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[greg334]

Give me a break. A little letter on your license decides if your a professional or not? Getting paid for driving as a job defines it much more than your license.

Nope nope nope.

Sorry Xiggi, the past discussions have been clear about vans not being CMVs, hence don't need to follow the same rules or have the same restrictions as someone who is driving a truck ... so like I said you can't have it both ways.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Nope nope nope.

Sorry Xiggi, the past discussions have been clear about vans not being CMVs, hence don't need to follow the same rules or have the same restrictions as someone who is driving a truck ... so like I said you can't have it both ways.

so a taxi driver is not a professional driver?

 

[xiggi]

Nope nope nope.

Sorry Xiggi, the past discussions have been clear about vans not being CMVs, hence don't need to follow the same rules or have the same restrictions as someone who is driving a truck ... so like I said you can't have it both ways.

Having more restrictions makes you a professional? Your way off base on this one.

 

[greg334]

OVM, a taxi driver in most cities are regulated. Van drivers are not.

Xiggi not at all.

The point is after several discussions here on this site that van drivers are not commercial drivers, don't have to deal with logs, scales, having a CDL to operate or even proper securement of loads, it seems that calling a van driver a profession after people screaming otherwise is a bit funny.

Truck stops are just that truck stops. Van provide a bit of business but in no way do they provide a consistent profitable income stream. The companies like Pilot look at the numbers, they don't care about emotion or loyalty but numbers. They see RVs provide X amount of sales for Y market and trucks have consistent sales within Z market while they consider what can they do to increase sales in those two closed customers. They get pitched hundreds of promotions and they ask for proof that this or that promotion will fulfill their goal, like say getting more RV's to stop and eat and fuel within a specific market. Vans do not seem to appear anywhere on the radar screen because the guys thinking up these promotions can't seem to see the profit in giving something away to someone who buys 15 gallons and may not have to go out of their way to buy another 15 gallons. Remember the important point - vans can go to Ma Kettles Gas and Chaw emporium but trucks can't.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

rewards are to get your business....they see an income stream...there just isn't enough GAS vans to support any rewards...and that is it...

 

[Turtle]

The point is after several discussions here on this site that van drivers are not commercial drivers, don't have to deal with logs, scales, having a CDL to operate or even proper securement of loads, it seems that calling a van driver a profession after people screaming otherwise is a bit funny.

That, like about 99% of everything else on the Internet, is a load of crap. If you drive for a living, you're a professional driver. A "commercial vehicle" is one that is engaged in transporting passengers or goods for profit, and the driver of that vehicle would be, by definition, practicality and reality, a commercial driver. Within the scope of commercial driver there are different types of vehicles requiring different restrictions, but all are still within the scope of the commercial driver.

It's about time that the so-called professional drivers learn the basics of their job and the reasons why certain things are done. Vehicles requiring logging and scaling and CDL's to operate do so solely because of the vehicle's inherent increased danger to the general public, and has nothing to do with the driver.

A "professional driver" in another sense is also a driver that is an expert, one who is proficient in the profession and is knowledgeable about most aspects of the job. Those "professional drivers" who are required to log and scale, and think that all drivers regardless of vehicle type engaged in the transport of freight should also have to log and scale, solely because they haul freight, are not very professional because they have failed to learn even the most basic reasons behind the requirements of logging and scaling. These people are whining because they are jealous and think it's unfair that they should have to log and scale while other drivers do not. Yet if they would bother to find out why they have to log and scale, they would realize just how whiny and unprofessional they are, and they'd quit whining.

 

[transporter]

vans are or are not proffessional drivers is different argument.
the point is showers are a incentive to get a targeted groups business. they are not a right they are a privilage. gassers are much smaller in numbers compared to deisel (duh). there are no tracter trailor gassers. but per vehicle i d say a cargo van represents alot of gas buying. i regulary fill up twice a day sometimes 3 times a day. compared to rvers they are not individually driving year round, but expediters are except for part-time ovm. to not cort expediters and specifically gassers is a poor business choice. even at half shower credit earning i never used all the showers. pilot has shown a lack of concern for my business so they wont get it.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

vans are or are not proffessional drivers is different argument.
the point is showers are a incentive to get a targeted groups business. they are not a right they are a privilage. gassers are much smaller in numbers compared to deisel (duh). there are no tracter trailor gassers. but per vehicle i d say a cargo van represents alot of gas buying. i regulary fill up twice a day sometimes 3 times a day. compared to rvers they are not individually driving year round, but expediters are except for part-time ovm. to not cort expediters and specifically gassers is a poor business choice. even at half shower credit earning i never used all the showers. pilot has shown a lack of concern for my business so they wont get it.

That is the way it is supposed to be....don't like it...don't buy it...

 

[jrcarroll]

That, like about 99% of everything else on the Internet, is a load of crap. If you drive for a living, you're a professional driver. A "commercial vehicle" is one that is engaged in transporting passengers or goods for profit, and the driver of that vehicle would be, by definition, practicality and reality, a commercial driver. Within the scope of commercial driver there are different types of vehicles requiring different restrictions, but all are still within the scope of the commercial driver.

It's about time that the so-called professional drivers learn the basics of their job and the reasons why certain things are done. Vehicles requiring logging and scaling and CDL's to operate do so solely because of the vehicle's inherent increased danger to the general public, and has nothing to do with the driver.

