everybody, huh?

[Greg]

From the show. I can't remember how hard it was.

[Josh Arnold]

To like figure out 20 to 25 or who could we possibly.

[Bob]

20 to 25, we had.

[Greg]

Well, we had to cut it off somewhere.

[Josh Arnold]

Yeah.

[Bob]

Yeah.

[Greg]

Well, that's.

[Josh Arnold]

All right.

[Bob]

So I'm number 26 on your list then as well.

[Greg]

But let me tell you something.

[Josh Arnold]

Yeah, 26.

[Greg]

That is a strong 26. Okay. No one's coming in to take your place, baby.

[Bob]

Yeah. Iowa 80, it's got. Man, it's got eight restaurants, a movie theater. Tyler Proctor.

[Chick McGee]

A movie.

[Greg]

Wait a minute.

[Bob]

Dentist. They got a dentist over at Iowa 80.

[Greg]

The truck stop, Iowa 80 has a movie theater. I have no idea.

[Bob]

They were making room 24, showers, a library. And then July 12th, every July, the. July 10th through 12th, they have the Truckers Jamboree.

[Josh Arnold]

Really?

[Bob]

It's a. Yeah, it's a whole big deal. And I just. Look, they have media credentials. Maybe you guys should send me down there. Oh, that's exciting. They have the Trucker Olympics.

[Josh Arnold]

I have to go to that.

[Bob]

Let's go to that, man. We truck beauty contest. The strong pole, the tire roll strap winding.

[Chick McGee]

The beauty contest. Is that what you said?

[Bob]

It's the actual truck, though.

[Chick McGee]

I don't think it's not the drivers.

[Greg]

They shine them up.

[Chick McGee]

That would be cool.

[Bob]

Yeah.

[Greg]

A beautiful trucker. There he is. Trucker the year.

[Bob]

I think Rip, I think Rip Taylor judges it.

[Greg]

So do they have like concerts and jamboree would imply music. Do they have.

[Bob]

Yeah, I think they, yeah, they have country music.

[Greg]

Both, Both kinds. Country and western.

[Bob]

Country and Western, yeah. 950 truck parking spaces, man.

[Greg]

Holy heck.

[Bob]

950 trucks can park there. Just so you know, in order to qualify as a truck stop with the national association of Truck Stop or National Association Truck stop operators. That's NAT. So you have to have at least one shower. 15 parking spaces and diesel fuel available.

[Josh Arnold]

Oh, okay.

[Bob]

Yeah, there's, there's 2,500 that qualify across the country. And I would say, I mean, just in me driving around, I would say pilot Flying J. Love, love, loves, loves. I, I, I like a nice pilot Flying J. But if it's, if there's a Loves across the street, I'm probably going to go loves. I, I'm with you, Greg. Really? Yeah.

[Greg]

I will tell you the Iowa.

[Chick McGee]

Maybe it's the heart and the sign, I don't know.

[Bob]

But Iowa, it is a nice logo.

[Greg]

I had the most delicious chicken salad sandwich and tuna fish sandwich right there in the case. They have the plastic sealed. Iowa 80 truck stop was delicious. Best one I ever had. You know how I have an affection for. Oh, yeah, the sandwiches.

[Josh Arnold]

Gas station sandwich. Yeah. Good.

[Bob]

The bread's soft.

[Greg]

Oh, you went with chicken and tuna. Same thing. Yes.

[Josh Arnold]

You mastered your trucks. You mixed truck stop meats.

[Greg]

I get two and I have a chicken tuna. And then later on I'll have another chicken tuna. I like that. See?

[Josh Arnold]

Chicken tuna.

[Greg]

I eat on it all day.

[Bob]

Now there's, there's something supposedly going in, in West Dundee, Illinois. I think it's on i90.

[Greg]

Is this a challenger to a truck stop bigger and better than Iowa?

[Bob]

Say in this place. It's called Outpost. And they're saying they may, they may take over the title.

[Josh Arnold]

Wow.

[Greg]

Whoa.

[Bob]

Yeah.

[Chick McGee]

Pretty close together. You'd think they would be a little farther apart.

[Bob]

I'm with you, Christy. I'm with you now. Have you guys been to a Buc ee's?

[Chick McGee]

Yeah.

