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

Really? That's all?

 

That's all. You can't submit any paperwork because you don't have any.

 

Day 40.......

Second trailer had an air leak. After 4 hrs at the TA, found out it was a nail in a tire. Was supposed to drop this trailer back at the Dallas yard and get an empty to grab a local pick up and take that back to the D yard, then resume my previous run. Ended getting flooded in at the yard. This was last night.

Got up this morning. Luckily the flood water subsided so I could get to the Plano drop 30 min early. Their unloading crew is not here. They weren't notified of the delivery time change. So, another detention. And I still have to get the second stop in Austin, supposedly by 2pm today.

I've forgotten how to relax. The great day the wife and I had last Monday is a distant memory, and that is sad. She is my mental battery, apparently. 90 days is deflating me mentally. Yes, I'm almost halfway there. It will only get worse until I get her on the truck. 27 years together this December. She is my life. Yes, I'm going to start doing a 2 week home time rotation until she can go with me. It will be a huge pain in the tushie for everyone.



I just want to post cheerful stuff on here. I'm tired of venting.

Peace.

 

Thanks.

 

Only if you take it seriously

 

Serious question:

I can't be the only one who is experiencing what I've been experiencing, right?

I'm not happy with the way things are going with me here. Perhaps I'm too sensitive. But I really highly dislike being late, my fault or not. But, all but 2 or 3 loads I've been dispatched were late when I got them. Then, there are the 3, 6 or 9 hour loads/unloads. Or, like just now. I had to unload the trailer. I've driven for PTL and Ozark, and I had no such issues. Am I being a premadonna? Or are my concerns justified?

Speak freely please. You won't offend me or hurt my feelings. (But I'll say you did if it makes you feel better.)

 

No, you aren't the only driver to have issues. We all have them to a certain degree. Some just more than others (like me) or you.

If you are given a load that is already late, dispatch knows it. Just get it there when you LEGALLY can. Do NOT use your 45 minute off duty drive. Do NOT use your extension. DO use the load acceptance macro and say why you will be late. Short and sweet. Given load late, hours of service, etc.

Driver unload? Where did that happen? I've only run across that once. Bed, Bath & Beyond up in the NE and I biotched about it and got paid pretty well to do it. Our freight is supposed to be no touch. Oh, and in case no one else has said it, NEVER EVER NEVER EVER TOUCH HILL PHOENIX COOLERS. Definite no-no.

The extreme unloading time? Must be reefer stuff? Just put in for your detention pay. Not much you can really do about it. Sucks balls, yes. Personally, I can't stand reefer loads. But, nature of reefer loads in general. If not reefer, then there are some serious issues elsewhere. I don't think I've been stuck more than 3 hours on a non-reefer load.

With all that being said, you need to have a talk with your FM. If that doesn't work, go to Cam. If that doesn't work, next would be Alan Jones. And if that doesn't work, Kolon or even Keith. But, have your ducks in a row and be SPECIFIC about your concerns, give examples and let them know what needs to happen.

Hope that helps.

 

Well, I was off the truck for a few weeks to get us moved to Charlotte as my wife had excepted an offer to replace her boss. (He moved within the company)

Day Two complete... Bumped my 14 both days and had 21.5 hours of drive time.... Which was good and bad... Mostly NE miles so could not rack them up too quickly but the 10 CPM bump for the NE Region helped and I think I will be getting the $50 to touch NYC too, maybe.

So I guess my butt is firmly back in the saddle!

Tomorrow I hope to hit the Richmond Yard as this truck will NOT idle and the AC is acting up.

But, the wife is meeting with some judges in Richmond tomorrow so if they really have to keep my truck in the shop over night, I guess I will be getting an unofficial drive by my wife and a hotel room with a King sized bed too.

Time for bed... I drop early in the morning.

Stay Safe,
MD

 

Once you get you home time start to put in for home time every other weekend. That's my current plan now that our "team couple" plans are on the back burner.

As to your wife hoping on board, it will happen soon... As you said, half way there and now on the down hill side too. (Worse case that is)

BTW, congrats on 27 years coming up!!!

 

My start here wasn't too smooth either... They almost lost me between training and soloing.

And it took awhile to "settle in" too... It should smooth out as you get used to running solo... My FM and I didn't click right off but we both adjusted a bit and it's been working out well since then.

I was told, (by someone here?) that it takes a full year for things to settle down and really get in sync with everything. Just hit 10 months (wow) here and I think that was a good advice.

Plus, you have the added benefit of bringing your wife on the truck too... Lots of things will change for the better when she hops on board.

As to the being late thing, ya what RC said.

If it's late already, get it there legally and ASAP but don't sweat it. It's late and not your fault.

If there's something happening during trip planning or during the trip that is causing you to be late for a load that is otherwise doable, maybe post the details here... Or PM one of us to look at it and see what you are hitting.

Most loads, if not already late, should be doable even if tight. They know your hours and know how long it "should" take to get there. It might get tight at times but most loads should be doable.... If not, then let's see if we can find out what's happening.

Peace,
MD