For our frquent travelers

[mbulriss]

A friend just forwarded this news release to me from the Escapees. It looks
like it will eventually give our regular travelers more options for fuel stops
with the Flying J Rewards discount card.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX - and feeling more human again!
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Escapees E-News Release
Pilot and Flying J Merge!
07/15/2010

A couple of weeks ago, Pilot and Flying J truck stops completed a merger of
the two companies into a new single company called Pilot Flying J. Since many
traveling Escapees use the Flying J RV Real Value card to save money on fuel
purchases, we contacted Flying J's loyalty card office to determine what effect
the merger would have on that service. The answer we received was: "In the
future, it is our intention to expand the existing loyalty programs to all Pilot
Flying J locations, but for the time being, the RV Real Value program will
continue to be honored at all Flying J locations but will not be accepted at
Pilot locations."
As part of the merger agreement, a number of Flying J stores were sold
outright to Love's and will be converted to Love's Travel Stops & Country
Stores. Love's does not offer a similar RV loyalty program, so those converted
locations will no longer offer RVers a fuel discount.
The press release announcing the completion of the merger is excerpted
below.
PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS AND FLYING J FINALIZE MERGER
--------------------------------
Pilot Travel Centers LLC and Flying J Inc. announced today the completion of
the merger of the two companies, creating an expanded network of more than 550
interstate travel centers and travel plazas focused on superior customer service
and enhanced offerings for professional drivers and traveling motorists.
The new company, to be called Pilot Flying J, now operates in 43 states and
six Canadian provinces and employs more than 20,000 people. It is one of the
top 10 privately held companies in the United States.
"We are now one great company, two great brands," said Pilot Flying J
president and CEO Jimmy Haslam. "Our new organization is a combination of two of
the best-known brands in the travel center industry, both with strong family
histories and shared values. "
Customers still will see the Pilot and Flying J brands on signage at the
interstate facilities. Pilot has begun to accept the TCH card, and Flying J has
begun to accept Comdata cards. This change gives the trucking community many
more options of where to fuel that are not dependent on the card they carry.
Other plans call for enhanced restaurant offerings with national brands in all
locations. Brand additions to Flying J locations in the new network include
Denny's, Subway, and Pizza Hut. In addition, there will be upgrades to drivers'
lounges, new gasoline and diesel pumps, enhanced showers, and remodeled
restrooms at many locations.
Pilot Flying J is selling 26 locations to Love's Travel Stops & Country
Stores as required by the Federal Trade Commission as a condition for the
merger. For a list of the affected locations and for additional information
about the merger, visit http://www.pilotflyingj.com.