Deseret News | Flying J to merge with Pilot Travel

Reader comments
Flying J to merge with Pilot Travel

Jim | 10:30 a.m. July 14, 2009

Pilot is headquartered in TENNESSEE....not Kentucky.

Hero of Canton | 12:56 p.m. July 14, 2009

Why does this feel like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic?

I worked for Flying J and their companies for 6+ years until I was laid off in May and they always talked about how things were fine and how they didn't need help...my how times have changed.

Hmm... | 1:02 p.m. July 14, 2009

Wonder what this means longterm for those employees at the Corporate office in Ogden.

Comments continue below

duh | 2:19 p.m. July 14, 2009

Maybe now the J will have a 'pilot' that knows how to keep flying since they couldn't do it by themselves

Anonymous | 2:35 p.m. July 14, 2009

Kudos to Flying J for figuring out a way to pay their debts instead of settling in court for a fraction of what they owe, which was an option they legally could have pursued.

Re: Anon | 3:03 p.m. July 14, 2009

Kudos to Flying J?

I feel bad for the call family. Having had to watch J's business turn south under the direction of Phil. Wonder how much that fella pocketed.

Bear Laker | 3:15 p.m. July 14, 2009

Jim!!! It says Tennesee!!!!!!!

Re: Bear Laker | 4:15 p.m. July 14, 2009

It said Kentucky when they originally posted it this morning.

duh | 4:25 p.m. July 14, 2009

Hmm asked:Wonder what this means longterm for those employees at the Corporate office in Ogden.

Well, IF the corporate offices for Flying J/Pilot are combined in Tennessee it would seem they would be unemployed if not asked to relocate. Sad for all Flying J employees.

wolf | 10:53 p.m. July 14, 2009

working for flying J,I welcome the change,all these budget and hours cut are taking its toll on the plazas,maybe some new "blood" from pilot will be just whats needed.Cystal has done an excellent job of trying to put a huge mess back in to order,her dad if alive would be the proudest.Hope both companies dont forget who makes or breaks them,that being the customers and the lowest paid employees.we work any hours,anytime dealing to solve problems,while Flying J headquarters is closed at night,weekends and holidays.Only real fear I have for the nation is this turns into a monopoly,which never works

Beth | 8:02 a.m. July 15, 2009

Does this mean the new company will re-open the restaurants that were closed?

Another Ut co gone | 8:40 a.m. July 15, 2009

It is said to see another Utah company go. I don't know what is going on that we can't keep ownership of any large company within the state.

Flying J was such a great story from the small assortment of gas stations under founder Jay Call to the nationwide network of travel plazas, oil exploration, transportation, refining and its financial bank and insurance business that Phil grew. Until it all went bust.

I hope they find another way to keep at least some ownership here.

Re: Wolf | 9:21 a.m. July 15, 2009

..so you think the Corporate office should stay open 24 hours, just in case you need to call them with your problems? You are a big boy, you are employed to figure it out. Don't worry, they'll be back at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow to hold your hand.

duh | 3:12 p.m. July 15, 2009

Re Beth: I believe that Pilot has only fast food restaurants so they probably won't reopen the closed Flying J---I'm wondering if they will make all Flying J fast foods too. What happened to the restaurants when they took over Williams truck stops?

CA Reader | 5:25 p.m. July 15, 2009

Flying J was born out of the ruins of Husky Oil Company. Husky was a company that thrived under the direction of its founder, Glen Neilsen. Only when his son took over the management of the company did the family lose control of the business. Funny how history seems to be repeating itself.

Print the truth | 6:12 p.m. July 15, 2009

You took down my comment. I spoke the truth... Something I guess you cannot handle. Phil Adams ran this company into the ground. He pocketed millions right before declaring bankruptcy. (min 7 million) Look for yourself. Cashed in his stock and laughed all the way to the bank..I believe they call this insider trading. Again, J we love you dearly sorry for letting you down. A dictator if left in control cannot be stopped. Utah wakeup. You have been left with no jobs, no future and loads of debt.

Ruins of Husky Oil? | 6:17 p.m. July 15, 2009

Not really.

