Any Estes driver's out there?

I want to make something clear to everyone. I am not bashing on Estes I am just letting every driver that is interested in working there my exsperiance. Not saying that they will have the same exsperiance that I did but at least they will know one drivers exsperiance working there. Don't let my bad exsperiance there talk you out of a job with them. I chalked my bad time there up to now I know what to look for in a company when I am looking. I know now that money is not everything, happyness is more important than money.

 

Cheezburger+ johndeere39b, I'm taking your side on the equipment problems. They have not purchased any NEW trucks since 2006, only used. Then you add into the mix oldest units being decommisioned/ wrecks/breakdowns/ company growth with added drivers and now we got a problem. Trucks that were previously only used as spares are now pressed into full time service. I've had no assigned unit for about the last 6 months and some of the stuff I drive is unreal. This equipment issue has pushed me right to the edge several times in th past yea've never jumped because everything else about the job is exactly what I want. Thanks for sharing your side of the story. I'm always curious what was behind someone leaving.

 

They must have 2006's sitting around, we just got our newest truck in and its a 2005. We have asigned tractors wich is nice being local and p/d, mine is from 1995 it says 300k the drivers are telling me its 1.3million, non the less. If i refuse to drive that, they put me on call. For example I wrote it up as having a sticking fuel peddal, I know the peddal is electric not direct so its an easy replace, from working in the feild years ago and keeping my SI lisence, I know when theres a bad wheel berring on the steer tire, I know what a bald tire looks like, I know that having a crack in the windsheild going from left to right will get you pulled over. These things I know, and for writing it up, I get put on on call, that means that i may or may not work. Now at 30 to 40 hours a week, its a hard call, one hand dont make enough money or push it and see how far I can get away with it. So this weekend they told me they are sending it to the shop, last week i worked 3 days. Missed 2 days of pay due to not having a tractor because I said im not risking driving junk.

 

I was told that they don't lay people off anymore they starve them out. Just like you said by not working them and also if you don't work at least 32 hours a week then they can cancel your insurance look it up I read it in the hand book.The equipment was a big deal to me and it beats you to death. I was getting a pain in my stomach so I went to the doctor he said I was starting to get a hurnia from there equipment so it was either have surgery done or find a job with better equipment. I don't have anymore pain with this new job.

 

Sounds to me like you have never worked in the real world of trucking. Try sitting for hours on end in a steel mill or drivining a old mack in hot weather with no a/c or have to sleep across the seats of a truck.Estes may have some faults just like every company does . But in my opinion i think they are a goog company to work for. Come back to reality they not that bad.Everything is not perfect just suck it up and be a real truck driver. The new breed of tuckers are sure not the same as when i started.

 

^^^hmmm another single poster?

AAAANNNNYYYWAY.

Estes has a terminal in Kutztown PA about 15 minutes from my current job (that I'm on the fence about) they're using single axle Ints that I can see, the equipment looks pretty good from a distance. I know a lot of companies have been stockpiling newer equipment in ainticipation of some new federal guidelines for emissions/fuel econ. So maybe that explains why some people on this board are driving ratty 15 y/old million milers? (can't do the company reputation very good if every 5th truck is on the side of the road with the hood up, right?)

From what people are describing here, even with the cutbacks, the rate is better than what I'm making now. Yet I never see anything about the Kutztown terminal hiring. Anyone ever been there? It's got to be a good location to service the NE corridor, so I'm sure there's plenty of work.

Only thing is, Trashy Trucker, I think I'd rather have my own dedicated sleeper than a company funded motel. Some of those "el Chepo" motels are kinda sketchy. I really don't want to come back from a week on the road with lice and/or bedbugs.

 

Most LTL companies use older tractors for city work. Estes is no different. Want a newer truck? Run the road. Otherwise quit your crying.
There are many solo drivers driving older sleeper units.
They still take their breaks in the motels because the co. gets the rooms cheaper than the cost of idling the truck for all that time. Plus, the sleeper trucks (most of them anyway)are set for 30 min idle times anyway. I think those guys want the sleepers because they ride better, run a little faster (sometimes) and they can put more of their junk inside. Although some of those extraboard guys can put an astounding amount of stuff into a daycab tractor!

 

I work for covenant and we haul a lot of their loads. I asked them the other day at the riverside CA terminal what it took to drive for them. They said no more than 1 ticket in last three years and at least 2 years Eco. Felonies are ok depending on what it is.
They also prefer people with hazmat and doubles experience

 

Does anybody know if they buy other trucking companies somewhat frequently? Or rarely? I know they acquired G.I. a few years back but there is a LOT of speculation where I work (an LTL company based in CO) that they have or are in the process of buying us. Any thoughts anybody?

 

Estes does general freight like Conway, fedex etc. But only Ups that I know of is the only ltl company started doing flatbed !!