Question:
1. Horrible service.
Last week I pulled into the TA truck stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My plan was to fuel, take a shower, eat and sleep before delivering a couple miles away in the morning.
As soon as I pulled up to the fuel pump, a skanky hooker started pestering me as I tried to use the card reader. She wouldn't take "no" for an answer, so I finally gave her something stronger to contemplate. She cursed me out and stomped off.
The card reader didn't work, so I used the push-button intercom. I couldn't hear the clerk and politely asked her to speak a little louder. Still couldn't hear her so I went to the fuel desk to get the pump turned on.
While pumping fuel and doing a quick walk around, another prostitute started hassling me. Just as I got rid of her, a couple barefoot filthy kids came over begging spare change. I declined. "Well how about just a quarter?" No extra money, sorry. "How about a nickel?" No extra money. "How about a penny, you got a spare penny?" No. "You don't even have a spare penny you can give us man?" They finally walked away.
I finished fueling, pulled forward and went into the fuel desk to get my receipt. Another truck had pulled in behind me and was trying to talk to the clerk on the intercom. I noticed she was standing over the counter-mounted microphone talking very softly to him. Same problem I had. She couldn't bother herself to lean into the unit and speak loud enough to be heard on the other end.
A finally got my receipt, parked, packed my shower bag and went inside.
The Road King card reader (for shower credits) was out of order, so I had to talk to the fuel clerk again.
I finally got my shower receipt, found the shower, punched in my code and walked into a shower that hadn't been cleaned. So I went back to the fuel counter again and explained the situation. The next shower didn't look much better -- toenail clippings in the corner, no soap and no wash cloth. But I carry extra wash cloths and soap, so I made do. The air conditioning wasn't working well in this shower, and by the time I got dressed and opened the door I was drenched with sweat.
Determined to maintain my up-beat "that's truckng" attitude, I went down to the restaurant looking forward to a hot meal. After waiting 20 minutes for a waitress, one finally came over and grudgingly took my order for eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and wheat toast. Thirty minutes later I saw her go by again and asked about my order. "I'm very busy," she said and walked off. She finally returned with my order, now cold, and slapped it down in front of me. Not only were the eggs cold, the hash browns were green. I tasted them and had to spit them out -- sour. I managed to get her attention again and she scooped up my plate and said she'd have the cook re-do it. Thirty minutes later I finally got a new plate, but the potatoes were still green. I ate around them. The waitress came by with my ticket and before I could explain the situation, she hands me a little flyer and asked me to call the 800# to commend her and possibly win a prize myself. I just kept my mouth shut and paid the bill.
Before returning to the truck, I went into the c-store to buy a new gallon of drinking water. The coolers were almost empty and the only water was 16oz bottles.
Stepping outside I was immediately hit up for spare change again. Another prostitute tried to get friendly as I walked back to the truck. As I got into my truck, I noticed the plastic bag I'd almost stepped on next to my step box was oozing human excrement.
The next morning I went back in at 4:00 to wash my face and get some coffee. The soap dispenser in the men's room squirted soap all over my shirt instead of in my hand. The hot water didn't work on the first two sinks. The third and finaly sink had hot water, but no cold. There were no paper towels in the dispenser.
Hands dripping, I went back to the c-store -- still no gallon water bottles - and poured some coffee. It barely leaked out the spiget and smelled like it was from yesterday (I'm sure it was). I told the guy behind the counter he needed to make some new cofee and he said, "I don't do that, I'm going home soon." He slapped my change on the counter next to my outstretched hand and went back to reading the paper.
Returning to my truck, I realized I was finally losing my attitude at this hell hole of a truck stop. Wouldn't you know it -- I was getting so steamed I didn't watch where I was stepping, and stepped on that bag next to my truck....
I finally got out of there, but the point is:
It's not just driving and four-wheelers and dispatchers. The truck stops themselves (some of them, sometimes) can be a major hassle. A good driver tries to take all this in stride and float through it, but it's very difficult. You go through something like this, then deal with a nasty dock manager, then get yelled-at unfairly by your dispatcher, then have a four-wheler give you the finger....it goes on and on sometimes. The accumulated effect over time can sure make your blood boil.
The ability to stay detached and professional is much more difficult than most folks can imagine.
Are you a hothead?
Do you get angry easily?
Do you tend to take things personally?

