I agree Windwalker....Nose in parking by Idleaire is a problem. Idleaire Police say they will help you back out of the spot, but not sure Im wanting one of those genius' spotting my backside. Its still my liability even if they misguide me.
Its always a great feeling to stroll into one of TA's finest and find majority of the "free" parking, if not all, full, and the Idleaire spots are mostly empty with yellow cones blocking them. I understand Idleaire will "let" you use an IA spot if everything else is full, but your expected to nose in and not idle. If a free spot should open during the course of a break, and someone wants the IA spot, would they force you to move? Even if Im sleeping?
Dont think the parking and parking lots a problem. Look at Green castle and Harrisburg TA's. They are both more of a nightmare than before IA was installed.
Ive also seen the IdleAire attendents riding around in there carts taking notes as to which company trucks are parked in the non IA spots and idling. Especially the larger companies. I know they are told from their bean counters to do this. Then report back with their results. Then IA can put pressure on the Big companies to force a driver to utilize the service.
Idleaire cannot be everywhere to provide their service, and not all drivers utilize truckstops on a reqular basis to take their breaks.

I've used IA quite a bit . . mostly for the WIFI . . had to justify occupying a slot, I suppose. The few times I tried it for heat or air, I was thoroughly disappointed with heat and generally disappointed with air. At 20 bucks a night I expected better. Throw another 20 and get a hotel room.

Always found the staff to be friendly/courteous/helpful and never had a problem getting in or out of a space.

I looked at a few of the news stories surrounding the bankruptcy . . WOW they raised a lot of money! But chapter 11 means reorganization, as in "we're in it for the long haul" then found myself at the Petro in Fargo, ND and . . no staff. That's no reorganization.

As for parking displacement . . the barber at the TA in Troutdale told me it displaced 30 spots. With the price of fuel skyrocketing there were a lot of pissed off drivers (regulars) and it really hurt her business. Even the lot lizards had become scarce because the IA staff would run them off!

Timing is everything and it looks like IA's timing was off.

My prediction is that Flying J is looking into buying the assets . .

You know your in trouble when the Lot Lizard Union goes after ya!!!

I did not know trucking companies advertised on YouTube
 

Swifts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0sr...eature=related

TMC


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE0G8...eature=related

Schneider

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERnnb...eature=related


werner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSwc9...eature=related

Idle Aire may take up regular parking spaces, but even when you park in one there is obligation for you to use it. I only use it in the Summertime when the heat is too unbearable, than I turn it off in the evening when the weather cools down.

When I use it, which is not everyday, I spend only about $8-10 a visit, which is still cheaper than buying a APU.

I only use it for the A/C which works great for me, I don't need to spend any money on the extra frills they offer.

Re: I did not know trucking companies advertised on YouTube
 

Oh my.... :)

You may want to start a new thread with this one....

Dam Youtube. Click on one link and twenty minutes later I am watching videos unrelated to what I clicked on in the first place.

I actually think idleaire came around to soon, not that they could tell the future but I think that if they were just now starting out they would do good with the state fuel is in. I think they kind of started in a period when it really wasnt much cheaper to use them and they took up parking and bothered peopled and just generaly pissed off and irritated a lot of drivers to the point of saying they would never use it and now they are bankrupting out when they could have been coming in and probably making a killing right now with a new idea and product. But there was no way for them to see the future on that...but i really think if they were just now starting out they would be seeing different results.

they are failing b/c the service is not a true answer to idiling a truck ,as the service is only good when parked at a truck stop for your break ...but what about all the idle time that takes place away from the truck stop ? breaks not taken at idle aire locations ...dock time idleaire doesn't cover this ...but a good apu does ...you give an apu an exhaust that is positioned not to poison the driver or those parked next to him and a good muffler...and bam you instantly stop idle time and an apu sips diesel ...one step further could be to make sure trucks have ample sound deadening material to keep outside noise from the cab that normally the idiling engine cancells out ,and i think this would be perfect and then no excuses for idiling the truck exist other than stupidity .

I rarely stay at truckstops overnight. Normally, I just use them for fuel, food and a shower. Other than that I'm spending the night sitting in a receivers yard or at a rest area.

I've yet to see IA at either of those locations.