How many times have you been stuck waiting to fuel- or trying to leave- after fueling, but are left sitting in the fuel island, for up to fifteen minutes or more, while someone is doing something other than fueling?
The fuel island is for fueling, washing your windshield, adding oil, coolant or any number of maintenance tasks, but it’s defiantly not for taking your half-hour breaks.
There are so many options for the 30-minute break other than sitting in the fuel island.
Many drivers come in the fuel island and take showers, or go in and get a table and eat, while drivers are stuck in the fuel island behind them waiting to fuel. This has become a big problem lately.
Park the truck. If you can’t park, go to a rest area.
Be respectful of, not only other drivers, but for the business of the truck stop. It is a business, and we are invited in to rest, eat, fuel, shower, get supplies, etc.., not to block or hinder the fuel islands.
After you do fuel, PLEASE pull forward, making sure the truck behind you can pull forward enough to reach his/her tanks. This gives the truck behind you the opportunity to fuel while you run in to settle up any business you have. If it takes more than ten minutes, then you should really park the truck in the parking lot- not in the fuel island.
It only takes an extra min to do so.
For those who have not pulled refrigerated trailers, or just don’t think about other type of equipment that’s out there, refer’s need fuel and must pull forward approximately 15 to 20 feet more than those who don’t run refrigerated trailers. Not to mention, the E-Log clock that is tick, tick, ticking down.
As we all know, some truck stops do not have enough help to assist everyone in a timely manner, and we are all forced to take more time inside than we had hoped. Bring these issues up with management or corporate, and let the clerks know when someone is just sitting and blocking the islands. Nothing changes without action.
Trucking is not just a profession it’s a way of life.
Follow this link to read more Ms. Manners trucking etiquette tips.