I met my Waterloo this week

TJ959 · Feb 1, 2009

I'm sure this has happened to someone else recently but I looked for it on here and couldn't find it. The "J" in Waterloo IA will not allow you to park out in their front lot anymore. They want you to park in the truck lot or move on. Obviously, since I drive a Sprinter and I'm not welcome among my larger bretheren, I'll be moving on. I didn't see any signs about it but I had been asleep about 15 minutes and they woke me up and told me to move. They have a fairly small lot so I'm sure they feel they need the parking for the resturant. I doubt it will break them to loose what little business vans do but you may want to modify your plans if you have a load to Waterloo.

Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. Sitting in the garden eating worms. Big fat juicy ones. little tiny skinny ones. See how they wiggle and they squirm. OOOOOH I'm bummin man.

layoutshooter · Feb 1, 2009

I find it amazing. The "J" is in chapter 11 right now. I was at the "J" in Rock Hill, SC the other day. I came out of the shower and went to sit in the TV lounge to wait on my wife to finish her shower. (she always takes 3-5 years longer than I do) I was not able to sit in the lounge because they were having a meeting in there. The store manager was reading a letter from the CEO of the "J" company, explaining the plan for coming out of Chapter 11 etc. It was a typical retail meeting, one of the main reason I now run my one truck trucking company. I could not stand sitting or directing those meetings. The crux of his meeting was getting back to the basics. (a standard for retail pep talks) Customer service is the most important thing. (we have to cut hours so service will suffer) What I find odd with what they did to you was this. The manager stated that the Flying J's core business was the truck stop business and will remain so. They were going to focus thier efforts on provide service for all phases of the trucking industry. Guess the manager of that particular "J" in Iowa did not get the messege. Layoutshooter

OntarioVanMan · Feb 1, 2009

TJ959 said:
I'm sure this has happened to someone else recently but I looked for it on here and couldn't find it. The "J" in Waterloo IA will not allow you to park out in their front lot anymore. They want you to park in the truck lot or move on. Obviously, since I drive a Sprinter and I'm not welcome among my larger bretheren, I'll be moving on. I didn't see any signs about it but I had been asleep about 15 minutes and they woke me up and told me to move. They have a fairly small lot so I'm sure they feel they need the parking for the resturant. I doubt it will break them to loose what little business vans do but you may want to modify your plans if you have a load to Waterloo.

Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. Sitting in the garden eating worms. Big fat juicy ones. little tiny skinny ones. See how they wiggle and they squirm. OOOOOH I'm bummin man.

I too got booted 2 weeks ago....there is a SMALL yellow sign on the right side of the enterance just behind the snow bank..about delivery vans not parking overnight...Theres truck parking at the Micky D's across the street.

Moot · Feb 1, 2009

Go down the street to the Road Ranger. It is quieter there and Junie's has good food.

moparnewt · Feb 1, 2009

Had to live in Ia. for a year and a half, not the sharpest tools in the shed.

broker · Feb 1, 2009

Because I like the clean showers they keep and do not need to wait long for one, I have the hubby stop and fuel or stay over night at the FJ's when possible.
What we have noticed since the money problems, we are treated differently at some, in a not so kind way (straght truck)
Seems the not so kind FJ's have employees who are very disturbed with the company and might be taking it out on drivers.

Example: FJ #1, we were watching a great program in the full lounge when right in the middle of it, an employee came in and yelled we all needed to show our CDL's. Hubby showed them his and then I remembered I had left mine in the truck. Hubby explained and the employee said I would have to go get it. We both left and will never spend our money here again.

FJ #2: A man who obviously was not a truck driver, had homesteded in a corner drivers lounge seat for the 3 days we were there. Clothes in a duffle bag under the chair and himself smelling so bad everyone sat 2 seats down.

Guess they all have different views for customer relations.

