November 2, 2011 - 5:53 pm
You and I know it as Flying J, those big gas-and-diesel-and-something-to-eat establishments that crop up along our interstates. They cater to big rigs, which gives me a certain comfort level, and I’ve always favored them…rest areas, you can watch the ball game and take a break. You know, real America.
Turns out the full name is Pilot Flying J, and a guy from the company, prompted by my post about how well Sears treats its guys in uniform, sent this to Glenn Reynolds, who has thereby earned yet another tip of the derby:
Pilot Flying J also offers full differential pay and benefits for anyone who leaves employment for active/reserve military service. Here is the background story, which I think says a LOT about the family who owns Pilot.I walked into the office of the CEO, Jimmy Haslam, on September 12th, 2001 and told him we would likely have a number of employees called to service in the light of the attacks of the prior day. (I was/am in the HR department for Pilot and am also a veteran so I was looking at this with dual interests.) I told him about our obligations under USERRA RE holding positions, etc., but that in some cases the military pay and benefits would fall short of Pilot pay. Jimmy said, without hesitation, “Make anyone like that whole.” This sounds reflexively patriotic, and it is. More remarkable to the people who know well our CEO, is that he did not ask for one byte of data, not one report on numbers of EEs it would impact, possible financial effect, etc. If you know our CEO, the fact that he would make such an immediate decision reflects upon his regard for the military and his instinct to do, as we say in Pilot “The right thing.”We need to publicize employers who are so civic minded.
ME: Indeed. And so we are.
Thank you, Flying J. Thank you, Michael Ledeen.
Keep it up, please. I really enjoy voting with my dollars and my feet.
I always preferred Flying J stops during my frequent trips to the southern states. After reading this, I like them even more. It’s nice to see a place that actually cares about our service people, and proves it through their actions, not just hollow words…
I’ve never been to flying j but I’ll be appreciative of them if someone can tell me they are different from all the other highway rest stops that get away with price gouging because they have a captive audience on the highways … or if someone can explain why highway rest stops that charge such high prices aren’t price gouging. Are their costs higher than their competitors off the highway exits?
I don’t see the comparison to Walmart. Walmart serves the shopping public offering low prices with razor thin margins for themselves. Supporting our troops is a sacrifice, on the other hand … a highway rest stop? … it seems to me they ought to do something public spirited, they can afford it.
If the mafia supported our troops, would that induce to go out of your way to help the mafia?
As I said I’ve never been to flying j, if they aren’t gouging then someone can contradict me below and explain it.
Thanks,
There is no such thing as price gouging, only supply and demand. Truck stops do have higher costs, they’re usually outside major population areas, so everything from gas to food to trinkets to employees have to be transported further. Also, gas immediately adjacent to the interstate has more value than gas 5-10 miles out of the way, especially to the long-haul truckers who are the target customers. The truck stops provide a service and deserve to be compensated for it.
I have only seen a few Flying J stations near where I live and they are very competitive on price, frequently lower than the other fuel stations if you pay cash. On toll highways there is limited access to the road and companies that serve the travelers with gas and diesel may need to pay extra to the state for access and then have a partial monopoly. None of the Flying J Travel Centers I have seen were on turnpikes and thus had to compete for business.
lol…LOL…LOL …ROTFLMAO..*wipes the tears from his eyes* Oh god that’s FUNNY. I’ve worked for walmart anonymous boy. They raise their prices to anywhere between 50-200% over what they actually pay, per unit for items, depending on cost/expense I KNOW. I worked for them a couple years ago. Don’t tell me about razor thin profit margins.
…oops it was sears not walmart, forget that bit…
I demand more stories like this. We need a buycott* of good companies. *(opposite of boycott)
“we need a buycott of good companies” indeed
The Haslam family of Pilot Travel Centers boasts Bill Haslam as Tennessee’s present governor.
Whenever we visit the in-laws, we always stop at the local Flying J for gas on the way back because it’s cheaper than at home. I also made use of Pilot on a recent visit south. It’s nice to know I was patronizing the right company (and will continue to do so).