From Day One - Abilene Motor Express (Richmond, Wytheville, VA)

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd stop in and introduce myself as a new driver for Abilene. Finishing up orientation today and will be heading out for 2 weeks with another female driver to brush up since I haven't driven since September, and to get acquainted with Abilene's way of doing business. Then I will be on my own until my husband joins me on the road after the 90 day waiting period.

One thing I don't think I have heard about the physical/PAT/drug screen is that you are charged $119 out of your first paycheck for this. Of course, after 6 months, it is returned to you, but it is an expense I didn't plan on, and that is quite a bit of money to me at this moment. But, in the grand scheme of things, not so much. I just wish I would have been told about it beforehand so I could've planned for it.

Also, the trucks! I was worried a bit about them being automatics. On the road test it was great. I will have to wait and see how it does for me in the mountains, but definately cool for city traffic. And very spacious as well. Almost feels like I'm in a camper on vacation. Except for the fact that you have to work!

So far, as everyone else had said, everyone is very nice and helpful. And some of the changes that are in the process of being implemented seem promising. I am looking forward to getting out there and making some money! Hope to meet you all in the future.

 

Welcome Rebelchick...glad you are liking it so far. The trucks are nice and well maintained, so what are some of the things coming down the pike that they discussed in orientation? Be safe and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

 

We got empty in Cheyenne and bounced down to Denver to pick up a load that delivers in Hanahan, SC Monday. If everything falls into place I should be home Friday morning. I must say, it doesn't matter where I'm at in the country Abilene always gets me home for my requested home time. Unlike a lot of other companies your requested home time is a priority here. Be safe and have a productive week.
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I would like an honest answer about Abilene Motor Express from those who work for or have worked for them. I'm giving some thought to going back OTR because there are just not any jobs in my area. I live in Wise county VA, about 50 miles from Abingdon VA and I'm trying to find a good company within reasonable distant from my home but so far, every company I have found runs their drivers primarily north east and I DO NOT want to run the north east at all! So my question is this. At Abilene, do they make solo drivers run north east or will they let them run other areas? I noticed that they offer an incentive to run the north east so to me that would mean that running north is not a requirement. Am I right? Thanks.

 

We do run northeast sometimes it's optional sometimes, we have plenty of freight they may give u choices of loads to choose from, then there are times when u will have to run by force b/c that all they may be shipping out at that moment. To be clear Abilene run 48 states & Canada

 

Finally have a moment to get back on here because I'm currently sitting at the Volvo dealership in Carlisle PA. Headed out straight from orientation. Sat in class all day and drove all night to Knoxville TN because the loads (ran with another guy out of orientation) just had to be there at 8 am Wednesday. But we didn't get unloaded until 10 am and both loads were going into storage. I was just happy to have the miles. Just as we were getting off the interstate, it sort of felt like I had some engine derate, but I thought I might be imagining it since I was so tired. Wednesday I just DH to Wytheville and dropped my trl. No preplan, so I headed to the TS right down the road for the night. Got a gatorade load today and headed out to Mountain Top. Just east of Carlisle, started losing power again. No warning lights or anything. Foot to the floor, 50 mph. As luck would have it, Volvo is right down the road from the FJ at xit 52. Yea me. So, here I sit. Hopefully, they can determine what the deal is. Seems like it runs good for about 380 miles or so and then just gets plain old tuckered out!!! Because that's about how many miles I had driven the other night when it happened as well!!!

I was wrong about how long it takes to get reimbursed for the physical. Sally said 60 days on Tuesday. So we will see. As for other changes, they were talking about going to fleet managers so there won't be confusion between Richmond and Wytheville and hopefully less sitting. Although, from this thread, not too much of that is going on anyway. I guess you just need to know who to call. As soon as I called them this morning, I had a load. I don't know about the FM thing. USX does that and it's (mostly) a cluster. But, I would have never known to even call Wytheville for a load if I hadn't talked to another Abilene driver this morning at the truck stop. Thank you to who ever you are from the bleary-eyed chick!!! I forgot to even get his name!!!

Orientation is going to be held by Don and not Sally from now on. That's all I can think of right now for changes since I don't know exactly how things used to be. But, I am liking how helpful and "on it" everyone is. Within 40 minutes of getting in touch with breakdown, I was headed down to get the issue taken care of. The equipment really is nice (you have to expect some issues every now and then). My fridge froze my leftover pizza it was so cold! Any questions I have had have been answered without hesitation or attitude. I also have a PP for tomorrow to p/u in York and run (probably) to the Richmond yard since in the comments it says the load can't be delivered until 4/2. Totally NOT sitting on it that long!!!

 

They won't make you sit on the load if you want to keep rolling. On your fridge turn the dial to about "7 o'clock" that's where I have found it won't freeze the stuff you don't want frozen. Hopefully you won't be at the dealer to long.

 

Well, they didn't find anything wrong because when I turned off the batteries, it cleared the codes. But, ran fine down to mm 100 & had to shut down out of hours. This morning just starting out, got the dreaded STOP! Critical Engine Fault! Sat on the side of the road at mm 102 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm before getting towed back to Carlisle. Hopefully they can find something this time. Ugh! And I would've been home for Easter if this hadn't happened. Oh well. Sitting bs-ing with a bunch of other drivers. Waiting waiting waiting. Not complaining too much though. I know stuff happens. Wonder what will happen to the load I had on me and the pp I had to get back to Richmond?

 

hey RebelChick, I just started 3/11/13. I am also sitting in a motel here in Rocky Mt. NC. my truck would not run no more than 5mph and is also in a Volvo dealership. Hopefully I will be back on the road on Monday. I think my problem is the regen system for the exhaust. hope things are fixed quickly for you and you can be back on the road soon. Maybe we will get to meet soon at the yard. I am driving solo for now but scouting for a co-driver. Are you in a hotel? Happy Easter wherever you may be. Bev.

 

talked to sally on wednesday
offered a job on thursday
i guess i will have to change my TTR name

looking to come aboard 5/13

sounds like a good fit for me
get away from this L/O nonsense