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

I figured the one you took Weds. was the one I turned down Tuesday night, hence the apology.

Northeast training. Time was they wanted all the greenhorns to get a guided run into NYC. Guess that's out the window these days.

To your other question, I'll answer with a humorous anecdote: back when I first started I got a run from Groveport to a distributor in western Maryland. Had enough time left on my clock to get it there and park the night before the delivery, so I did. Around 2am that night I got a QC message explaining how important it was not to be late on the load, signed 'AKJ'. It woke me up from a sound sleep and I was pretty disgruntled about it. Told my DM as much. I wanted to know who this AKJ joker was and why I was getting messages about not being late after I'd already arrived at the cons. He said, not just a bit amused, that joker was the director (might've said president, not sure,) of operations and stated that if he felt the need to mention something that specific, the least I could do is feel the need to ensure that concern was taken care of on my end.

So yeah, pretty sure Alan is running the day-to-day nowadays.

 

He is. And I think there's more change coming in that area as well. The loads out of W. Memphis are dispatched by him last I knew. Don't know why they can't seem to keep dispatch staff there.

He was a rookie in every sense of the word. Not ready to be on his own, but pushed out of training too soon, driving on a road he shouldn't have been on with 44k of aluminum coils. A load he shouldn't have been assigned. Those things slide off the pallets because nthey don't have anti skid crap on them and are only shrink wrapped. A buddy of mine had one not too long ago that shifted when another driver cut in front of him in construction on the WV tpk. Only thing that saved him from going over the edge was his experience level.
Heard the drivers legs and arms were crushed and as of that time (before my mom went back in hospital) was still in the hospital. Doubt he will ever drive again.

 

Oo, the big sheets of rolled aluminum we get from that place a mile or so from the Richmond yard? I've taken a couple of those loads through West Virginia. Never left the STAA roads, though.

 

Yep. Those are the ones. Deliver somewhere in BFE WV. That's like the conversation about the flooring out of Beverly WV back to Sandston. Some folks take the itty bitty roads. I don't. Not my cup of tea. I didn't hear anything about me going the long way around, so guess it was ok.

 

@Barn Door Bill i mustve missed the dates, but its all good. When i took the 1st load i saw the 2nd and seeing the dates knew it was a good chance i was runnin both.

Yea im not a fan of those rolls. Took some to ohio and took some to new jersey. U see rolls on flatbeds secured like crazy, wonder what those guys would say about the pallat sliding stoppers method.

I really dont like that they are skimping on ne training. An exposure run to nyc is pretty important, unless that whole 48 state thing just doesnt apply.

 

I will keep my story regarding him to myself. I will say he is the reason I am no longer there! Lol. Colin and Curtis treated me exceptionally well though.

 

Stage 3 of the training program emphasizes NE driving, so that is what is being referred to as "NE training". Not sure if the training program as it exists now was in effect when you were with Abilene.

 

No it wasn't. It was here's your load head North young man!! But I had already driven for a few years and also drove for a "friend of the family" right before hiring on with them. And I think it's a great idea. Nothing like driving in NYC!!

 

Anyone that takes the Itty bitty road twice needs their head examined. That one hairpin turn where you fully take up the oncoming lane was enough for me. The bridge marked 13'5" with very short advance warning was another decider.

 

I've never done those, don't sound fun at all. I suppose I can't whine about the load I'm on now. It's one of those where you ask yourself "what the hell kind of place is this and what on earth am I hauling?". It's not heavy, but I will be glad to get rid of it.