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

Truck # 1550
2015 KW T680

Pretty decent shape, brand new drive tires.

 

I did my 20 in the AF. If your environment is conducive to your rest,The safer you will function.

 

Perhaps, then, the companies should spell out their idle policies and other policies on their websites so that drivers can make informed decision before wasting time contacting the company about employment. I did notice that Abilene does it with the driver cameras, as does Black Horse, but I think that companies should all have to say if they are using cameras...or on board event recorders as they are referred to by both companies. Personally, I won't drive for a company with a driver facing camera, and I feel that this should be up front information. Not one where they (like Watsontown Trucking did to a friend) drop the bomb in orientation just prior to issuing fuel cards.

 

Nice. Enjoy your ride.

 

Don't want the IT guy to see you driving naked through Miami? Party pooper

 

You may self route, but you will only get paid what miles they show as the shortest route. I have my GPS set on fastest practical. If I pass through a toll both, I don't stop. The company will get the bill. Because I have my GPS set as such, I drive miles I don't get paid for, even though I made it on time and the customer is super happy.

A phrase I've learned in the last 5 months: "Is it the right thing to do? No, but it's the Abilene way."

In fairness, all trucking companies operate in not the best interests of their drivers.

 

I didn't think the idle policy would bother me that bad. I found out I was very wrong earlier this week on 2 different nights. First night was 65 and raining. 2 brand new turbo fans going full blast. It was a sauna in here. 2nd night, we stopped where a strong south wind was howling. No rain. I shut the truck off and opened the windows. 64, and the South wind shifted to out of the west. No air flow.

I understand why they don't put APU's on these trucks. But they shouldn't restrict idling without APU's or another way to operate climate control while we sleep.


The camera bothers me as, 1) the status LED's are too bright and irritating, and 2) there is no ryme or reason as to when my camera starts recording.

So, when I stop for any break longer than a piss break, I have a solar screen that I put up that covers the camera. If I'm off duty or sleeper berth, that is nobody's business but mine.

 

I think their miles are fair. A smart company isn't going to pay for all miles driven. If they paid for all miles I would add an extra hundred miles to every trip.

 

We know the Air Force people are really pampered.

 

The BEST.