Flying J had been in business for 15 years, with multimillion dollar defense contracts and a 1980 $31 million purchase of Canadian refineries.

It wasn't until six years later (1986), than they bought out Husky Oil (which DID triple their resources and income).

But Jay started with the gas station in Willard Utah that he bought from a family member.

S. Andrew Zaelit | 11:01 p.m. July 15, 2009

I worked for Flying J for 4 years and I know personally that Crystal values her employees. She is a hard worker who made the best of a bad situation. While I had my own personal disagreements with Phil Adams it is hardly fair to lay this failure 100% at his feet. There was also a corporate board in the pilot house along with Mr. Adams. When I left the company in December 2006 there were rumblings of financial uncertainty especially in the restaurant division. The DM's did their best to ease fears, at least mine did. In the end when the full scope of the damage was known this eventuality was unavoidable. Crystal is about keeping as many employees working as possible and this agreement does that. I recently visited two of the three travel plazas I personally managed and that had their restaurants closed, it was heart breaking. I hope all of my friends and former colleagues weather the storm. I pray for one small Wyoming town that depends on Flying J for more than just gas/diesel. I wish Crystal and the company good luck. Flying J was a great employer that allowed me to grow.

Ron | 6:21 p.m. July 16, 2009

Pilot is remodling sevrel of ther travel plaza's taking out the fast food and replacing them with Denneys

Carl | 2:27 p.m. July 17, 2009

As a long haul trucker I can say that nation wide Flying J restaurants had the worst food I have ever tasted. Any fast food will be better.

Anonymous | 8:51 a.m. July 18, 2009

then you have'nt ate at the j's in checotah ok. i can only speak for myself, i'm a line cook have been for 5 years and if i will not eat it, i would never sent it to someone else to eat. sometimes we get busy, but i still try my best to put the presentation of my plates look as good as i hope they taste if not sent it back and i will try it again and hope it pleases you. you the customers are why i have a job. thanks. i love my job and take pride in it.

J.J | 7:23 p.m. July 18, 2009

We as Flying j employees will continue to support our leadership and the decisions they make, this company has given us the tools to support ourselves and our families. If we all lift together the load will be lighter God Bless Flying J.

Re: Andrew | 2:57 p.m. July 20, 2009

Your comments are very insightful and I think very realistic. Though Phil has most of the blame here I think that while we are all praising Crystal and feel bad for the Call family. Was there not a board? Who was on the board (a Harvard graduate maybe), why wasn't there more questions asked or more checks and balances done by the board? This did not happen over night. It is commendable that the Call family does not want debt associated with their name and therefore are seeing this as an opportunity to clear them, but what about the poor people that believed in all of them including Phil. Alot of people's dedication to the business now have shattered hopes and dreams and maybe there will be more bankruptcy because of it! In otherwords, their name may still be associated with debt!
I hope that people keep these great and loyal employees of Flying J in their prayers and thoughts, they have hung in there hoping things would work out for all of them, because that is what they were told.
This merger is great news for who?

duh | 8:18 a.m. July 21, 2009

This merger might be good news for all of us IF the 'new company' provides reasonable prices on all products and food while giving better service with positive friendly attitudes from all workers.Of course good tasty food also. Isn't that what we look for at any business we visit? Isn't that missing at many of the Flying J and Pilot truck stops now?

well duh. . . . | 8:50 p.m. July 21, 2009

The merger might be good for the consumer, but what about the employees that are not going to have jobs? You are so right about good tasty food and probably some cleaner bathrooms. Again though what about ALL the people that won't have jobs!

duh | 10:03 a.m. July 22, 2009

A sad part of any business is the loss of jobs. We can only hope that the majority of people will continue to have jobs with the new merger-after all they will need help with the addition of all these truck stops. Remember when Flying J filed for bankruptcy they said no jobs would be lost and look what happened, maybe Pilot will do a better job of job security (an oxy moran here?)

Thinking of others | 8:44 p.m. July 22, 2009

I worked for the corp office for a year then sadly had to be let go in April. Alot of really good people were laid off. But till this day I worry about those managers that have invested 25 years or more and now have no retirement and their stock is worthless. And to top it all off they might loose their jobs as well? or have to pick up their lives and families and move? I saw a very honorable and respectable man drawn to tears because of all this. It brakes my heart that I cant help. Thats why I was not bitter or upset when I was let go. I knew it had to happen and it was for the best...

