Flying J Truckstops Are History

[Bob Cochran]

We can only hope in the consolidation of Fly J and Pilot that they clean up their act. Just have to wait and see before i rag on them to much speculation.

 

[SRath]

The days of decent truckstops are long gone. They just ooze sleaze and disease nowadays. Lousy food, if any. Worse service. High prices. And perhaps worst of all: the most horrific scorched sludge ever to be called coffee!

 

[MLee]

HB;

It sounds like you talked to the office here and have gleamed more info that has not come to light yet. But when the hurt came for them they had to tighten the belt, and stop some of the free bee's. I can understand that. On the dump island maybe we need to get together and suggest for them to give a free dump if we are loading up with fuel? they need to have some incentive to keep us stopping to buy there products.

If we flooded there in box with these type request, maybe, they might concider it. What do you think?

 

[MDietrich]

My biggest gripe with FJ's and Pilot's was their check policy. One year at FJ they would take my check for fuel no problem. Next year I had to apply to the corporate head-quarters to write checks (I didn't).



I've never bought fuel at Pilot because you have to apply for their special check reader system. When a Mom and Pop store in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma will take a way out of state check (Iowa) for over $400 with just a smile and drivers licence #, I won't give my business to Pilot and their special system.



Am I being stubborn? Probably, but I'm the customer, and if they want my money, they need to make it easy for me.



MD

 

[RonD]

I have bought a lot of fuel at FJ, that is a sad posting, now I am really glad I have that 70 Gal bed aux tank, much less of an issue.

 

[JMetzger]

I am not trying to start any arguments here or argue with Harvey because Harvey had a different application of use then I or other RVers. I called the Pilot Flying J 800-562-6210 number & asked about the RV Real Value Club Card (RVRVC) which I & a lot of us RVers have & they said that the discounts on diesel & gas were what is written under the RV section & it didn't matter how much fuel we bought. Also we get 1/2 off to dump. This will start Sept 1 2010. Now remember this is only for the RVRVC members only. If you had other arrangements with Flying J they would be different. I think the higher discount is because if you check the prices on the Pilot Flying J web site you will see that the Flying J prices are almost the same as the Pilot. Like I said not trying to start an argument just what I found by calling Pilot Flying J.

 

[HBarlow]

HB;
It sounds like you talked to the office here and have gleamed more info that has not come to light yet. But when the hurt came for them they had to tighten the belt, and stop some of the free bee's. I can understand that. On the dump island maybe we need to get together and suggest for them to give a free dump if we are loading up with fuel? they need to have some incentive to keep us stopping to buy there products.
If we flooded there in box with these type request, maybe, they might concider it. What do you think?

You are correct. FJ did get into financial trouble and had to file BK. Obviously some changes must usually be made.

It is worth a try sending letters or emails to Pilot/FJ. Certainly doesn't cost anything to try talking to them.

 

[DennyDay]

Pilot bought Flying J, TA bought Petro - - I guess its buy the competition, Pilot never was able to compete w/ Flying J - - wether it was service, employees, restaurants - - or and paying their bills - - ask Louden, TN - - they cut Pilot off and won't accept their fuel bid because the owe so much $$ to the city

 

[JMetzger]

Pilot also charges you to use your Debit Card whereas Flying J did not. Looks like I will use something else.

 

[MLee]

I am not trying to start any arguments here or argue with Harvey because Harvey had a different application of use then I or other RVers. I called the Pilot Flying J 800-562-6210 number & asked about the RV Real Value Club Card (RVRVC) which I & a lot of us RVers have & they said that the discounts on diesel & gas were what is written under the RV section & it didn't matter how much fuel we bought. Also we get 1/2 off to dump. This will start Sept 1 2010. Now remember this is only for the RVRVC members only. If you had other arrangements with Flying J they would be different. I think the higher discount is because if you check the prices on the Pilot Flying J web site you will see that the Flying J prices are almost the same as the Pilot. Like I said not trying to start an argument just what I found by calling Pilot Flying J.

JM;

there was limit of 300 gal diesel a month for the RV discount to apply. An other note is that a lot of guys use the OTRT island and the RV card wont work there, how ever they are looking to change that through there island card recognition program in the future.

