IdleAire it was a good idea
IdleAire Inc. based in Knoxville, Tennessee ceased operations Friday January 29, 2010. If you have ever seen a truck stop with this set-up in it, you would have to ask yourself what it was.
IdleAire came in to view in the trucking industry in 2000. The company is the outgrowth of a challenge originally issued to A.C. Wilson, a Tellico Plains, Tennessee, contractor, by his brother-in-law, a long haul truck driver fresh off a New Jersey run.
How could a driver park, shut off the engine (along with its noise, fumes and vibration) and still stay warm or cool while having access to the comforts of home? Well, that is when IdleAire was born. It allowed truckers to park, shut their rigs off, and have comforts of A/C, or heat, TV, internet, and telephone all from the comfort of the truck. All this came with a small fee that the company IdleAire told saved you money from idling the truck and burning fuel.
The company boast the drivers use of IdleAire service contributed to saving over 50 Million gallons of diesel fuel and prevented over 1.1 billion pounds of diesel idling emissions from entering the air. IdleAire also reduced the carbon footprint by preventing over 519,000 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
IdleAire, Inc. announced on Thursday, January 28 that it would cease operations on Friday after failing to find a buyer for the company. Now what were the 150,000 users suppose to do to stay warm or cool? With all the idling restrictions in place. The trucking companies are going to have to allow their drivers to rest in comfort, or we all will have a bunch of tired drivers running around.
The company has updated the website saying that if any drivers needed receipts for use, then they could contact receipts@idleaire.com by Thursday February 4th, 2010.
Comments
I guess that sales of Generators will soar-but if I read the California laws right, even generators are bad. Of course; RV's with 5000-watt gasoline/diesel generators aren't counted in Kalifornia's new laws--just trucks. If it were up to me, no truck would ever cross the border into Kalifornia.
Good luck with you examiner page. I just quit mine. Published my third book, and trying to get everything together to jump onto another book right after that. I'll send you a link when the book is finished.
Good Luck out there driver---
Franke Schein says "If it were up to me, no truck would ever cross the border into Kalifornia."
A trucker driver says "Franke, if you eat it, wear it, use it, almost no matter what it is.....a truck brought it.
Thanks for the comments Frank, and LV. Yea, Frank I have to agree somebody in a bordering state of Cali. needs to build a big warehouse, and let them come get their own stuff.
Apu's will have to be put on the truck's or a lot of motel's built with truck parking..Good Luck on the book!
I remember hearing about this and thinking it was a brilliant solution. Jason, any chance you could do a follow-up and explain why such a good idea failed?
There was only one thing wrong with Idle-Aire -- it was *way* overpriced. The basic service was about three bucks an hour. That means, in most places, that alone was a significant fraction of what a cheap motel room would cost. Throw in tv and internet access, and you were already at motel room price - without the amenities. I'm actually surprised that they lasted in business as long as they did.
Thanks Truckie-D and Jim for the comments. Jim the comment that Truckie-D made pretty much sums up why they went out of business. I am going to be asking some truck drivers this week, their opinions why they think it went out of business.
Hello I need my idle aire receips from wedensday nite janurary 27th & thursday morning janurary 28th 2010 my memo # 316324 thank you & hope idle aire can come back soon it was very benificial
how do we get a refund for the money we have on our gold cards ? I have $90.00 on my card . I was off work for the last week of Janurary and didn't find out they closed until after Feburay 6 .
Michael this from IdleAire's website "The last day to request a receipt for prior visits was Thursday, February 4. We apologize if you were unable to submit your request in time."
kksgranie, If I were you I would stop into a truck stop that had IdleAire and ask them about it..Other than that I would not know what to tell you to do.
As a former IdleAire Site Manager, I'd first like to apologize to all of you who lost money or may lose money. When we were pushing those gold cards the last few months, we had no idea the company was about to close. For those trying to get in contact with the remnants of the comapny, the corporate number was (865) 437-3600. I did a reverse number search on it a few minutes ago & it came up with 4 names associated with it, all labeled as "director, IdleAire". I tried calling it & got a busy signal. Don't know if it'll help, but hope it does. Thank you for all those who supported us all that time, we appreciated your business & enjoyed working with you.
The company screwed the employees too. They did not get ANY severance pay and the company took out money for employee's Flexible Spending Account and did not turn it into the plan administrator, so we are out a lot of money too. How can an employer treat loyal hard working people this way. It is bad enough to be out of a job in this economy, but for them to STEAL what is rightfully ours really hurts.
the emplkoyees of idle aire that left everything on thank you for about a month i had the services for free my card would not show money but would allow me to logon free internet free heat and free local tv until electric co turned off i used to spennd 300 a MONTH HOPE SOMEONE TAkes over .$1.50 was a fair price
They folded because of bad management and a too aggresive rollout schedule. Simple as that.
IdleAire is restarting, see www.idleaire.com
well gang, this is what happens when a co get to big to fast and then gets greedy,a bunch of investores thought that we would pay whatever to use service(NOT!!) and jacked up hour rate to $2.85 hr.and thought we would just rollover and bite the bullet.has any one gotin over a 2800mile week driving in the last year...
Not me!!! ok Im done C-ya
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!