Another reason for you to hate Pilot

[Rev.Vassago]

As if there weren't enough....

I stopped at a Pilot in Cambridge, OH last night to take a shower, and was met with something that has made me decide to act.

We all know that most of the truck stops sell those siphon devices, even though it is simply making it easier for thieves to steal fuel. They've been doing it for years. But what I saw yesterday made my blood boil. There, on the shelf, was a package which had just about every device needed to pick an automobile lock, with instructions on how to do it. The packaging boasted that you could pick a lock with ease. On the back of the packaging, it clearly stated "Manufacturer is not responsible for illegal use".

Why on earth Pilot would feel that having a device such as this on their store shelves would be acceptable is beyond me, but as of now I will no longer patronize any Pilot Travel Center until I have received notice that this device is no longer on their store shelves.

I have contacted Pilot, and I suggest you do the same. You can contact them here.

I also plan to contact all the trucking publications regarding this. When a truck stop puts its customers at risk by allowing items such as this on their store shelves, it is quite clear that even though they have never cared about those customers, now they want to cause harm to come to them.

[BanditsCousin]

Then hate Love's too. I bought the slim jim kit there for 9.99 or 19.99 (whichever it was).

[Rev.Vassago]

Then hate Love's too. I bought the slim jim kit there for 9.99 or 19.99 (whichever it was).

Extracurricular activities???

[BanditsCousin]

Not really, but I did open a helper's car door when he locked his keys in his car after a job last summer.

I sent a bill to Pilot for a new pair of Etnies when a pump malfunctioned in Wendover NV last month. I turned my pump on and the passenger side pump started spewing like a gusher and it wasn't even off the hook yet and the nozle was flipped up (off position). I also sent a bill for the truck wash, but I haven't hear back yet. management there was a joke and din't even apologize.

[Mr. Ford95]

Just because they have those starter kits doesn't mean the user is going to be successful. The pro's(repo men and locksmiths) take years to hone their craft on how to get by each and every lock they come upon. I bet if I bought one of them gadgets I would cut my hands up on the first use and then throw it away. The pro's use very little tools, only a pick or two.

I have a homemade slim-jim but I don't use it for opening people's doors unless they are truly locked out. If I'm not sure of the person I offer to call the police since they also carry slim-jims and will gladly come open your door.

[mommee]

Just because they have those starter kits doesn't mean the user is going to be successful. The pro's(repo men and locksmiths) take years to hone their craft on how to get by each and every lock they come upon. I bet if I bought one of them gadgets I would cut my hands up on the first use and then throw it away. The pro's use very little tools, only a pick or two.

And how do you know this, hmmm? :wink:

[Malaki86]

Hell - I can open a locked car in about 30 seconds with a wire coat hanger.

[Mr. Ford95]

Know what mommee? That the pro's only need 2 tools, from watching TV and repo men in person.

What really sucks about my homemade slim-jim is when I lock myself out and it's in my trunk.

[mommee]

Mr. Ford-

I believe you. :wink:

[ben45750]

Why on earth Pilot would feel that having a device such as this on their store shelves would be acceptable is beyond me

They probably carry it because they sell them? I think it would be pretty unacceptable if they carried something they didn't sell?

Good luck Rev! I doubt they will take you very seriously? I mean you only run 40,000 miles a year so your not spending that much money with them anyways. :wink:

[Malaki86]

Unless you count me buying a coffee and a sandwich from Pilot's on occasion, they don't make any money from me either. I couldn't tell you the last time I pulled into a Pilot for fuel.

[Double R]

Does stopping to take a leak count as patornizing Pilot? Since that is all I do there . I have used Pilot ONCE to fuel at, and only once :twisted:

[Uturn2001]

I offer to call the police since they also carry slim-jims and will gladly come open your door.

More and more police departments won't do this unless it is an emergency.

