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

Back in the saddle after a couple weeks off. Got back and discovered that we have a policy which requires drivers to pass a drug test if they're out more than two weeks.

I have taken two weeks off (or more) several times in the past, and have never run afoul of this policy before. I was assured that it's not a new policy, and that it isn't an indication that the powers that be lack trust in their drivers or anything.

And the thing is, I don't actually care about the drug test. It's easy to pass a drug test when you don't do drugs. I just get annoyed by cheerful employees trying to sell me on the idea that it's okay because it's a policy. These people need to understand that they would get much, much farther with me if they would just pony up and say "Yep, the company doesn't trust you. But you still gotta do it." I can respect that level of blunt honesty. Equivocation just gets on my nerves.

In any case, I was assigned a Hill-Phoenix load on Friday, to be delivered to the coastal bits of South Carolina just north of Savannah, Georgia. Load assignment said it was due to be loaded Friday at 4:30pm, and was supposed to be waiting for me at the HP warehouse. However, apparently HP is backlogged again, because the load was not ready and nobody had an ETA on when it might be ready.

So instead I was given a load to Evansville, Indiana, due Wednesday morning at 8:00am. Plenty of time to get there, but I wanted to put a few miles under the wheels today, so I drove to White's just to get my sea legs back under me. Will reach the receiver tomorrow and will be ready for 8:00am delivery on Wednesday. But maybe they'll take me a day early.

 

Medical leave I can see where you’d be drug tested. Like if you’ve been out over 30 days you have to get a new DOT physical. Between 2017-2021 when I was out a lot with my mother, I had about 8 DOT physicals. As if I had enough stress! But vacation? That’s getting a little ridiculous. When you get back from that relaxing 2 week Greek Isle vacation, you’re gonna be so relaxed and get your last DOT done! LOL

 

Geez…and I got frustrated just having to take a quick road test at Schneider after each break exceeding 30 days! I don’t feel so bad now!

 

I'm guessing a factory defective trailer.....

 

Tried to bend 'er around a pole?

 

I HATE when that happens.....