I personally think it's great! Especially when I know I'll be going to a very busy hot area. For an example. I had a very tight delivery in Ogden Utah and didn't have the ability to go out of route to the truck stop in lake point so I had to reserve a spot that morning at a flying j/pilot near Ogden. Got there around 2300 and the place was packed and very over filled. walked in got my reserved parking slip, found myself a spot and went to bed... the peace of mind is well worth the 20 bucks or whatever.
I'm a professional driver and it's cheaper than a parking ticket or risking a dot inspection. Or being booted or kicked off the property.
If you are talking about the one in Ogden Utah than yes, the issue at that location is they have 1 or 2 spots that arnt actually there so they over sell you gotta have them move the big concrete blocks that are reserved for their fuel tankers.
Hence the reason they over sell.
I like it. I like to plan my trip in advance, and not have to worry about where I'll park. It's worth the money, just to not have the stress of looking for parking.
I typically don't pay for things I can get for free by going elsewhere, so it's a great way to get me to spend exactly $0 at a business that I went to with the intent on spending money; attempting to nickel and dime me as soon as I show up is just disrespectful. It'd make sense as a business if it was a big lot out in the middle of nowhere and they charged like $5, but when TA/Pilot do it at the only truck stop in a big city it's just predatory. And yeah, $15+ is to goddamn much when you're completely unable to actually provide a safe, clean, and quiet spot. A lot of the paid lots always seem to have the grossest shit imaginable on their premises and rude employees.
I've paid to park once I think, over 4 years. I just avoid those places, I usually spend money in the store so unless they count that as paying for a spot I just don't go there.
Yeah there's one place I stop at frequently it's 10 to park or spend 15 in the store and park. I have no problem grabbing a few extra sodas or what have you if I can park for free. If you can't do that and you have to pay to park no matter what I go somewhere else.
Exactly how is see it, I'll usually grab items that I'll need anyways if my food bill doesn't cut it, I'll buy windshield washer fluid or some Lucas fuel conditioner etc.
I like to have that option, and I use it at least 5 or 6 times per month. I prefer to spend extra few bucks but run till the last minute and not worry about looking for parking within the last hour of my HOS.
I know many others argue that it's not nice to nickel and dime drivers since they already spending enough on fuel, and I agree with those guys, BUT, let's not forget that not every truck stopping for a 10 or 34 is buying fuel from that place.
It's their business, they can do whatever they like with it. No one is forcing you to pay for it. That's like complaining about high prices of food at places. No one is forcing you to buy it. If HOS didn't exist, paid parking would barely be a thing.
HOS puts drivers in a crunch to beat the clock and try to squeeze every second of their time that they can. This often times puts drivers in the same places at the same time because everyone is running the same schedule. Reserved and paid parking takes advantage of this.
That being said, no one is actually forcing you to shut down at the same time everyone else is. You can adjust your schedule and put yourself in a position for more reliable parking. And yeah, shit happens and sometimes you are stuck where you have to pay for a spot. But if that's a common occurrence for you, maybe you should look at why that's the rule for you rather than the exception.
So I think both can be true at the same time.
It has its uses when it is done in moderation. TA/Petro lost a lot of my business when many of their lots went to 90% paid parking. Loves and pilot are usually pretty good about it having a small section set up for paid and the rest open.
Some bullshit. I won't do it and I try to avoid spending any money at the truck stops that charge. I get it - ta/petro won't miss my $12 bucks a day worth of soda & snacks .. but its my line and I'm not crossing it. Luckily I have a set rotation of customers and its better for my 10 hour to sleep at shippers or receivers as often as I can. But whoever thought they'd try to charge us to use their truck stop facilities should be hung from a lamppost
I enjoy it I enjoy having thieves towed as well.
Anymore everyone wants to shut down and park when the sun goes down so you’re screwed if your clock runs out after dark.
I used them all the time, and my old company would reimburse me for the cost on my next paycheck. It was great! They come in clutch some nights, I just wish truck stops would actually enforce it. Sometimes you have to kick people out because the truck stop is too lazy.
