I started in August 2018. I had a great interview with the terminal Manager and felt a good culture vibe from the start despite the terminal being very ragged,old and just dirty. The Job is like any other p and d job for the most part except the freight is junk and damaged 90% of the time. You are expected to try and pawn it off on the customer unless its broken glass. Most of the trucks and trailers are junk with the exception of a few. The supervisor is a former driver and really tries to do a good job although he is still learning as he goes. The culture changes over time and becomes stressful when your driving junk and delivering junk freight. So to wrap up the review and why I departed. I put in for three in paid days off (which were denied). There were two drivers scheduled off on one of the days(plus the terminal manager)and only one the other two. I was willing to be reprimanded for the days because my son was graduating high school out of state and it wasn't an option to miss(I had no paid days left due to moving and retrieving belongings from out of state). When I returned I was asked to go to the terminal managers office and told this was my sixth unexcused absence and grounds for termination. I was never informed of 1,2 or 3 although the policy is a coaching after 3. I was told the 3rd absence occurred on May 3 and I never received a coaching. I asked the terminal manager why I didnt receive the coaching which occurred almost 30 days prior he told me he didn't kn
The only plus I can come up with is the starting pay was $23.50/hr. They would give you a 50 cent raise every 6 months and every Jan. We were getting a $1.00 per hour cost of living raise. The health basic was about $25 a week and it wasn't t very good. The more you wanted to pay from there the better it was, and the 401k had matching to a certain point. The atmosphere was awful it felt like walking through a funeral home. The other drivers were pretty nice and helpful but most were in a hurry in fear of losing there job. The terminal manager would tell you were doing a good job then writing you up for anything and everything the next day. It took months for Estes to even find a terminal manager to come to their Temple location. The daylight dispatcher was SO terrible he was hated by all the drivers when ever he was on vacation that at the Monday morning meeting the entire room would clap and cheer! The evening dispatcher was a woman that hated men and talked to you like a dog. The other office staff was real nice and helpful. They couldn't keep any dock supervisors they quit one after another one only stayed a week. The terminal manager was constantly on the dock intercom screaming at the dock workers to get the trucks loaded. So there was such a rush the Freight was damaged so much half the load was refused by the customers. They wouldn't t get some of the trailers loaded til 11-12am and then you had an hour drive to your first customer there was no way to get all your stop
This position is a great last-ditch option for anyone needing a job with half-decent pay (at least $15.00/hr) without requiring a college degree. You go through the online training which takes one to two days to complete, drug & background test, and then you’re in. You’re given a safety vest, which you need to wear at all times at work. Trust me, you’ll need it.
Out on the docks, you’re in “training” for a week or two, basically shadowing one of the senior workers, but you could be done with training within less than a week if there’s too much freight.
Afterwards, each day is a gamble. The typical driver uses their forklift like a race car,bobbing and weaving between one another, with three-to-six foot long pairs of teeth on the front that can skewer you. Adding to this danger is the potential of carrying/moving a few extra thousands pounds of freight at a time! Those vests may be the only thing to keep you safe, and they may not be seen by some of the other drivers in time.
The greatest aspect of this job is the shifts you’ll be working at this position. Twelve to fourteen hour shifts. You will have no life outside of work. I repeat: YOU WILL HAVE NO LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK! You will be too tired to do anything else, regardless of age. The only thing you will try to schedule and plan for is sleep so you don’t pass out during your shift.
If you have any of the following criteria, then this job may be a blessing for you.
-Considerably large bills/debts
-New additions to th
ProsDecent hourly wages
Cons12+ hour shifts, At most 1 hour break time per shift, Disgusting Bathrooms & Break rooms, No Time for Life after work
4.0
Human Resources Manager | Dallas, TX | Oct 2, 2012
Great Company
Great Company, Over 80 years of family owned business:
I was employed as a Regional Human Resource Manager in a 12 state area, traveling 40-70% of the time.
• Consulted Executive Leadership in areas related to employment policies and procedures, diversity, employee morale, business initiatives, local, state and federal personnel laws.
• Managed all aspects of HR functional areas including HR operations; employee relations; employment/staffing and recruitment; compensation; benefits; training and development; and company sponsored programs.
• Coordinated all payroll and compensation functions
• Managed the Benefit Analysis and selection processes; served as the custodian of all Benefit related duties
• Managed all areas of Recruiting/Staffing, Succession and Retention Planning
• Managed all areas related to Employee Relations, including discipline/termination implementation
• Partnered with the assigned strategic business organization management team to assist in optimizing people, strategy, structure, process and culture, and to facilitate the liaison/delivery of HR services as appropriate.
• Communicated and ensured compliance and consistency with corporate and HR related policies and acted as the first line resource to managers and employees on employee relation’s issues and partnered with them to implement solutions.
