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

Okay so remember what I said about being proactive in this industry? So as soon as I bump the dock at Hall's I get a pre-plan. Reload here and deliver in Ashland tomorrow at 0900. Umm load planner, I have a dr's appt tomorrow morning. Second time they've done this. So I sent in a N on acceptance stating I have a dr's appt tomorrow 1 1/2 ago saying I can bring back to the yard, no answer. Now get this, I go inside to find out who to see for loading. They said I would have to go back out to the gate for them to let me back in with thy info. Really!? But wait, the appt time is 1330. Well with that appt time I can't make it back to the yard and then home. Really!?!?!? When they finish unloading I'll see what the gate says. It's kinda like what the fox says hehe my wife hates that song.

 

Okay one good thing. Come to find out the backhaul was already loaded, 3 pallets. So at noon I send another, third one, saying I can not make it to the yard and my appt. With NO traffic I would be T the yard, then unhook/hook by 1830 and be at the house just as I hit my 14 by 2145. Message I get back was got to the yard ASAP and you can head he tonight for your appt in the
morning. In what world? I called Kimberly and it said I was first in line; then it goes to voicemail. When I call back it goes straight to voicemail. Hmmm yeah that's what the DND button does. So I left a message saying that I would like to see the calculation sheet they are using as I would have to get through traffic to get to the yard. Either way I went 95 or 301 still wouldn't make it to the yard until min 1900 and then miss my appt. problem I have is I've been out 4 weeks, had my home time in 2 weeks ago. That's NOT taking care of a driver and the cause for the high turnover in this industry. So I figured I'm gonna hit OD and get down to the rest area finish up my 10 and get home by 0600. Enough time to take a shower and get to my appt. I also made mention that it is illegal to advance a load while using the OD. I think it is time to have a talk with Russell. I have been contemplating about asking for the BH account.

 

Ive had a del and backhaul from halls and I never had to go out gate I just we t into the office and said I have a del and load they said we will load the 5 pallets that I had. I guess its all in who you talk to.

 

Alex wasn't there, he is the supervisor, someone that didn't know much was filling in for him. It was 3 pallets already loaded on another trailer.

 

So the saga continued. Just rolled into my parking spot at home. It was on a preloaded trailer so I hooked and left. Threw it into OD and was going to try to shave some time until I got out to 287, then I realized it didn't make a difference because I needed extra on my 14. Got Dow to the first rest area and was going to finish out a 10 so I'd have fresh hours. Well it wasn't Kimberly I was trading messages with it was, I think LP Chris by the voice. He calls me at 1650 and asks if I picked up the load yet because I was still up there, forgot to do a depart macro. He asked me if I got the message telling me to take it home because he was going to have to reschedule it for Sat delivery now. I told him I didn't get that message and why the reschedule. He says "you had 9 hours". Well Bozo Butt, did you calculate that I would get caught at rush hour? I told him I left a VM with Kimberly that there was no way I would make it to the yard tonight then home but if I finished a 10 I could make it. He said she didn't let him know that and it would be great if I could have it there when I was saying. I told him I needed something set up to grab when I get there and he said he would let Jonathan know. Well later I got ahold of Bo and he said nothing was on me. Gee go figure, I'm getting tired of going out of my way for people but not getting the job that is supposed to be done in return. Bo asked if I can help out with a Kinzer load that just got thrown on them. Well it delivered at noon and there was nothing I could do about it. I told him if there would be someone around my house in the morning I would drag it home. Got to the yard and he gave me a HP that delivers in CT Mon morning. Hmmmm been out for 4 weeks, put in my home time 2 weeks ago for a dr's appt said I would go back out on Mon morning. Reality is I had to stress about making it home, get home at 0500 and will have to cut short and leave Sun afternoon. Why can't we have office people that know our job at least 95% if they are going to tell us how to work in this industry. Okay rant over.

 

Uturn. I agree with you on home. I've been out 7 weeks (my choice) I already put in home time for April 11-15. I expect to be home on time. I truly feel that the company or any company expects drivers to pick up and del on time they need to ensure the driver is home on time. I understand weather fouling things up. But anything else in my book is inexcusable. Hopefully your situation was a one time mess up.

 

Had a LL load put on me yesterday from the yard that there was no way I could del so did a swap in Ohio picked up my current load in Clarion, pa going to LL DC then as u all know I'm sure my next load will come out of there. The only thing I don't like those loads are heavy but I do like that we can park there the night before and not start clock till they are done off loading.

 

YD I agree. LL is always heavy as sin! I actually prefer them even though the weight. I say this loosely but USUALLY you can park at stores we deliver and wake up, deliver, finish my break. With the new DC for them being built in Sandston near Richmond Airport, we should see more. Hopefully. Possibly.

 

[
A couple of the LL stores that I've delivered to said they wish Abilene was the carrier to go to stores. They say all the other carriers are one and sometimes 2 days late
But Abilene is always there the day they are suppose to be. I asked the last manger if he called the LL DC and let them know that they perfer Abilene. He said he just rights on the b/l that carrier was late. BB since they are moving so close to the yard hopefully are sales people get on it so that we are thier main carrier. I also like how the LL DC won't let you leave without being legal on wt or you have to sign a waiver paper.

QUOTE=BigBrin;3927997]YD I agree. LL is always heavy as sin! I actually prefer them even though the weight. I say this loosely but USUALLY you can park at stores we deliver and wake up, deliver, finish my break. With the new DC for them being built in Sandston near Richmond Airport, we should see more. Hopefully. Possibly.[/QUOTE]

 

Called Kimberly today and asked her to look up my Hall's to the yard load just to make sure the pay was right since I had about 7 different load assignments associated with it, no lie. She said Cam got it straight and it was Dru not Chris that told me I can make my timeframes. Well Dru needs to get his butt out with BB for a week to understand you plan 45-48 mph running the NE and 55 mph everywhere else. Anything on top of that is icing.