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

Hi everyone! I have been avidly reading this thread, as it seems I may be able to get back into trucking after a 6 year hiatus. Spoke with Rusty at Abilene this morning, and he says things should be fine, that I would have to do orientation (and physical even though I just got one last week, but np), and then would have to go out with a trainer for 1-3 weeks as a refresher. This company seems like just the ticket for me, from everything I've been reading so far, although I'll admit, I'm only 40 or so pages in.

I drove 3+ years OTR, starting with a pumpkin truck from 2004-2005 then with a small carrier from 2005-2006 and 2008-2009. I've been around trucks pretty much all of my life, as my father and my grandfather both drove. Just thought I would stop in and introduce myself.

Stay safe, folks

 

I do have one question. Has anyone here done the physical through the place at Richmond the company sends you to? If so, do they push the whole sleep test BS on you, if the only indicator you have happens to be the fact that you're a bigger guy? I'm 6'2, 300 pounds.

Just wondering if I need to be worried about being knocked out because some doc is on a power trip, especially considering I just did a physical last week and got a 2 year card no problem. Blood pressure great, etc.

 

Yeah, Rusty said I could get my physical out of the way before I finish up working out my notice at my current employer, and gave me the choice of Concentra in Sterling, VA, or the one in Richmond. Said the folks in Richmond were much friendlier and gave me my choice. So it looks like I will be going to Richmond to get my physical done. Going to call him tomorrow to see if I can get an appointment for next friday for it, then hopefully will be in Orientation the first part of October.

 

I didn't test in Richmond but there seems to be a standard "score card" being used... If you get to many points then the sleep test is triggered. I, like yourself, and a bigger guy and just skated, barely, under the limit.

Some factors you can't change... Age (50+ is a point), BMI (39+ is a point), Neck Size (17.5? is a point)... But then there is a little "quiz" that they ask you to fill out... Ask things like "how tired are you in the morning?" "Do you get sleepy after lunch"... Blah blah blah.... Your answers are subjectively yours to give and thus not measurable against a standard. ... Just saying...

 

And I too had Rusty as my recruiter (he just happened to pick up the phone when I called)...

While I won't say that he lied to me, feel free to confirm any answers that he gave you with us here... Although I am VERY happy here so far (now five weeks) I was a bit frustrated as I gleaned additional information from others at Abilene... It's still a bit of a sore spot for me and I might end up talking to him about it... Like I said, he didn't mislead me... More of a sin of omission rather than commission. (If I have used those terms correctly)

But I will repeat, I have been very pleased with everything here at Abilene so far and hope to run into you at the Richmond Terminal one day soon.

Welcome Aboard!!!

 

Oh, and another thing about the sleep test and results...

Just because you are tested doesn't mean they will find Sleep Apnea... Which is what they are screening for with the numbers above...

If they screen you and test you and then identify a sleep issue its still not a big deal... A non driver friend of mine has Sleep Apnea and uses a CPAP machine at night and he says it's the best sleep he has ever gotten when he uses the machine... So it is a real issue for some and the tech helps those in need.

Whether you fall into that group or not who knows but it's not a bad thing if it does help you sleep.

In a couple years, I will be 50 and get another point and will more than likely be required to be tested too.

 

Well, I'll be 37 next Wednesday. I have a high BMI, and my neck size as I measured it was 17.5, but all the rest is good to go. I just want to make sure that everything goes ok so that I can start everything on time. My last day at my current job is Oct 2, and would love to start with Abilene the following Monday.

Now, as far as what I was told....1-3 weeks with a trainer after orientation due to how long I've been away from driving, time dependent upon performance and what the trainer says, good running equipment, which I've seen seems to be the case, at least according to this thread, 2 days home for 2 weeks out, an additional day for every additional week out after 2, able to take the truck home, as long as it is parked in a safe location, rider policy after (I think) 90 days for a small fee, pet policy for a refundable deposit for up to 35 pounds, 2900 miles avg per week as long as I want to run correctly, fridge, 2500w inverter.

Forgot to ask about the camera thing, found on the website no hazmat, extra .10 per mile for northeast, which reading the thread is anything MD and above? (this I picked up from this thread so far, but only about 75 pages in or so), 1-2 NE loads per month is usually the avg per driver? (Would prefer to stay out of NE as much as I can, if at all possible, lol...) Seems like a BUNCH of happy drivers. Oh, and I notice a bunch of DH. Mileage is paid for loaded and empty, correct?

Sorry guys...lots of questions, but it definitely seems like this is the place for me so far.