It's a Team's Life

Compliment and Complain

The Reno, Nevada TA is in the process of remodeling their showers. The remodeling job at the TA and Petro truck stops were much needed and it is almost time for them to start over on the original remodels. This remodel at the Reno TA was not done well in one area.

The showerhead is placed very high and is pointed at the wall. I jumped up and tried to move the showerhead to find it is stationary. So now I am in a shower where I basically have to mold myself to the wall to get wet and rinse.

After the shower I sent an email into corporate with a picture of the showerhead placed near the ceiling. I also explained my problem that at almost 5'4" it was difficult to get wet and rinse.

I received a reply from the TA operations manager who mentioned that at 6'2 he thought the showerhead looked exceptionally tall. He said he would discuss this problem with the site manager and see if there was something they could do.

His next comment though was what really got my attention:

" Actually, prior to adopting the current shower heads, we had fully adjustable ones at several sites for test purposes. There was such a negative response from drivers that they were completely abandoned."

When I read that I thought to myself the squeaky wheel gets things done and I had never thought to let my feelings be known about how much I appreciated those moveable showerheads. It was very easy to adjust the shower head so that a short or a tall person could get wet without having the shower hit them in the chest or have someone press themselves against the wall to get wet. Now since nothing was said we are going to lose those adjustable showerheads over time.

Things that I appreciate about the remodeled showers are two towels, a hand towel, a washcloth, and a floor mat. The corner holders to put shampoo and soap on, and how clean the showers are. I really appreciate the showers that have lights in them as well as a corner stool. Have I ever told TA/Petro this? Nope not until now. Hopefully more of the showers will be built with lights in the shower.

How often do we take the good for granted and complain about the negative? It takes the same amount of time to do either and we know for ourselves how far a kind word or thank you will go.

My new challenge for myself is to do both, complain and to compliment both in a professional manner.

Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee
Saint Louis MO
Expediters since January 2005
[email protected]

Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;
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Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;
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