Pay for Reserved Parking. Good Idea or Bad?

So if you have over 30 years of trip planning experience, then WHY are you making plans to park at the worst times of the day?


Seems you haven't learned that basic premise then in 30 years of driving.

 

Why did the shipper want to schedule my, full tarp load for 6PM, when I don't have enough hours left to get out of town, but I can make it to the truckstop without being in violation? Why did someone crash and block the road, 1/8th mile ahead of me, with nowhere to turn around, causing a 5 hour delay?

Seems like some people still asking rookie questions, even though they tout that they are experienced.

 

EXACTLY I dont like bobtails taking up big truck spots I never do it but doesnt mean they cant do what they think is right

 

If there is a single space rather than a back to back I always park at the far end of it so another bobtail can back in and we can fit two in that space.

 

I know how ya feel TP... but even guys in BT have to get that ol' 10-hour break in. So exactly where are you supposed to park in a small lot, no BT parking, and every available piece of real-estate taken by someone in the same situation?

Written, while parked BT in a full space with another BT parked behind me.

 

I personally will not pay for a parking spot. I will park on the side of the road with my flashers on first(and I would be taking my 10 in the berth not answering the door till its over). Oops I had a low tire last night and when I got it aired back up I was out of hours officer thank you and have a nice day. The way I see it is if I have bought fuel from the chain during the year then I have more than paid for my parking space already. I spend $50,000 per truck on fuel so yeppers I think I paid my way. Just my thought process.

 

last night i had a load with a crane appt inhouston at 10:30 pm at the saks fifth avenue and neiman marcus stores. i knew when dont that finding a space at baytown at midnite or after would be impossible.

so i used the T/A parking reservation program, cost me 10 dollars. made a phone call from my T/A phone app, gave them the info and when i rolled in here last night at 12:45 i had my spot waiting.

i called the fuel desk on the way in and they told me where the spot was, i just got out moved the rolling reservation sign and pulled in.

i paid it, i loved it, and will for sure use it again.


its like many other things in life, you pay extra ,you get perks.

just like when i take the family to an amusement park, i always pay the extra fee for the passes that get you to the head of the line for the rides, costs more but we get more done and have a great time.

when you get into the express line and zip by others in the regular line , ya get dirty looks and " who do they think they are remarks", but i paid for the priviledge.

i run my business in an efficient manner, cut my personal costs to the bone while on the road, so i am able to spend extra money on perks when we travel or vacation. life aint fair, the position everyone is in is a result of choices they have made in life. if i had made all the right ones, i wouldnt typing this message at baytown , texas. but then maybe i did , i am a pretty happy guy sitting in reserve parking.

honestly, i figure if i cant pay extra sometimes for reserved parking, and if 10 bucks for it is gonna break me, i am doing a very bad job running this business especially as an O/O.


and far as trip planning, the scottish poet robert burns said it best , "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry". he was so right john steinbeck wrote a book about it " Of Mice and Men" i think it was about a bunch of griping about parking at grape vinyards in california.

 

amen, brother.