There are some truck stops I end up at, that are really good, and some that really just plain suck. I try to stick with the major 'brands', but sometimes those 'mom and pop' shops are miles above the majors in every aspect.
I am partial to Pilots, then Love's, then Flyin' J. Oh, throw Petro in there somewhere. I'm stopped at the Loves on I-45 at the 198 yard stick. they have a burger king, so being how the line was soooooooo long, including me, there was only 1 person in line.I waited 2 minutes before anybody said "be right with you" and that was the manager. The other gal who looked at me 3 times, was too busy putting hashbrowns into the fryer or taking cinibums out of the oven. (or she didnt speak english) and then it was another couple minutes without service....so i said 'screw it'. I then go out and buy a deli express ham and cheese. i ask where they keep the mayo and other condiments, and they said "we dont have any".
is it me, or is 'service' at these travel centers going down hill? They are in business to make money and serve the general public, and i dont expect to be bowed down to when i walk into the place, but they SHOULD treat truck drivers (hence they are a truck stop) like first class passengers.
If i was bill gates, i would buy and build land next to every truck stop oasis, mine would have plenty of room for the pay line, and for truck parking, well lit. Heck, even a little golf cart for those drivers parked a mile away. It would have 10-14 showers, bathrooms that were cleaned every 30 minutes, and most importantly, a free weight and cardio fitness room. (membership required, of course)
anyone want to start a collection for me? i say......$10billion would do it.
Truck Stop Service...the best and the worst
Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by KGB0911, Jan 2, 2009.
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See, that right there is an oxymoron.
luvtheroad Thanks this. -
i get a kick out of that avitar of yours. LOL....i think of that everytime i go to use that hand dryer...lol
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#1. Pilot and Loves ARE NOT TRUCK STOPS. Try convieance stores on STEROIDS
They both suck, due to small parking lots, rude employees, and 95% of have nothing but fast food.
They could care less that a driver has spent 11 hours in a truck and wants a comfortable place to relax. Sorry sitting on a wooden bench table, isn't my idea of relaxing. I want a place with a sit down resturant, order off a menu, waitress taking my order place
Most time there showers don't work properly. water presure sucks, or you can't adjust the shower head, or worse yet, not entirley cleaned. Many time i have gone and found the store Managers and showed them how dirty the shower room still is.
Yes i prefer the mom n pop places. But it seems like Pilot and Loves are buying them out, and ruining them.
No Pilot did not buy Bosslemans. Bosslemans buys thier fuel from them.The locations and property are still owned by ran and owned buy the family.
Flying J's? nothing more than cookie cutter design. Same with most TA's with the exception of Albert Lea, MN and Beto Jnct. ,KS still family ran restruants, and great service to boot.
Petros, seesm like TA's is running them into the ground, on the menu
part.
You hit the nail on the head. Service is gone from truck stops.
They would rather cater to the 4 wheelers( look at all the China made junk they sell ), Not to mention over priced. What is a truck driver going to do with an electronic picture frame, or a low quality Indain Kachina doll? Want a real Kachina doll, buy it off the reservation in AZ/ NM.
I'm tired of most Pilots needing me to come in to swipe my Comdata (it's brand new )card to turn on the pumps. And Loves now req. you to leave you CDL with them, before they will turn the pumps on. That isn't right. Ya i know they are trying to prevent threft, but trying to drive off in a semi, isn't as easy as driving off in a 4wheeler. The other thing is Identity Theft. A CDL is gold mine of personal info.
I guess you can call the truck driver a captive audiance. Where else, what else can we do?
On a side note.
Out in Atalissa, IA there used to be a no nmae truck stop that only catered to truckers. Pilot bought them out. I'm think oh great.
But talking with the location manager, i asked how long till you guys put in gas pumps? His reply floored me.
He said, this location has catered to the truckers for 30 years, and we are going to continue that under the Pilot flag.
It's great to pull into a place where truckers are only served.
Would like to see more of them go that route.
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