EPES TRANSPORT-Greensboro, NC

Hey Everyone. I'm new to this forum, so I thought I would peoples opinion on EPES Transport.
I recently separated from the U.S.Army. I was enlisted for 8 yrs., and so I thought it was time to move to the
next chapter of my life. I am thinking of joining EPES transport , and I plan on attending Davidson County Community
College for the Truck Driver Training program which is one of the preferred schools for EPES. I have read from the website
that the equipment is good , and well maintained. I know after school I will be with a trainer for 6 weeks.

A few questions:

What is EPES turnover rate?
Does EPES have Bid runs like other trucking companies?
What is the Schedule like for OTR drivers?
How are the people at EPES?

Any information would help

Thanks.

 

outstanding choice of school. I went there. Quite a few have gotten hired from there. Excellent program and instructors you'll be far ahead of the ones in orientation that went to the 3 week CDL mills.

Turnover rate for last year published a couple weeks ago is 36%. Far below the industry average and speaks for itself.

No bid runs on otr. Run what you're given. Only things we a free to decline is NYC and Canada. Currently they aren't holding it against us if we turn down runs west of the Mississippi because you generally end up being out 2 weeks+ if you get out there. I'm sure that will change down the road a year or so as they get the scheduling worked out on those trips. Not sure how it works on dedicated or local.

Typical schedule for for me is out Sunday in Friday or out Monday in Saturday. Sometimes get through the house a night during the week. You'll be in weekly sometimes for just 34 or sometimes for 2 1/2 to 3 days just depends on how your load in falls and whether you keep it or drop it. Some have it worked out where they run weekends and are in during the week. Quite a bit of flexibility there just have to work out with your DM what works for you.

People are generally good to work with. Like anywhere else we have our share of idiots, on both sides of the glass but for the most part everyone is laid back and easy to get along with. It's a smaller company so you learn pretty quickly who is and isn't lol

better than average pay for a company van newbie. Outstanding trainers. Good equipment. Good home time. You could do a lot worse.

Just like anywhere else you'll have your bad weeks. They really try my patience sometimes but that's just the former manager in me coming out not being the one in charge anymore lol I had a real #### week 3 weeks ago. It happens. They've run the wheels off the truck the last 2 weeks can hardly catch my breath.

Downsides for me are elogs and 63mph but you get used to it. A lot of northeast as well but it's not as bad as many make it out to be with a little planning and they pay a good bonus for it.

Its a a good fit for me. I usually post more when it's a bad week than a good one but we've all been there and that's one of the many useful functions of this board. By the time it gets to the wife it's a little watered down lol

 

Geez absolutely pouring snow in Chattanooga. Huge flakes. Good thing all this isn't sticking.

 

Thank you for the information . I have nothing but good things from the school. From what I have read so far - sounds like EPES is a good place to work.
Can't wait to start the school, and plus looking forward to starting with EPES. Sticking with this !!!!!

 

@ flyingmusician I am also wanting to know more information as much you can give to help me on my journey to be with EPES Transport. With the school choice that I picked. What all does the instructors cover in backing up? I mean I have been backing trailers for a long time, but nothing like a 53'. I know that will be something to get use to. Also how hard is the testing out @ EPES for your own truck? I seen from the equipment offering that all the trucks are pretty good . I like the Prostars ,but chances on getting one will probably be few and far between, but there is hope !!!!!!! If you can give general information about the curriculum , and any other general knowledge would be very helpful. I am liking this company more and more. Also a Nascar race fan as well lol

 

the day of the prostar is over. you won't be getting one. the only ones we have left are lease/ops that got a few before they turned them back in. they got a few and tried them but freightliner is in bed too deep with them. Volvo keeps trying and we have some really nice 780's but they're automatics. got 5 Cascadia automatics too but they're taken. I had one and put 92k on it and couldn't get out of it fast enough. 99% chance you get a cascadia 10 speed.

backing at dccc will be straight line, 45/90, offset and alley dock. you'll be doing it with 28' pups. you won't back the 53's until the skills test for the cdl but will get some practice time on them first. the 28's react so fast to steering inputs once you get that down, everything with the 53 seems like it's happening in slow motion and so much easier. they change the class format every so often but generally it alternates one day on the yard doing exercises and one day one the road driving and Fridays in class. instructors are old hands and intolerant of bs and will work you hard and the courses are setup to give you a good foundation for training on the road.

road testing for the company is a piece of cake coming from that school. some of the 3 week cdl mill wonders didn't do so well on it though. just listen and apply what they teach you at dccc and you're just fine.

 

definitely running hard this week. putting the student through his paces. have run the clock down under 30 minutes every day this week so far. luckily he has a good foundation in backing so I'm not dealing with that but he's got extensive military seat time and then otr with 2 companies, all of the above having driven nothing but automatics. not so good with a stick lol but he's showing progression and that's what I look for. 180 degrees better than last week. by the end of his time he should be doing just fine.

picked up in Nashville at Electrolux this morning. 2:40 to get in and out for a d/h. that place is always a pain to deal with. down in Tifton tonight dropping at Valdosta and then preplanned to Louisiana. 50/50 how that goes. maybe get home maybe be stuck out 2 weeks. guess we see how it goes.

2 chicks working in the steak and shake tonight at pilot got into a fight. it was hilarious.

 

Always nice to have an ex veteran on here joining Epes. I'm ex Navy vet of 11 years. I got out 18 years ago lol. I have been with Epes now almost 16 months and have mostly great things to say about them. I think you will like them.

 

Hi Icyhot, I left Epes a few months ago, but when I first started with them it was real good. They ran me about 2800+ miles a week and I was getting home with no problem every other weekend. Sometimes I would stay out for 3 weeks. As I ran into other Epes drivers, I would tell them how great I thought the company was and how good they moved me, all those drivers would say "just wait, it will change". About 2 weeks later, it all started to go down hill. I would be lucky to get 1500-1800 miles a week. I was doing a lot of sitting, spent a lot of time being sent to more than 3 places to look for trailers, and started to have to fight to get home. "Flyingmusician" will respond to this differently as it seems like he has been with the company for many years so life at Epes is different for him. Plus he is a trainer. He may say something like "as long as u work hard, keep your mouth shut, and pick your battles wisely you can make it", but honestly when you have bills to pay or a family to support its not that easy. NO DISRESPECT TO YOU FLYINGMUSICIAN, but for a some drivers its not that simple. I will say the equipment is pretty decent. My truck was only in the shop once, and another time for a PM which is necessary. The NC terminal is like Fort Knox and the Chester, VA term is pretty relaxed. I think thats because the planners and dispatchers screw the drivers so bad they fear for their safety, LOL. You need a badge to go everywhere. Anyhow, if you choose to go there, good luck and just make sure you do your research on ALL companies not just Epes. Talking to drivers at the truck stops is the best way.

 

Sorry Icyhot, I was responding to Hammer Down in previous reply, Ooops.