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

Been stuck on nights since I left out last Thursday at 5pm... Has not worked out yet to get switched back to days. I was hoping that was going to happen yesterday when I hit the Richmond Yard and needed my truck looked at... I figured they would get it looked at and fixed but not get dispatched until morning.

Nope, ended up on my first solo run into NYC for an 8am delivery... So left out around 9:30 pm and drove all night, again.

Sitting here until they open up at 8am, unload, and then find someplace local to park for my 10 hour break.

 

NYC... Between the small, cramped parking lots and the people, sorry JB, it's like a whole different world up here... (Variety is Nice)

Can I just click my heels together and hope to be sent to Kansas next???

First time Solo up here... Crossed into NYC at the George Washington Bridge this time... Quite the experience which is always good, I guess.

So many "No Truck" signs and like three bridges with signs saying 12' 2" and BIG sign saying something about Trucks aren't allowed on Parkways just Expressways... Whew!!!

Ok, tell this corn fed boy from Central Illinois just what the difference is between a Parkway and Expressway... I am guessing I arrived here without hitting one... LOL

Now I just hope to find a place up here to complete my Ten... ... And hope to head back south before they want me to back into Boars Head... {shivers}


Stay Safe,
MD

 

So they force NY Dispatch? Guess it's a chance to see the big apple
Since I am based in the West. Could I stay regional out here?
Still waiting which is tough because I really need to start working soon.

 

Know you're busy - just poking you here.

Rick

 

We are forced dispatch but I personally have never, yet, had a load I would think about refusing. We have NE Regional guys that handle a lot of the NYC stuff at night so while it's possible to be sent to The Big Apple, it's a rare case for most OTR folks.

And, as I hear from the more experience drivers here, NYC isn't much different than any other big city... I will slip out here soon heading up to see Bernie in Vermont for a load heading to Groveport, so I survived my first solo in NYC, I hope I didn't just jinx myself as I am not out yet.

As to Regional out there, you would need to talk to a recruiter about that. Other than the NE, we don't have "Regional Drivers"... But being home out there will likely give you much more time in that area than the rest of us.

I think seeing other parts of this great nation is one of the benefits of the OTR career... But I am still wet behind the ears so still living in the honeymoon phase of the job.

 

Do it again... He loves it...
And is a bit ticklish in the sides...

 

Does make it a lot easier going to cities like that with an automatic. Probably why they have them. By the way I just read this over at another thread on Abilene: "You are forced to sign a sheet saying you are responsible for part of repair cost on your truck or trailer (up to 50%) if involved in an accident whether your fault or not."

Is that true?

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I applied. I don't understand why it's taken them that long to get a PSP report from DOT? Haven't even started this career yet...lol. Unless they spelled my name wrong but the really nice lady (Sandra I think) repeated my spelling back to me. Fingers crossed but I can't wait any longer than beginning of April. Still not sure if I should go with Western or May because they are closer. I'm holding out just from all the good I've heard about Abilene and the fact you will get an auto. I'm single no kids so I have no problems being out for as long as it takes.

 

I have always considered Abeliene, I see them at our yard daily at ellenwood and they always tell me good things about them . But they gave me a dedicated Fl GA route, locked me into place for a nice long while

 

Many reasons a company decides to run with manual vs automated manual trucks... But YES... In my never be humble opinion, the autos are much easier when in traffic of any kind... Construction, Accidents, Rush Hour... You name it and my left knee will agree.

As to the signing for damages, I saw that in the other thread too but I don't remember that being part of anything I signed.

And Abilene is a great place to start and/or end ones career... Be patient and maybe call Sandra again in a few days... I know they are swamped lately.

And it's worth the wait... Hang in there.


Stay Safe,
MD

 

I'm looking at Abilene because they train - and because they are one of the few companies that hire out of my zip code (since JohnBoy lives 15 minutes from me).

Rick