The merger of Pilot and Flying J travel plaza is not a blessing to many truck drivers

The problem with the Seattle "zone" is the fact that they (locals, politicians, TREE HUGGERS) don't want the "lower class" "trucker types" around them. Obtaining a permit to establish a truck stop is the first (very expensive) battle, dealing with community politics and traffic flow issues, on roadways already inadequate to handle a "massing" of big rigs, noise ordinances, and another huge hurdle...the ground pollution associated with a fuel "depot". The already established "truck stop" in Sumner is an excellent example. Even though they have proven a necessity and a "clientele" need...the local ordinance board will not authorize the needed expansion of the facility.

My big question to your post is the fact that you believe that "mismanagement alone" could not make a business fail...very wrong and actually a very naive statement!

 

I don't know what the profit margins for a truck stop are, what they are for fuel or other items. I do know that like so many other businesses, the economy has been brutal towards the truckstops, hence so many closing and bankruptcies.
My brother in law has been planning to build and run a truck stop from scratch on a piece of property he owns on I-70. This has been an ongoing project for about 6 years now. He is yet to turn a shovel of dirt.
He has spent a lot of time (and money) building a business plan, has talked with the major franchises about joint ventures and what it finally has come down to is he figures he's better off putting the money in bonds and making 3-4%.
He did tell me he was surprised at the low margins on the fuel, but from what he learned, service is the best money maker for the whole place.
So for what it's worth, that's my two cents.

 

I said mismanagement of all the truck stops that have closed. Sure mismanagement is the cause of many failures that started out making plenty of cash.

But of all the hundreds, or whatever, truck stops that have closed mismanagement would not be the cause in all those cases.

I'm not for truck drivers spending more money. We can't afford to eat out every day or buy all the upmarked junk they sell. I think that providing truck parking should be subsidized since it is a public safety issue. If you open a truck stop, the more parking you provide, the more help you get from the government.

And I am against government getting involved in private industry, but this is a case involving the public safety. There is a public interest in more truck parking to help with truck drivers getting better rest.

 

I hope the J dosent get rid of the lounge, its a good place to talk to other drivers and a chance to get out of the truck for awhile.

 

but where do you go to buy more pork chops when you have made them all and can't get your rig somewhere to buy more? They need more truck assessable food stores.

 

Exactly. Hubby would rather pay a bit more for his fuel and help out the mom and pop shops who actually feel some gratitude towards the truckers for helping them with making a living, while they help you make yours. Give and take. Is why their restaurants are so much better. And have a homier atmosphere and you do not feel like you are being pushed out the door.

 

I have only eaten in a truck stop restaurant 5 times in the last 7 months. Mostly in Canada.

I carry my own food. I prefer to eat in pleasant surroundings, not in noisy places and enjoy my food.

 

Don't forget that Governor Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia, a year and three weeks ago decided to close some rest stops.

Then after the gubernatorial election in November 2009, the winner, Robert McDonnell said that was a bad idea and re opened them.

So, yes, as a fall back option for drivers' off duty times, that would be a good idea to have some public money given to truck stops to increase and maintain their parking areas.

 

Well, here's one that may be helpful but most grocery stores are located in only areas where it's four wheeler friendly ...

In Mount Jackson, Virginia, just down the street from the Sheetz truck stop there is a decent sized grocery store ...


Food Lion
5300 Main Street
Mount Jackson, VA 22842
Phone: (540) 477-4040
7 am to 11 pm, seven days a week

 

This may have been covered but I didn't see it. The Flying J Frequent Fueler Points shut down a few weeks ago or whenever the ownership changed. I also had to create a new account to login online. I only have one coupon for $2 when I used to have a row of $5's at any point in time because this has been my company's designated fuel stop.

I'm on break now but will have to find out if we're supposed to already be using the Pilot Frequent Fueler card at the former Flying J's. Anybody know? I'm still getting my shower and drink coupons.