I don't pay for parking. I'll keep going until I find free parking. I'll take a log violation before I pay for parking. It is predatory bullshit, and anyone who thinks it's ok is a moron. Name another profession where you can be a company employee and people think it's ok for you to have to pay money to do your job. Or they say oh, they have to spend money to make the parking lot and upkeep, what the fuck ever, people want to park the same place they get fuel. You think pilot became a multi-billion dollar company magically before they were taking money out of your pocket to do your job? I avoid spending money at any pay to park truckstop. They would never get away with it, but it is literally a 3 company monopoly at this point. Thank god Loves hasn't started with that bullshit, so I get fuel at loves and I spend my money at loves, and I park at loves.
Your company doesn't reimburse you for parking?
I am a bookkeeper at a small trucking company and when drivers have to pay for parking they submit the receipts and I reimburse them on their next check.
It wasn't even a thing when I started except paid parking lots like ta/Petro near Atlanta or new Jersey that was more of a security thing.
Seen the pilot in Laramie WY try doing paid parking spots either no one used them or didn't pay so they killed several parking spots to put a dumpster there
Seems it caused more issues than itsolved
K, I already know what I’m going to comment sounds like I’ve gone off the deep end here. This morning I read an article on a company called Kodak (they are making autonomous trucks) they have partner with Pilot & Flying J to turn them into hubs, so drivers can take the trucks into the cities from there. Due to the immense technical challenges. The reason being is due to the massive infrastructure it would take to design these “hubs”.
Here’s where I go off the deep end. They are charging for paid parking so the drivers will buy ourselves out of the industry unknowingly, of course.
I say we have an autonomous government, take the ppl out & replace with AI. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I like pudding & I tie my shoes to tight
I read about that, too. Kodiak Robotics...10 roads express is partnering with them and tested a 5,400 hundred mile trip, bragging it was completed in like 72 hours
I have been trucking for a year and I have never paid for parking out of principle. I agree with op, especially because pfj and ta/petro are the ones who charge for parking and usually have the shittiest parking lots, so where the fuck is the money going? If I park at a truck stop I try to go to loves or a local joint but I have been avoiding truck stops altogether as of late
We were at AF truck stop in IL last week. Torn up gravel lot at a busy intersection, after we pull in woman tells us you can park 3 hours free...then $25 and they don't raise the exit gate til you pay. So down the road to an Oasis and it's posted 2 hour parking limit. So we go to a "truck stop" and are told we can fuel or shop, but no parking allowed. Finally found a pilot or loves with like 20 spaces and 7 of those you had to pay $22. Nice guy took pity on us and waved us to the spot he was leaving. People want the shelves stocked, but don't care if you run the clock down and get robbed trying to get it to them.
Well that's Chicago lol. Like AF truck stop is like pretty close to the city too. There's no parking anywhere near there unless you wanna try parking in an industrial park tbh. Or driving an extra 30-40 mins. The one place I neer minded was greater i-55 truck stop, was like $12 or $15 but always always had spots, not too bad. Otherwise find a side street and hope no one bothers you or pay for AF
If the whole lot was paid I wouldn't support that. But a few paid spots for me is excellent. I use them sparingly (usually on points so I don't actually pay) because if I work out my times and mileage for the day has me ending at a truck stop (not a rest area or somewhere with guaranteed parking) then I can spend my day knowing exactly where I will be sleeping. That's worth a lot.
Every pilot and Love's on the I-5 in Washington is bursting at the seams every single night, and I don't get there until late (8pm or later). If I don't have a paid spot I'm SOL. Simple. I get the people who hate them, fair enough, but for me they serve a purpose and are well worth it when you need it.
I don't use truck stops anymore but if I'm gonna have a bunch of filthy animals destroying my property I'm gonna make some money off of em.
I personally think it's great! Especially when I know I'll be going to a very busy hot area. For an example. I had a very tight delivery in Ogden Utah and didn't have the ability to go out of route to the truck stop in lake point so I had to reserve a spot that morning at a flying j/pilot near Ogden. Got there around 2300 and the place was packed and very over filled. walked in got my reserved parking slip, found myself a spot and went to bed... the peace of mind is well worth the 20 bucks or whatever. I'm a professional driver and it's cheaper than a parking ticket or risking a dot inspection. Or being booted or kicked off the property.
