Pro's Of Companies With Lots Of Terminals?

I have only had lizards knock on my door twice. Both times, I called the truck stop and they said they would handle it. All I did was peek out my curtain and close the curtain. They got the message. Some truck stops smell worse than others. I never have a problem with parking due to planning. Driving dry van makes that easier than refer. Also, I rarely talk to anyone while at a truck stop. CFI has terminals in Joplin, Missouri , West Memphis, Arkansas, Laredo and Wilmer, Texas and Taylor, Michigan. We several drop yards and share terminals with Transport America. So we have many places to park around the country. Getting regular maintenance and repairs can be done at most TA/Petros, and Speed is around the country.

Would having a terminal near my house be any benefit? Will it help with home time? Or after I get some experience, leaving dry van and switching to regional or dedicated?

Can having a terminal close to your house hurt? I read a post where this guys company said if you live less than 250 miles you can not take your truck home and he was like 245. So he had to park his truck in the lot and find his own way home every home time.

I hear lot lizards are more or less a thing of the past or just not a frequent as they used to be, and not at every truck stop like people think. But read posts where guy have said they have been woken up 3 times a night by knocks on there door. Again few and far between probobly but that would drive me nuts !!!

Yes, heard about terminal rats and that's why people avoid terminals, but I just want a shower and a place to park. I am not a people person so rats dont affect me, I dont engage.

I hear lot lizards are more or less a thing of the past or just not a frequent as they used to be, and not at every truck stop like people think. But read posts where guy have said they have been woken up 3 times a night by knocks on there door. Again few and far between probobly but that would drive me nuts !!!

Maybe a magnetic sign would help

"If you wake me, I will dump a pi** jug on your head". Whether you actually have one or not is immaterial, the thought might just be enough to make them slink away quietly.

Personally I always avoided terminals like the plague. I would rather be anywhere else.

They tend to be a massive waste of time because you always seem to get caught up in something. For one, there tends to be a million trucks there all waiting on freight, so it can be tough getting out of there sometimes. Then it triggers everything imaginable in the computer - you have some computer training modules to complete, you need to go for a drug test, we need to do a safety review, we want you to meet so-and-so, the shop wants to check out your truck, etc.

ugh!!! Just give me the next load assignment and leave me alone!

No, I don't think being near terminals will benefit you much, if at all. In my entire career I never lived near a company terminal , and in fact never worked for an OTR company with a terminal anywhere near my home state. I was glad for that.

Personally I always avoided terminals like the plague. I would rather be anywhere else.

I was going to say this very thing.

Terminals are the last place I want to be. They hijack your truck, your load, your trailer, etc. So & so driver needs a repower. As long as you're there, they wanna do an early PM on the truck. But the shop is running behind, so let's give your load to someone else while you wait. There's just too much potential for delay at a terminal , in my opinion. I prefer to run.

I can handle myself at the hundreds of thousands of truck stops across the country. And with a company as large as mine, I have access to any repair/maintenance services I need wherever I am, and those issues are usually handled in a fraction of the time it takes at a terminal.

I managed to avoid a terminal for 3 months recently. It was heaven lol.

I think it’s important to keep in mind there’s a big difference between a terminal and what some companies (like Schneider) call Operating Centers. While I sometimes use the word terminal to describe a Schneider OC, I’ve never experienced the problems (@ Schneider OC’s) that Brett and Turtle have at their terminals.

I hope this helps.

ugh!!! Just give me the next load assignment and leave me alone!

I think it’s important to keep in mind there’s a big difference between a terminal and what some companies (like Schneider) call Operating Centers. While I sometimes use the word terminal to describe a Schneider OC, I’ve never experienced the problems (@ Schneider OC’s) that Brett and Turtle have at their terminals.

I hope this helps.

Ha! Sounds just like me at my job right now! "Give me my assignment and Leave me alone". Another reason why I want to get in to trucking, sick of working for and around people.

Yes, Schneiders website is where I first discovered that terminals are actually places drivers can park and use the facilities over night. Some good input, thanks guys. 4 out of my 6 picks for companys have lots of terminals so if it turns out I like using them sometimes, great! If not I can just stay away and it won't affect me.

Yeah agree with Steve. Never had any of those issues at Schneider OC's was always left alone. It will vary by company.

I think it’s important to keep in mind there’s a big difference between a terminal and what some companies (like Schneider) call Operating Centers. While I sometimes use the word terminal to describe a Schneider OC, I’ve never experienced the problems (@ Schneider OC’s) that Brett and Turtle have at their terminals.

I hope this helps.

Yeah I was specifically referring to our 3 terminals. We have yards and OCs across the country, and I never have an issue at those either.

Susan D.... I totally agree!

Terminal rats are everywhere. I only go to a terminal if I need my truck serviced or I have no other convenient choice for parking.