I-64 EX 136 IN VA - Gordonsville-Palmyra - WalMart DC/Store - Taxi/Shuttle Needed?

So if anyone remembers my more recent postings, I have had to bring my rather short career to an end due to health issues. In a nutshell, I knew I would have issues with allergies (particularly cigarette smoke - CANNOT be around it) when I got my CDL in 2013, but I thought I could make it work by minimizing my time outside of the truck. However, in late 2016, I had bronchitis for six weeks out of eight I was on the road, and took time off in early 2017 to to see what could be done.

In mid-2017, I was diagnosed with chronic allergic asthma (layman's terms, 75-95% of the air I breathe is potentially toxic to me). Even though the doctors say I could qualify for disability, I'd rather at least TRY to work, as full disability does not afford comfortable living, and partial does not supply or allow enough income to be worth it. Thus, I am considering offering a taxi/shuttle service around the truck stop/rest area off of exit 136, east of Charlottesville. I live about 5-6 miles away.

Here are the basics. Virginia has three sections of Interstate 64, and it appears that the Wal-Mart here is one of perhaps two places a driver can get groceries, toiletries and other essentials, between Staunton, VA (I64 MM 87, I-81 MM's 219-222) and Richmond, VA (I64 MM's 183-192, I95 MM's 67-84). The other, in Charlottesville, is somewhat semi-friendly, but parking is quite limited there. In my experience, there really isn't much else on the other two VA sections of I64, and I haven't seen much on I95 apart from truck stops. 136 is really more of a rest area behind a fuel station with truck-friendly diesel islands.

It has space for approximately 65 trucks (for drivers that can park straight), and there is a small diner nearby that has a gravel lot, with room for a few as well. Diner is not open 24 hrs, so access to facilities there is limited. NOTE: Apart from parking, I do NOT recommend this diner for food at this time, as it recently failed a health department inspection.

A laundromat is nearby, as well as a hotel. Truck stop has two shower rooms, they are $8 last I checked. Only Burger King, McDonald's, and Red's are within reasonable walking distance. The aforementioned diner could be walked, I suppose, but it's a stretch. Red's is in the truck stop, but not 24-hr. (See attached area map)



As we all know, Wal-Mart, as of late, has generally been temperamental about overnight parking. This one has gone to the point of installing clearance bars to keep trucks out. As a former driver, I can't say I care for this practice, but it has occurred to me that my services might be of more use here than I originally thought. In addition to cell phone, I plan to install a CB and monitor a channel (likely not 19, to keep it clear), which will be on flyers in the fuel station and lettered on the vehicle windows. Last I checked, the fax machine in the fuel station was on extended hiatus, so I am looking into a way to send faxes through my mobile wi-fi hotspot.

As of this writing, I have thought of offering flat-rates to area restaurants for food runs and Wal-Mart for groceries and other essentials. PRICES ARE NOT SET AT THIS TIME, but I'm thinking in the range of $10-12 round-trip for Wal-Mart runs, other trips similarly priced. For those doing a restart and in need of some R&R, I could also offer flat-rates to Charlottesville, which also has car rental, airport, Greyhound, and Amtrak for trainers with students that are lost causes.

I have a Chevrolet Venture van, with room for 6-7 passsengers, luggage and groceries. NON-SMOKING, clean vehicle. Remember, I am doing this to avoid cigarette smoke, so I ask that any patrons respect this and refrain from smoking before pickup. My asthma is highly sensitive to smoke and even the lingering odor is a problem for me.

Feel free to respond if you have suggestions or to let me know that would use this service in this area if it were available. I am still in the process of getting things together, but I hope to be up and running in a week or two.

 

I've considered that, too, but exposure to cigarette smoke would be a problem, I know people would approach with cigarettes lit, as well as light cigarettes while waiting for their food. Prolonged exposure to open air is a problem for me, from more than one standpoint. Also, as the Shell nearby has its own deli, methinks they might not be too keen on the idea.

 

Obviously, people don't get it, or just aren't reading. I have asthma that makes me extremely sensitive to cigarette smoke, to the point even slight exposure can make me sick. It has made me sick from 100-150 feet away, documented. Therefore, this would not be a request, it would be a requirement. My vehicle, my rules. Paying customer or not, no one smokes in or near my vehicle. Period.

What most of you do not understand is that there is a lingering cloud of fumes that hangs in the area for a good bit after the smoke itself has disappeared, invisible to anyone else, but does trigger asthma. Many a time I have walked into such invisible clouds of fumes that made me choke.

Also, OTHER customers will ride in the vehicle once PREVIOUS customers have gotten where they need to go. Not everyone is okay with a lingering odor of smoke, and it's not easily gotten rid of. Why do you think rental car companies charge $250 for cleaning if you smoke the vehicle up?

That's half the reason smoking is no longer allowed indoors in a lot of places - the other half is that smokers generally have no respect for other people's space, as evidenced in this comment...

Food for thought -- If you can't refrain from smoking for 15 minutes or so in consideration of other people, you have a lot bigger problem than how often you need to smoke.

Also consider that I don't have to depend on this particular area for business, but it is a lot closer to home than the next alternative. As a former commercial driver, I am trying to provide a service most of you could use in this area.

There aren't a lot of truck-friendly places to buy groceries and such in Virginia's I64 corridor, and one of the few places available is making it harder for trucks to park. *shrugs* If this is such a hard condition to meet, then I can always work the next town and not bother.

 

Nope, not really. A couple places you can park, but you better be on top of your game getting back out unless you take off before the lot fills up. At least at this place you can park easily and catch a ride if necessary (and available).

 

Unfortunately, also outdoors and potential exposure to cigarette smoke. I had considered that, but ultimately, the taxi idea is the least problematic, at least the way I see it.

Agreed.

And that's the problem. Being outside is a whole other can of worms. I have other allergies besides the smoke, and it doesn't help with the smoke anyway. It creates fumes that can't be seen, which have made me sick from 150 feet away when the wind is right. Completely unpredictable. The problem is that I stand to get about $700 a month on full disability, out of which I'll be paying $300 or more a month just for Medicaid or Medicare, whichever applies.

That's before breathing treatment medications, about $400 a month alone. SSI/partial disability isn't even an option, $350 a month and I can only earn $10k a year. Any way you slice it, there's no way I can live on $400 or less a month. Between a rock and a hard place here. Just trying to play the sh-tty hand I've been dealt and not just give up. Even if disability would allow me enough to live on, I'd rather TRY to work than just suck off the system. Too many do that just because they can get it - not necessarily because they really NEED it.