[Windwalker]

Just because they have those starter kits doesn't mean the user is going to be successful. The pro's(repo men and locksmiths) take years to hone their craft on how to get by each and every lock they come upon. I bet if I bought one of them gadgets I would cut my hands up on the first use and then throw it away. The pro's use very little tools, only a pick or two.

I have a homemade slim-jim but I don't use it for opening people's doors unless they are truly locked out. If I'm not sure of the person I offer to call the police since they also carry slim-jims and will gladly come open your door.

Just for the sake of argument...

On my very first attempt, I made a lock pick out of an old hacksaw blade, and for a month and a half, I was able to pick any lock I came across, or any ignition switch I wanted. Then, I found out that if the police find any of that on you without you being in the business, you can be in really big trouble. I destroyed it and have not made one since then. But, I have found out that the key from my screen door will unlock one of the old Freightliner cabovers. The ignition key from a Renault has been known to open a Freightliner door. I did that with the driver standing next to me. She would not believe it and made me go around the other side and open up the passenger's side too. And, at the yard, one day, I opened the door for one of the dispatchers when the police and a locksmith were both there and were not able to do so.

So, I'm afraid you are WRONG about the "years of practice" to hone their skills. I've worked with a man that had a locksmithing business. There is only one lock that can not be picked with relative ease. That is the one with the "DIMPLES" on both sides, and both edges of the key. Any duplicate MUST come from the factory. The rest only keep the honest people honest.

However, I DO NOT APPROVE of PILOT selling anything that will allow anyone to get past any security device.

[Windwalker]

I did, however, send PILOT an email stating that I would no longer buy any fuel from them if they continue to sell those devices.

Oh... Was I supposed to tell them that I NEVER fuel at a PILOT regardless??? 8)

[BigDiesel]

I would rather light myself on fire than stop at a Pilot....

[Malaki86]

There are a few that I stop at on a fairly regular basis for a restroom/coffee/sandwich break:

New one at x5b, I-81, Hagerstown, MD (even though all those steps suck)
New one at x22, I-68, Grantsville, MD (again, the steps suck)

I won't get fuel at either, but they work for a quick stop.

[Mr. Ford95]

Wind, the years they say comes right from their own mouths. It takes a few years of practice to know what keys will fit what and if no other keys fit, then what type of pick(s) are needed to line up the tumblers and how to move them. They don't already know what every lock takes, they know by practice just like you now know of a few locks that can take outside keys.

Uturn, I don't see why they wouldn't do it, all they need to do is check your ID vs the plates on the vehicle when they arrive to know if your BS-ing them. BUT, if it's a bad guy with bad intentions and you offer to call the police for them they won't stick around. If it is someone truly locked out of their car they won't usually have a problem with it unless they got something illegal in the car.

[slim chance]

I guess you should boycott all truck stops that sell hammers also. They are 100% guaranteed to break into a truck and no directions are required.

Now the genius in Pilot's selling of such an item is that there are plenty of drivers who fail to think before slamming their door and running into the truck stop. They get back out to find they have locked all of their keys in the truck and are forced to go inside and try to find a solution. Like it was stated before the police normally won't come out for these kinds of issues so seeing such a device on the shelf seems like the perfect way to fix their dilemma. They pay around $20 for this item that may or may not get them into their truck then just like planned the goof ball does it again two weeks later and guess where his lock picking item is, in the truck with his keys. Now he buys another one. As far as the concern that the pilot is promoting theft then I would assume you think all hardware stores are too. The item is not sold with criminal intent just as a hammer isn't but both can very easily be used for bad if that is what the fool that bought it wants to use it for. I realize this probably won't be received very well but diesel fuel is used in arsons also, better quit buying the stuff.

[headborg]

I just wish they'd sell -- old fashion wire clothes hangers-- they work a lot better than those slim jims-- at least i never had any luck with them-- and do you know how hard it is to find a driver willing to part with a wire clothes hanger to help you out- if you ever lock yourself out of your truck.