What's up with T/A and their "Parking Reservations" ?!?!?

So, one thing I've noticed, is, as mentioned before, it depends on the T/A as to the number of spots they use for reserved, it also depends on the location of the lot. T/A in Pine Bluffs, Wyo. has 3 spots just behind the fuel islands, they used to be the handicapped spots. Last 4 or 5 times I was through there, they were all empty, but then again, so was a good portion of the lot. Now that winter is upon us, it will much fuller. I've also seen at Denver W. and Denver E. they have only a couple of reserved spots, of course Denver W. doesn't have much room to begin with, and Denver E. is always packed.

As for the cost, it's like the arguments about idling, getting hotels, etc., to each their own. Granted, I'm home almost every night, so I don't have the same problems as you guys. However, I've had my nights of trying to find a place to park, I've had a couple of warnings for being parked where it was prohibited. But, I can see the benefits to this service, I can see where it would helpful in parts of the country where parking is at a premium for drivers to reduce stress by knowing there is a parking space waiting for them.

 

My company reimburses parking fees no questions asked

 

Same here, parking fees are reimbursed.

 

lol, when I started the wages were good enough to where a guy could make a decent wage , my very first mile in 1979 paid much better than todays starting pay and I didn't have to ride with a trainer.


I will agree that disciplined saving is important, which is exactly why I have managed to do what I have done over the past 33 years, if I didn't know anything about taxes, business expenses , etc I wouldn't have lasted this long.

I myself know the difference between a cpa, enrolled agents, a paid preparer etc etc. , you might do well to lessen some of your defensive attitude toward folks a little older and wiser than you.

it has been so long since I was under a forced dispatch that I think calvin Coolidge was president.

I also think you are a bit confused over which truckstop chains have taken over other chains, I am not defending a truckstop chain who is taking money for poor mega carrier drivers with 95 per cent turnover who cant afford to pay for a parking spot, I am basically saying I like the reserved spots I can reserve any time I want cause I am old, established , got the money on the hip, and with experience has learned to make a buck every week.

I do hope one day you do get your own truck, and last long enough to reap the benefits of running your own business. it matters not when you make the decision to be an owner, but what you do after you become the owner of one.

as I said in an earlier post , you may need to reassess the situation. if the company you are with expects you to run odd hours and wont reimburse if you have to pay to park you can probably find someone who will. frankly, I find the reserved parking actually helps me be more efficient, in areas with a lack of parking I often reserve spots 3 days ahead and can use my hours better and not give a thought to riding in circles looking for a park, or creating a spot.

listen, I know its frustrating when starting out and it seems some things are out of reach, but use it as incentive to get to a place where you can reserve a spot every night. if we ever end up at the same spot , the parking is on me.

 

I will drink a toast to that for sure.

 

I thought the idea of renting a spot was really bad too, but the husband has rented a spot a few times and it has really worked out. He has not pre-rented any spots in advance, even though I have called the TA number to make sure they do have rental spots. Usually he just pulls into the fuel island and goes in and pays for the spot, but at one place he went ahead and moved the barrier and backed in and then went in and paid for it. I don't know if it gives you any points or not.

Roanoke has always been bad, very ill planned. Better to go anywhere else.

This is the number for the call center 855-847-7275

 

I've reserved two nights in a row at the TA in south Baltimore, the big 400 spot one. Helped me out tremendously on the weekend I stayed there. Got there Saturday afternoon and there were plenty of spots but I knew Sunday there wouldn't be. Parked and was there till Monday morning, left and delivered at the port and went back to the TA. It's nice having the peace of mind, that's what I like the most. Also if you reserve multiple spots you can get a discount. I called Thursday and reserved for Saturday and Sunday. Got both nights for less than $20.

 

Regardless of which side of the fence you are on it still doesn't address the root cause... Not enough parking. The reserved spaces only help those who get reimbursed or who don't see the fee as a problem. If everyone welcomed the fee/service there still wouldn't be enough spaces to go around.

 

Some places can't expand because of the lack of land available. Though I have seen some places build bigger parking lots, it's not always a possibility. Especially on the east coast.

 

That's correct, but the industry keeps trying to grow so something needs to give somewhere. You can only stuff a sack so full before it breaks.