Answer:
Originally posted by Shuffler:
_1. Horrible service._
Last week I pulled into the TA truck stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My plan was to fuel, take a shower, eat and sleep before delivering a couple miles away in the morning.
As soon as I pulled up to the fuel pump, a skanky hooker started pestering me as I tried to use the card reader. She wouldn't take "no" for an answer, so I finally gave her something stronger to contemplate. She cursed me out and stomped off.
The card reader didn't work, so I used the push-button intercom. I couldn't hear the clerk and politely asked her to speak a little louder. Still couldn't hear her so I went to the fuel desk to get the pump turned on.
While pumping fuel and doing a quick walk around, another prostitute started hassling me. Just as I got rid of her, a couple barefoot filthy kids came over begging spare change. I declined. "Well how about just a quarter?" No extra money, sorry. "How about a nickel?" No extra money. "How about a penny, you got a spare penny?" No. "You don't even have a spare penny you can give us man?" They finally walked away.
I finished fueling, pulled forward and went into the fuel desk to get my receipt. Another truck had pulled in behind me and was trying to talk to the clerk on the intercom. I noticed she was standing over the counter-mounted microphone talking very softly to him. Same problem I had. She couldn't bother herself to lean into the unit and speak loud enough to be heard on the other end.
A finally got my receipt, parked, packed my shower bag and went inside.
The Road King card reader (for shower credits) was out of order, so I had to talk to the fuel clerk again.
I finally got my shower receipt, found the shower, punched in my code and walked into a shower that hadn't been cleaned. So I went back to the fuel counter again and explained the situation. The next shower didn't look much better -- toenail clippings in the corner, no soap and no wash cloth. But I carry extra wash cloths and soap, so I made do. The air conditioning wasn't working well in this shower, and by the time I got dressed and opened the door I was drenched with sweat.
Determined to maintain my up-beat "that's truckng" attitude, I went down to the restaurant looking forward to a hot meal. After waiting 20 minutes for a waitress, one finally came over and grudgingly took my order for eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and wheat toast. Thirty minutes later I saw her go by again and asked about my order. "I'm very busy," she said and walked off. She finally returned with my order, now cold, and slapped it down in front of me. Not only were the eggs cold, the hash browns were green. I tasted them and had to spit them out -- sour. I managed to get her attention again and she scooped up my plate and said she'd have the cook re-do it. Thirty minutes later I finally got a new plate, but the potatoes were still green. I ate around them. The waitress came by with my ticket and before I could explain the situation, she hands me a little flyer and asked me to call the 800# to commend her and possibly win a prize myself. I just kept my mouth shut and paid the bill.
Before returning to the truck, I went into the c-store to buy a new gallon of drinking water. The coolers were almost empty and the only water was 16oz bottles.
Stepping outside I was immediately hit up for spare change again. Another prostitute tried to get friendly as I walked back to the truck. As I got into my truck, I noticed the plastic bag I'd almost stepped on next to my step box was oozing human excrement.
The next morning I went back in at 4:00 to wash my face and get some coffee. The soap dispenser in the men's room squirted soap all over my shirt instead of in my hand. The hot water didn't work on the first two sinks. The third and finaly sink had hot water, but no cold. There were no paper towels in the dispenser.
Hands dripping, I went back to the c-store -- still no gallon water bottles - and poured some coffee. It barely leaked out the spiget and smelled like it was from yesterday (I'm sure it was). I told the guy behind the counter he needed to make some new cofee and he said, "I don't do that, I'm going home soon." He slapped my change on the counter next to my outstretched hand and went back to reading the paper.
Returning to my truck, I realized I was finally losing my attitude at this hell hole of a truck stop. Wouldn't you know it -- I was getting so steamed I didn't watch where I was stepping, and stepped on that bag next to my truck....
I finally got out of there, but the point is:
It's not just driving and four-wheelers and dispatchers. The truck stops themselves (some of them, sometimes) can be a major hassle. A good driver tries to take all this in stride and float through it, but it's very difficult. You go through something like this, then deal with a nasty dock manager, then get yelled-at unfairly by your dispatcher, then have a four-wheler give you the finger....it goes on and on sometimes. The _accumulated effect_ over time can sure make your blood boil.
The ability to stay detached and professional is much more difficult than most folks can imagine.
_Are you a hothead?_
_Do you get angry easily?_
_Do you tend to take things personally?_
Shuffler, Welcome to my world everyday, and im serious, im living hell right now doing restaurant management
Doesn't matter what job you do just, one pays a little better
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
This entire situation could have been taken care of in a split second... The former Soviet Union manufactured several hundred briefcase-sized nuclear bombs, and some of them were sold on the black market in the early 90's...
They're rather expensive, but it sounds to me like erasing that dump would be worth it.
Seriously... I've been to the TA that I think you're talking about -- on the west side, about 10 miles up The Hill? -- and there are two other truckstops at the same exit. Why didn't you just go next door? When s%#t service is the problem, things never get better...
DD

