How much money should I have in the bank before going to training in phoenix ?

you'll need more money, or cut down on your bills. it'll be 3 months before you get full paychecks. first 3 weeks will be NO pay. the rest will be half of minimum wage. then, AFTER you start earning full paychecks. you'll spend a good portion living on the road. PLUS your $1500 in bills per month. truckstops cost twice what walmart costs.

 

I believe Knight pays while you're in training at the school $400 weekly or something like that.
Don't know the details, but some of it is front money to help you get by until the real paychecks start.
They are also in Phoenix. I don't know which company is better; this is just another to compare. I've talked to drivers from Swift and Knight that were satisfied with the job.

 

I would say have at least 4 months saved up to cover it. Or find a company who pays during training to help subsidize your expenses during training.

 

Just to be on the safe side, have a MINIMUM of 6 months worth of savings put away. Emergencies can crop up at any time.

Good luck to you!

 

I've often heard Knight referred to as red swift. Wasn't Knight started by some of the same great minds behind Swift?

 

Yes no and sorta
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_Transportation

 

Getting a trainer out of Phoenix should be pretty fast. Usually trainers are assigned to a trainee within a few days of finishing orientation, sometimes within the same day as finishing orientation.

In your situation I'd make it clear to to Driver Development that you are READY TO GO and want a trainer ASAP. Many folks seem to come to orientation and THEN want to go home for a few days before hitting the road. In your case it looks like you WANT to get on the road ASAP. Let the DD know that, and if at all possible be open to whether your trainer smokes or not, and whether they are male or female or not. If you are particular about the smoking or sex of your trainer you may end up waiting.

Once training note the first paycheck will likely be tiny. Payroll cutoff for trainees is Sunday midnight Phoenix time, and you may not get many hours behind the wheel (BTW) that first cutoff. You will be paid the Tuesday FOLLOWING the cutoff date.

Once you finish training and upgrade to solo, then payroll cuts off on Wednesday midnight Phoenix time.

During training expect take home to be in the $300-500 range. The first paycheck may be below $100.

After upgrade expect take home to be in the $500-700 range.

 

Its all in the family every big company is some how involved with swift