[Josh Arnold]

Yes.

[Greg]

I have never been to a Bucky's, but it's on my Bucky. It's on my Bucky list.

[Josh Arnold]

Very good. Very good.

[Chick McGee]

We stopped there.

[Bob]

That's the Warren Report. Thank you very much.

[Chick McGee]

I was not aware that trucks are not allowed at Bucky.

[Bob]

They are not allowed.

[Advertiser Voice]

Yeah, you can't.

[Greg]

No.

[Bob]

And I think it's. I think it's just the truck. You can't park a truck.

[Chick McGee]

Right.

[Bob]

If you were a trucker, you know, showing up at a Camry, they probably wouldn't turn you away.

[Greg]

If you're trying to sneak in like.

[Josh Arnold]

A. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Greg]

You got a chain on your wallet. What are you doing? Let's get out of here.

[Chick McGee]

Chick is amazing.

[Bob]

We don't want you here.

[Josh Arnold]

It's called bookies, not truckies.

[Greg]

Get you over the road some.

[Josh Arnold]

What kind of hat is that? How you doing?

[Bob]

The guy's got a mustache and glasses.

[Greg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Chick McGee]

I'm not a trucker.

[Josh Arnold]

Take it elsewhere. You son of a. I don't know anything about trucks.

[Bob]

I never want smell like diesel.

[Greg]

I don't even like to drive my car.

[Josh Arnold]

God would said you smell like diesel.

[Greg]

I think I've been to Iowa 80 twice and one of the. They had a. A display for Jeep. The. The motor, the car company. And it was like these huge display of rocks and they had a Jeep pulled up on it kind of at an excu. Angle and it was some. Yeah, buy a Jeep today or something. It was amazing. It's amazing.

[Bob]

It's a great place, man. They got a. They got a caribou coffee in there, which is. I like. I like caribou coffee. It's more up sort of the Minneapolis area.

[Greg]

Tell it, tell it, Josh.

[Chick McGee]

Tell it, Josh.

[Bob]

Didn't that during that caribou coffee walk by you and painted on jeans at one point.

[Greg]

And then you told caribou coffee, get out of my dreams and into my car.

[Josh Arnold]

It was a whole ocean day.

[Bob]

Caribou cream. Some of the other notable truck stops.

[Josh Arnold]

I can think of.

[Bob]

What's that?

[Josh Arnold]

The. I believe it's. Oh, boy. What is it? Interstate 44.

[Greg]

That's not. That's not right.

[Bob]

Is that Big Apple Truck Stop in Joplin, Josh?

[Josh Arnold]

No, it's actually. I think it's a little farther away. It has the world's largest McDonald's attached to it. Oh, across the highway.

[Bob]

It goes across the highway. Is that. I don't know if that's a truck stop, buddy.

[Josh Arnold]

I think. Oh, you know What? You're right. That's a rest. It's a.

[Bob]

It's just more of a.

[Greg]

It's on a turn.

[Bob]

Giant.

[Greg]

Yeah, yeah, it's on the turnpike.

[Bob]

Yes, but it's, it's certainly a road attraction. Right?

[Josh Arnold]

You're right.

[Greg]

And isn't that on Route Fardy Fire?

[Josh Arnold]

It is on Friday.

[Bob]

That is on Friday Park. Yeah, it's down there on the way to Joplin.

[Josh Arnold]

Yeah.

[Bob]

You get into Tulsa, it's down there. There's the Tiger truck stop in Louisiana. Gross Tet, Louisiana.

[Greg]

Is it gross?

[Bob]

They had a tiger.

[Greg]

Are you sure?

[Bob]

It's a long time.

[Greg]

Gross Tet or gross.

[Josh Arnold]

It's gross tat.

[Greg]

Okay.

[Bob]

Gross tat. Yes.

[Greg]

Is that 100? Is that a band with 144 players?

[Josh Arnold]

Yeah.

[Bob]

There's the quartet and the Gross tent.

[Greg]

There's a quartet.

[Bob]

Very nice.

[Josh Arnold]

Boy, the Bucky's. Now Gross tents.

[Greg]

You guys need to come out here where I'm working, I guess. Okay, let's go.

[Bob]

I can't keep up with the guy. There's, you know, a big issue with truckers is idling. And I, I think these, these guys should be able to worship whatever ever God. They, they.

