Starting the Squire Program 10/10/14

Discussion in 'Knight' started by lcfd15, Oct 15, 2014.

  1. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Well I have decided to come to Knight. After talking to a few drivers here at the local truck stop, having a family friend as a recent former driver (gotten out due to medical reasons) I have heard nothing but good things. Yes every job comes with its ups and downs, but overall seems to be a good program. I am really excited to get out and start training. I already have my CDL-A permit, TWIC, hazmat endorsement and physical(Yes, I understand I will have to still go through their medical screening). I am ready to get this show on the road. Just got the phone call today telling me that I was approved for the Squire Program.

    Preface - I was active duty military from 2006-2013 and been in college since getting out. I drove trucks from 2003-2005 intrastate in Pennsylvania and a 26' box truck across the NE. I let my CDL-A expire because I thought i was not going to be needing it since i planned on staying in the army for 20 yrs. 7 years, 2 tours, and 4 ied's later I am now medically retired.

    The family is very familiar with accepting of the seldom home time as an OTR driver. If we can handle 15 and 12 month deployments with only 1 week vacations, I am sure we can handle the few days a month. After talking with the wife today and seeing her excitement for this opportunity being presented to me, it only reassures my decision.

    I know that it is almost a month out, but I will be spending time with the daughters and wife over the next month before heading out for the 2 month training period.

    I have read through the other threads and all, so any advice you want to throw at me, I will be happy to accept it. Anyone else looking at going to the Squire program around the same time?
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2014
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  3. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Welcome home, and Thank you for serving, I myself am ex Navy, mine was at the end of Nam, I made it to (never mind ramblings of a mad man) and that was enough. I'm not at Knight but Welcome Aboard anyway to trucking. If you end up with any serious question feel free to PM me if you feel the need.

    I drive for a company named LaCaeyse Transport out of IA. I run 80 and 15 mostly.

    Please check back and give us a unbiased view of the training program as you see it.
     
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  4. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Thanks, I will do that. I would like to provide a thorough "good & bad" honest review of what the training pertains too. Hope it will help. now I sit here for a month and soak up the family time until than. fun fun.... might as well bust out my other 2 endorsements for ##### and giggles while I am waiting.
     
  5. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    get them all, imho. doubles, hazmat. R&R, TSMT both pay really well for hazmat loads.
     
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  6. Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

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    Thanks for your service. Ex-Air Force here. Looking forward to your updates.
    Best of luck to you.
     
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  7. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Okay, I have a few minutes now that my fire radio has stopped going off for the night (hopefully!!!). I will just do a brief once over of what I was told about the Squire program so far. If there are any mishaps or anything that needs to be corrected, please let me know as I am just relaying what came out of the recruiters mouth, yeah.... the recruiter.... I know....

    Squire Program
    Documents to bring
    SS Card, CDL Permit (preferably with HazMat already), current DOT physical (if required by your state for permit), TWIC Card (if already acquired), Birth Certificate, 2 forms of mailing address, your dependents information (if you have them, including your spouse), emergency contact information, and a basic resume of the same stuff that you had already provided them (work history, references, license information, etc.)

    Training
    Week 1 - Paperwork/Physical/Drug Screen/ Range time/ evaluation to assure your ready to go out with trainer

    Week 2 & 3 - You will be out with trainers to assure you are ready for your CDL license test. After your trainer says that you are ready, than you guys will go back to your home state and take the test in your trainers truck.

    AFTER OBTAINING CDL - You return to where your home terminal will be (mine will be Atlanta) for 1 week orientation.

    Trainer - You are than assigned another trainer for a period of 4-6 weeks, again trainers discresion on when to sign off that your ready for your final solo test.

    Solo Test - You return to the terminal to test out to be a solo probationary driver (if you pass, your a solo driver on a 90 day probation period, if you fail, depending on what you fail, you can either be let go or return with your trainer for retraining)

    Solo Probation - You will than serve a 90 day probation as a solo driver where you have to drive a minimum of 30k miles.

    Company Driver - You now get signed on as a full company driver

    PAY & Tuition

    Fee & Tuition - Okay first off there is a 1 time fee needed before you start the class of 100 dollars to secure your spot in the class. After that the total amount of the class (with hotel and transportation) is 3400. While in training & on probation, it will be taken out at $25/week. Once you become a full company solo driver, it than gets bumped up to $50/week.

    Pay - for the first week you are paid $100. After that first week you are paid a training pay of $400/ week until you start on your 90 day probation. From there you are on the probationary sliding scale of 28-37CPM. Once you come off of the probation you are on full company driver sliding scale of 35-44CPM. Was told that average miles are around 2500-2600 for dry van/week. If you come in and know how to run your time, not take a reset each week and know how to manage recap, that you can push closer to 3k each week if not more. If you are looking at taking a 34 each week and want to lolly gag around and be lazy, it might be less. So it all comes down to how bad you want it and time/hour management. (again, this is not to insult you veterans, but be more of an informative guide for info obtained for new people wanting to get into Knight Squire program).

    Home Time - quite frankly, I am not too worried about this. I was told that they like to get you home every 3 weeks or so because they are starting a cap on home time at 3-4 days. I asked if I could stay out 3,4,5 weeks at a time, and she got real giddy after that.... lol. Also you need to understand that this type of schedule won't be for everyone. I am used to being able to leave the house for a year at a time and go off to war and have a stable home lead by my strong wife, so I can do this with confidence, compared to some that barely have left their wives side since they have gotten married.... so obviously everyone is needing and seeking different home time requirements, but this one seems to suit me well. Plus, 3-4 weeks gone and home for a few days will be more like a new honeymoon after each time out... just my opinion... lol

    Oh Training expenses - the only other thing I forgot to tell you is they cover everything BUT your dinner. So assure that you bring some money for dinner and for the training period you will be out prior to getting your license.

    So far this is the information that i have gotten. Will keep you guys up to date with anything else I hear or get.
     
  8. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Just got off of the phone with Kristy, by the way she is very informative and helpful with any and all of the questions I had. She never diverted the conversation away from what i was asking.

    Anyways, I have updated my orientation date to the 3rd of November. I will be heading off on the grey dog on Saturday getting in to Olive Branch, MS on Sunday morning.

    Only a week and a half away so getting everything together and ready to go. I rather be prepared than running around last minute.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2014
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  9. Aimstraight

    Aimstraight Light Load Member

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    Looking forward to reading about your experience.
     
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  10. rgomez191

    rgomez191 Light Load Member

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    I start with Knight on the 3rd as well but at their Tennessee location.
     
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  11. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    That is the one that I am talking about. Was told that that the Olive Branch, MS is on the outskirts of Memphis. Guess i will see you there. so far it seems that I will be at the hotel Sunday morning.
     
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