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

I've only ever had to file one OSD report in the 2+ years I've been driving, so I can't imagine it impacting me a great deal that we now have to go through Knight to do so.

 

So far, my only beef with Knight-Swift is that "All tractors are team spec" is no longer one of the benefits of signing up with Abilene. They tried to put me in a 2019, but I declined. Respectfully told 'em that I'd love to move into someone else's 2018 780 and let them move into one of the new 760s, but I wasn't interested in living in a smaller apartment if I didn't have to. Bill laughed in his way and said he understood, and he'd keep me in mind.

I like Bill.

 

Yes, I’m not a fan of mega company take overs. I was at Gordon when Heartland swallowed them up. Their promises rarely come true or last long.

 

So is there at least an upper bunk in the 760’s?
Never was a lot of space to begin with but was nice to have the upper bunk sleeping area and leave the table up 24/7... or just use the upper bunk as an attic area...

But things do change... hold onto those older team trucks as long as you can.

 

I’m not looking. Like I’ve said time and time again, 3 more years and I’m done. This light at the end of the tunnel is the end of the tunnel not the train. I’m in a very unique position at 62 years of age, if this company should close its doors today, I would bring them back their truck, and fly home. My desire to work has nothing to do with my financial survivability, I took care of that over the last 40 years. I’m working because I want too, not because I have too. Whatever problems most drivers have with their employer, those trucking know it all’s, and the rumor mill has nothing to do with me, I’m very content to finish at Abilene. Now, I will say this, when I park my truck for hometime, I never once look at it until I get ready to leave, and every time I go back to my truck to leave, I hope and pray that when I turn the corner, it’s gone. That’s not because of Abilene, Knight, or any other excuse except this, this industry sucks, has for a long time, but being this close to retirement, I’ll just finish it out. Hoping that someone steals my truck over the next 6 days.

 

Right. I cannot say that I make the same as you - because I haven’t (we aren’t the same, I don’t train, yada, yada, yada) and haven’t the years of experience like you do. What we are similar with? The steady “get home when you need to, or when you put in for”, I pretty much ran where I wanted, and the MAJOR assistance I’ve had over the past 1.5 (heck almost 2 years) with my family situation. Another company could’ve just said, “You can’t be OTR anymore and you don’t have a way to get here to be local, so see ya. Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out.” But they’re not like that. And not just with me either. I see lots of folks that have had to come off the road due to health issues, family issues, etc. and have places elsewhere in the company. So, do I fuss sometimes? Sure. I’m a drivah after all. But if I was to leave here, it would have to be a kick tail deal. (Or if I pick up my phone one too many times! LOL. I really do need a holder for it.)

 

DOT + me = me $100 richer. Woo Hoo!!!

 

@RebelChick the best thing I ever did was get a magnetic vent holder from Wal-Mart.

I know I complain sometimes,but one thing I'll never complain about is hometime,just last night Abilene deadheaded me 300 miles to get me home on time.

 

Looks like I'll be spending Thanksgiving in Byhalia. Right now, I'm up here in Allentown, spending the night on the Darby yard. Will be heading out in the A.M. with a load of truck parts.

I might splurge and bobtail all the way back to West Memphis and pick up something resembling a turkey dinner from the Petro.

How 'bout you guys?

 

Home till Monday. Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving.