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

Thanks for the hospitality. If I can ever do anything other than sleep and drive I'll take you up on it.

 

George made it to the 166mm in Oklahoma yesterday. I took over and made it to about the 100mm in Tn then took a nap. I woke up right at day break and left. Right now George took back over and will finish out his day in Richmond about 6pm tonight. One more round trip then home, this sheet is tiring me out quickly.

 

Sorry to hear you're not sleeping, on the other side I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't sleep for sheet on teams run!!! Be safe John and George!!! Love the read too!!!!

 

It would be much more bearable if when I rolled over at night it was my wife I was looking at instead of George, for some reason I don't get the same warm and fuzzy feeling with him in the truck with me like I would if my wife was here instead.

 

I understand, my wife and I teamed for a few years and it was the only time I slept decent in a moving truck... I guess being that I knew her and finished her training had a lot to do with it but... And also our own truck with all the creature comforts... and a 295" wheelbase didn't hurt!!!

 

Well, got a call from dispatch early this afternoon after sending a message in asking to drop the load I was bringing in in Wytheville, and maybe grabbing something and be able to keep moving. Jonathan said to bring it to Richmond and that he had me on another Riverside load. I said cool, I'll be in around 7pm. I get to the yard at 7, drop my load and was wondering where my reload info was. I walked in to see Jeremy and asked him to send me my load info. He checked the computer and said nothing was assigned to me. I kind of figured so, because here it was 4 hours later and nothing. After about 5 minutes of shooting the breeze with Jeremy, I was given an HP load that delivers Thursday in Vancouver Washington.

I need to reset my hours so I started it tonight. George will drive his full shift tomorrow when we leave at 8am, we'll get a good night sleep tomorrow night, then at 6am on Monday I'll be good to go. Right now George and I are in motel rooms on dispatches dime. It was offered and I took it. I had one minor issue develop with my truck, there's a long bracket on either top side of the radiator that holds the radiator and shroud sturdy using the side of the engine. Well one of the bolts on the drivers side that connects the bracket arm to the motor lost it's bolt. The dumb thing is just hanging there looking really stupid. I'll run by the shop in the morning and have them put one on. Then I need to grab a set of chains which I'm sure they don't have. If need be, I'll buy them on the road.

I gave George a homework assignment tonight, I want him to do our trip planning with the route, fuel stops and miles between stops. He is really good at mapping, I have no problem with his ability. I did tell him that we are leaving here full of fuel, only stopping at 3 Love's and all three are between 960 and 975 miles apart. I also told him when he first got on the truck that when I run out to the NW that I run route 30 out of Little America Wy to Pocatello Id to Portland. I'm curious to see if he remembers to add that into the route. God Bless all, be safe.

 

Sounds like your staying busy John. When do drivers earn a weeks vacation at Abilene? What does the safety director say to do in bad weather .. Run or shut down if unsafe/ not comfortable? Abilenes made me an offer I can't refuse but I'm getting married this year and will need a weeks vacation. My company is a great company but they can't keep me near the house and put a roof over my head at the same time. For now I'll continue to learn the roads, research. I'm looking forward to coming to a 48 state carrier and seeing new things. I rarely run west of Wisconsin now.

 

I'm not John, but... To answer your questions, you are in charge of your truck. If you feel it isn't safe for your ability, they would rather you shut down and wait until you are. That being said, you can't just shut down because of a little snow or ice. As for vacation, you earn a week after one year. But, if you let them know well in advance that you will need off, there shouldn't be any issues. Especially if the reason is to get married. They are real big on family here. Hope that answers your questions. Oh, and if you are a solo driver, you won't see much west coast. Or at least I haven't. Basically I35 and east. But every now and then you get to go.

 

Thanks RebelChick that answers my questions. I'm pretty comfortable in snow but wanted to make sure safety was their biggest concern my carriers the same way. I guess I could always stay out 7 weeks and take 7 days off which isn't abnormal for me to do now. Not an issue for me but hard on her at home. I'll call in this week and talk to them about it. Thanks

 

Got to meet Big Brin and Spencer his trainee at the Pilot yesterday at exit 58 near the terminal when Johnboy and I stopped. Its so great to meet a fellow Abilene-ee and looking forward to meet the rest of the bloggers. As I have said before, there is a wonderful sense of community and family with this company and feel very blessed to be a part of it and I will do everything I can to continue to promote that feeling. Everyday is like vacation and I hope that feeling NEVER goes away. Wish I had started trucking ten years ago. The little kid enthusiasm I used to have is back now and look forward to each and every day especially after getting a good night sleep with the truck parked and not moving. Just living the dream and embracing the lifestyle! Be safe my new family and friends at Abilene. Whose got it better than us? NOBODY!!! Yes I have adopted 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh motto (been a Niners fan since 1971).

George (Johnboy' s trainee in truck 1485)