Truck stop congestion?
 

Okay, I have done what some veteran truck drivers suggested. I went to a truck stop and talked with a guy at the counter. You guys were right. He was very friendly and talked with me for about half an hour. However, that's not why I writing.

I went to the Flying J at the Port of Tacoma (the only one close to where I live). THE PLACE WAS NUTS! Traffic was backed up from the pumps out onto the road, and down the street back to the I-5 offramp. While the restaurant wasn't too crowded, I think every truck within a 50 mile radius was trying to get fuel! The truck parking looked a lot like the infield at a NASCAR race! I can't imagine trying to squeeze into a vacant spot between two trucks with a 90 degree backing maneuver, especially under dark and rainy conditions.

My question is: Is this typical of truck stops? Or, is this truck stop an anomaly? How on earth can you park into such tight places in the dark? You need the skill of a surgeon and the reflexes of a fighter pilot!

fuel lanes dont seem to be as congested as you said.....seems to be worst scenerio..all depends on time of day...and location.
best bet is to arrive at a truck stop at a decent time, not late at night, it all seems hard and impossible as a new driver....you will get the hang of it quick.....take your time....go slow...watch for stupied drivers.

i think its random at times, i stoped at the TA on I81 exit 150B tonight, in Troutville Va, and the fuel lines were backed up all the way to I81 1/2 mile away, but then at the nex TA 1.4 hours north, it was hardly the same, seemed to be good parking and the fuel lines were still in the lot not backed up to the off ramp..... i guess it just depends on when you hit them

im at a t/a tonight, it was a cluster F** earlier when i got here, i didnt fuel but see that at least 50-75% of the fuel island is underconstruction....its was backed up in a mess, this one is basically almost in town anyhow.
I90 exit 28...not to far outside albany ny....not sure of the town....maybe i should catch up on my logs... :lol:

Re: Truck stop congestion?
 

The hook in Tacoma is a TOILET !!!!!

Fultonville....

Once saw a big-truck that had gone nose first off into the lake there next to the road. Now THAT is sleepy... :shock: :lol:

you are correct fultonville, damn right off in the river eh....damn that had to suck

The Flying J in Tacoma is one of the worse places. Problem is they have out grown their lot. As a rule Flying J's are very busy. Gary, IN and Indianapolis are very busy but have bigger lots so not as congested.

lets not talk about Gary Ind. yea i was there a few days ago, that t/a is on one side and pilot on the other, well i was heading into pilot when i didnt see the truck entrance and miss it so i continued straight to find somewhere to turn around...i get no more then half block up i see no trucks sign.........enough of that story....i needed police escort to hold up traffic so i could pull off a ridiculous manever. :idea:

yea been there a few times what a crap hole

That is the worst possible place to get fuel. The Pilot right across the street is one of Cretes fuel stops and I always dread it when I have to stop there. Easily a top 5 nomination for hardest to get to truck stop.

Holy shit I think I was there and heard about that! It was all over the CB!

I remember hearing the cops were needed.

That hook is always packed because of the Port, and no other Truck Stops around. For Seattle being such a big city, they don't have crap for truck stops! I remember the Old hook in Federal Way, it was a pretty big pit also.

hehehehehe wow you call that a T/S... its so small that its really a fuel stop and nothin more, for sure there is not much are, try parking at North Bend... hehehehe there always packed day or not I have never found a place to park over there, even north of Seattle is Donna,s , good luck parking there, I am glad I take my truck home and not have to worry about finding a place to park for the timeoff... Backing in the dark in tight places is tricky but nothin like backing , if you can back up then its just backing up to me. been to shippers that were worse, when backed in your trailer doors are touching the trailer doors next to you on both sides and you have to fold yer mirrors in before you get all the way in not to hit the truck next to you...specially them long nose trucks that the mirrors don,t fold in, its all part of the game, now go play ball....

My first job consisted of bringing trailers to a truckstop, dropping them and bringing back empties 3 times a night (was working the zombie shift). Usually there was only one spot left by the time i got there and it was the one that a half dozen or so other drivers took a look at and said 'no way'. It was a great way to learn being thrown into the fire like that and while i wasn't very good or fast when i first started, i got good real fast! You just have to remain calm, go slow and GOAL as many times as you need to. Its amazing the things you can do when your put under pressure.

Thanks everyone for the insights. I guess I can look at the glass as half full instead of half empty. I will most likely be working out of this area. So, I won't have to use that truck stop! I hope you're stretching the truth about box doors touching on both side of your trailer!

I'll never forget when I was a teenager working in a sawmill. The first time I had to pull a welding trailer behind a pickup, I couldn't back it straight with an acre of open blacktop to work with. The nest thing I knew I was backing them dang things under elevated mill equipment, backing around support pillars and around corners most wouldn't even back a pickup. Practice, practice, practice. I sure was proud when the millwrights asked how I got that welder into that spot!

its just another part of the learning curve. you learn real fast where you can find a spot and when. basically though any ts going into a major city is going to fill up fast. get there early or plan on sleeping at the cosignee. its all a part of trip planning. sometimes you get lucky and if you drive around the lot a couple times someone that is getting ready to leave will radio you and offer their spot. I drive a lot at night so I fuel a lot at night. It seems like after midnight all bets are off and people park anywhere they can sqeeze the truck into. its actually funny to see where they park.

Karnajj i think you migh be right "Easily a top 5 nomination for hardest to get to truck stop"
Went by there 2 times this week once about mid day and once about 2am same thing lines out almost back to 81 both times

LOLOLOL!!!! I thought I was the only one who had to twist my mirrors to clear a spot a couple of times! :D
It can be TIGHT at times but you'll get the hang of it before you know it and sometimes, if you're bored or have some time to kill, you may even find yourself LOOKING for a challenging spot to squeeze into just to hear the other drivers around you "pat you on the back" verbally over the CB. Screw up and they'll just as fast make fun of you until you almost wanna scream and cry! lolol. All in a days work and I wouldn't trade it for any other job. Fun, challenging and in control of 80,00 pounds of rolling death! YeeeeHahhhh!