Do you agree with reserved truck stop parking?

I was appalled when reserved parking spaces first started cropping up while I had a “regular driving job”. But then I went back 48 OTR dealing with critical appointments on virtually every end, coupled with elogs. My attitude changed quickly.

 

I like the reserve to a degree...

TA possibly going to ALL pay parking is ridiculous, but if a TS wants to save some spots for pay/reserve I'm all for it. A truckstop is there to cater to the driver, but it's main goal is to make money. If I'm close on time and have to stop and it's late, then by all means I'm gonna use a reserve spot. I just wish they they would make some spots for Bobtails. Those folks who take up a whole spot, chaps my fanny, when I know they can tuck in some little spot and let a full size park.

Now I keep everything in the truck for the week, so I rarely use one. So I prefer a rest area first, But I have heard recently that some states are considering privatizing them so they become, in essence, a service plaza type of area.

It's all about money and how to make more, no matter who they get it from.

 

STEXAN
No matter the job OTR, local, or dedicated. Pay to park, no matter the circumstance is a rip off. The real issue is there are not enough parking spaces to accommodate the number of trucks. Also Pilot/Loves and some other off breed brands are buying up small lots, and building their travel plazas. What we need are more truck stops like Bosselmans of Grand Island, NE, Iowa 80 in Walcott, IA, Petro in L=Joplin,MO, and Oak Grove Petro in Oak Grove,MO. Unless Pilot, and Loves need to put in their small lots travel plazas closer to industrial areas. Thus, eliminating the need for pay to park.
Doing away with ELD's, and the government agency of FMCSA, D.O.T, and so forth need to pull their heads out of their ##***, and make a final ruling on the H.O.S rules, and leave them alone.

 

I thought Pilot bought Bosselmans and that the parking spots behind the fuel pumps at Grand Island were reserved parking, been a while since I been there

 

It's a buisness. It's their property. They can do what they like. If I don't like it I will go elsewhere. So suck it up buttercup.

 

Well get to it. Only several million dollars per location. But if reserved parking went away tomorrow, do you think there is magically going to be spots for everybody? Do you seriously think things are going to be any different at any truck stop at midnight? At least with reserved parking option, those willing to pay can get through their day without stress. And it's not like there is NO free parking. Free parking is everywhere. I just don't see what the problem is. Everybody's happy, except you. WTF?

 

Pay to park is nothing new. Many truckstop in congested areas have had the concept since the 70's, they simply gave you credit for the parking fee if you bought enough fuel or stuff inside. The truckstops are not there to provide a base of operation or parking for local distribution centers, yet that is exactly what they are being used for in many areas.

Reserved parking is an option, one that many are using otherwise the truckstops would not be expanding it. I have been fortunate enough to rarely have to spend time in a truckstop other than fuel, and that is usually some small mom and pop place.

Bottom line, the truck stop business is changing. More drivers are cooking in their trucks and bringing their supplies with them, which caused the real restaurants to go away, the prices to go even higher on merchandise and so on. Drivers trash the parking lot, tear up stuff with poor driving skills and act like the truckstop is their personal truck terminal when they go home for the night or weekend, all of which costs the truckstop operator money. Towns don't want them there so building larger truckstops is difficult today. So they are making the best of their resources, after all they are in business to make money just like we are.

 

A reserved spot used to be free if you filled up. Not sure if they are still doing that...

 

When I bobtail I never park in the big truck lot.
I like parking with the 4 wheelers and kick the engine up to fast idle! Winning!!

 

I’m all for reserved parking, especially at North Bend if I can’t park at my delivery. I wonder if the people complaining about North Bend expanding their reserved parking remember back on the old days when the whole lot was pay to park? They had that little guard shack right when you pulled in.

 

MPD

We do. We are very well educated, and know when to say "to h***" with those money hungry, greedy, corporate rats when they do such idiotic moves. Lets see how long this last, and the business they may lose. I guess all the company driving, "yes" people, who have a company to pay all their expenses. Us O/O will see you parked in your reserved spaces as we pass by.