Starting with Knight (Squire)

Discussion in 'Knight' started by jac714, Aug 25, 2014.

  1. jac714

    jac714 Light Load Member

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    Aug 10, 2010
    Saint Paul, MN
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    Well after much input from members of this forum and others I have decided to start my driving career with Knight via the Squire program. I start orientation at the Minnesota terminal on Tuesday 9/2.

    I was wondering what type of equipment Knight Dry Van was running, are they still using Volvo's and Prostars? What kind of transmissions are they using (Auto or Manual?)

    My plan is to go 48 state dry van but am open to suggestions if there is a better option out of the Minnesota terminal.

    I am really looking forward to this new step in my life. :biggrin_25520:
     
    dennisroc Thanks this.
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  3. Rooster1291979

    Rooster1291979 Road Train Member

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    My uncle is on the geezer board. 1 week out, 1 week at home (more like 2 weeks at home) and he slip seats. Normally in a prostar, but volvos and freight shakers are common too. Month ago he was driving a new cascadia with an auto.
     
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  4. Marky84

    Marky84 Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 24, 2012
    Jefferson, WI
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    just stay on the dry side. reefer sides full of morons in management
     
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  5. White Dog

    White Dog Road Train Member

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    It was MY experience out of this terminal 6 or 7 years ago, if you go 48 state...prepare to get stuck in a Denver, CO. to Los Angeles, CA. to Salt Lake City, UT. triangle for weeks (if not months) at a time.
    Do yourself a favor right now, and request the Midwest Division (unless of course you LIKE mountain driving in the winter, and NOT getting home).

    Every time I got to Denver, I'd request something going east---they'd tell me "got nothing going east...here's one to Fontana, CA.", and off I went on yet another triangle run. And then, on top of that, each time I got to one of the terminals at each point in the triangle, I was stuck doing local crap for like $14.00 plus short miles.

    I switched to the Midwest Division, and that put a stop to THAT triangle...but opened up another one that got me home once in a while (Minnesota to Indianapolis, IN. to Denver, CO.).

    That was a long time ago, so maybe they have changed.

    Dude named Dane Munster (or something like that) was a cool guy, and the only one in the Eagan terminal that seemed to know what the hell he was doing. If he's still there...buddy up to him...he is a huge help. He actually used some codes to re-program my truck (with or without corporate permission) so it would idle in the winter.
     
    jac714 Thanks this.
  6. Self

    Self Bobtail Member

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    Sep 3, 2014
    Minnesota
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    Why do you say that about t reefer side?? I was contacted by a recruiter from Green Bay...... offered me Squire training....said they had more freight than the dry van. Being from MN I would rather be based out of Eagan, but also really want to make sure the miles are with the dry van??
     
  7. jac714

    jac714 Light Load Member

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    Aug 10, 2010
    Saint Paul, MN
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    Finished orientation and all medical stuff adn am officially hired on as a Squire driver, I go out with my trainer on Monday. It looks like this is going to work well, my trainer is from the same area I am from so when he goes on home time I will be able to go home as well.

    My experience to date with Knight has been nothing but positive, the people seem to be interested in taking care of the drivers out of this terminal and if the way they have treated me so far is any indication that is true.

    I will update this thread as time in training allows.

    Wish me luck.
     
    dennisroc Thanks this.
  8. Self

    Self Bobtail Member

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    Sep 3, 2014
    Minnesota
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    Congrats!! Be safe out on the road, i went and met with Darrell today, will start with interstate next week
     
  9. jac714

    jac714 Light Load Member

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    Aug 10, 2010
    Saint Paul, MN
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    Good deal, let em know how it goes. ITDS did a great job for me and hopefully you will have the same experience. Tim is the guy that will get you ready for the CDL test, listen to him he really knows what is going on with the test. Chad adn Alex are both great and will take over after you get your CDL. The classroom sessions are also good, they now have a MN State Patrol CVI helping teach pretrip and inspections I am a bit envious.

    Say hi to everyone there for me and good luck.

    Let me know how things go.
     
  10. jac714

    jac714 Light Load Member

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    Aug 10, 2010
    Saint Paul, MN
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    Well the first week on the road is behind me adn I am back home, my trainer had hometime scheduled for this weekend so I also get home time. We had a short week (3 days 1500 miles) with a truck service thrown in but not a bad way to start on the road.

    My trainer is a real pro who seems to know how to train a new driver. We (he) drove through what seemed like a monsoon on Tuesday in Iowa to Omaha the first afternoon and delivered there the next morning.

    My first time driving for real (not in CDL school) was most of the way back from KC yesterday afternoon. It was interesting, harder in some ways than I expected adn easier in others.
     
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  11. Self

    Self Bobtail Member

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    Sep 3, 2014
    Minnesota
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    Hope it was what you expected, I'm sure it will be quite the adventure over the next few weeks. I start Monday @ 7:30 with Interstate.....not sure if I will still go with Knight, appears they do not offer tuition reimbursement. Will have to look at all the options with recruiters at school.....any thoughts on carriers you spoke with?
     
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