death of great truck stop

So, because it was free market and competition it was good for the country?


Not saying Amtrak is any good, but neither is the loss of jobs.

As far as loss of a truckstop, nothing wrong with the convenience store and the quicker meal options. Most of the independents and their diners were not worth much.

 

I'm saying you have two choices: Free market open to competition or closed market and no competition.
Closed market does not have to make a profit and depends on government handouts to survive (Amtrak)
Free market simply relys on the fittest, surviving.
Not a pretty sight sometimes, but it's the way it is.

If you add up the positives of the big 5 chains, they probably over ride the positives of the independents.

If someone can come up with something better, they will over take the big 5 and someone will be lamenting the loss of the 5.

 

Most likely we will be ending up with just the one. Pilot.

They seem to be capitalizing on the ability to expand their name everywhere. Then the free enterprise system will end up shutting down the small truck system, since Pilot currently offers extremely large discounts to the large carriers. We small timers will be bent over more and will not be a concern for them.

 

I prefer TAover the others. There parking is usually more spaced out and easier to back into at the the end of a long day. There showers are usually roomier and they always give you 2 towels. And they usually have something else to offer besides fast food. Not sure how much healthier Country Pride or Iron Skillet are but is nice to have a sit down meal at the end of the day if I chose. Loves is always my last choice.

 

We have free choice right now.
Some prefer comforts like a sit down restaurant, laundry facilities and a drivers lounge.
Others are price driven.
I don't see one winning all the market.
As for the little guy being 'bent over'?
The little guy has his choice even now.
Go ahead and purchase where you want. Stay where you want. No one forces you to stay at a Pilot or Loves or J.

 

Believe me. I choose the other. But, I have noticed the Pilot name is showing up at many places that used to be independent. Their growth is amazing.

I hope it does not come to one, but I would not be surprised.

If I need a laundry for the time I may be out longer than 5 days, I use a motel. It is usually cheaper.

Last truck stop meal at a restaurant took 30 minutes to get the order taken. Another 30 minutes to bring water. 20 more minutes for the food.

Glad I was eating at the end of the day. Almost left and went back to the truck and ate a cold sandwich.

 

Sure, but that will be a short term issue. It was because of the volume of the business.

Pilot has got their name back in some of the areas where they sold off.

Loves has built 2 new ones on 55 at Dwight, IL and 57 in Kankakee, IL. Pilot built a new one at Gilman on 57. Pilot is also almost done with a new on 55 on the South edge of Springfield IL. They also have a partner program on the Road Ranger, on the north end of Springfield, IL. No other truck stop until 9 miles north which is a Loves.

Pilot has partnered with several used to be independents just in Illinois.

 

To bad, I really liked that stop. One of the cleanest truck stops Ive ever been to inside and outside.