Choosing between Estes and SEFL

Hello everyone, new to the forum but not new to trucking. Been driving for over 15 years and I have been offered a linehaul job with Estes which is over an hour's drive from my home. Been waiting on a background check for 2 weeks now. (Ridiculous) Anyway, Southeastern Freight called me today and I'm interviewing tomorrow for a linehaul position with them. The SEFL terminal is only 30 minutes from my house. I've heard good things about Estes but don't know much about SEFL.

Just looking for advice on which company would be the better opportunity when it comes to pay, benefits, culture, etc. Thanks for any advice.

 

SEFL Is a good company also. A 2 hour daily commute on top of you full day of driving will get tiresome. I'd take to closer job or move closer to the farther job. Bothe companies are pretty good.

 

Former driver from both companies, I take Estes over sefl, management as sefl likes to run drivers to the ground although now you can get overtime.

 

After all the Swift buyouts of smaller LTL companies I’d go with the bigger company personally. Plus I’ve heard only good things in person and on here about Estes.

 

I assume you are talking P & D? I would be linehaul so overtime wouldn't apply.

 

That's the only thing that concerns me is the fact that SEFL is a smaller company. I wish this Estes background check would hurry up because I have heard nothing but good things about them.

 

At Estes you'll leave your home terminal at the beginning of your week and most likely won't be back until the end of your week. Unless you walk in to a run. I think southeastern goes out overnight and back.

 

You’re not gonna like that Estes commute if you ever work a 16 hour day. I’d go Estes, 2 hours is a lot of your life wasted going to work.

 

Estes also depends on what linehaul run you got. you basically lose money made per hour the more terminals you hit since you only get paid to drop or hook your trailer, most of the time its just hook. An average terminal visit is about an hour, sometimes more or less. That is my only complaint on estes so far, if you are having to hit 5 terminals and hook at each one it becomes not worth it fast, basically making city wage and living out of hotels. They dont micromanage you at all though and you will get great miles as an extraboard guy if you roll on your 10, or are running around texas area. Bid run could be a different story, a meet and turn with a driver who shows up on time is gravy.

 

What are you doing now?