Sad | 4:10 p.m. July 23, 2009

These are the people I have bad about also and there are so many! The sad part is that these people will not be part of the taking care of the debt the the Call's so galantly going to make sure is not associated with their name, but in the end it is because of the 25 year plus employees that gave their ALL. I hope that justice is served for their sakes. There are so many that believed in Flying J, their association with Flying J and the Call family. Hopefully Crystal understands the devotion from these people and the damage that is now done. I hope that justice is done for the damage that is done.

worried for our jobs | 5:06 p.m. July 23, 2009

I work at the Flying J in Haubstadt, Indiana. We are all very worried that this merger will mean the loss of our jobs. There are actually 2 Pilot stores located where we are. The one across the highway has a 24 hour taco bell and subway and the one right across the street has a wendys. In contrast our restauraunt just closed down our 3rd shift except for friday and saturday nights. The only thing I think this merger will do is shut down a lot of stores, and put a lot of people out of work. In my opinion it would be in their best interest to keep the restaurants open just to keep the variety. But, what does my opinion count for? We will see. I certainly cannot afford to have to look for another job right now when they are so scarce around here. Hope this works out for all of us...

Re:worried for our jobs | 9:10 p.m. July 23, 2009

Re:worried for our jobs--That is a concern since there will be 3 Pilot locations so close together. It seems that from a business stand point that 2 would be closed and the larger of them would remain open for volume business, that being Flying J, but as you said what does my opinion count for?

hammer | 10:24 p.m. July 26, 2009

i have been a employee for flying j for almost six years as a fuel hauler. all i can say is i hope for the best and will go for another load until told to do different,as for my fellow truckers company or owner operator GOD BLESS US ALL and i pray that all AMERICANS will pull through these troubled times and are able to keep what we have worked so hard to aquire. { as far as the good food pack a lunch and get truckin } see you on the interstate and hopefully i will still have a flying j on the side of my trailer but if not i will hold my head high and will give 110% to the next highest bidder. and know this i will stay with flying j until the wheels come to a stop. i have been offered a couple jobs since finding out the current situation but the j has treated me good since i came aboard so i will stick and see what comes next. besides when a ship starts to sink the rats always jump first !!!

concerned | 11:12 a.m. July 31, 2009

The court hearing was yesterday. Wonder how soon we will see big changes at Flying J, like closing restaurants? All those employees have our best wishes and hope they find a place in the new world if they want to work for Pilot now.

stinks | 6:42 p.m. Aug. 3, 2009

I work at Flying J in Kingman AZ been there almost 13 years. My comment is instead of sending secret shoppers in to see if all were doing there jobs correctly,They should have had secret shoppers up in corporate!And Phill Adams did no differently then Martha Stewart throw his butt in prison.I guess i will go down with ship hope we still have a little bit of stock left.

lady m | 7:39 p.m. Aug. 7, 2009

I think this is good for flying j because they didnt know how to treat their employee thats why they had so many lawsuits against them

Joe | 5:54 p.m. Aug. 9, 2009

As a customer of Flying J, I would like to say this will be a great loss to those of us who use the J for our business needs. Pilot has done every thing it can to get rid of driver amenities and a place to relax out of the truck. I don't see this deal doing a thing for the drivers or safety, has anyone even thought about the drivers and their needs? I know Pilot certainly doesn't give a minutes notice to the drivers.

worried | 5:38 p.m. Aug. 21, 2009

i work at flyin j and ever since we have merged with pilot will we still have a job in the restuarant part of it and is it a done deal with dennys coming in all the flyin j restuarants

concerned | 4:55 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

i have been working at flyin j for almost 2 years and has given my heart and soul to the company we would like to know if we are going to have jobs after the full take over comes into play

concerned

Anonymous | 6:18 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

ibeen with flying j 15 years it is home to me we are worry to.

nathan | 3:24 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

ive worked for flying j in el paso hauling fuel i hope the merger is a good thing but all drivers here are very nervious. god bless all whose jobs are on the line