Not a happy time at all the FJ's right now.
Kathy

layoutshooter · Feb 1, 2009

I don't like the "J's" either, but they tend to be cleaner than most other chains. Not that is all that hard. Layoutshooter

flattop40 · Feb 1, 2009

I like the J's for their FREE and clean showers and lounges. Unless I am wrong they are the only ones who give free showers to less than 50 gals. of fuel.

I say everyone who gets near the Waterloo area stop in and talk to the manager and voice your concerns. If that doesn't work then I would start calling Corp. That should get their attention.

jpalmer · Feb 1, 2009

moparnewt said:
Had to live in Ia. for a year and a half, not the sharpest tools in the shed.

Why do you think i moved to Texas

layoutshooter · Feb 2, 2009

Not all the "J's" give free showers at 50 gallons. There is at least one that has a 75 gallon minimum. The one in Nevada just prior to crossing into California is one. Layoutshooter

TJ959 · Feb 2, 2009

I have always used the Flying J because they seemed to be the most expediter friendly truck stops. When I changed from a D truck to a Sprinter they were the only truck stop chain where I could earn a free shower with my loyalty card. Lately though, I have noticed many of the locations going down hill. Many are dirty and understaffed. I have often returned some small purchase to the shelf rather than wait in a long line behind drivers getting "T" checks and pondering deli purchases with one clerk to serve them all. I have been to some recently where as much as half the pump nozzles are covered with plastic bags because they aren't working. I won't even begin to comment on some of the food I have had recently. So for me the J is becoming my third or fourth choice rather than my first choice. The free shower just doesn't seem to be worth the price anymore and this recent unfriendly attitude of some managers and employees just confirms it for me. I will be complaining to the corporate offices but I very much doubt that my opinion will matter much.

moose · Feb 2, 2009

Here you go ... :

YouTube - ABBA - WATERLOO

Moose.

mjolnir131 · Feb 2, 2009

oh yeah

Agnetha and Frida in post SPLHC fashion, first thing in the morning life is good,ow i might need one of those showers we are talking about

moose · Feb 2, 2009

Flying J

Moose.

OntarioVanMan · Feb 2, 2009

moose said:
Flying J

Moose.

Thats just a little shorter....

mjolnir131 · Feb 2, 2009

and when you write make sure to bring up the point about them closing restaurants down during the night, and there problem is not a flow problem but a service one and it's only going to get worse as they trim back.judging from allot of there decisions lately it appears they are based more on helping there managers make there bonuses and less on what is best for flying j

moparnewt · Feb 2, 2009

Wow. It looks like in certain parts of the country the J's are different. Here in the southern mid atlantic, they're pretty good, at least to me they have.It's been hit and miss in the mid west and west though.Here in the south I'm kind of partial to Petro,thats just me though.

mjolnir131 · Feb 2, 2009

taking what I have heard from there employees and what the press releases have eluded to as the Petros wear out and need renovated they are being changed over to TA's

easyrider2697 · Feb 2, 2009

I am still amazed at the number of trucks still fueling at the "j" with the huge discount given at TA with using comdata card, why would anyone choose to fuel there...unless absolutly needed. Both Panther and Fed Ex get large discounts there and I am not sure what the others get...if you dont know about he discount, check into it, I have not paid over 2 bucks a gallon in over 3 months.

Turtle · Feb 2, 2009

Just send them the link to this thread.

I haven't been kicked out of a Flying J, yet, but if and when it happens, I'll question the manager about it. Flying J's press release announcing the bankruptcy filing clearly states, "In all cases, including those subsidiaries covered by the filing, Flying J's operations remain open and are conducting business as usual."

And #1 on the Customer Frequently Asked Questions Hit Parade:

1. How does the Chapter 11 filing affect customers of Flying J and its subsidiaries?

Flying J and all of its businesses will conduct business as usual and will continue serving customers in the normal course, throughout the reorganization process. Customers should see no difference in our day-to-day operations. We look forward to continuing to serve your needs.