Estes Drivers Out There?
Topic 7951 | Page 1
Hey Eric. I take it you want to make the switch from truckload to LTL? I don't work for Estes, I work for Old Dominion. Estes is relatively comparable to OD in pay scale and that they're both not union companies. I took a look at Estes and decided to roll with OD. Estes is a great company though. Probably my runner up if I didn't wind up getting on with OD. I don't know what Estes starts drivers at, but I started at .55 cpm and then the company gave a raise so I'm currently at .57 cpm. Our top pay scale is over .60 cpm. I'm a linehaul driver.
If you have general questions on the LTL sector of trucking, I have a thread dedicated to my linehaul job and LTL:
Estes will hire student drivers out of school, so I'm sure you're definitely qualified in regard to experience. Typically where there's one LTL company terminal , there is another. We have terminals close to Estes terminals across the nation. I have a whole list of LTL companies in my thread, should you choose to look at other LTLs besides Estes. Other biggies besides Old Dominion and Estes are ABF, YRC, UPSF, Fed Ex Freight, Pitt-Ohio, Saia ....
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Yes...thanks! I've actually read some of your stuff today. I appreciate it!
Hi, I've been with estes for almost 3 months now. I like it alot. I am a p&d driver but I also am a yard jockey. I started out at a jockey til I got my hazmat. I personally like it there. My hours are about the only thing that I don't like. I figure with time that will switch. But the opportunity to get extra money is there. I occasionally do a line haul run on Saturdays. I also hear that at the end of the year there is a safety and damage bonus. It comes around Christmas time from what I understand. I do highly enjoy my job.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
P&D:
Pickup & Delivery
Local drivers that stay around their area, usually within 100 mile radius of a terminal, picking up and delivering loads.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers for instance will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Line Haul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.New Reply:
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Looking to hear from drivers from Estes. I currently work for Knight Refrigerated, but I'm interested in making a change. Have heard good things about Estes, and would like to hear from some drivers. My concerns are that I'm otr and bust my butt for .32/mile. I'm squire right now until I reach 30,000 miles. Then I'll become a "Knight" with a bit more pay. I'm out of Ohio. Just got back from California. Knight keeps you busy for sure, but pay is not good in my opinion. After school, orientation, training, and now probationary period, I have faced eviction, utilities shut off, cell phone shut off...etc. Just alot to deal with while being away from home. Just want to make a fair wage for all the sacrifice, and work that I have put in! Thanks for your help! Eric
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.