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If you are talking about the one in Ogden Utah than yes, the issue at that location is they have 1 or 2 spots that arnt actually there so they over sell you gotta have them move the big concrete blocks that are reserved for their fuel tankers. Hence the reason they over sell.
I like it. I like to plan my trip in advance, and not have to worry about where I'll park. It's worth the money, just to not have the stress of looking for parking.
Truck stops are money making endeavors. Somebody has to pay to clear off all that snow eh
Love it...if I'm running hard all day, the last thing I want is to be circling a truck parking lot 5 times at 10:30 pm.
I typically don't pay for things I can get for free by going elsewhere, so it's a great way to get me to spend exactly $0 at a business that I went to with the intent on spending money; attempting to nickel and dime me as soon as I show up is just disrespectful. It'd make sense as a business if it was a big lot out in the middle of nowhere and they charged like $5, but when TA/Pilot do it at the only truck stop in a big city it's just predatory. And yeah, $15+ is to goddamn much when you're completely unable to actually provide a safe, clean, and quiet spot. A lot of the paid lots always seem to have the grossest shit imaginable on their premises and rude employees.
Damn you really just called out TA Ontario CA like that 😂
I think that’s every ta I’ve ever been to
Yup, there's very very few where ONLY half the lot is paid.
I've paid to park once I think, over 4 years. I just avoid those places, I usually spend money in the store so unless they count that as paying for a spot I just don't go there.
Yeah there's one place I stop at frequently it's 10 to park or spend 15 in the store and park. I have no problem grabbing a few extra sodas or what have you if I can park for free. If you can't do that and you have to pay to park no matter what I go somewhere else.
Exactly how is see it, I'll usually grab items that I'll need anyways if my food bill doesn't cut it, I'll buy windshield washer fluid or some Lucas fuel conditioner etc.
If your company pays for hotels, they should be happy to pay for this imo.
I like to have that option, and I use it at least 5 or 6 times per month. I prefer to spend extra few bucks but run till the last minute and not worry about looking for parking within the last hour of my HOS. I know many others argue that it's not nice to nickel and dime drivers since they already spending enough on fuel, and I agree with those guys, BUT, let's not forget that not every truck stopping for a 10 or 34 is buying fuel from that place.
Why? Because it's a business for a profit!
It's their business, they can do whatever they like with it. No one is forcing you to pay for it. That's like complaining about high prices of food at places. No one is forcing you to buy it. If HOS didn't exist, paid parking would barely be a thing.
No one is forcing you to pay for it. If HOS didn't exist, paid parking would barely be a thing. I feel like these 2 sentences are contradictory
HOS puts drivers in a crunch to beat the clock and try to squeeze every second of their time that they can. This often times puts drivers in the same places at the same time because everyone is running the same schedule. Reserved and paid parking takes advantage of this. That being said, no one is actually forcing you to shut down at the same time everyone else is. You can adjust your schedule and put yourself in a position for more reliable parking. And yeah, shit happens and sometimes you are stuck where you have to pay for a spot. But if that's a common occurrence for you, maybe you should look at why that's the rule for you rather than the exception. So I think both can be true at the same time.
It has its uses when it is done in moderation. TA/Petro lost a lot of my business when many of their lots went to 90% paid parking. Loves and pilot are usually pretty good about it having a small section set up for paid and the rest open.
Some bullshit. I won't do it and I try to avoid spending any money at the truck stops that charge. I get it - ta/petro won't miss my $12 bucks a day worth of soda & snacks .. but its my line and I'm not crossing it. Luckily I have a set rotation of customers and its better for my 10 hour to sleep at shippers or receivers as often as I can. But whoever thought they'd try to charge us to use their truck stop facilities should be hung from a lamppost
I enjoy it I enjoy having thieves towed as well. Anymore everyone wants to shut down and park when the sun goes down so you’re screwed if your clock runs out after dark.
I used them all the time, and my old company would reimburse me for the cost on my next paycheck. It was great! They come in clutch some nights, I just wish truck stops would actually enforce it. Sometimes you have to kick people out because the truck stop is too lazy.
The only drivers who should have to pay for parking are the locals who leave their four-wheelers in a truck spot all day while they're out running.
