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

Thank You for Ur service and good luck in the future

 

Why? Do Ya get a prize when Ya reach 5555?

 

Amen. Just the facts, as they pertain to me, is all I can report. I can't say this company has been horrible to me, because they haven't. I can't say they've been as good to me as they have been to other drivers, because they haven't done that either.

I also can't say that I've haven't been in KDs shoes, because I have. I came in pretty much as green as the trucks we drive and have learned a thing or hundred about how this company operates. Some are given the chance to shine (some aren't) and they either do or they don't and are treated accordingly. I think maybe the most important thing I learned - do not tick Kimberly off. EVER. Because you won't recover from it, no matter what you do. IMO, that was the first mistake I made and wasn't really trying to. Just a question to someone else with the phrase at the end "or is that something I need to ask Kimberly." After that, my miles tanked (think 2000 or less per week for about 6 months) and never really have recovered to the degree that I would like. Do I want to drive nights? No. Do I want to go to NYC? Heck no. But if that's when and where I'm told to go, I do.

On the flip side, the company has allowed me to be there when it was really important to get home for family issues. So while MD is right, I'm not a cheerleader for Abilene, I do think they've got good qualities.

I think that MD is possibly right on KD and Abilene not being a good fit. Maybe not even trucking is. My son said to me once that he should get his CDL. I told him (very, very emphatically) that I did not think he would like it. 10 hours off, 14 hour days, can't sit up all night and play video games and expect to be able to drive 11 hours, only 2 days off every other weekend, and never seeing friends/family. Not for him.

 

Now, onto my last couple days...

Got a 2 stop load off home time from cost plus in Windsor down to Daytona Beach/Winter Haven to deliver Thursday. Well, since it was ready early Tuesday and since I'm the proactive type (meaning I want more miles!), I called the 1st stop and used my considerable southern charm (stop laughing y'all), told them I could be there at 6 am Wednesday. Lo and behold, they said sure bring it and I'll have the guys there a day early for you. Repeat for the 2nd stop (which was a cross dock) and, BAM! I'm empty at 11:30 am A DAY EARLY!

Now, as I'm 20 miles from my 2nd stop, I get a call from my fm saying they know I'm trying to get this kicked off today and they'll call the broker and see if they can get them to call the 2nd stop to take it. Told them don't worry, I got it worked out yesterday and to just get me something to get rolling. Did they? No. 1.5 hours after getting my, I called back and get told roll north. Ok. Which way as 75 & 95 are each viable options. 95 was the answer.

Get to the last weigh station in FL and hear a message. Pick up in Summerville SC. Ummm, that area is being evacuated. So call and get Kimberly, who got a bit exasperated with me. Found out later why. She thought I had been given the load I eventually ended up with-Greenville SC. So she handed me off to my fm who figured it out and now we're all on the same page.

Passed 4 of our trucks heading south today. I think 1 might've been JB. Didn't he have ht for this weekend? Anyway. Enough typing. I don't need y'all saying I'm as wordy as MD!!!!! Time for food, tv and bed! Be safe everyone!!!

 

If a truck has a fuel gauge I can't trust, I am topping that puppy off everyday. We have free reign here to fuel as often as we want, why not use it. It costs us nothing more than an extra 5-7 minutes of on duty time

Sure you might miss out on a shower credit or two if you get less than 50 gallons, but I would rather risk paying for a shower than making the call of shame.

Anything can happen out here, bad weather, technical issues with EFS, PFJ tanker drivers go on strike, demonstrators blocking the highway...whatever. It's not just Abilene that can have a glitch causing us fuelling difficulties. Run with enough fuel that you can get down the road a few hundred miles if anything rears its ugly head. None of us company drivers have a good enough reason to get caught with our pants down regarding fuel...or DEF.

Not too long ago another abilene driver at a delivery asked me if I had any DEF. Huh?, why would I be carrying DEF, and why you need any from me?. We can fill up at the yard freely without needing to enter any trip numbers etc and near enough every PFJ has it at the pumps, so why are you now in a panic over your DEF gauge being in the red and derate warning messages coming at you hard and fast?.

Sorry bud, you brought that on yourself.

 

Can you park overnight at halls?. I always stop short at bordentown as we always get that qc message with halls loads saying not to park on street and to find someplace else to take our breaks.

 

Yes you can overnight.Got here early hopeing they would get me to a door,but it looks like they do everything by appt. time.

@Redtwin when you get here see security,they'll let you in,and tell you where to park.

 

So do you go through the whole checkin rigmarole the night before then just find a quiet spot on the property until morning?. Or will they let you in just to park if they see you have a morning appt?.

I have burned good running time more than once because I didnt think I could park there.

 

Yes, it is quite apparent that Abilene is not right for me. I believe I've said that before.

I don't agree that so much is my fault. I won't say anything else about this, as I'm saddened by those who refuse to see. Enough on that.

Got a wierd DH from Front Royal, Va to Charlotte, NC. Short of the Va/NC line, my old DM called me. Diverted me to Wythville for a Gatorade run to Indy. Taking my 10 at the nearby TA.

Seems Victor is back as DM. Happy to have him back, to say the least.

Good night, everyone.

 

Yes just check in with security,they'll open the gate, and let you know where to park.The place is dead right now.I got here about 700,and my apt's not till 0900 in the morning.