Permanent fixtures at truck stops

Well,I can say this- I GET IT what the OP is trying to say- I Do.
First I'd like to point out the T&A in Dallas Pike,WV never has any free parking is the Gas an Oil contractors Purchase long term space to park their equipment in truck spots- I Know,Its not Right,But Money Dictates everything-Right or Wrong.

Now.....Why are these truckstops Packed??

Easy,Easy Answer- Explosion of equipment and Drivers in the last 15-20 years.....
I started Driving in 1989....You Could Pull into the 76 at 10pm and Still get a spot or 2....
Wasn't an Issue-

WAY TOO MANY Trucks on the road- Yes,many are Not Needed, but there out here because a small percent of people just want to "try it" But aren't in it for the long haul(No pun intended)

If you removed 10-1`5% of all Common Carriers- They Wouldn't be Missed- Why do you think most Brokerages have their way with so many of these guys?? Because they can- Even when trucks are tight.

Anyway back to the OP"s concern over parking- Nothing Really can be done about it now- The Explosion of Idiots has occured- Everyone and their Sister wants to be in trucking.

Look at Not just Packed truckstops....but Exit Ramps are an Eyesore littered with trucks....Accident percentages have Skyrocketed........Infrastructure is so poor..Many states can't keep up.

Its an Overcrowded Business-- And an Overcrowded Country- In 20 years the USA will Be as Packed as China.

 

The TA in Dallas Pike should be all reserved parking since everyone walks over to the bar for supper.

 

Yes.

I am usually permently fixed somewhere thats blocking you.

 

Stayinback hit the nail on the head. The infrastructure is overwhelmed. Yes, it's frustrating for us drivers, but there are ways to manage your expectations. I try to run during hours in which I know there will be parking available when I need to stop.

It's not perfect, the past few weeks I've had a few close calls with the clock. That comes with unexpected events messing with my oh-so-perfect timing. (tongue-in-cheek. Geez, do I really have to explain that?)

I don't mind seeing the lot full, I understand why it is. Lord knows, I've chosen to sit an extra day to get a better rate before, and will do it again.

I think the OP would have gotten more mileage off requesting the truckstop managers get outside and move the guys outta the fuel lanes. Those stupid announcements are so overplayed, no one even registers them anymore. Get a real human being out there saying, "move your truck" would be more effective. If only there was some sort of way to prevent fast food sales to drivers parked in the fuel lane. "Sorry driver, you're blocking the fuel lane. Please park in a regular spot before I can complete your purchase." Well, enough dreaming. Back to reality.

 

If this is a 24/7 problem what is this “get there early” thing about. What times are least busy?

 

In that case they need to be parked at their yards instead of hogging up spaces needed by OTR drivers.

 

I have seen parking enforcement people who have a piece of chalk on a stick and mark on the tirez of vehicles that may be overstaying their welcome. Then they come back around later and see who is. Chalk even comes in colors.

 

Maybe they are drivers who take the truck "home" instead of a yard that is in another state. I.E. McElroy out of Cuba Alabama. They don't require drivers to park there, do they? No... They find places to park for weekends and such... Moving forward with the thought process... drivers end up taking spots in truck stops and mom and pops for time off. Either find a spot, or move on, I guess is what I'm getting at...

 

There’s several local guys that park at the Loves here all the time. They ask the manager and he’s totally fine with it. Most of them buy a lot of their fuel from that Loves and probably their lunch and breakfast there a lot of days. They learn to know most of the employees on a first name basis. They probably aren’t going anywhere to give their spot away to someone else.

 

It's kind of hard to find a spot when they're all taken up by drivers who are not in their trucks. And you can't move on when that's the only truck stop in town.