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

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by JohnBoy, Apr 10, 2013.

  1. KD5AXG

    KD5AXG Papa Bear

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    Sep 3, 2006
    Commerce, Texas
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    Third time is a.....bust. Jo gave me more information but it wasn't enough. Apparently, BB has as bad or worse communication than Abilene does.

    Mushroom 1542 out.
     
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  3. WotansVolkman

    WotansVolkman Light Load Member

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    Tampa, Florida
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    Writing everything down seems to be the best way to go about covering your 6. I am currently brokedown and was informed by John to include my hotel receipts with my Transflo or I will see them come out of my check.

    Yikes!
     
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  4. JohnBoy

    JohnBoy Road Train Member

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    Lake Worth, FL.
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    Ok...here's a little insight into a few things I do that makes my job a little easier.

    1) I use the CAT scale app. For the most part I don't go in to get a hard copy. It's emailed to me immediately so I can see my weights. On my transflow sheet I write "paid by EFS card via app"
    When I pay cash, I get the hard copy and write "paid by cash" on my transflow sheet.

    2) "load acceptance" I do this every load. I was told that when we went to the trip number, (77...)
    Filling out the load acceptance macro automatically cancels out the previous trip number and starts your new one, hence no fueling issues. I've done it since it was instituted and have not had one fueling issue.

    3) Writing pay info on my transflow sheet. I was told to do this so payroll can readily see it and get it confirmed. The detention macro, though important, still needs a paper trail. I do it for detention, layover, motel reimbursements, and other instances where I'm owed money.

    4) I need to be proactive in my job. I refuse to soley rely on someone else back in Richmond, that probably has 900 fires to put out, to control a delivery after driving 4 days across the country. If all it takes is a phone call, then that's what I'll do.

    5) after 38 years of this nonsense, Abilene and there way of doing things is just fine for me, I know their system, work within the system and make sure I protect my pay every 2 weeks. The real big gripe? Pre planning.
     
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  5. chralb

    chralb Road Train Member

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    Priceless information John. Thank you.

    Pretty much the same as WS with one exception. If we needed a motel for a break down we just called accounting and got a PO #. They also had accounts setup with many around the country. So we could just walk in, give them our employee ID and get a room. Once done we'd put the receipt in the trip pack and note the dates on the front of it.

    We pretty much paid nothing out of pocket and if we ever did, (like some tolls) just submit the receipt.
     
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  6. KD5AXG

    KD5AXG Papa Bear

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    Commerce, Texas
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    Thanks, JB. This is why I wanted you as a trainer. There is so much about Abilene's way that I don't know, it's almost crippling. I press on, tho. I still have much to learn.
     
  7. KD5AXG

    KD5AXG Papa Bear

    1,194
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    Sep 3, 2006
    Commerce, Texas
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    Question: I had a Blue Beacon wash credit when I got 1554 PMed, but now I'm in 1542. Do I still have that wash credit?
     
  8. WotansVolkman

    WotansVolkman Light Load Member

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    Feb 25, 2016
    Tampa, Florida
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    As I understood it, the wash goes with the truck, not the driver.
     
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  9. JohnBoy

    JohnBoy Road Train Member

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    No, it stays with the truck. But you can call into the shop and talk nicely to either John or Nick, they should be able to give you one.
     
  10. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    South Carolina
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    I totally understand... In the beginning I know I told my FM a few time that "I make decisions based on the information that I have"... But we grew passed that and I am more proactive now to get the information that I need to get the job done... And you two will get there.

    The key is in communication, which MUST be two ways, and time... You must be proactive in finding what you need, from whoever has it or needs it... Be it a broker, customer, dock/yard worker, or office.

    In time it WILL come together... I was told it takes a year to fully settle in and as I approach that one year mark, it's true.

    The FMs do not always know what we need either... I know I have called in for a number only to wait on them to call the broker... In time, I just started to skip the middle man and call the broker directly.

    I would suggest flipping your comment around... Instead of saying "how am I..." think "what do I need to do this job?"... If not, find it.

    It will come together.
     
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  11. JohnBoy

    JohnBoy Road Train Member

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    Lake Worth, FL.
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    Listen, when I started here back in March of '13, I was in the same boat you are, the difference being I had a friend that worked here that would answer all my questions and guide me along. He moved on, but I'll forever be indebted to his help. My first 6 months were horrible. But, call me a glutton for punishment, I held on. Now, I tell everyone that if Abilene doesn't run me off, I'll hang around a while.
     
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