"We appreciate the fact that many loyal Pilot customers only look for Pilot Travel Centers when they are on the road, and this online tool makes it very easy to find the closest location," said Lynsay Caylor, social media marketing manager for the company.
Caylor said Pilot plans to add the Pilot Travel Center Locator service to Windows Mobile [image-nocss] and Android platforms in the near future so that customers with those widely used handset platforms will have the same ability to find Pilot easily.
Pilot customers enter the city, state or zip code, and the nearest Pilot locations including interstate exit numbers will pop up on the handset screen. The information will include the traveler's distance from the location, restaurant information and the phone number. Locations can also be opened in Google maps to receive turn-by-turn directions to that store.
The new app has received very positive online reviews since it was introduced, the company said. "Best locator app ever!" wrote a user who gave it a top five-star ranking. "Interface is simple, clear and to the point."
A four-star rater said: "Awesome app, very handy when traveling the interstates and you are looking for a fast, clean place to stop for everything you need."
Another reviewer said the app is well done, and the only missing information especially for professional drivers is how many parking spaces are available at the specific Pilots.
Ken Parent, senior vice president of operations and marketing for Pilot, said this is exactly the type of feedback Pilot is seeking. "We will refine the app and include changes in new versions in the future," Parent said. "We want to make it better for customers, so we encourage them to give us feedback."
Customers may offer input online, at www.pilottravelcenters.com or on Pilot's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pilottravelcenters, as well as calling Pilot's customer service line, (800) 562-6210.
The app also will help travelers and professional drivers find Pilot franchise or network locations, including Road Ranger, Bosselman and Town Pump.
Caylor said the online Pilot Travel Center Locator services may allow Pilot to replace the current printed travel guide to Pilot locations across the country.
Pilot is placing signs in travel centers to let customers know about the service.
Pilot Travel Centers is one of the nation's largest retail operators of travel centers, catering to the professional driver and traveling motorist in 41 states with more than 300 retail interstate properties. The company is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and is held in a partnership between Pilot Corp., wholly owned by the Haslam family, and Propeller Corp., wholly owned by the funds advised by CVC Capital Partners, a leading global private-equity firm.
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