Decision,Decisions

Yes sir you are correct about that. After looking at some of the numbers, I'd probably make more at both Estes and McLane with minimal commute, vs YRC with the 80 mile round trip.

Dave

 

You know I'm a current Estes driver who JUST came all through that area yesterday! Run to Estes... Immediately. They will feed you. Just get your seniority up and then you can move around as you want. You can always leave if you don't like it but leave on good terms. Even at .5860 I gross almost $2000 easily. Granted, I run out of MEMPHIS and alot of freight runs through my city. Even in Texas, you can clear bank just running from Dallas to San Antonio, Houston etc. You don't really have to leave Texas. My vote is for the Big E.

 

LOL Man I was waiting for your reply Kao, I knew where your vote would be lol. I heard ya, I figure if they're busy I could make out pretty well each week even as a combo driver. I'd just hang in there until a line haul spot opens up. Not really interested in a P&D bid.

Dave

 

You better jump on Estes.
At least there's hope of a linehaul run.

I wouldn't touch mclane, only future there is
A bigger trailer and more junk to unload.

 

I filled out the consent to run my background this morning for Estes. Waiting to hear back on when my drug test and physical will scheduled. The TM shot me an email at 1:30 last night asking if I was still interested, so I assume they want to get me in there pretty quick. It's a decent size barn so I'm HOPING it wouldn't be too terribly long before I could move over to line haul, but you never know.

Regarding McLane, I love the fact it's just a couple of miles away, with a guaranteed weekly minimum of 1000 no matter what, but that 24/7 365 extra board seems like it would be a real #####, but from what I've heard if you hustle and don't drag ### you can make some pretty #### good money on the extra board. More in fact than some drivers who have little seniority that actually have a bid run.

I know some guys there making north of 80k with 3 days off each week, but you work your ### off for that pay and it takes time to get a bid run, unless you have some good luck and get a senior driver who picks you up pretty quickly off the extra board, and you run his route until he quits, you quit, or you gain enough seniority to bid your own run. I'm not afraid of hard work, and I'm physically fit and workout out etc, I guess I could look at it as being paid to do cardio which I'd no longer have to do in my off time, just hit the weights when I'm off (If I'm physically able to after throwing an entire 48 or 53 ft trailer) Not sure if you drive and throw half, and then the other driver throws half and drives back or what. From my understanding, When one driver is unloading, you're supposed to be "off duty" and in the sleeper, but a lot of guys will help each other out and log it as on duty not driving or whatever. Hell I don't know. I did hear from guys that the runs are setup in a way that they CAN'T be done legally, but you're on Elogs, hence why some drivers help the other unload when you're not technically supposed to.

Health benefits on day one sound nice as well. My 19 month old has insurance, but my wife and I don't and I felt the full effect of that last week. She got the dreaded flu, called around to check prices and the general doc's office was more expensive than the express ER. After the trip to the express ER, plus the GENERIC version of TamiFlu, as well as an antibiotic and a few over the counter drugs, I was out about 450 bucks in the span of a couple hours. Really made me rethink some things.

Dave

 

You never mentioned the 1000 minimum at McLane.
You got a tough decision to make.
The real question is who's gonna be the first one
To put you to work. And how long before the other
One could put you to work.

Your second choice might call you first.
Then what.

 

Well I'm waiting on Estes to schedule my physical and drug test, but McLane has me scheduled to do my driving test, written test, fit test and I believe my drug test will be done as well tomorrow. Depending on who they go through to verify background will be the deciding factor, as far as who comes back with a hire date first. I know who Estes goes through and I've already submitted my consent to run my background this morning. I guess we'll see lol

That's the one thing I hate about job hunting. I could pick 5 prospective employers, apply to all 5 the same day, not heard anything for 2 weeks, then suddenly all 5 contact me at the same time, leaving me in this limbo of, "ok I'd prefer THIS place but this OTHER place might clear me faster, but I don't want to pass up option 2, if option one doesn't like something in my background, but I don't want to go with option 2, just for option one to call 3 days after I start at option 2, etc" It's always a gamble.

Dave

 

Yep, and when you accept an offer, the other ones suddenly appear out of the bushes.

 

Every time! lol

 

@TheyCallMeDave -
ESTES!
YRC is a sinking ship and their health insurance only appears to be free - you "pay for it" in the form of reduced wages.
McLane is real work that breaks men down over time.
Get paid very well for the easiest work. Be patient and let the process at Estes play out.