Flying J Truckstops Are History

[HBarlow]

I received a crappy form letter in the mail today from Pilot Truck Centers explaining that Flying J was formally absorbed into Pilot on July 1st. Flying J truck stops will continue to operate under the Flying J signs but are no longer a separate corporation or entity.

Most of the former advantages of Flying Js will cease to exist on September 1st.

As a private RVer as well as a former RV transporter Flying J was always my favorite. Their fuel prices were always one or two cents per gallon cheaper than local Pilots and other brands. Their stations were once cleaner, fresher looking. FJs catered to RVs providing separate RV fueling lanes and free water and dump stations and encouraged overnight RV parking. I liked FJ's sit down restaurants. I carried a FJ Frequent Fueler card for eight or ten years.

The greatest advantage of having an FJ frequent fueler or RV card was the card would turn on a fuel pump at the pump and I could pump 130 gallons of fuel, move and park my truck, then go inside and pay with my credit card. That was a genuine convenience.

The crappy letter I received today informed me that my FJ card could no longer be used to activate the fuel pump effective 9/1. The free RV dump stations will now cost $10, $3 with a card. I picked up the phone and called FJ HQ in UT to confirm and ask if there was any other way to retain the pump activation privilege. My answer was no.

I told the woman that I understood that she had no control over the decision and didn't blame her but I would cancel my card. I told her, "you are probably struggling to hang on to your job so I am not mad at you. " She said, "yes, 250 people walked out of here unemployed last Friday. " Sad.

I went online to the FJ website and emailed them I had just cancelled my loyalty to FJ and was putting my FJ Frequent Fueler card in the trash. I asked them to cancel my card.

I never liked nasty, greasy, dirty Pilot truck stops.

I discovered that diesel fuel is $0. 14/gallon cheaper at my local SAM'S Club than at the local Flying J about three months ago when the FJ began selling B5% fuel. Screw Pilot. I'll buy at WM and SAM's whenever possible.

 

[GAmes]

To make it even worse, some Flying Js were sold to Love's who are just as bad as Pilot. One that I counted on is in Troutdale, OR, another is Tacoma, WA. Troutdale hasn't had a restaurant for years, but Tacoma now only sells greasy chicken and lousy pizza. The info that I have received is that next month FJ cards (the commercial ones anyway) will work as before. Not having free RV dump sites is OK with me, the freeloaders were always blocking the RV pumps, and a lot of them left a big mess. Although none of the changes are to the good (like Denny's taking over the sit down restaurants) FJ is still better than the alternatives, for me anyway.

 

[CUMMINZ]

HB you are certainly a trouble maker. You should have just sucked up and given all your support to Pilot. I think that is now the proper Obama-ite thing to do. :-laf



We started giving our business to WallyWorld stations a year ago. They have forced fuel prices down in our town by 5 cents a gallon and more.

 

[HBarlow]

I am a frequent customer of Wal-Marts and SAM's Clubs. The fact that through competition they force prices down wherever their stores are is an often overlooked detail when the Wal-Mart haters are making speeches.

Wal-Marts replaced Navy Exchanges for me after I retired from the Navy.

 

[TFucili]

I have found that since they went Ch. 11, the J's that I have gone into were disgusting shytholes anyway. This just seals the deal.

 

[AfterBurner]

That is disappointing to hear. I wasn't as loyal of a customer as Harvey, but when given the choice at an exit we always headed for the J.



Maybe the new management will realize why people choose the J over others.



Forrest

 

[Bob Cochran]

Unfortunately WM removed their pump and station in my town.

 

[HBarlow]

I knew a man until recently (he sold his business and moved on) who had retired early after being a regional manager for Pilot in southern states for years. He told me two brothers from Knoxville, TN own the entire Pilot operation. One of the brothers manages the empire while the other is a silent investor and primarily involved in politics. He also told me the wife of the managing partner owns HGTV (home and garden tv). I think the man I knew was truthful but I didn't attempt to verify ownership of Pilot Truck Centers or HGTV.

My guess would be the Pilot owner's ego wouldn't fit in a large football stadium. He is a self-made millionaire, perhaps billionaire, and probably pretty confident of his ability and decisions. My card cancellation and move to SAM's Club probably won't bother him much.

 

[wcoomes]

I'm sorry to hear about Flying J, and yes some have gone downhill since the Chap 11 filing. I've had good experience at Love's unlike some of the other posters. But definitley Pilot is my least favorite. When traveling w/ my camper & boat we use "The Next Exit" book, RV friendly fuel sites are listed in red.