A "professional driver" in another sense is also a driver that is an expert, one who is proficient in the profession and is knowledgeable about most aspects of the job. Those "professional drivers" who are required to log and scale, and think that all drivers regardless of vehicle type engaged in the transport of freight should also have to log and scale, solely because they haul freight, are not very professional because they have failed to learn even the most basic reasons behind the requirements of logging and scaling. These people are whining because they are jealous and think it's unfair that they should have to log and scale while other drivers do not. Yet if they would bother to find out why they have to log and scale, they would realize just how whiny and unprofessional they are, and they'd quit whining.

I do drive a cargo van and have a CDL. I can also do logs as good as or better than you, and I do know about scales as I have in the past been directed into the scale house. The only one's on this forum that whine are the people who think that van drivers are unprofessional steering wheel holders. We are out here to stay and deliver freight right along side of your 6/10 wheeler.

 

[Dynamite 1]

we have pretty much given up on the flyinpos except for water or absolute necessity. as far as cmv or not for vans, dont really matter to me but i hate hearing the term greater inherent danger as if it is only applied to trucks. puts you in the four wheeler category. all vehicles impose danger period. no one any less than the other whether truck, motorhome, van, pickup, car or motorcycle. make no difference they all can cause great loss in an accident. thats the problem with the public, they think we are a great danger but dont think what could happen when they involve us in their bad driving habits or their accidents

 

[Turtle]

...but i hate hearing the term greater inherent danger as if it is only applied to trucks. puts you in the four wheeler category. all vehicles impose danger period.

All vehicles, including skateboards, pose a danger. It's the degree of danger that determines regulation. Which do you think poses the greater inherent danger to the general public, a Honda Civic, or an 80,000 pound big truck? Both vehicles pose a danger, to be sure, but in identical accidents, the big truck will cause more damage and injury than the Honda, more often than not.

The FMCSA regulates vehicles based on size and weight. Vehicles that are larger than a certain size or are heavier than a certain amount are regulated because they have a greater inherent danger. It does not only apply to trucks, but all heavy vehicles including buses and combination vehicles.

 

[60MPH]

we have pretty much given up on the flyinpos except for water or absolute necessity.

Aren't you at the J in Ashtabula right now?? If that's not you then there is a dead ringer for your truck in the front lot leased to Zipp Express out of TN.

 

[greg334]

These people are whining because they are jealous and think it's unfair that they should have to log and scale while other drivers do not. Yet if they would bother to find out why they have to log and scale, they would realize just how whiny and unprofessional they are, and they'd quit whining.

Actually outside of p*ssing my pants laughing at all of this, the point I am trying to make is that you can't be considered a commercial vehicle for one thing and than claim you are for another.

Really the professional driver thing is not the issue, it is what you pull up in at the pumps that give them the reasons to offer or not to offer you an incentive to buy from them - which there really is no incentive for them when you look at the reality of it from their point of view.

Crying goes both ways, I don't like the idea of any yahoo idiots getting behind the wheel who have very bad driving habits, it puts all of us in danger. I feel there should be some standards with any commercial enterprise regardless what they are driving - but that's me and my stupid idea that we need to be safe on the road.

Anyone can be a "professional driver", anyone can be a doctor or lawyer or even an Indian chief but that doesn't make the person a Professional or have professional qualities.

To recap, it is the vehicle that you are driving that these companies are looking at, with only a 15 gallon purchase and competition on a lot of the street corners, there is no incentive that they have to capture more revenue at a cost that can't be justified.

 

[AMonger]

rewards are to get your business....they see an income stream...there just isn't enough GAS vans to support any rewards...and that is it...

That's something I've been wondering...anybody have any estimate of how many expediter CVs there are on the road?

And if they attract more business than just gasoline, how's that affect the equation? Sure, it might not be worth it to give away a shower for a couple 15 gallon fills, but once you figure that a lot of CVs will park there, eat there, buy doodads there...

 

[AMonger]

I was just at the Hook in...crap, where was it?...Resaca, GA, and they're in the middle of the remodel. I gassed up and bought some various and sundries, and the guy asks if I have a card. I gave it to him and said, "For now, but not much longer." He says, "You'll be able to transfer over to a Pilot card." I said, "No, when Pilot takes over, I won't be back," and told him about the situation with the gasoline van and the showers, and he says, "No, that's going to continue."

"The same way--half shower credit for 15 gallons of gasoline?" He assured me it would and another driver standing there echoed it.

"For gasoline? 15 gallons? I demanded. "Yeah, I've got the brochure out in my truck!"

I had heard something about this, so is it true that they've seen the light and are going to continue the shower program as-is?

 

[CharlesD]

I guess we'll find out next week.

 

[highway star]

At pilotflyingj.com it says that half credit for gas will be discontinued.

 

[CharlesD]

Yep, no more of my money going to either store. I will continue to use their parking lots and restrooms though...and I'm not even sure if I'll remember to flush.

 

[Dakota]

Yep, no more of my money going to either store. I will continue to use their parking lots and restrooms though...and I'm not even sure if I'll remember to flush.

Ohhh don't forget to pee all over the seat like the others do

 

[AMonger]

At pilotflyingj.com it says that half credit for gas will be discontinued.

That's what I told the clerk and the other driver, but both say that's not the case now. I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out like the TA program--nobody knows how it really is, even the clerks, and they don't particularly care.