Answer:
Albuquerque has always sucked, the T/S and the town. I would stop at the t/s in Santa Rosa. they have a Subway, or the one of the T/S's in Gallup. The T/A in las cruces on I-10 ain't bad for showers, but along that stretch I usually had to stop there running from Dallas, since I don't like El Paso, either. I don't recall any good T/S's along I-10. I-40 has that Giant, and the Casinos further west. I would do Los Cruces, Gilroy, then LA, or I-40 Would do Santa Rosa or that one with the petrified dinosaur tree stuff across it, the Casinos, then Vegas or Henderson the north route up to Reno. Never liked Kingman, either, or Blythe.
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-StoneyJay Gould
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This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
It's the TA at the first exit going north on I-25 after crossing I-40. (Exit 227-A, Candelaria)
It's a fuel stop and I needed fuel, plus it was just a couple blocks from the next morning's consignee. Otherwise, I wouldn have stayed at the Flying J on the west end of town off 40.
But a nuclear bomb sounds like a good idea. I didn't even mention the couple dozen illegal hanging around who apparently jumped out of the back of a truck, or the greyhound lunch crowd....and the mothers and their kids that watch free movies during the day in the driver's lounge....

Answer:
Originally posted by Dominoes:
...or the one of the T/S's in Gallup...
For old-fashioned burger joint lovers:
About 2.5 miles east into town on the main street from the WESTside group of truckstops (go under the I-40 overpass), there's a Blake's hamburger stand that has excellent burgers, and some of the very best fries I've ever tasted. (Ask 'em to fry 'em two shades darker than usual. ) On the south side of the road, with parking room for big trucks. Enjoy.
DD

Answer:
I forgot about the J west of there. Did they finish the construction so you can get into the place, yet? Used to have to zig zag through and wind back to the T/A.
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
The construction is finished. You can take the Candelaria exit again and it puts you right in front. Getting out is easy again too -- just turn left from the exit, and at the next light go straight to 25-north, or turn left for 25-south or 40.

Answer:
Thanks for the vivid description. Sadly, there are even worse truck stops than that one out there, aren't there?
I guess not every truck stop can be Jubitz.

Answer:
As I got into my truck, I noticed the plastic bag I'd almost stepped on next to my step box was oozing human excrement.
...... you're joking right?

... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP...

Answer:
I avoid all the t/s`s around there and usually go to the casino 40 miles west of town, or maybe the J just west of town, on the hill going out of town. More hookers there than just about anywhere I`ve been.
fishman

Answer:
I avoid the Kingman Flying J at all costs - I used to live on the street that runs behind it (across the tracks), and I'd watch what a zoo it was (still is) - almost made me ashamed to even have a CDL.
The Petro and TA there aren't much better. When I run through there now, I favor the Pilot (North side of the street, across from the T/A at Exit 48/Beale St). Not as many amenities as the bigger ones, but it's quiet (no trains), never have seen a lizard there, and the little chinese joint (House of Chan) across the street is cheap and has great food.
The Beacon isn't so bad - just old and somewhat dilapidated. Several Mohave County Sheriff's Office deputies like to hang around there, so the illicit activities in the lot are kept to a minimum (or they used to be - haven't been there for 3 years)
I never have stopped at the Love's there, (it's new since I left town) but I hear good things about it compared to the others.

Answer:
I was there about a week ago, and have to agree. The place was crawling with skanky lizards, and cops.

Answer:
...... you're joking right?
No I'm not. We see bags of crap a lot. Some drivers create a porta-potty out of a c-store plastic bag, then just toss it out the window, I guess.
I've never been reduced to this level (yet) but if I had no other choice, I certainly wouldn't just throw it out on the street of parking lot...
The problem with the Albuquerque TA is they never pick-up their parking lot - and it doesn't rain there much to wash things down so you really have to watch where you walk....

Answer:
i think that you should print
this and send it directly to
high ranking t/a management and fast
thats the problem with us trk drivers,we take
too much and say nothing,we should
start writing,and stop saying it wont do a thing

TravelCenters of America
24601 Center Ridge Rd.
Suite 200
Westlake, OH 44145-5639
ED KUHN
President and CEO
Above all else, Ed believes that listening to customers is vital to the success of any TA endeavor. Under his direction, the company actively seeks customer feedback through market research activities, online surveys and other communications methods to help ensure that customer needs and expectations are addressed.
send it to him
I've smoked d___ and chewed rope
Fought, f___, farted, shot the moon and drove big trucks
I've been to Janesville Maine, Blain, Spain and Spokane
Been around the world twice, seen three world fairs
Seen man shot into space and goats screwing in the market place
BUT I ain't never seen anything like the stuff that goes on around this
place ......