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

You should've stopped at the Valero truck stop. I hear the food is decent there. Haven't had the chance to eat there, but I stop there a lot.

 

hammer down

 

I can only run on recap hours for so long before I just hit a wall and start dragging ### every morning. I usually do it long enough just to get back to California for a reset with my other half.

As you know, it works out like that every single time because everything works out perfectly and always goes to plan in the trucking world.

 

sounds good

 

hey john, can you do me a favor? id like it if you and everyone else on this thread would take a few mins and chk out my thread on the new rules and regs plz. it could be beneficial for all of us drivers. a lot of people like and listen to you. thanx johnboy.

 

John Boy, Its been interesting following you over the last couple of years. I like you attitude and work ethic. Abilene sounds like an interesting and busy place. Miles, no BS, good equipment and communication.
However I checked the DOT Safety page and was a bit taken aback:
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD="width: 310px"]
[/TD]
[TD="width: 60px, align: center"]
On-Road[/TD]
[TD="width: 60px, align: center"]
Investigation[/TD]
[TD="width: 20px"] [/TD]
[TD="width: 60px, align: center"]BASICs Status[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Unsafe Driving [/TD]
[TD="class: negperformance"]

68.5%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance"]
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: deficient"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance [/TD]
[TD="class: performance"]

44%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance"]
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Driver Fitness [/TD]
[TD="class: performance"]

78.5%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance"]
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Controlled Substances and Alcohol [/TD]
[TD="class: performance"]

0%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance"]
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: nondeficient"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Vehicle Maintenance [/TD]
[TD="class: performance"]

15.5%​

[/TD]
[TD="class: nagperformance"]

What's up with the high numbers in unsafe driving and driver fitness. I'm surprised that management would let those numbers get that high. Please don't take this as a knock against the company...just somewhat perplexed is all.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

I wouldn't take this as a knock. I knew about these numbers. From my research I've found the unsafe drivers numbers are some of these cowboys getting speeding tickets. I would never make excuses for anyone, but if they continue to get speeding tickets then I would guess the company would eventually slow the trucks down. The driver fitness issue is mostly drivers not having their medical card on them along with expired ones. That blame is two fold, driver and company. I hope it's addressed, for my sake. I do my part to make sure I'm in compliance, you would think the rest of them would also.

 

I've been on that road twice in 33 years, the first time was 2 weeks ago and when I was going west and past it I said to myself that would be a good place to take a 10 hour break, last night with my head in the clouds I drove right by it. Next time I'll make sure to stop there.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way.

I'd be glad too.

 

Woke up this morning, went into dispatch to check on my load and was told it should be done around noon. Meanwhile, our safety director has set up shop outside with a barbeque for the drivers. It's the little things that make me happy, a free hotdog and hamburger, some potato salad and some tea, cool, now I can head home. Should be at the house around 10am.