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

I looked at this three times, the thing that stuck out the most? I’m pretty sure there’s an undamaged trailer in there.

 

Got a phone call today from my newest DM. Don’t think it went quite as planned as he thought on his end. Explained to him I’m not training anymore , and that my short time left in the industry will be solo and not sharing a sardine can with another grown male. It was a very upfront and from the soul conversation about where my priorities are, and training is definitely not one of them. I then explained that these meet and greet phone calls are really getting old. When I told him about him being number 15 on the DM list for me, he was somewhat speechless. Just for the fun of it, I compiled my list of DM’s I’ve had the last 8.5 years and what the outcome was with all of them.

Kimberley…… #3 in charge in Richmond
Tim quit
Paul quit
Walter…….on sick leave
Kimberley see above
Rusty terminated
Chad…..Driving
Mike quit
Wally…in charge of orientation
Jeff quit
Alan terminated
Brent quit
Walter see above
Quan new
Keith new

Of all the DM’s in my life here at Abilene, only 4 are still employed here, the others have either quit, or shown the front door with their personal belongings in tow. I explained to the new DM that all I want to do is enjoy my job, alone until I retire. I use to think it was me, but then I finally realized that a DM, here or at any other company is only one of two things in a drivers life, a babysitter, or a personal Secretary. I’m too old for a babysitter, don’t need to be woke up after 12 hours of a 10 hour break and know perfectly well how to do this job, safely, on time and problem solve on the fly. This industry sucks, it has for many years now, these companies, in my opinion, based solely on what I read, hear and speak with other drivers, are all the same, the only difference is the color of the truck. Thank god Abilene green is a unique color, It comes down to how much BS I as a driver is willing to accept. At the end of the day, my job is to deliver the freight on time and safe. Fortunately, I still enjoy this job, and am grateful for what I have at Abilene. The rest of it really does suck, again, it’s not Abilene, it’s the industry as a whole. I enjoy my job, I run where I am most comfortable, have made numerous friends here, and am very grateful that after 8 plus accident free years here, I still have it in me to do this job a little while longer, and haven’t been run off, which lends me to the idea that maybe I am appreciated here.

 

We’re doing fine. It’s been a work in progress, but all in all we’re both enjoying each other’s friendship. The seat alone has made a world of difference. One thing that’s nice since I’ve been down across 10 in Arizona 3 times the last 2 weeks is the AC duct work on the base cushion, if anything, the family jewels are very cool and comfortable in the 117 degree Phoenix temperatures. This is a truck that is getting closer and closer to taking the thinking away from the driver. I’m thinking one or two more trucks and they won’t need me anymore. Fortunately, this is my last new truck assignment in my life.