• Served as an advocate to employees. Through positive employee relations resolved
issues raised by employees and/or managers, in a timely manner, and documen
A relative "easy" place to work for re: LTL Industry
I've spent nearly 30 years in the LTL Carrier Segment (both union & nonunion at all levels below TM/SCM. The work, processes, and freight realities are the same across the industry; just different equipment colors and varied vernacular that is company specific. It's nearly impossible to get valid financial and operational data via 3rd party analysis on a privately owned company like Estes, but I can say that every year the annual "state of the company" address from the CEO is always a positive one over the past five years -- good raises, new equipment purchases, continued growth is on an upward trend.
Nothing cutting edge here, just "tried and true" ways to doing things. Regarding technology, Estes is definitely a relative laggard, but is going into that direction: electronic logs in place for about 4 years; electronic P&D applications just got upgraded a year ago; electronic dock system is expanding...
The company ought to invest in long term professional development of their managerial staff instead of just recycling people from other competitors. If strong company specific philosophy & processes existed, the company wouldn't have to rely on the talent of the individual which is very rare to find -- instead, building a solid process template and filling it with average people (which are plentiful) would diminish turnover at the sup/ops mgr. level which really negatively impacts the operation in terms of performance, customer trust/loyalty, and subordinate moral.
GOOD OLD BOY CORPORATE MENTALITY
.BACK STABBING MANAGEMENT DOES NOT WORK WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS (BY DESIGN).
FIRE DRILL SHORT TERM GOALS, OPERATION MANAGEMENT DOES NOT MAINTAIN BASIC STANDARDS. HANDLING, SERVICE, AND DAMAGES ARE ALWAYS ISSUES DESPITE COMPANY POLICIES.
CUTTING CORNERS TO MAKE MONEY IS THE BOTTOM LINE..
.THE COMPANY TRIES TO RUN A LEAN OPERATION AND IT BACKFIRES FOR BEING TOO LEAN. ITS HARD TO SELL THE SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS BECAUSE WHAT THEY EXPERIENCE IS NOT WHAT THE COMPANY PREACHES
HARDEST THING ABOUT WORKING AT ESTES IS TRYING TO MAINTAIN A CUSTOMER BASE BECAUSE OF SERVICE ISSUES.
THEIR IS BASICALLY A GOOD WORKFORCE OF DRIVERS. MOST OF THE SLACKERS WILL LEAVE OR BE TERMED.
THE HUB MANAGEMENT SHOULD ALL BE FIRED BECAUSE OF THE POOR HANDLING OF CUSTOMERS PRODUCT.(TRAINING OR LACK OF TRAINING IS OBVIOUS)
THE HUBS ARE PRESSURED TO MOVE AS MUCH FREIGHT AND TO CUBE OUT TRAILERS REGARDLESS....AND THE DESTINATION TERMINALS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HUBS...VICIOUS CYCLE...THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH HUB AND TERMINAL...SO THE VP'S TALK OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH..LOOSE, LOOSE SITUATION.
THE HUBS ARE BETTER TO MOVE THE PRODUCT IS A SAFE MANOR AND MISS SERVICE THEN TO JAM IT INTO THE TRAILERS. SERVICE ISSUES...LATE PICK-UPS, DAMAGES, THE CYCLE STARTS AGAIN
THE DESTINATION TERMINALS THEN DEAL WITH THE "SLOP" THAT COMES OUT OF THE TRAILERS AND TAKES FOREVER TO UNLOAD AND RE-STACK AND LOAD.
IF YOU COULD FIX THE HUB ISSUES (HANDLING, NOT ENO
If you've been involved with LTL you already know this is challenging work. No two days are the same. It requires the ability to figure it out. It requires a solution, on demand, right now, and on your own (when you're solo on the street). I'd say overall freight is freight. You've already seen it coming off the trailer at the job you're working right now. But what I would say differentiates Estes from the others is the culture. No, I haven't worked everywhere. But I have worked for a small carrier, a medium sized one, and now Estes. I give props to the company for their outreach to their employees. We have employee engagement surveys where you can anonymously give your opinion on how to make the company better and also let them know what you are happy with. A few years back (before I was there) they asked for more vacation time and relaxed tardy policies. Granted. The management I report to (I understand everyone has their own mgmt, some are better than others) is understanding, listens to ideas for process improvents, and coaches me in a positive way. We learn from mistakes by not being talked down to but by seeing how there was a better way, a faster way etc. I work for a driver run terminal. Demand is high, expectations are high. I had no experience in "directing traffic" so to speak but the company gave me a crack at it. I've been greatful about that same positive culture also promoting from within. If you are looking for growth opportunity in your car
If you want to be stressed out every day and work for a company where the harder you work, the only reward is more work, then this is the company for you. Like spending time with family or need time off to take care of personal things? Good luck! Unrealistic tasks such as trying to deliver a 5k lb pallets of bricks to people's homes with nothing but a busted up pallet jack and a liftgate, that you stress out trying to even get to because it's down some small country road and you have a 53ft trailer. Prepare to have you're body destroyed from the back breaking physical work moving pallets around on you're trailer cause it will always be loaded backwards and most all the freight is falling over or busted up. Guess who has to fix that? Yep, you! Daily! Once injured and no longer any use to them, you'll be forced out for sure, seen it many times. Pay is not terrible, but nowhere near what it should be. Benefits are okay. Just when you've had a long hard, stressful day and finally get back to the yard thinking you're gonna be able to go home, be ready to be told to get an empty and go back out to do a swap. Every day! Need a day off? Good luck! Always told can't have more then 2 people off. Vacations are only approved when it's convenient for them, not you. Equipment there is terrible! Most trucks are disgusting inside and out, never cleaned or washed. The insides are so bad sometimes you feel like you'll be infected just sitting in them. Pallet jacks are always broke. Always! Man
