Trucking Matters
Time is of the essence at TA

Time equals miles equals money. That's the simple formula that truckers live by. If you aren't rolling, you aren't making money.

I'm Ed Kuhn, the president and chief executive officer of TravelCenters of America. I spend a lot of time visiting our 160 locations and talking with you about how we can improve our services. "We hate to wait" is one message that comes through loud and clear.

At TA, it's our job to see that you can get in, get what you need and get on down the road with a minimum of waiting.

That starts the minute you pull in. Our high-volume satellite pumps are among the fastest in the industry, so you can fill up quickly. And our automated Pronto Pay system lets you enter payment information at the pump, so when you've finished pumping fuel, you can just sign the receipt and go.

If you're staying for a meal, we offer you the buffets and fast, friendly service in one of our full-service restaurants, or you can grab a quick bite at one of our quick-service restaurants, such as Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits, Pizza Hut, Burger King or Subway. Most TAs have at least three popular fast-food choices, so you've got lots of variety.

If all you want are a snack and a beverage, our travel stores offer fresh hot coffee, sodas, fruit, pastries, hot dogs, sandwiches, and a host of other eat-on-the-go items.

In the past few months, we've worked hard to reduce waiting for showers for TA RoadKing Club™ members at select TA locations. Some members can reserve a shower at the TA RoadMile Marker™ kiosk just by swiping their cards. The kiosk assigns numbers and when their numbers are called, they swipe their cards through the new card locks on the shower doors.

We also save you time when it comes to maintenance or repairs. TA locations have roadside assistance and 24-7 shops, so you can get service when you need it. You can also call ahead toll-free at 1-800-TA4-SHOP (800-824-7467) and schedule an appointment.

Finally, our Web site, www.tatravelcenters.com, provides fuel price and road condition information to help you plan your route.

'Truckstop Granny' Leads the Way at Buffalo

Pat fiX doesn't mind that her younger co-workers at the Buffalo, N.Y., TA call her the Truck Stop Granny. "I act like their grandmother because I holler at them when they eat too much, drink too much and don't save their money," says Fix. Filling the racks as the Road Crew member is just one her duties. Fix calls herself the extra-helper, pitching in on the fuel desk, in the store and wherever she's needed. Though she was only looking for temporary work when she started at the old 76 truckstop 13 years ago, Fix decided to stick around as her responsibilities grew. "I'm never bored because I do so many different things," she says.

Hear RoadKing.com on 'Midnight Cowboy'

'ExtraMiles' Good At Select TAs for Meal Discounts

Starting in March, the TA RoadKing Club™ is introducing RoadKing Club ExtraMiles. ExtraMiles are different from the standard RoadKing Club RoadMiles™ club members earn every time they buy fuel: ExtraMiles are temporary bonus miles that are redeemable for specific, limited TA offerings.

From March 1 through March 31, each RoadMile earned by a TA RoadKing Club™ member will be matched with one ExtraMile. ExtraMiles earned during March 2002 are good for 60 days from date of issuance and can be redeemed only for meals at TA's restaurants nationwide.

"This is a great opportunity for the more than 400,000 TA RoadKing Club™ members to sample the new menu choices waiting for them at our restaurants," said TA President and CEO Ed Kuhn.

New Dallas South TA Has Lots of Experience.

By Shannon Scully

The new dallas south TA was scheduled to open on Sept. 11. But as the country came to a standstill that morning after the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., Dallas business was disrupted as well, and General Manager Scot Fishburn decided to push the opening back a few days. When the Dallas South TA welcomed its first visitor on Sept. 13, the staff was ready to go.

Where: I-20 and I-635, Exit 472 Phone: (469) 941-3450 Fax: (469) 941-3158 Parking: 178 spaces Services: ProntoPay Satellite pumps Showers Travel store Mrs. B's Pantry Burger King Permit services Weigh scales Emergency road service 3 service bays Freightliner ServicePoint(SM)

"We were pleased with our opening," says Fishburn, who has managed another Dallas-metro TravelCenter of America location.

Several of the assistant managers also come from other TAs, so the staff at the new location is full of people who know how to run a smooth establishment. Located on the busy I-20 East/West corridor, the Dallas South TA is one of three "proto-lite" facilities in the TA network. It's a little smaller than a normal TA but offers the same 24-hour truck maintenance and fuel services as any other location.

With 12 Exxon-brand gas pumps, the Dallas South TA also has a steady stream of neighborhood customers. Downtown Dallas is just 15 miles north of the location. In addition to a Burger King, the new TA also has new restaurant concept. Mrs. B's Pantry offers a country-style breakfast, lunch and dinner in an easy to-go format. While there is seating in the restaurant, you can just as easily pick up a to-go box of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots, says Wendy Phelps, an assistant manager in the restaurant.

Though Phelps is fairly new to the trucking industry, she enjoys the opportunity to meet new and interesting people every day.

"Just today, I met someone from South Alabama," says Phelps. "Drivers are from so many different places, and they all have unique stories. I really enjoy the people."

Christopher Williams, who manages the store, also likes getting to work with customers.

As manager of the convenience store and the travel shop, Williams makes sure the Dallas South TA is stocked with a wide array of goods for truckers and motorists.

"This is a very rewarding job," says Williams, who worked at the Rockwall, Texas, TA before moving to Dallas. "But I like working with the public and making sure that their needs are met."

Another TA veteran on the team at the Dallas South location is Santiago "Jim" Cordoba, the shop manager who worked almost two years at the Amarillo TA , 385 miles from Dallas.

Cordoba is happy to be at a brand-new location and is enjoying the challenges that come with opening a new location.

"I came from a shop with grease on the floor to a brand-new shop," he says. "We've made lot of progress here, and this team is doing great work."

Cordoba loves his job, and he loves working for TA too.

"The bottom line is that TA is interested in your advancement with the company. It's a great company to work for," he says.