Flying J, Pilot formally announce preliminary merger agreement

Yep...it does.

 

Cool, my post was moved here, didn't see this thread before.....

Anyhow, it will be like TA's purchase of Petro. It will be run as separate truck stop chains with Pilot being the controlling ownership and the ownership of Flying J getting cash now and dividends later. I know Flying J has already been buying some fuel on "Pilot Contract" at some racks. This deal was rumored back when Flying J filed bancruptcy. Don't be suprised if Pilot trucks and Flying J trucks start delivering fuel to each others stations. The only other change I can forsee would be that Pilot will probably set up Flying J to accept Comdata again and you might see some of the restaurants being replaced with fast food.

 

The news of this saddens me greatly....why?

Cause Flying J's offer more hospitality and things to do, after you fuel...flying js offer better food alternitaves...they have a good selection of food right at the cashier booth...they have that Dragon bowl booth and pizza and resturant....and tv room....

Pilots template of truck stops is to just have the driver fuel, buy a hot dog, and leave....
It's the Pilot template of truck stops that took a lot of the fun out of trucking....

 

Pee lot parking sucks but there coffee is GOOD

 

Flying J has the mint oreo cappucino... mmm

I just discovered this past week that Pilot doesn't give free coffee with fuel. I must have had them confused with... EVERYONE else. The lady at the counter said "NOTHING is free at pilot".

Guess I'd better start bringing it up to the counter.

 

I prefer the Hook for a number of reasons. Yes, some of their trucking lots are small, but on average, in most places they're not nearly as small as the Pilots. When Pilot took over Williams it was easy to know which ones they were because the parking lots were big.

And when you're waiting for a shower would you like to be standing in the middle of an aisle holding your stuff while you try to dodge shoppers, or would you like to have a lounge to sit, stand, or watch tv?

Another thing I like better about the Hook is that only one I know of, in El Paso, has Idle Aire.

But whatever, another reason to stay away from truck stops as much as possible.

 

My brother-in-law was in a FJ early this morning, when they got a fax memo from FJ corporate, saying that Pilot will be shutting down the FJ restaurants.

Judi Kay

 

hmm interesting

 

I think he mentioned that they were closed during 1 am or so till 5 am.

There was a posting about them closing some of the restaurants in some of the cities. Evanston and Cokeville Wy came to mind.