[Josh Arnold]

You can't follow a gross type.

[Bob]

No, no, apparently. You guys know there's like laws against idling in 30 states.

[Chick McGee]

What do you mean?

[Josh Arnold]

Like, are they environmental laws?

[Bob]

Yes. You know, Christy, when, when they, when they go to the truck stop, they just park their truck there and they leave it on all night.

[Chick McGee]

That's where they have to sleep and they have to have heat and stuff.

[Bob]

Right, Exactly. Heat and air conditioning. And there's. There's laws against it because it's bad for the ozone. Yeah. I mean, I don't think it's any more. Any worse for the environment as when you're driving, but they're saying, hey, you don't need to have it on because you're not driving. And there are some devices that these truckers have built like, they have like almost like window unit air conditioners that run on batteries and stuff like that.

[Chick McGee]

Oh, man, I had no idea. I always wondered how they stayed comfortable when they were sleeping overnight because they just pull over.

[Bob]

Yeah. There's all kinds of new devices, but a lot of them still idle.

[Greg]

Does this cover anything about lot lizards in this?

[Bob]

No, I tried to keep it sort of above board. If you've got some experience with these people, you can.

[Greg]

No, no, no, no. Well, first of all, they're, they're hard working individuals, right?

[Bob]

Yeah.

[Josh Arnold]

They have their trail. It's A part of the story.

[Greg]

Yeah, that's right.

[Bob]

Other than. I think it's up. Oh, it's up. Like outside of New York, New Jersey is the. Is the. The highest institution of the incident of prostitution. They say it occurs more in the big. Just outside of the big city truck stops rather than the. The Midwest.

[Josh Arnold]

Oh, okay.

[Greg]

Huh.

[Bob]

That's. My research showed that.

[Josh Arnold]

I don't think I've ever seen one. If I. If I did, I was unaware of it a lot.

[Chick McGee]

Lizard. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Bob]

You thought she just liked you, huh?

[Josh Arnold]

She really took a taking to me. Yeah, yeah, she really. And then I gifted her. I thought hey, you know, I've never seen one.

[Bob]

I just. I bought her a 400 lunch.

[Greg]

I've always been curious as to what the sleeping apart compartment looks like. And like a really nice.

[Josh Arnold]

They're not bad.

[Greg]

How luxurious do they get?

[Bob]

Pretty nice. Yeah. They trick them out.

[Greg]

Yeah. Really soft, you know, and air conditioning and maybe a disco ball or.

[Bob]

Yeah.

[Josh Arnold]

And they TVs or TVs.

[Greg]

Big screen TV.

[Bob]

Oh yeah. They got everything back there.

[Josh Arnold]

Yeah.

[Greg]

No kidding.

[Bob]

And. And chick. 40% of truckers travel with a dog.

[Josh Arnold]

Oh, I love that.

[Bob]

40%. Yeah.

[Greg]

How does a dog.

[Bob]

And if you were. If you were alive in the 70s and you watched television. 90% of truckers traveled with an orangutan.

[Greg]

Well now I believe BJ in the bear was a chimpanzee. I think bear was.

[Bob]

Yeah. But those, those movies with Clint Eastwood, it was right turn. Clyde was an orangutan.

[Chick McGee]

I believe he was orangutan. Yes.

[Bob]

Yeah. And there was. There was like six of those movies. Every which way you can, any which.

[Josh Arnold]

Way you want, whatever way you feel like doing today.

[Bob]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Greg]

Let's make a movie.

[Josh Arnold]

Ah, the hell with it.

[Greg]

Just.

[Bob]

Yeah.

[Greg]

All right.

[Chick McGee]

This has been very informative, Greg. I am.

[Josh Arnold]

What was.

[Bob]

What was Clint Eastwood's girlfriend at the time that he put in all those movies? Yeah.

[Chick McGee]

She was the size of a pencil.

[Greg]

She looked like a two by four with a nose. They always not sexy. She's so, so sexy. Running hair.

[Christopher]

That's it for another Bob and Tom show. Ext. Catch us on itunes, Google Play and stitcher for Bob and Tom Extra. This is Christopher. Take care everybody.

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[Greg]

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[Bob]

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