Frustrations at Flying J

[RobG]

I wanted to post and ask if anybody else has had similar experiences with Flying J, and if so, maybe you'd consider writing to them via their website and tell them about it. Maybe it will motivate change.



The last time I stopped there, I was finally annoyed with them enough, that I gave the manager a (polite) earful. Almost all the time that I'm stopping there, I'm carrying my camper and towing my car, so I want to use the RV fueling lines, since they're better equipped for people towing, and because it's where the RV dump station is located.



Well, EVERY time I have been to a Flying J (well okay, almost every time, but the majority of the times), there are people in pickups and cars using the RV lanes, and/or people who pull in from the other direction, when there are pumps for both gas and diesel on BOTH SIDES, so you only have to pull in ONE way.



This last time, some old hick in a beat up Ford pickup was there, in the wrong way, and sat there with nobody in the truck for AT LEAST fifteen minutes. It's like he fueled up, then went inside to take a dump or something, then came back at his leisuer. Meanwhile I'm having to sit there behind a diesel pusher motorhome while he fills his 2000 gallon tank. And behind the Ford hick is another pickup, this time a diesel RAM, and also NOT towing or anything else.



There ARE diesel pumps on the regular pump islands, and plenty of them at that. There is NO reason for these jerks to be using the RV islands. In fact, while I was sitting there waiting, two more RVs came in (a 5er and a TT), and when they saw the backup over at the RV islands, they both went to the regular island, which caused an even bigger backup since they took up so much space.



I tried to explain all this to the manager inside, but he just had that glazed over look that a deer has just before you smash into him. So when I got home, I fired off an email to them. Maybe it'll do some good.



I just get really irritated at the complete lack of consideration of others.



Rob

 

[Andy Perreault]

There's probably not much they can do. The world is full of these jerks. But even though they are jerks, they are still paying customers. We've all been in the "ten items or less" line at the grocery store. When was the last time you saw a checker say to the idiot in front of you, "Hey, stupid, the sign says 'ten items', and you've got twelve. You have to go get in another line. "

These are the same people who drive solo in the carpool lanes and park in the handicapped parking spaces even though they're not disabled. What can you do? "Respect"? "Courtesy"? Those words will never mean anything to those selfish, rude people.

I wish I could arm my truck with a microwave "zapper" that would burn out the electronics of any vehicle I point it at. That would be a little less violent than a heat seeking missile, and there would be no flying debris to scratch my truck.

Andy

 

[MikeR]

Yeah,I don't think it would do good either. At the flying J's up here there is usually only one cashier working,so you know they're not gonna police anyone.



We don't have an RV island here. The parking lot has a car side and a rig side,and I hate going there during the day becasue everyone on the car side is facing every direction. Instead,I go at night (or Sundays) when there are very few trucks in the rig side,and I can use the rig pumps.



-Mike

 

[klenger]

I've heard that you can use the 18 wheeler pumps, but have never tried myself.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Andy Perreault



I wish I could arm my truck with a microwave "zapper" that would burn out the electronics of any vehicle I point it at. That would be a little less violent than a heat seeking missile, and there would be no flying debris to scratch my truck.

Andy

That a boy, Andy... protect that rig at any (almost!) cost!



While I am waiting, I send the kids in to use the restrooms... that way, when I am done fueling, I'm ready to get back on the road.

 

[Howard Durand]

I use the 18 wheeler pumps any time there is one available. The Dodges will take the nozzles OK and most of those drivers are more considerate. You just have to make sure you pull in correctly to use the main pump and not the satellite pump. Also, those pumps will fill you up quicker than the regular auto pumps.

 

[Todd G]

Here in Arizona they charge 9 cents more per gallon if you use the big pumps. Over the road taxes I'm told. They will rebate you inside but it's a pain. I always use the regular pumps so I can use a debit or credit card and don't have to go inside and wait in line.

 

[Mike Sisk]

I've visited many Flying J's across the country and I don't think I've ever seen a "non-big vehicle" at the RV pumps.



And not all Flying J's have diesel at the car pumps I've discovered.



