Hitchhikers - where did they go and would you pick up

bugslet

happyc84 wrote: »

only seen the guys with trade plates at the M-way junctions, never thought to pick them up, as i guessed that the next hgv would be more likely to stop.

It used to be a good money saving practice, but looks like its on its way out.

There's a ban on a lot of truckers picking up anyone - insurance and all that gubbins.

I'm a woman, last year I picked up a guy that was a bit of an eco person ( read that any way you want) and didn't want to add an extra car into the mix. Worked casually putting up yurts at festivals etc. Had a dog with him, which didn't bother me.

Last one I gave a lift to was a really sad case. I'd fuelled up and the woman behind the counter asked if I'd seen a HH and I said no. Cashier said she'd been there all night. It had absolutely battered down with rain during the night. As I left, I spotted her and thought she didn't need one more person letting her down and gave her a lift down the M6 for about an hour. Turned out she was homeless and trying to get to a hostel where she had been guaranteed a place. Very polite and very well-spoken lady, made me appreciate my humble home and shabby van.

tripled

I don't see them very often, generally when I do it turns out they've missed the last bus or train home, or because there's no viable public transport that goes the way they want to.

happyc84

thanks for the replies.
I picked up 2 HH's today, they had missed their bus, and needed a lift for the next 6 miles. not a problem to pick up in rural areas.
sometimes if im in a pool car, i cant pick them up due to insurance.
You have 2 be safe for both the driver and the HH's

MX5huggy

My grandfather would pick up HHs when he wanted his many children to behave and be quiet in the car, mum says order would be instantly restored. Maybe in car DVDs and iPhones have replaced HHs as the tools to silence kids in cars.

konark

I don't remember where they went, although I should do; they had it written down on a big card.

womble12345

I have never seen these trade plate hitch hikers but surely a hitchhiker holding trade plates is advertising that he has just dropped a car off and has a pocket full of cash, thats not what I would want to advertise if I were hitching!

InsideInsurance

My father used to pick them up occasionally when he was driving about for work. Never any problems but never any interesting stories either.

Have to say I've not seen a hitchhiker in years either. In principle would consider giving one a lift

Gloomendoom

womble12345 wrote: »

I have never seen these trade plate hitch hikers but surely a hitchhiker holding trade plates is advertising that he has just dropped a car off and has a pocket full of cash, thats not what I would want to advertise if I were hitching!

They are normally found standing at the top of motorway entry ramps.

marleyboy

Not me, never have and never would. As much as I would neither let a stranger sleep in the spare room over Winter.

Moto2

womble12345 wrote: »

I have never seen these trade plate hitch hikers but surely a hitchhiker holding trade plates is advertising that he has just dropped a car off and has a pocket full of cash, thats not what I would want to advertise if I were hitching!

They're generally delivering for lease companies, auction houses, dealer exchanges etc.
They're unlikely to have the cash with them.