ESTES Express (5 Year Review)

Hey dumb question while I'm thinking about it, I never drove a manual at night. With the semi-trucks, does the stick and the gear box (not sure if that's the proper terminology) light up at nighttime to help you see the general area?

I'm sure the veterans have no need for it and know everything by heart, but for drivers without much manual experience it would be helpful I think. There were several times in CDL school where I had to glance down at the gear box for a second to help gauge where I was at and where I was going with the gears. I know you're supposed to look straight ahead but sometimes a glance is necessary too, at least it was for me.

 

Maybe a stupid question if there is such a thing. Does the stick really light up at in the dark?

 

Just go by the road speed. You'll know pretty quick if you're in the wrong gear lol.

 

If you truly need to see the stick, there's interior red lights usually. Or a dome light. Or the glow from the ELD.

 

The very first hotel I went to had bedbugs which I didn't realize until I was leaving, it also seemed like it was a trap house. That was the only place I felt uneasy at. There was another one that smelled like weed and smoke but was fine besides that. That's about it. All the other places were fine.

The trainer is there to teach you the ropes of LTL and Estes. They're not there to teach you how to drive. You need to be proficient and comfortable with being able to jump into anything and drive decent.

I rode with a couple of different linehaul guys for about a week and a half. Keep in mind I had one year of LTL experience already and have been driving for 5+ years. YMMV.

 

Estes really has trainers?

 

You're kidding? Was that a joke?

So, now you have to see the stick to shift?

 

I mean these guys weren't designated as "trainers" per say, just a couple of guys that dispatch asked if a new guy can ride with. It was good to get some basic info but one being a hub guy and the other having a scheduled run neither really knew whole lot about the extra board.

I kinda had to hint around that I was ready to roll out on my own because after couple of days I was pretty much ready. Whatever I needed to learn was going to happen when I got out on my own.

 

Just answering the new dudes question. I don't need to see it, its all second nature to me.