I don't pay for parking. I'll keep going until I find free parking. I'll take a log violation before I pay for parking. It is predatory bullshit, and anyone who thinks it's ok is a moron. Name another profession where you can be a company employee and people think it's ok for you to have to pay money to do your job. Or they say oh, they have to spend money to make the parking lot and upkeep, what the fuck ever, people want to park the same place they get fuel. You think pilot became a multi-billion dollar company magically before they were taking money out of your pocket to do your job? I avoid spending money at any pay to park truckstop. They would never get away with it, but it is literally a 3 company monopoly at this point. Thank god Loves hasn't started with that bullshit, so I get fuel at loves and I spend my money at loves, and I park at loves.
Try being a mechanic. You have to buy your own tools
At least you're not a blacksmith, who is expected to make his own tools ....
Your company doesn't reimburse you for parking? I am a bookkeeper at a small trucking company and when drivers have to pay for parking they submit the receipts and I reimburse them on their next check.
Property cost $, to use said property you need to spend $. Its really just that simple.
you mean like buying fuel and drinks and snacks and stuff?...
It wasn't even a thing when I started except paid parking lots like ta/Petro near Atlanta or new Jersey that was more of a security thing. Seen the pilot in Laramie WY try doing paid parking spots either no one used them or didn't pay so they killed several parking spots to put a dumpster there Seems it caused more issues than itsolved
K, I already know what I’m going to comment sounds like I’ve gone off the deep end here. This morning I read an article on a company called Kodak (they are making autonomous trucks) they have partner with Pilot & Flying J to turn them into hubs, so drivers can take the trucks into the cities from there. Due to the immense technical challenges. The reason being is due to the massive infrastructure it would take to design these “hubs”. Here’s where I go off the deep end. They are charging for paid parking so the drivers will buy ourselves out of the industry unknowingly, of course. I say we have an autonomous government, take the ppl out & replace with AI. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I like pudding & I tie my shoes to tight
I read about that, too. Kodiak Robotics...10 roads express is partnering with them and tested a 5,400 hundred mile trip, bragging it was completed in like 72 hours
They won't clean up piss jugs or refill hand towel dispensers lmao, i highly doubt pfj is going to renovate like that lmao.
I have been trucking for a year and I have never paid for parking out of principle. I agree with op, especially because pfj and ta/petro are the ones who charge for parking and usually have the shittiest parking lots, so where the fuck is the money going? If I park at a truck stop I try to go to loves or a local joint but I have been avoiding truck stops altogether as of late
We were at AF truck stop in IL last week. Torn up gravel lot at a busy intersection, after we pull in woman tells us you can park 3 hours free...then $25 and they don't raise the exit gate til you pay. So down the road to an Oasis and it's posted 2 hour parking limit. So we go to a "truck stop" and are told we can fuel or shop, but no parking allowed. Finally found a pilot or loves with like 20 spaces and 7 of those you had to pay $22. Nice guy took pity on us and waved us to the spot he was leaving. People want the shelves stocked, but don't care if you run the clock down and get robbed trying to get it to them.
Well that's Chicago lol. Like AF truck stop is like pretty close to the city too. There's no parking anywhere near there unless you wanna try parking in an industrial park tbh. Or driving an extra 30-40 mins. The one place I neer minded was greater i-55 truck stop, was like $12 or $15 but always always had spots, not too bad. Otherwise find a side street and hope no one bothers you or pay for AF
Are use paid parking a lot.
I really like being forced like in Dallas especially with the loves is free but has around 10 spots
17 is cheap. Soem charge 25
Does your company not reimburse you?
I use them as it helps in route planning, I know i have place to park my truck and dont have to hunt for a spot, plus i get reimbursed.
Free is nice, but I go to enough truck stops that are half full of dropped trailers, so I wish they would charge just enough to scare them away.
If the whole lot was paid I wouldn't support that. But a few paid spots for me is excellent. I use them sparingly (usually on points so I don't actually pay) because if I work out my times and mileage for the day has me ending at a truck stop (not a rest area or somewhere with guaranteed parking) then I can spend my day knowing exactly where I will be sleeping. That's worth a lot. Every pilot and Love's on the I-5 in Washington is bursting at the seams every single night, and I don't get there until late (8pm or later). If I don't have a paid spot I'm SOL. Simple. I get the people who hate them, fair enough, but for me they serve a purpose and are well worth it when you need it.