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

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by JohnBoy, Apr 10, 2013.

  1. RebelChick

    RebelChick Road Train Member

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    So these last couple days running the "back" roads has been pretty cool. I suppose that's the way it was "back in the day" in trucking. Wish I would've gone for it when I first started to. If I had, I would've been in for 25 years! It's nice to get off the big road and see the sights. A little sad, too, because you see life has moved on from a lot of these places. And wonder what the people do that still are there.

    AND THEN... you hit LA traffic and it takes you 2 hours to drive 30 miles. And you go in violation just getting to your receiver. And again, because they won't let you stay on their property and the police say you can't park here. And it takes you 2.5 hours to drive to the Colton yard. Yeah, I could've gone to the TA, but the yard was only 10 miles further and I had to go there anyway. Plus I didn't want to pay to park since it's always a crap shoot as to whether you will get reimbursed. By the time I got parked, I wanted to stab a few people in the eyeball!!!

    But now I've had 10 hours of sleep (yep, a full 10 hours of nothing but me and my pillows), I feel much better. After 2 days of over 15 hours each, I guess I needed it. Now to go pick up in San Bernadino and head for Ardmore OK. Supposed to be there Tues morning, but I'm about 3 hours short of being able to get there. Did send in the required msg so we'll see whey do about it.

    It's been nice to be able to stretch my legs this time around. Live loading and unloading on the same day, day after day (or even dropping & hooking) gets old and eats your clock. Short runs all the time suck. Guess my chat with Cam might have done some good. I get tired of being told I can't get longer runs because I go home every 2 weeks because I know that's BS. I try to be a positive person and don't try to make waves. (Really.) Doesn't always work, so if I come across as a witch when I finally do speak up, sorry. NOT!! Anyway, just my way of saying I'm content at Abilene (for now). Take it, leave it, whatever floats yer boat.
     
  2. gntorres61

    gntorres61 Road Train Member

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    I hear ya RC! The meat loads I had to LA sucked. Once I got there, 18 hours to get off 3 and 4 stops. Took a split sleeper at my last stop just to get back to the TA in Ontario (after rush hour of course). Don't miss Cali but I do miss going west of Texas, the heartland and such. Still doing ok at Cargo. 2500 miles last week, 2900 this week. Not Abilene miles 2B sure but I get 43cpm which I know you all get 46 going to the NE. Best to you, Johnboy, Jewan and the gang. Anybody ever heard back from Big Brin??
     
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  3. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    True... Very True... :)
     
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  4. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    So @JohnBoy, get all moved and settled in to that brand spanking new KW?

    I saw six new ones heading piggyback towards Richmond... They were yet to be branded but the color looked very familiar.

    I know two drivers that got upgraded. Now I wonder just who will be getting the other 78.
     
  5. JohnBoy

    JohnBoy Road Train Member

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    Just got finished moving into the new house. After starting my day at 3am, then spending 6 hours moving, I'm done, spent, wore out and whatever other adjectives you want to through in there. Goodbye 1552, hello 1717. Leaving at noon tomorrow with a 4 stopper that starts in Illinois and ends in Cheyenne Wyoming via Denver.

    George, glad to hear from you.

    RC, now you see why I like running out west. It's nice to get lost for a week and not have to deal with the chaos back in Richmond.
     
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  6. RMU91

    RMU91 Light Load Member

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    If the move from one truck to another is logged and it eats away at the 8/70, then it's consuming :)

    Congrats on the new wheels. Stay Safe!
     
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  7. runningman0661

    runningman0661 Road Train Member

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    JB when are you picking up a student again? Glad you enjoyed the cruise, and happy to see you get a new truck. Are they still doing a mixture of brands or are they exclusive with KWS now?
     
  8. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    Although "I know nothing"
    (Imagine Sgt. Schultz Speaking)

    I heard there are some new Volvos heading to Richmond too... But until they arrive, who knows for sure... I'm still waiting to be assigned one of the new Western Stars... {shrug}
     
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  9. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    Ok, so I posted here how I survived my first High Wind experience by pulling off and parking, which turned out to be the right call ... even if it did set me back a few hours until I finally caught up tonight.

    My question is: what's the best way to approach High Winds up to the point of pulling off and parking?

    It tossed me around a bit before I made the call and not sure I handled it correctly or not.

    My spur of the moment thinking was to "go with it a bit" even though by doing so a couple times it actually pushed me into the lane next to me... Thankfully the car and truck using that lane did see my truck coming their way and was also able to stay clear of my choice to drift a bit.

    My thinking at the time was if I were to turn TOO HARD against it to stay in my lane that I might actually be adding to the forces that would lead to a blow over... Being blown in one direction plus turning hard into the other direction.... Adding forces... Like turning a corner slowly vs at high speeds.... Not sure I am explaining my thoughts correctly or not.

    If that was the right approach to take, then the only thing I would have done differently, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, would be to actually ride beyond the rumble strip on the right side (which is where the high winds were coming from) so that when it did push me hard and I allowed it to drift, then I would have a few more feet of cushion between my truck and the vehicles in the left lane.

    If my spur of the moment thinking was in error, then I would gladly welcome suggestions as to how to approach high winds the next time that I encounter them.

    Again, this time I was empty... I assume a fully loaded trailer would be an added benefit in high winds but again, if wrong, please correct my thinking.

    Looking forward to your replies.

    Thanks,
    MD
     
  10. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    every situation is different
    steady winds or gusts
    side to or head winds
    experience will tell you when to pull off
    just like snow and ice
    if you need to change your underwear you need to pull over