I have to admit that I sometimes use the RV pumps when I'm not towing. I really like it when they have a credit card reader on the RV pump but I've only seen it there once or twice. Generally I'll only do this if there isn't anyone using the RV island.



I used to pull up after fueling and before paying (at those places that allow

that) but sometimes they come out yelling at you thinking you're not gonna pay!



Now what really gets me going is those folks at Cracker Barrel that park their cars in the RV spots when there are plenty of car spots open!

 

[Pogodually]

I use Flying J every chance it can. When the Big Good Sam Jam ended in Ga this spring, I had to wait over 30 minutes for fuel at the last stop before fuel stop before Florida. People just sat and wouldn't move, 30 minutes I couldn't believe it, cars and RV going in every every direction. Idiots are everywhere, ever had a trucker sit at an RV island and fill out his log book early one morning. Couldn't move because he came in nose to nose. I needed fuel before hitting Fla. and over $. 20 more per gallon than GA. But usually Flying J's are easy in and easy out.



JM. 02W

 

[DHatfield]

Andy you would be suprised with you first statement. I went to a Wal-Mart and as I was leaving I went to the express lane since I only had 4 items to buy. Well I had to wait there about 5 minutes as the person in front of me had atleast 40 items in which the sign before the cashier said "No more then 10 items", so you can see people do do it and I was not exactly to happy waiting for what seemed forever or atleast the people behind me as I could hear them complaining.

 

[vinceharris]

I use the Big rig side all the time , i'm a member of the Flying J RV

club which you can get a discount on your fuel 10%. so if at anytime you want use them. i know the dump station's is on the side of the station were the cars fill but it is faster than waiting

30 mins for someone to move from the RV Island.





Vince Harris

member GLTDR



99 2500 quad cab 24V 5 spd 4x4 slt lwb 4. 10 lsr camper and tow pack 20,500 gvw 5er hitch autometer exhaust and boost gauge

C- mud flaps



99 35ft 5th wheel dutchman with slide-out 11,600 gvw

 

[Larry Willard]

Rob

Know what you mean, fueled at FlyingJ in Ohio on Friday and again today coming and going to Muncie, and both times there was one pickup not towing and a motorhome blocking the fuel island with no one around while we are waiting 15 or 20 minutes to get fuel. Friday we were left partially blocking the entrance and others couldn't get in. I don't know why they can't post signs asking everybody to pull forward like we do on the big rig islands. I sometimes fuel on the big rig islands too, but prefer the RV island.



Andy

I like your idea on the microwave zapper... . could be used for double duty, the loud thumping stereos and the guy in the hammer lane doing less than the speed limit and won't budge, as well as your application.

Larry

 

[Dr.Evil]

We don't have Flying J's around Our part of WI, but I used to sometimes fill up at a BIG Shell Truckstop between Home & work, But I got tired of the truckers leaving their 18 wheelers setting at the "Little Rig" Island this place has. One island compared to about 8 for semi's, and They have to leave their truck sit at the pumps while They eat, Shower, and kid around with the female help! I drove for 4-5 yrs, Fueled up daily and NEVER left My truck at the pumps unless I was with it or inside paying for fuel. Guess I won't respect someone Who Won't respect Me.....

DENNY... ... ... ... ... ... .

 

[Andy Perreault]

Zappers do exist! (sort of)

Originally posted by Larry Willard

Andy

I like your idea on the microwave zapper... . could be used for double duty, the loud thumping stereos and the guy in the hammer lane doing less than the speed limit and won't budge, as well as your application.

Larry

I saw one of those Discovery Channel/Learning Channel shows about car chases and police tactics. They were showing some of the ways they've come up with to stop cars that are trying to get away, like spike strips, etc,. One of the experimental items was a low profile electronic box that an officer places in the middle of the road ahead of the vehicle being chased. It can be triggered to release a microwave burst as the car drives over it. It burned out the electronic ignition system and killed the motor. The drawbacks were the limited range (the car had to drive over it perfectly centered) and the high cost. But it wouldn't surprise me if someday they could come out with something that looks like a police radar gun that emits a focused beam of microwaves. Who knows, the military probably already has something like that.

