Pilot Freedom... - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

2xR · **^ Top** #1 10.20.2007

I am attempting to rid myself of the absolute aggravation of fueling at the Pilot Travel Centers. I have had my fill of their small, over-packed parking lots. I have become weary of waiting whilst one, or two, clerks try to wait on 10-12 diesel fuel customers, plus that many gasoline customers who also want to purchase drinks, beer, chips, and lotto tickets. I may gag if I eat another Arby's, McDs, or Subway.

"What could possibly be better?", you might ask. "Petro", I'd say. They have big lots, the gasoline customers are segregated from the diesel customers, and they have full service restaurant.

Pilot does have them beat on cleaner showers, but that's not enough to make up for the rest of their crapola.

There is also the service bays and usually a "streakin' beacon" on site to use.

The score ain't lookin' real good for the Pilots.

notarps4me · **^ Top** #2 10.20.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2xR

I am attempting to rid myself of the absolute aggravation of fueling at the Pilot Travel Centers. I have had my fill of their small, over-packed parking lots. I have become weary of waiting whilst one, or two, clerks try to wait on 10-12 diesel fuel customers, plus that many gasoline customers who also want to purchase drinks, beer, chips, and lotto tickets. I may gag if I eat another Arby's, McDs, or Subway.

"What could possibly be better?", you might ask. "Petro", I'd say. They have big lots, the gasoline customers are segregated from the diesel customers, and they have full service restaurant.

Pilot does have them beat on cleaner showers, but that's not enough to make up for the rest of their crapola.

There is also the service bays and usually a "streakin' beacon" on site to use.

The score ain't lookin' real good for the Pilots.

Depends. The petro in baltimore oh has clean showers. The pilots in monee il, fremont in and anderson in were all nasty the last time I used them.

danc694u · **^ Top** #3 10.20.2007

The only reason I use Pilot is for their coffee and showers.

I will NEVER buy anything else other than coffee, from ANY Pilot located in Montana and Washington state. Well...fuel for the showers.

These 2 states beat all the #### I've ever seen for Pilot. Montana has huge stores, of which half or more is a **** Casino. WOW!!! You might starve to death...but at least you can go broke while you're doing it!! Washington....well the chicken was good at the 2 I grabbed some at...no parking to speak of at all.

Rule of thunb for me now at all other Pilots...find parking FIRST. DO NOT attempt to pull through fuel island and grab a cup of coffe and run, that takes about an hour. Parking and getting it, takes about 15 minutes.

leannamarie · **^ Top** #4 10.20.2007

What's a streakin' beacon?

danc694u · **^ Top** #5 10.20.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by leannamarie

What's a streakin' beacon?

Truck wash outfit "Blue Beacon"

ssbowles · **^ Top** #6 10.21.2007

I don't know, for me 1 chain is no worse or better than another. I've had good experiences in all of them, and had some pretty bad experiences in the same ones.
My complaints mainly come back to the drivers...parking on the fuel island, dumping trash in the lot, pee bottles everywhere. Most of it can be blamed on the "dumbing down" of society, or the new blood in the industry not knowing the ropes.
As for the long lines and the sharing cash registers with 4-wheelers....yeah, it's a pain. But, the travel centers are in it to make money, and if they don't make it off us, they'll make it somewhere else.
All in all, I think it's just the nature of the beast. That's the reality of the situation out here any more. The roads are overcrowded, and it ain't changing anytime soon. So, the way I see it, I just deal with it and save my frustration for something more important.

Brickman · **^ Top** #7 10.21.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by danc694u

Truck wash outfit "Blue Beacon"

Don't forget their reputation for leaving a lot of streaks in the wash job.... hence their name of "streakin beacon".

Gazoo · **^ Top** #8 10.21.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by danc694u

The only reason I use Pilot is for their coffee.

with only this part of your statement. Pilot has the best coffee hands down out on the road, second only to BK Joe but their parking sux worse than anything that has sucked before.

2xR · **^ Top** #9 10.21.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssbowles

I don't know, for me 1 chain is no worse or better than another. I've had good experiences in all of them, and had some pretty bad experiences in the same ones.
My complaints mainly come back to the drivers...parking on the fuel island, dumping trash in the lot, pee bottles everywhere. Most of it can be blamed on the "dumbing down" of society, or the new blood in the industry not knowing the ropes.
As for the long lines and the sharing cash registers with 4-wheelers....yeah, it's a pain. But, the travel centers are in it to make money, and if they don't make it off us, they'll make it somewhere else.
All in all, I think it's just the nature of the beast. That's the reality of the situation out here any more. The roads are overcrowded, and it ain't changing anytime soon. So, the way I see it, I just deal with it and save my frustration for something more important.

All you say rings of truth and reality, for sure. Thus, I will also "deal with it", and, eliminate most of my "frustration" by being a PETRO fuel customer because they are truck oriented, and, had the forethought to segregate the truck fueling away from the four wheelers and the tourist. Sure, there won't always be a PETRO where I need it, but, there are enough of them to limit my exposure to those pesky little convenience stores that try to cater to everyone.

2xR has cashed in his Pilot Points....

Brickman · **^ Top** #10 10.21.2007

I've heard rumors of TA buying Petro but retaining the Petro name.

Any body able to shed light on this?

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