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

Meaning the four recliners or was there more to the lounge before I arrived that was wasted?

 

There were only 4. And they were cheap. IMO, hardly any thought was given to furnishings. Lots of electrical outlets, but nothing to put your stuff on to charge. Who wants to have their electronics on the floor? So, until they get more furniture, the money was indeed wasted. Heck, they could go to a thrift store and get used couches and chairs if they don't want to spend a ton of money to get new. And tables to put against the walls for charging stations. A suggestion box too. I'm sure we have ideas that would be good. Like an ice machine. We asked for one in the remodel and got a popcorn maker. And that's not even in the lounge so it can only be used when people are downstairs. Not that I eat it, it's just an example. Im sure they'd have to cull through bs submissions as well, but I think it would be worth it. At least a "show" that they listen. Again, just my .02, and I know exactly how much my opinion is worth to most here.

 

you go girl........

 

I totally agree about getting good used furniture from Goodwill, etc... We outfitted a few rooms at our Florida house from Goodwill and other similar places and got some good stuff... And if it gets abused... Which I would hope we would try to take care of it but ya, right... No one paid big bucks just to toss new stuff out the door.

Never thought about the plugs but you are right... The walls are rather barren of places to lay down toys while charging or to actually work on them while sitting in the lounge.

 

I was just a bit worried about where this was heading... lol ... But glad to read the rest of it.

A whole year to figure it out eh? Good, I still have time before the test... LOL

Thanks for the summation of your year here. I for one appreciate hearing the views of others. Beyond the moaning and groaning that happens all too often that is.

Thanks for Sharing.

 

Well Im sitting out in Oregon tonight. Nice little 2700 mile load to end the week with. Hope everyone is doing well. Christmas was good. I have enough toys in my house now to completely cover the floor from one end to the other. My 3 daughters could start their own toy store lol. I haven't been on in a while but it's good to see I'm on the same page as everyone else. The drivers lounge, I agree...waste of funds so far. RebelChick is right. They need tables and a suggestion box too. Some one fill me in on these "containers"?

 

I will chime in on the year end report as well. Mine isn't as financially positive as JBs, but I did quit for a grand total of 3 weeks, had a bit of time off for personal & family illnesses and I don't train. I ended up with just shy of 50k. Not bad. I don't have a lot of bills, but I don't have a lot saved for retirement either. I'm a late comer to the "being financially stable crowd" and driving as well.

I've had 2 FMs - Kimberly and then Walter. Same experience with the first as JB and the second, it started out well, but hasn't been perfect. I get paid to pick up and deliver freight on time and I do that. If, for reasons beyond my control, I can't, I let them know asap. Only had to do that 2x in 3 years. Close hours and traffic accidents put me way behind, but thankfully there was someone in the area to get the load there. I've rescued many loads from drivers in the same manner. I've not ever said no to a load that I could legally do, although I've not been happy to be heading to a place or two.

For the babysitter or secretary, I try not to even talk to anyone in the office, but I would hope that they don't think I need a babysitter. And for the "can't/can, won't/will books", I don't really care which one anyone at Abilene (or anywhere else) thinks I'm in as long as I have enough to cover my household. I can, and have, delivered their freight on time (and here's the biggie) when I'm given the freight to run. Since I have time on runs, I take that time. Why show up early, just to sit somewhere that is undesirable when you can sit where you have things to do?

Home time has been good for me as well. Although with my living so close if I get in a day early, they usually send me home early. Sometimes with a load to deliver early and then to the house. Or just take an mty. More time at home most times since I schedule my appts for the 2nd day of home time just in case.

The run I'm on now is a charity one with all kinds of time built in. Disaster relief in the Dallas area. One of the owners favorite things. I give Keith Jones much respect for giving back to the community. Picked it up Friday and was hoping to get it offloaded today, but the guy can't get a crew until tomorrow. But, I did get to hang out with some friends of mine here at the USX terminal in Irving today. So, it worked out ok in the end.

So, I must like it here ok since I quit and came back. The equipment is good and the places I go are as well. I get a decent paycheck and get to see my family regularly. What more could you ask for? Maybe to be able to be home every night, but you can't have everything. People are always saying this isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle and you have to really love it to do it. For me it's a job. Guess that's why I don't make the big bucks like JB! (You know I couldn't end without being sarcastic!)

 

Dang that was really long!!