 

[CUMMINZ]

When we made our two trips out west we were impressed with several truck stops we visited and don't remember the brand. We liked the RV areas for fueling and servicing. One thing is for sure the west side of the big river seems to have better stations. One thing the USDOT needs to get involved in is placing a (RV diesel) sign on highway signs to let the RVers now that their station is easy in and out. We saw some stations that we could not get next to their diesel pump.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I am a frequent customer of Wal-Marts and SAM's Clubs. The fact that through competition they force prices down wherever their stores are is an often overlooked detail when the Wal-Mart haters are making speeches.



Wal-Marts replaced Navy Exchanges for me after I retired from the Navy.

When I plan a trip, I go to the Murphy (Wal-Mart) web site and download a list of stations on my planned route that sell diesel fuel. I use my GPS to find them when I need fuel. I quit with the crowded RV lanes at Flying Js after we sold our 5th wheel years ago. Hauling only a truck camper I can easily use the auto lanes at any station.



Bill

 

[JMetzger]

I noticed on our trip to Branson,MO a couple of weeks ago that the Flying J's were starting to get a little tacky, rest rooms were not as clean & show rooms were looking a little junky. And speaking of fuel I just read in this morning Reno Gazette Journal where NV has approved a new diesel fuel. It is called GDiesel. A mixture of ULSD & Methane. Now wont that be great, suppose to give 15-20% better mileage.

 

[Bug Out]

I liked Flying-J too. I guess I'll shred my "RV real value member card". . They always seemed to welcome RV's as was previously mentioned. That, plus the small savings at the pump kept me going back.

 

[BurlesonR]

I too am sad to hear about Flying J. We don't travel with the 5er near as much as we used to, but I still liked knowing I could dump for free at the J when I saw one. Paying $10 to dump sounds a little expensive to me, I guess that could be because I'm used to paying nothing except for buying fuel.



We usually travel in the 400 mile range and I know where every J is on our routes. Now I guess I'll have to find a new place to frequent and dump only in the campgrounds.

 

[upsyes]

Saw a Flying J on the way home from vacation in Troutdale Oregon with a "Loves" truck stops Banner placed over the Flying J signs.

 

[Stab]

Loves

Any info on Loves facilities? I know they are not the scale of FJ, but seem to be very clean in the CO, WY area.

 

[HBarlow]

Love's are another choice. It depends on the individual truck stop and the driver's opinion . . . or how bad the driver needs to stop for a restroom break.

Some are bright and clean, some are not. Just like the other brands. I usually don't stop at Love's Truck Stops because parking space for RVers is not provided at some of them.

 

[MLee]

HB'

You got an entirely different letter than I did.

Restaurant usage is not required now for discounts, more discount on fuels and gas propane, 1/2 off the dumper. Improvements at stations that do not have the RV islands, are coming, so I guess we'll se how it all shakes out. Total new travel centers will be 550. And you can still use you current card after the first of Sept.

 

[HBarlow]

I think you misinterpreted the part about fuel discounts. FJs were always one or two cents per gallon cheaper than Pilot, Love, etc. Previously, FJ gave cash discounts to FJ card holders even though they paid with a credit card. When I was buying $27,000 worth of fuel at FJs every year the discounts mattered.

The fuel discount coupons remain the same according to the comparison chart, they simply changed the denomination. A penny per gallon was changed to a similar discount for every dollar of fuel purchased. Different numbers, similar result at least for now.

Dump stations will be $3 with the card instead of $10 without but they have been free for as long as a I have used FJ stations.

The old FJ restaurants are gone being replaced with Denny's or chain fast foods. I liked their restaurants. The old FJ fuel discount refund coupons will no longer be accepted for meals. I formerly ate a lot of free meals in FJ restaurants when I was transporting. Free soft drinks with 50 gallons remain. 1/2 drinks for less fuel cancelled.

The big one for me is the loss of the ability to turn on the pump with the old FJ card and fill my 52 gallon main and 75 gallon auxilliary tanks. There was no limit to the amount of fuel I could pump. Now fueling (unless I turn on the pump with a credit card) will require going inside and standing in line for a long delay behind local food stamp recipients and lot lizards buying fast food, beer, cigarettes, junk, etc. until I can hand over my credit card so the clerk will turn on the pump. I don't like the idea of handing my credit card over to a clerk of unknown trustworthiness while I go back outside to fuel. Then, after fueling I would have to bo back inside and wait in line all over again. The fuel purchase limit with just a credit card, no FJ card privilege, is only $75 or $100 depending on card issuer. That means four or five trips inside to wait in line and get some tired, rude, overworked clerk to turn on the pump again each time, if she will do it. It is more convenient to fuel at SAM's Clubs or Wal-Marts and their prices are much lower than Pilot's or other truck stops.

Pilot lost my business except when fuel is not available anywhere else.

 

[Shadrach]

Here is some "official" info:
Pilot Flying J - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.pilotflyingj.com/press/Press Center Documents/Pilot Flying J Merger Release.pdf
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Shadrach