Going Over the Road with Knight

PA to UT is a great run! I love both those states, out west right now is beautiful weather, been in the 40s all day here in Wyoming glad you got some backing in!

 

I'd seriously consider doing the squire program rather than paying. Here are a few things to think about. 1. Knight will pay you while you're in training, it also counts towards when your benefits begin (ie. when you finish your orientation you're hired and the 3 months needed for benefits begins then even when you're a student). 2. They will pay for your room and there's no bunking with someone else. 3. You'll have the chance to get to know some of the drivers already out on the road with Knight. 4. Yes, you'll be obligated to pay back $3,500, however compare that price to the other CDL schools then factor in the fact that you'll draw a $400/wk salary while training. 5. The time you'll have behind the wheel actually driving is much higher (when you go out with a trainer for two weeks, you'll be on the road driving every day, sometimes running out your 11 hour clock, you wont get that kind of experience or training at the CDL mills). 6. The company pays for your road test, not you.

I started my CDL training with Knight in April and have my Like everything else, there will be bumps and frustrations, but, you'll be treated like a human and in a reasonable manner. My Dm knows my name first and my truck number by memory, you don't see that every day.

Just some food for thought from someone who faced the same decision. Hope it helps.

 

I think you'll be pretty happy with Knight. Mind you there will be frustrations, but all in all it isn't bad at all. I've averaged 2,800-3,200 miles/wk since starting and run on recapped hours most of the time. I have always had a load preplanned by the time to deliver the one I'm on. As far as home time. Ok, here's how that will work. If you're like me and out running 6-8 wks at a time, you need to give your DM about a weeks notice before you get your home time. Then it isn't guaranteed that you will be home THAT day, but it will be close. Concerning no forced dispatch, it's true you can turn down a load. I really don't recommend doing that very often as you'll get a bad rep going. So far I've yet to refuse a load. Some have been great, some challenging, but that's the industry in general.


All in all I think you'll be pretty pleased with what you find. I talk with other drivers in the terminal and am really surprised with how many I speak with that are returning to Knight after thinking the grass was greener. Is it perfect? NOOOOO! But it isn't bad. The miles are here if you want them, they're fair in their treatment of the drivers, the equipment is decent, and there are allowances made in the idle policy. Goal is 15% spring and summer, 25% for the winter and summer. I've yet to have someone complain about my idle time.

 

are you running dry van, or reefer with Knight? reefer recruiter is after me....claims easily 3000 miles per week....

 

They made you sleep in an empty truck instead of getting you a motel? ! ?

 

Hey Misesian; good luck with everything.
I worked a bit for Knight Refrigerated a while back. While I thought that the pay was pretty lousy (starter company or not), I still liked the company itself, in general.
From a personal aspect, I had the impression that many of the office personnel were doing the best that they were able to with what little that they had. The people that I dealt with always seemed to do their best to address any issues that I had.
Eventually, I realized that if I wanted what I considered to be "fair pay" (that's, say, a dollar amount significantly higher than ABOUT $600.00-$750.00 a week for upwards of 100 hours a week of work, driving or not), I had to move on to better opportunities.
Keep posting; I'm sure that you have plenty of readers interested in your daily experiences, myself included.