Flying J Visa Feedback

A couple of weeks ago we mentioned that Flying J truck stops are no longer allowing the use of VISA cards in their truck fueling lanes. We've asked the Flying J media folks for a comment on the matter and while we haven't yet received any official comment from them as to why this is so, a former long-haul driver offers a suggestion:

Since most commercial truckers don't use VISA to fill up their rigs, it may be a move on the big petrol company's part to discourage RVers from fueling on the truck islands. The fact that the J folks are still taking VISA on the RV islands seems to lend credence to this thinking. But as our commentator observes, "If there are several RV's backed up and most of the truck islands are empty, the idea seems kind of silly."

Still, truck stop etiquette applies: If you're fueling in the truck islands, pull ahead in the lane and park far enough ahead that another big rig can roll into the pumps and begin fueling before you go inside to pay. In a similar vein, if you're parking in a truck stop or rest area, using a pull-through spot, park so that the rear of your rig is fairly close to the end of the parking spot. Since most of our rigs are shorter than an 18-wheeler, if we pull too far ahead an in-bound trucker may not know the space is occupied, since you'll likely be hidden from his view by the rig in the next spot. By the time the driver finds you parked their, he's already begun his turn into the same spot.

Flying J Visa Fueling Fouled

We just received a post from the Escapees Club, that national organization of fulltime RVers. Seems some of the membership has suddenly raised a squawk concerning fueling problems at Flying J truck stops.

For those with the BIG rigs who go run with the big dogs out in the truck islands, VISA cards have suddenly become anathema to the Flying J folks. The sad part for one couple, was they didn't learn this until after they'd completed a really BIG fillup. Happily they didn't have to wash dishes in the restaurant to pay for their fuel: The company allowed them to purchase a Flying J "gift card" and then run the gift card to pay for their fuel.

According to the e-mail from Escapees, this VISA prohibition doesn't apply to fueling up at the auto or RV fueling islands, only in the big truck lanes. Still the hassle of having to swipe your card more than once if making a big purchase can be a headache.

Photo: Image Public Domain 2007 courtesy of Bear69designS