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Jack R · 05-11-2010, 11:20 AM

ATVr

If a ranger noticed anything like that, they would probably think the bears were shooting a tv commerical.

jack

Brigadoon · 05-11-2010, 11:30 AM

Not trying to start an argument, but what principle are we taking about? The right to dump your stuff on someone elses property for free?

Gary - K7GLD · 05-11-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATVr

For those that liked the food at the FJs, kiss it bye-bye with the Pilot takeover. I have an acquaintance that is a trained chef who was paid by FJ to survey FJs all over the country and keep the food tasty. A few months back he (and his partner) were terminated because Pilot had taken over FJ. Clearly, things are headed downhill at the FJs. BTW: the day I have to pay $5 to dump is the day I sell my TT. Fortunately, there are several private places to dump around here and while the State of WA has cut a few dump stations, there are enough left to plan around. It's not the $5... it's the principle. Hm... I wouldn't do it, but I wonder if the rangers are seeing more signs of black water dumping in the forests?

YUP - as I commented earlier:

Quote:

Totally lost in all the above, is the FACT that Flying J was quite recently bought out and taken over by Pilot - and I, for one, suggested that we would soon be seeing an erosion of services and attractions we all have enjoyed from Flying J in the past - as the new management slowly DEgrades services to Pilot's level - NOT raise Pilot's quality up to Flying J, as some of the Pollyanna types were suggesting.

We've all now seen the first shoe drop - there WILL be more to follow - count on it!

We're not Walmart or similar freebee, no-facility RVers, so dumping charges have never been an issue for us, but we HAVE enjoyed the clean, well maintained facilities FJ provided. And yeah, their fuel prices were not always the lowest, but their other attractions helped make up the difference,

We mourn the circumstances that caused FJ to be taken over by Pilot - circumstances caused FAR more by an unfortunate upper-level fuel buying decision that essentially bankrupted them, not particularly the free RV dumping or clean facilities.

The traditional FJ method of operation will be missed, as they steadily erode down to Pilot's level.

RIP! :(

Gary - K7GLD · 05-11-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigadoon

Not trying to start an argument, but what principle are we taking about? The right to dump your stuff on someone elses property for free?

This is not particularly ABOUT a "principal" - and CERTAINLY not about a "right"...

It IS about noting the disappearance of a free added attraction traditionally provided by a facility commonly used by many RVers. FJ/Pilot has EVERY "right" to charge as much as they choose to provide an RV dump - or to eliminate it completely - just as WE, have the similar "right" to take our business elsewhere...

HD4Mark · 05-11-2010, 12:19 PM

You can bet that as long as they allow RVers to stay overnight for free, it will be crowded in the RV parking area.We stop every year going back and forth from NY to Fl. They are close to the highway for a quick stop for some rest and have everything you need. We like the fact that there are lots of other RV there compared to a rest stop that is who knows.

Have never used the dump station but it was nice to know it is there. $5 doesn't bother me if we were ever stuck and wanted to empty.

I also hope this isn't a sign of FJ becoming less RV friendly

ATVr · 05-11-2010, 12:30 PM

Brigadoon: the "principle" I had in mind is that businesses attract customers in whatever way they deem appropriate. I have no problem with FJ charging to dump. As has been said, I also don't have a problem with people going to places that DO offer free dumps. It's called marketing. There are a lot of places to buy fuel. I've never found FJs to be all that cheap on fuel, but I would patronize one particular place because it had free dumps. Hooters food isn't all that great, but they know how to attract folks. Male folks anyway. Since the beginning of businesses, it is a fundamental idea that people can go lots of places to get fuel. Unless a station has something to make it at least slightly more attractive than another, what reason is there for RVrs to stop there? There is an RV parts store in my town that has a dump. Guess where I buy parts? If FJs just want to turn into another gas station, fine. I'll just keep going straight. No, my 50 gallons won't break them, but if enough folks start skipping their locations, there might be a problem. Yes, keeping a dump station open - when the world is littered with morons - can cost some bucks. But, in the grand scheme of things, it seems to me to be a pretty cheap "come hither." Putting back attendants to check tires, oil, clean windshields etc. would be nice, but much too expensive. A hole in the ground seems a good compromise.

