Ghosts of truckstops past.

Back in the day,Bruces was the only TS in Bakersfield.On hwy 58 east of town.The 49'er in Suckatamato was originally a 76 in the old days.Was partnered with the long gone 76 in Winnemucca.You could rent snow chains at one to cross Donner,and return them at the other,good deal.

 

The TS in Cordelia,Ca. was a Texaco Terminal,one of my favorite TS's ever,clean place.Was leased to Consolidated Freigthways Special Commodities back then,we had a office there,great place to layover.There was a bar called Thompsons Corners,across the Interstate,and down the road aways.Was one of the craziest bars I ever hung at,and I've been in a few.One of the drivers bought an old 64 Chevy for our drivers to use when we were laid over,the agent paid the insurance on it,to keep us out of trouble.Any of the CF drivers could use it,but if you broke it you fixed it.If laid over on the weekends we would go to SF,Fishermans Wharf,Chinatown,ride the cable cars,lots to see and do.Sometimes we would go wine tasting at all the 1000's of wineries in the area,sometimes we would go to the drag races at Sonoma,right down the street.Or sometimes we would get creative and go watch mud wrestling young ladies at the bars in Vallejo.Just a great are to spend time on the board waiting your turn to load.One of our highest revenue offices,too.Not uncommon to go out of there with 5 figures revenue on your trailer headed back east.I don't give a dam what anybody says,these were the best days of trucking back then.

 

Am I the only one that remembers, when they pumped the fuel, we never thought about paying for coffee. . The free meal tickets, and the free showers at Burns Bros.?

 

In the old days,when you pulled into the fuel islands,there was usually a fuel jockey standing next to your cab,before you got your brakes set. He was looking for the thumbs up from you,that mean't "fill it". They would start the pumps going,clean all your windows and mirrors,and they would thump all your tires. Some truckstops even had pump captains,that would park your truck if so requested,while your inside getting coffee. Also back in the days,there was absolutely no such thing as bottled water. When you went in the diner,you'd take your coffee thermos and water jug. A good waitress filled both before you left,hot coffee,and ice water,no charge. And she got a good tip.

 

The ATA, The Trucking Alliance and the mega carriers is what happened.

 

Aladero's AKA Pantyhose Junction in Dunnigan, CA at I5 and Road 8, if memory serves. I still have some of the little stickers from there. I believe Pilot ran them out of business through some legal wrangling.

 

Speaking of fueling, the 76 in Frederick Maryland, there was a fuel boss at the desk (Manager) on certain days and nights, all I had to do was show up and start fueling. He sees who I am, gets the visual on the unit number company etc with a bino if necessary and has the ticket ready to sign for me. At the same time there was a older waitress named Mary, white haired from chemo who had my meal order depending on time of day waiting at my table by the time I finished the fueling and parked.

I am not boasting, it's just that it was my home stop and supplied much of my needs for much of my life to where the people knew me on sight. Eventually they learned what I do and pay for etc and when and always made ready. Sadly mary was taken by resurgence of cancer and buried not far away and eventually a costco takes the place of that truckstop.

Things went downhill the final year or so because the new owners bought it and did not allow the staff to maintain what vibe and energy they had all these years so it did not do well. I suppose the new owners were looking for a golden ticket rather than maintaining a proper stop.

 

Remember the days when the fuel desk would ask if we wanted the date put on the ticket?

 

Frederick 76 was decent,had the truckstop market cornered for a long time,back when there were no truckstops in Baltimore to speak of.Bill Walser and his family owned and ran it,good guy. Bought fuel and would get permits there on the way out of town.

 

Back in 1980 while I was in the Air Force stationed at Nellis north of vegas I worked part time at the old Huskey truck stop pumping fuel. Full service, windshields tires and check oil.
I have to laugh at these Loves with their tire check.