In my instance I completely run our outbound shift, and even run it by myself a fair amount of the time, however I am paid as a part time dockworker therefore limiting how far my pay scale goes. I was promised when I got the job that I would be made full time after my 90 day probationary period, however it is now 3 years after my probationary period and I still get less than 30 hrs a week on average. I was told I would have opportunity to move up. Spoke to terminal manager about this and he pretty much told me "whatever". They make it difficult for other employers to check references by charging them to just verify that you work there, as I have tried to get a new job and they have refused to pay this fee. I will say that I am satisfied with the hourly rate of pay, unfortunately I essentially do a supervisor's job but get no benefits and typically around 30 hrs a week. This company is afraid of their drivers going union, so they get most of what they ask for, but everyone else is expendable. They give managers bonuses for keeping cost down, and to do this they take it out on everyone except the drivers. They expect me to be able to do the cleanup work and other tasks of the shift before me while also doing everything else they want done in the same number of hours I need to do my own job. If you are a driver I would recommend this company as the drivers get somewhat stellar treatment. If not I would implore you to avoid this company unless you do not currently have a job and
Proshourly pay is fair
Consthey cut your hours whenever possible, rendering the pro above pointless, no respect from management
They will try everything in there power to give you no help medically past there expectations to get you better. Then when they do they ask you to sign a paper that you can never return to work for the company if you do get better. They over load there trailers and lift gates. They tell you figure out some way of getting your job done, but don't care if it's not OSHA safe. Putting 3000 lbs Electrical wire as tall and as wide as the trailer and expect you to put it on a lift gate. When you pull it on the lift gate the dolly has to hang off as the top is tipping forward. The dock over loads the ends of the trailers when you get to your first destination and open the your lucky if it don't just fall when the door is open. I didn't mind the work just the idiot calls from a superior when asked to do something unsafe. I showed up on time and rain when there was bad conditions most would call off. When i step in front of something that was about to fall on customer my back got hurt and they turned there backs on me when i needed them most. They put me on light duty which caused my back to take twice as long to heal. When the doctor said it would be a year or two before i see any sign in relief from my back. they wanted nothing to do with me. Doctors gave me 30-40% disability to my back and they let me go. Gave me option of a settlement but i could never work for them in my life again. The way the acted I done knew they wasn't going to let me work there again. Save them a lawsuit and
ProsGood Pay, Off Most Weekends, Overtime after 50
ConsDon't care about you as long as you deliver the product
Questions And Answers about Estes Express Lines
If you were in charge, what would you do to make Estes Express Lines a better place to work?
Asked Nov 3, 2019
Safety safety safety! Organized. No favoritism good Communication Good starting salary Guaranteed 40+ hours a week. Holidays off and paid. Company Bonuses to the employee TREAT OTHERS THE WAY U WANT TO BE TREATED
Have a set schedule, drop and hook NO touch Freight. Company uniforms. Company holiday parties GOOD COMPANY = GOOD SUCCESS
Answered Jul 31, 2021
Communication
Answered Oct 14, 2020
What are the starting hours as a local driver?
Asked Nov 15, 2016
Some of these questions are stupid. Your a full-time or part-time employee part-time is 15 to 25 hours a week full-time or 40 to 55 hours a week have they need you
Answered Dec 13, 2019
Whenever you are called upon
Answered May 10, 2019
What advice would you give the CEO of Estes Express Lines about how to improve it?
Asked Jan 5, 2018
Estes people respect and admire your leadership, develop a strategic vision that the employees can aspire to achieve. Eliminate any leadership impediments that keep your employees from flourishing and helping Estes take it to the next level.
Answered Mar 25, 2020
Get better insurance for your employees, change your Insurance policy let your spouse be cover on your insurance,. Stop cutting hours because when you are a full time employee , you shouldn't have to fight to get 32 hours when it is slow!
Answered Feb 27, 2020
What is the work environment and culture like at Estes Express Lines?
Asked Jun 17, 2016
Overall, Estes has a warm and welcoming culture. But as a family run organization, there are situations where legacy and family member employees are in positions that are detrimental to department and/or company performance
Answered Mar 25, 2020
So friendly to all staff
Answered May 10, 2019
What is the best part of working at Estes Express Lines?
Asked Dec 23, 2019
The pay is the best
Answered Aug 10, 2020
The pay, benefits, and home time in my opinion were great!
