End of the Year!

[@Spaceman_YT]

Merry Christmas Chris! I've been at Estes for 2 years now, I started extraboard at 68.5c/m in oct 2022~, I didn't get a proper bid run until later in 2023 (415mi layover, easy money). This year in 2024 I got a 510mi layover bid run (feb2024 bid season), and in the middle of this year I got a 557mi layover run. My pay went from 68.5c/m to now I'm .82/m. I'm in one of the (big) terminals in TN. This year I didn't run hard, I took days off when I could which was honestly quite often, but I still grossed $83k on 95.5k miles. 43 hooks, 14 drops, both paying $10/ea. I'm in the process of leaving Estes though, I saved up all my cash this year and bought my own semi with cash since equipment has been so cheap due to the market. Not bad for a 25 year old with less than $1k in expenses per month including my mortgage I guess. I'd like to see you one day do a full POV of how you do your job, because tanker is something I'm eyeing at doing when I'm O/O.

[@FreightHauler87]

Congratulations! My goal is to become debt-free and pay cash for a truck one of these days, too. It’s my 5-year plan, but I’m glad you were able to do it while you’re still young. That’s awesome! I mostly drop/hook or the customer unloads. I rarely have to do anything.

[@Spaceman_YT]

@@FreightHauler87 Thank you sir! I've stayed on top of myself on my finances like crazy since 18. When I started Estes, my monthly bills were still less than $1,000. Having low expenses/no debt allowed me to take voluntary off time and just chill at home without stressing over bills. Having these low expenses have granted me more opportunity and allowed me to be more risky, so I really hope you achieve that one day, it is so worth it. Drop & hook is the usual for me too as you know, keep it up, and film as much as you can. God bless you.

[@Smoothcriminal_1]

Congrats on all your accomplishments from one estes driver to another 👍

[@MrGene1976]

I heard Estes is a good company with the top pay, they pay local drivers 38/hour. I think being owner operator sucks, I sold my truck back in 2010, and I think Estes 38 is good enough, and you home every day.

[@Spaceman_YT]

@@MrGene1976 My 557mile layover run was me hooking up to a prehooked set at my home terminal going 557 miles to another terminal, drop the set, turn in paperwork and go to the hotel bobtailing. You’ll get planned/dispatched usually 2 hours you’re due to leave. So you’ll stay in your hotel, go get food, or go do whatever before then. Same process usually going back to home terminal next day. You’ll go home and sleep on that day. People who have scheduled layover runs meaning they go same place and back all the time, will do a 6 day / 4 day alternate week shift. So one week work 6 days (do 3 layovers in one week), then next week you’ll just work 4 days, it averages out to 20 days worked a month. Extra board drivers who just run anywhere usually go out for 5 days, on the 5th day you’re back at home terminal usually. P&D (city) is obviously hourly and I don’t know the pay rates, but I expect 30+ easy. Since my terminal is pretty big and in a good area, we also have daily turn runs, but people who have HIGH high seniority have those, the easy day shift 500-600~ mile turn home everyday etc. Estes has been great, just be respectful, and treat everyone how you want to be treated.

[@arvindsarai]

Thank god your ok brother keep going

[@BravoZulu1416]

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. God Bless.

[@FreightHauler87]

You too, God bless you too!

[@chrissutton7199]

Thank you so much for the content! Stay safe and blessed sir 🫡

[@bdgolliday]

I appreciate your videos. Been watching your content a long time.

[@FreightHauler87]

I appreciate that, thanks for watching!

[@josh_a58]

Happy new years Chris!

[@FreightHauler87]

You, too, bro!

[@specialed1049]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Been waiting for another upload by you. I am halfway through CDL A school and will graduate probably in February. I am hoping I can get involved in food grade tankers and then eventually work for KAG.

[@FreightHauler87]

It's a great goal, keep pushing!

[@Smoothcriminal_1]

Happy Holidays! Hopefully you get a full 12 months out this new engine 🙏

[@FreightHauler87]

Same! Thanks

[@MrGene1976]

Hazmat is a good pay, as well as oversized and heavy hauls

[@DaveG7920]

Happy new year to you. Watching from NZ, just interested in how you guys do things over there, most drivers just get hourly on duty pay here. Bad luck with the truck, hope it goes OK for you now.

[@FreightHauler87]

Thanks! Most of us get between 3,000 and 4,000 miles (4,828 km - 6,437 km) per week. Instead of paying us for 60-70 hours, they just pay us mileage. We have local drivers who are paid hourly, though.

[@kokalti]

After 3 years I finally gave Estes the boot. Got tired of driving crappy gutless trucks and no movement in our little terminal. Very few routes available. Im good financially so I will travel the world for 6 months and maybe come back and apply to a company like KAG. Currently writing for a coastal beach of Vietnam!

[@FreightHauler87]

That sounds like a great plan, enjoy your time!

[@Levamentum]

I tried to get hired on with KAG brother, I'll try again later. Got 12 month OTR reefer experience but either they werent hiring or they didnt want me :( Also, I appreciate your videos and your approach, thanks for providing a friendly video.

[@FreightHauler87]

I appreciate that, keep trying. They train anyone with a year’s experience, so don’t let it get you down.

[@Johndavis6192]

you haul the coolest ish! waiting on my hazmat to come in the mail.

[@FreightHauler87]

It’s a great endorsement to have!

[@HaskinTruckin]

Merry Christmas and happy new year. I applied for a regional position out of Kent, WA. Put ya down as a referral. Hope they call. Thanks for your vids.

[@FreightHauler87]

Thanks! Hope you get the job!

[@guybuddyman838]

Way to keep your peace during a breakdown. Trust the Lord will see you through you are a fine example of a Christian. Blessings to you and your Family. ✞

[@FreightHauler87]

Thank you for saying that. I try and keep my cool when things are out of my control

[@bigrigger5617]

You sure have bad luck with trucks. But working for a company like KAG they take care of you. Best for 2025

[@adamthompson1202]

These companies making crap nowa days. Hopefully they honor the warranty.

[@TheGraveyardSniper]

My cousin is in his 2nd 579 and it’s having trans issues. My buddy is in a w990 and it’s constantly in the shop for trans issues. Whatever paccar is doing is not right

[@jpbgunner07]

Blew the turbo

[@FreightHauler87]

Is that what caused the entire engine to be replaced?

[@jesseray6340]

Yep, that's it do not purchase a new rig if you want to stay on the road making money and not wasting money if you want to waste money purchase yourself a brand-new truck, you'll be in the shop 99% of the time.

[@FreightHauler87]

I keep hearing that, but I’ve never had such a problem with new Cummins, Volvo, or Detroit engines

[@killiantitan3711]

Paccar is absolute garbage. I use to drive a t680 equipped with a Paccar and I hated it.

[@SMOKINJOE2898]

@ 7:13 what kind of gps is that and size and all.

[@FreightHauler87]

Garmin OTR700 (7-inch)

[@drturkey1318]

You're back to making ltl money

[@FreightHauler87]

😂I could have been, but I’ll certainly try this year. My goal is $115k.

[@drturkey1318]

Do you know how many miles you ran? ​@@FreightHauler87

[@CrafttKing]

Is this the KAG near Freeport, TX

[@FreightHauler87]

Yes, same company. They’re hiring in Freeport

[@jeffkasper6251]

They just don't make trucks like they used to.

[@marjankozovski2763]

Do they use Samsara in their trucks? Or any other AI technology?

[@FreightHauler87]

No

[@marjankozovski2763]

@ Thanks. Have a Happy New Year be safe!

[@derekmathis6590]

paccar is absolute junk!!!!