And yes there check cashing program leaves alot to be desired, asking for your first born.

 

[JMetzger]

MLee, I was lead to believe when talking to P/FJ that your . 03 discount would end after you bought 300 gal for that month & it then would start again the next month & that the discount is like it is at FJ starts at 0 gal & goes to 300 gal. Right now the discount is only good at the RV lanes but that is suppose to change & be good at all lanes, truck, rv & auto. That is if you can believe what they told me.

 

[RVTRKN]

Cash discount gone, No more free dumping, But they are convenient to use and I suppose I will still use them when I need fuel and the other choices are worse. I just won't plan my fuel stops around them anymore. That is the worst of it, I like to plan my stops in advance, so I can plan other things to coincide with the trip. But with a truck at 22K GCVW, that has a 400 mile range before needing fuel, will get me to a large metropolitan area where the competition will keep the costs down. Maybe its time for aux fuel tanks.

 

[HBarlow]

I've always been a little afraid of the metropolitan areas in a local type station where fuel sales volume might be somewhat low and a load of contaminated fuel could cause huge damage. In over nine years of Dodge Cummin ownership and approaching 650k miles I've never purchased bad fuel or mistakenly pumped gasoline. I'd like to maintain that average.

 

[EricBu12]

Harvey,

Talked to an employee at a Caldwell Id. Flying J and he said there was a lot of things changing. They were staying a flying J... Some Pilots are becoming flying J and some flying J's are becoming pilots... Depends on size and amenities I guess...

The part about the fuel starting on the Rewards card is gone but it was a security thing. Anyone could "find" a card, start it up and steal fuel, then driving off... so that is why... On fueling a big tank, he said you will have to come in but if you know how much or even a little more. Like say it does take 110 Gal but you thought it might take 130. you preauthorize your card for that amount. When you are done, the card will be charged for the amount you pumped... So yeah you will have to go in twice but that is it... No multiple times pumping.

They will be coming out with a new rewards card soon and on that one you will be able to use them at either pilot or Flying J. Hope this helps

 

[HBarlow]

Eric,

Thanks for the additional info. It's the two trips inside that I am dissatisfied with. You know how that is. The clerks are tired and feeling the pressure, a long line of drivers is trying to pay and buy snacks and drinks to take with them or get cash, and a few lot lizards or wannabe trucker's girlfriends are buying junk, etc.

I'll be buying at SAM's or WMs when and where posslble in the future. At SAM's I have to restart the pump three times but I can do it at the pump w/o going inside and save $0. 14/gallon (currently in Lubbock).

I don't know if I can restart the pump three times at a FJ but doubt it because of the credit card limit issue. At SAM's I'm in their computer system using a SAM's card to turn it on then a CC to pay for the fuel.

 

[JMetzger]

Harvey,I agree with you, I still haven't heard from P/FJ as to being charged for use of a debit card. In all my travels the only places I have been charged for debit card use has been Arco & Pilot. Don't use then any more. Don't know about Loves or some of the other. In our area I use Maverik as they are the cheapest + I get a . 02 cent discount & no charge to use debit card & I have not had any problems with their fuel.

 

[RonD]

I have filled up at a guess 20 Flying J's in the country, the real thing I am looking for is quality of the fuel, and price, the brand doesn't make any difference. Flying J stations are always in good locations so I would use them, and the price was fair, but I carry a total of 107 gallons of fuel, I never fill before 850 miles, lots of choices in that amount of travel. As far as RV pumps, they are slow auto diesel pumps, if you have an aux tank the big rig pumps are high speed, the only way to go, but if your in Arizona, make sure they know your an RV, they remove the excise tax if your not a commercial carrier.

 

[JApol]

I was just at the truck stops at exit 104 on I-95 in VA and the pilot was renamed a Loves, the flying J was still that and the petro was renamed a flying J.

 

[AABEN]

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.

you got the same letter that i got !

 

[EricBu12]

Harvey,

got a solution for ya on the credit card. Get a T-check card. Use it almost any truck stop. Use the diesel pumps and start it out at the pump.