ESTES Express (5 Year Review)

Well I just finished up my 2nd week of extra board. Random thoughts so far....

Couple of the hotels I stayed at were sketch but I'm learning the ropes as far as vetting the real #### holes out. I got a T680 10 speed, it's a good truck but runs 66ish. I guess some trucks run full bore 68, some don't.

Central is not fun to get hold of but they're always helpful.

The one thing I wish @jtaran06 had mentioned is the fact that they like to run you northeast a little bit. My first week I stayed in the south but this week I experienced the finer things in life like New Haven, Philly and the terminal that is Altoona, PA. Honestly it wasn't too bad, more frustrating because I'm still learning the ins and outs. You definitely need to be willing to hustle so you can keep rolling ASAP. Once I go back to these places it'll be a lot easier. And running at night the traffic isn't an huge issue though I did sit about 15min. on the George Washington bridge in NYC going to CT.

I got 2400 miles last week, I think I'm at about 2730 this week. Seems like the average length of load is about 200ish miles. You're doing some drop and hooks but I've been pleasantly surprised that a lot of the time the sets are already put together. Not all the time but certainly more often than the other LTL place I ran team for.

Both weeks I got home early AM. So almost two full days off before I start again. 60Hrs.

The thing that struck me is how helpful and eager other drivers are. Everybody I've met has been laid back and seemed pretty happy. That included the terminal people as well.

I'll update this as time goes on if anything changes. Honestly the biggest issue right now is just getting use to the night schedule. Everything else is gravy.

And I guess I owe @jtaran06 and the rest of you guys a beer or two.

I turned down Wal-Mart for this. And I'm pretty happy I did.

 

I was referring to extra board.

 

Guess depends on individual. I didn't kill it on extraboard. About 1800-2k week. But I tried going home 2am Saturday morning all time.

 

I may have complained a time or 2 about that garbage northeast lol. You will come across some pricks at some of the terminals ESPECIALLY in that northeast place you speak of. I always tried getting home early to get that 60+ hours off. I was cool with 2700 miles. You will have some times where you get a 640 mile 1 run and done. Those are nice. I used to like Chicago to Fargo. Then next day right back.

Good thing about turning down walmart is 5 years from now you will still be out there with walmart. Estes you can be home everyday and pretty much not really loose money.

Sure is a better deal than R+L lol. Only thing sucks is the slow truck and the paperwork. R+L was nice just toss it in garbage.

Glad it's working out for you. Have fun in Boston next week !!!!!!

 

Hey I'm not ltl driver. I just pretend to work. It's easier that way. Ltl was a lot of work. Get tired hooking and breaking.

 

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about Estes, it’s the variety of trucks and speeds. There’s a guy who runs the same lane I do for FxF, I get passed by him every night. Drives a twin screw international and pulls a van trailer, goes 73mph. I’ll admit, I get a little jealous....

 

The terminal guys prolly fight to take that truck when he's off.

I got a FXF guy is about .3 mph faster than me and tries to pass me every night. After about a week I just let him go now. He will stay in left lane for 15 miles if I don't back out of it.

 

@KaoMinerva

 

Were the hotels sketch because of bed bugs/roaches/other bugs, or because they were in dangerous areas?

Also, you said you were assigned a manual truck. How long was your training for with the trainer and were you training in a manual as well? If so, were you already good at driving a stick shift or did you need help from your trainer with shifting (particularly downshifting)?

I'm thinking some trainers might be pissed off if a new hire is rusty with a manual while others might be a bit more understanding and willing to teach.