Dick & Pat · 05-11-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadbluesman

Never use them.... Fly away, Flying J.....

DITTO...too scary...'fraid we'll get run over

plot4 · 05-11-2010, 03:16 PM

If you are so against a $5.00 to use a businesses dump station then take it home with you. What are you going to do then, pump it in the next door neighbors yard?
FREE-- FREE-- FREE If you can't afford to pay to dump then GO HOME.

Bill Adams · 05-11-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATVr

For those that liked the food at the FJs, kiss it bye-bye with the Pilot takeover. I have an acquaintance that is a trained chef who was paid by FJ to survey FJs all over the country and keep the food tasty. A few months back he (and his partner) were terminated because Pilot had taken over FJ. Clearly, things are headed downhill at the FJs. BTW: the day I have to pay $5 to dump is the day I sell my TT. Fortunately, there are several private places to dump around here and while the State of WA has cut a few dump stations, there are enough left to plan around. It's not the $5... it's the principle. Hm... I wouldn't do it, but I wonder if the rangers are seeing more signs of black water dumping in the forests?

Yes, it appears that the plan for Flying J is to replace as many Cookery's with Denny's. Strangely enough, this is a business just interested in making money. Shame on them! Trying to follow the American dream and all of that. Maybe it would have been better to let Flying J fold and leave all of those workers out of work. Yeah, I can see where that would have been better.
I am sorry to hear that you will be selling your TT in the near future. Every single time you park your RV in a paid campground you are also paying for the privilege to dump! I hope I didn't just burst your bubble since it sounds like you thought you have been dumping and filling for free all of these years. I guess I better not tell you the truth about the Easter Bunny either.

StStg1 · 05-11-2010, 03:32 PM

I've never used FJ's dump. However, I have fueled there and eaten in their restaurant. I don't see a problem with paying the $5 fee if you have to dump. I try to ake advantage of the CG dump or if close to home I use the convient sewer cleanout in my yard. As far as FJ going downhill, I'll wait and see.

Chuck 1935 · 05-11-2010, 03:39 PM

80 posts about s--t. Now thats truly remarkable. Also there have been 2,263 people interested in other folks s--t ! IS THIS A WONDERFUL WORLD OR WHAT ??

Bill Adams · 05-11-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

80 posts about s--t. Now thats truly remarkable. Also there have been 2,263 people interested in other folks s--t ! IS THIS A WONDERFUL WORLD OR WHAT ??

Strangely enough, this appears to be the first s--tty post in the thread. The rest are just folks posting opinions. Are you suggesting that we should keep our opinions to ourselves? I don't think that's going to happen on any forum anywhere!

Kayjulia · 05-11-2010, 04:46 PM

Miffed at having to pay to dump my tanks. Then as I read the posts and I thought it over I came to different conclusion.

First $5.oo isn't much, compared to what some folks want to charge you for using their dump facilities the highest I was asked to pay was $15.00 ! I thought that was a bit out of line and I found somewhere else to dump. Flying J and other truck stops are in business to make money any way they can and someone in the Corp thought this was a way to add to the bottom line. This happens alll over, many years ago state parks were free, very few are now. I'll pay the fee if I need to and I won't give the employees any grief about it, because they don't make the rules and they get enough BS from the public as it is as well as management.
I am sorry to see the restaurants being turned over to Denny's. I liked the Flying J restaurnats and always got good service there, I am going to miss them. However I have a MH I can have dinner to my liking anywhere.
I jus hope the Flying Js stay RV friendly, cause that make travel easier for me on the interstate system. If they don't there are other places to park for the night and enjoy my dinner catch a few ZZZZs and be on my way no sense getting my knickers in a wad over such a small thing.

Chuck 1935 · 05-11-2010, 05:00 PM

Hi Bill,
Just enjoying all of the posts. Just meant as humor that all. Thats what I truly enjoy about irv2. Everyone has an opinion and it is interesting to see how they feel about different subjects. Some I agree with and some I don't, but life is too short to get wadded up over such trivial stuff. I hope my sense of humor doesn't offend anyone. I don't intend it to.