Store manager | 5:05 p.m. Aug. 28, 2009

After working for the J for a very long period of time I can tell you what goes around comes around. The company was so cheap in labor and overtime, they would just let the customers stand in line, with no concern for them. God forbid they put another cashier on, or another relief manager. Sometimes the dog that sees the bone in the river, drops his trying to get the other one. Flying J deserves everything it gets, asks it's employees.

metoo | 6:53 a.m. Sept. 1, 2009

I've been with Flying j for almost 14 years. It has been the best job I've had. I worry about my stock in the company. It is a big part of my retirement. It would be nice to have a clue as to what is happening with this. It would be considerate of Flying J to keep us informed and much appreciated.

worried | 4:25 p.m. Sept. 2, 2009

I can tell you that we are all worried. We have already heard rumors from people at Pilot that we will be replaced. It doesn't matter how well you've done your job or the effort you have put into it. Does Flying J know that their employees may be put out. Do they care? Should have been a clause to save jobs in those contract talks.

things will be okay | 9:25 p.m. Sept. 7, 2009

I believe that if we just continue to do our job and do it wel, Pilot will have a place for us. Trust me, they surely cant replace everyone.

Brunswick,Ga | 9:39 a.m. Sept. 15, 2009

It looks like pilot dont care about there employee either cause since the merger our cashier at flying j is doing maintenance work and maintenance employee is learning to be a cashier when ask was we getting more pay for doing both jobs they told us no we dont get a raise we get to keep our job which really isnt fair to the employees we had only 1 to 2 days of training and we still dont know if we are going to keep our jobs because at the same exit there is a pilot and drivers are coming in telling us that we are going to close and most of the time the drivers are right and know whats going on with flying j before the employees, now i just feel its time to close this chapter and start a new one with a new company cause bills need to be paid wish employee now get benefits like the salary manager(sickdays,death in family and all other) after all its the empoyees that run the store( that no-one cares about not even crystal)

DJ | 1:23 a.m. Sept. 21, 2009

I am a server in one of the Flying J restaurants and we are being kept totally in the dark. Some employees are getting their hours cut while others are working longer shifts with very little help. All of the employees are under stress because their futures are hanging in the balance and no one is telling them anything. They don't know if they have jobs down the road or if they will have a job tomorrow. We just expect to go to work someday and be told to go home. I have also been told that the employees in the c-stores, especially managers had to reapply for jobs through Pilot and have been willing to relocate if they are to stay on as employees. Its all just a big mess!!!

Anonymous | 3:49 p.m. Sept. 22, 2009

In response to Brunswick, Ga.'s comment, you are not the only one suffering with your job status. It is hard for a lot of people to find other jobs right now so all that I can suggest is to do your best with it if at all possible. After all, when or if you apply for another job, your job history is questioned. You shouldn't blame it on Crystal...things happen beyond our control, and hers. It's just a part of life. For the time being, you should be thankful to have a job. There are many others in unfavorable situations than yourself. You need to be a little more optimistic. You can't only think of yourself....that's so selfish! You never know, when you do your job and do it well, there still may be a reward of some kind for you. Everything doesn't happen the way you want it to or when you want it. Think about how Crystal may feel knowing they worked all their lives for what they have, and how quickly it was taken away. It's happening to many businesses. Not just Flyin J.

Jessica | 7:35 p.m. Sept. 22, 2009

My husband works for flying j, he called to let me know that he has been knocked down to part time hrs. Oh and he's been with them for almost 10 yrs. How do they expect us to live on part time pay?

Anonymous | 4:46 p.m. Sept. 23, 2009

Jessica, if your husband has been cut back to part time hours at Flying J, maybe he could possibly get another part time job to make up for it. There may be side jobs available out there for him. When you have a family to support, you've got to do what you've got to do. I understand that things aren't too great right now with Flying J, but welcome to the real world. Life isn't always easy for anyone. Just keep your head up and things will work out for your husband.

Anonymous | 11:35 a.m. Nov. 7, 2009

will employees keep their jobs or not???Nobody can give us a straight answer it seems

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