Andy

 

[danandamy]

Could be a stupid way to burn fat!

Originally posted by Andy Perreault

..... We've all been in the "ten items or less" line at the grocery store. When was the last time you saw a checker say to the idiot in front of you, "Hey, stupid, the sign says 'ten items', and you've got twelve. You have to go get in another line. "

"KANE! This is the express lane! Can't you count? ONE... TWO... . "



I realize not everyone is going to get that one but still... . LOL!

 

[GSchlegel]

Re: Zappers do exist! (sort of)

Originally posted by Andy Perreault





I saw one of those Discovery Channel/Learning Channel shows about car chases and police tactics. They were showing some of the ways they've come up with to stop cars that are trying to get away, like spike strips, etc,. One of the experimental items was a low profile electronic box that an officer places in the middle of the road ahead of the vehicle being chased. It can be triggered to release a microwave burst as the car drives over it. It burned out the electronic ignition system and killed the motor. The drawbacks were the limited range (the car had to drive over it perfectly centered) and the high cost. But it wouldn't surprise me if someday they could come out with something that looks like a police radar gun that emits a focused beam of microwaves. Who knows, the military probably already has something like that.

Andy

Andy,

I was wondering if it would have any effect on us poor old 12 valvers with our ultra reliable, simple, non-electron, P7100 mechanical pumps.

Gene

 

[Davison]

Flying J - A love/hate relationship

I love the quality. I love the convenience at the pump (excluding inconsiderate people at the pump). I love the RV Real Value Club card that gives me the cash price with a credit card and further discounts for accumulated volume. The propane, dump and easy on off locations ring my chimes.



But what I hate, is going inside. The counters are absolutely archaic. I have written to management, asking them to at least attempt to create a traffic flow vs. the present crowds, milling about searching for a register.



It is a shame considering how they've put a lot of thought into the exterior so we can get in and out, yet the interior can be akin to imprisionment! Not really, but there's lots of room for improvement.



There. I feel better now that I got that off my chest.

 

[RobG]

Flying J is definitely one of the better-designed travel centers. This becomes very apparent when you visit one of those "other" places, like Travel Centers of America.



What gets me the most about the TA Centers is how RV UNfriendlythey are, yet Good Sam and Camping World have chosen to ally themselves with those places, and not one of them has an RV dump station, and few if any carry propane. I've only come upon one or two Flying J's that didn't have a dump station, but there are still quite a few that don't have propane, though.



You're right about the inside... it can be HECTIC. For one, I usually have trouble locating the restrooms because of poor or non-existent signage. The counters are usually a mess as you said, and I'll walk out at least 50% of the time due to long lines.



There are so many people travelling now that I think Flying J is outgrowing most of their faciilties. Hopefully they'll be able to expand existing ones, as well as build new ones.



BUT, the bottom line is that it's still a pain to go there when dweebs block the RV islands. Since we know they can't really "make" people move, short of having an attendent out there fulltime to ask people to not use those islands who don't need the space to use them, I think that much larger, clearer, and more obvious signage indicating that CARS / PICKUPS NOT TOWING should not be using those pumps.



Now, as to the tangent about the police eletronic shutdown stuff, that's EMP -- Electromagnetic Pulse. They've been testing that stuff for years. The last I'd heard, they shelved the idea, because it will shut down pacemakers and other medical equipment. I don't think the cops want the liability of accidentally killing somebody they're trying to stop. Besides, they seem to do that often enough without EMP.



Rob

 

[wdixon]

I always use the big rig side myself even when I don't have the 5th wheel behind me. I always pull out when I am done so not the make any enemies.



I try to use the Flying J every chance I get, usually the one in I-10 in Orange, TX. This past weekend I found out the the American Express card is "Same as Cash" so I got the 3 cents off the posted price, and by using my RV member card I got another penny off, ended up pay $1. 239... This is the cheapest I have been able to by fuel in the last 16 or so months.



wd

 

[Andy Perreault]

Don't forget that most pumps at the Flying J's will accept credit cards and the Flying J discount card right there at the pump, so you don't have to go inside.

Andy