Parking

[TheCableVine]

What are your policies concerning parking? My reason for asking is based on something I saw the other day.

I pulled up to an address and rang the door bell. HO answered and we talked for a couple minutes while showing me what he needed. He also mentioned that the other locator was there marking the phone. I looked over and saw the phone locator. I thought to myself that I didn't see his truck out front but then again, I wasn't looking for it. I finished (site visit) and got in my van and left. I looked over to see that the phone locator had backed his truck up onto the driveway. This driveway is about 80 feet long and goes to a double garage door on the side of the house. The locator had backed his truck all the way up the driveway to the garage and parked next to the HO's vehicle. I could assume that he knew the HO but I had seen this locator park in other driveways. I've parked in a driveway before but only when necessary. Like when there is a gate and the house sits way back or something similar.

I personally think this is an intrusion on some level. Kinda like doing a locate and then sitting in the lawn furniture for a little rest. Am I a bit too uptight?

[Goldenboy]

I never park in driveways unless I am on a busy rural road with no shoulder to park on or a really really long driveway and the locate is for the backyard. These long driveways normally have a turnaround so you don't have to park near the homeowners vehicles. When parking in driveways you have to worry about kids and dogs going in and around your vehicle. And if parking that close to homeowners vehicles then you have to worry about bumping and scratching their vehicles. When I do have to park in a driveway the homeowner either comes home or wants to leave and then I have to move my vehicle so they can get in or out of their driveway.

I must admit that I have seen other locators park in driveways of small lots in subdivisions with no traffic. I've never understood this.

[ProfessionalLocator]

My personal policy is to stay out of the driveways unless absolutely necessary.

I have a couple of reasons.

One I can block the HO from leaving and have to stop and move my truck.

Two the HO can come home and can't pull into their own driveway because I have blocked it. Or they pull up behind me and I have to disturb them to move their vehicle when it is time for me to leave.

Three my truck can leak oil on their driveway.

Four I often do construction sites and I could leave mud on their driveway.

Five is that the most likely place you will back over a child or pet is in the driveway of their own yard.

My entering their yard to the do marking is enough intrusion, they do not need anymore than needed.

[Paint'n & Flag'n]

I do when there is no other safe place to park, no matter if its in a subdivision or main road...when there is a vicious acting dog in the yard, and on long drive ways.

[yahoo]

same as all the rest up above.....there is no need to pull in a driveway unless there is another unsafe practice you are setting yourself up for!!!

[Locator5000]

Working in a mostly rear-easement & alley area, to avoid lugging two paint-sticks, fully loaded, and the 2 ton RD4000 transmitter and receiver to the back yard from the front I'd pull around and park in their driveway. Granted, these driveways are only one car length long most of the time, but I'd rather take the chance to have to move my truck for the HO once rather than possible multiple times if I block an alley.

I found that most of the people in my area are rich snobs and think you're the devil if you block the alley, plus most of the time a 4 way locate can take upward of 30 minutes, don't want to block the alley that long. However, for front easement front access houses I'd park it in the street. When I ran an area that was more spread out, if the driveway was more than a few hundred feet I'd use it but never park up close, just close enough to be within reasonable walking distance to the APs on the house, if not then I'd park on the street if I could safely, or park at the end of the driveway and hike up to the house.

[CableAvoidanceTool]

I always pull up right into the sidewalk and margin area, getting my vehicle completely out of the road.

I've seen city cops drive right by me, not saying a word. Didn't even have my beacon light on.

[Mke]

When I was a meter Reader, we were always getting pulled into the office for "oil spills" on driveways. Every homeowner looking for a new driveway would come in complaining about oil spots in their driveway after the Meter Reader left....even if they have 4 cars on cinderblocks in their driveway. I was blamed for breaking a 60yr old wood gate that was so rotted the nails were pulling out on their own accord.

However, if you work in a rural area and there is no shoulder.....you sometimes have to go into the drive way.

mke

[animal]

only if invited

[Wingfoot]

I always pull up right into the sidewalk and margin area, getting my vehicle completely out of the road.

I've seen city cops drive right by me, not saying a word. Didn't even have my beacon light on.

Hey Tool - Welcome Aboard to the'Vine! I do the same as you without incident.

Your avatar choice is NICE! I love it! Please post often.

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