Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

Sitting backed in at the dock in Glen Burnie MD. I was dispatched at Groveport Oh with a B/H load that was waiting on my happy arse. I dropped the new trailer off and hooked to my loaded one, I was out and rolling at 11:30am. Complaint time, the trailer I picked up, not very old, had an issue. The tandem was slid all the way to the rear as is customary at B/H. I hooked up, checked everything over, waited for my trailer air to build up, then saw my tandem air pressure gauge reading about 45lbs, if it's 62lbs or less then I'm at 34,000 or less on the drives. With what it was reading and the amount of the load, 24,000lbs, I wasn't concerned about my drives. I did however need to get my trailer tandem slid up, the problem was the pins wouldn't release. The reason? the cross bar that is controlled by the valve was broken, in fact, it was completely missing, not new damage, but old. So there I am, with two other road drivers helping me out, trying to get these pins in so I could put the tandem where it belonged. With my 10lb sledge, another drivers crow bar and yet another drivers muscle, we did it. Freshly showered and now I feel like I ran a marathon in the Sahara Desert. The trailer also has 2 bad tires on it and 2 lights out. I got the lights fixed at Buckeye Lake, the tires I will get taken care of along with the pin release issue when I drop this empty at the yard, which I will be at about 7am. All I will say about this trailer is that whoever had it, with the same issues that I inherited, your thinking obviously worked, you had no problems dropping it, I had more problems on this one trailer to last me the rest of the year, thanks, I also am a firm believer in Karma, that's all I will say about it. Oh, it was trailer #5100. just incase anyone was wondering.

 

Sitting at the Richmond yard. Got here at 7am. I split my sleeper berth and left Glen Burnie at 4am. My truck is getting a service, new front shocks and yes, again, my driver side right armrest fixed again. The pink duct tape just doesn't match the grey leather interior. I can leave tonight at 5pm, but I'll only have 3 hours left on my 70. I pick up 11.5 after midnight so I'll have plenty to get home tomorrow. Today is a relaxation day, company barbecue and socializing, tomorrow is driving through what will be left of the hurricane.

I have to ask, what's the deal with you women? You don't want anyone to know how old you are but boy you better make sure we are home for your birthday. I've been telling everyone that I need to get home to celebrate my wife's 26th anniversary celebrating here 29th birthday. I told her that the other day and she hasn't spoke to me since. But hey, I'll drive through a hurricane to help you celebrate a day you want to keep a secret. No problem......happy 55th honey......I guess I'll be in the dog house now.

 

Got to spend my 10 hour break at the yard on Thursday. Good timing, we had our company barbeque/picnic for everyone given by the company, and handled by our safety department. It was great seeing and enjoying the company of my fellow drivers and operations people. Thanks to the company for providing it, and thanks to Scott, Bill and Stacey for all your hard work. Here's a picture of Scott and Bill manning one of the 2 barbeques we had going.

 

I need to give out a shout out to my buddy BigBrin. Hope you feel better and have a speedy recovery. If you need anything, at any time just let me know. I'm only a phone call away, and if I can't help you, I will find someone who can. One bit of advice though, stop running around chasing a softball, you aren't 20 anymore and a torn ACL is the direct result of that. Love you Bro.

 

See if anyone notices.............