My experience with Knight Refrigerated

Hello. Can you recommend Knight? I am looking at them and also deBoer. Right now I'm in a refresher course--been out of the industry for 9 years. I'm looking to go OTR--don't have children or significant other at home. I plan to stay out for weeks. I've been in college for the past three years and my main concern is paying down my student loans and earning a real income.

Thanks for the input. Oh, also your videos are helpful and entertaining.


Peace,
H

 

Take the time and read through this whole thread and make your decision.

 

Actually, I read through most of this thread last week--it took me three hours to get through the first 60 or so; however, I understand Smaggs is still with Knight??? And so, I thought maybe he had a few rough patches, but overall is content with the company?

It seems to me that there are only so many companies that will take on freshly graduated students and drivers who have been out "too long"; I've been searching pretty long and hard and have been making calls to ascertain who will hire inexperienced drivers and who will not. It seems there are not a lot of options for someone in my shoes. I guess I'm looking for the lesser of the evils. This seems to be the size of it.

Thanks,
H

 

Sounds like you need to do some more research.There are a lot of options for newbies these days. Fresh from school or (refresher) training, Just to name a few (not saying there good or not) Knight,swift,cr,crete,crst,watkins,schneider,gti,werner........The list goes on... Im not callin ya out in any way, Just sayin

 

There seems to be alot of input on here & I would also like to ask some questions from the readers here... I was working for a company down in Murray,Ky. I had a suspected heart attack back on Febuary 3rd of this year. I got cleared & released from the Dr. saying that there was no signs of the heart attack what-so-ever(Thankfully). But I was off than their alotted 30 days for medical leave(due to the Dr. & me wanting a couple more tests done to make sure I was good to go).
Well now that company doen't want me back(Go figure). I busted my rump to do the Xmas rush & such delivering the TJ Maxx for them to the stores. Anyone know of a decent company I could go to?
I do have about 8 years exp. & not affraid. But some of the meds could be questionable... Like Deprakote, Loratabs(For my neck. But I am good to go from the physical part the Doc gave me a 1year DOT for that, Said I am NOT to take any within 10 hours of driving which is total BS to me). But I am looking for probably something regional within the Southern Indiana,Western Ky, areas.. Would like your input form you fellow truckers here..
But the way Smaggs keep it up your first year is almost here & I know with your morals,drive to work & willingness to do right... You will go far in this industry. I would also like to ask is anyone here is going to MATS in Louisville next week? Hope to see you guys there!

 

Who do you drive for? I'm guessing you're pulling a tanker? I see your list--Schneider, Werner, and Watkins Shepard require experience--already called them.

Yes, Swift and CR England, I've been told to avoid. I talked to a Swift recruiter and he was really rude--I got a bad vibe.

I am looking at Crete, Stevens, Knight, deBoer, Roehl, Transport America, and a few others I can't think of presently and there are still more I have yet to call. Actually, I think I'd like to pull tankers eventually after I get some experience again.

The main thing right now is picking a company that does not require experience--I've been told by every recruiter that I've spoken with that my experience was too long ago and doesn't count for much--it seems the companies with the best reviews require at least 6 months to one year of OTR experience or more. The companies that take drivers with zero experience seem to get the greatest number of gripes on this forum and everywhere else. Thus, I am searching for the lesser of the evils.

I am seriously considering deBoer just to avoid moving freight east coast.

I used to drive for Arnold and got sent to New Jersey every week for a period of time--I can live without that. It's just gross and congested.

Thanks for the feedback. I have been doing my homework and I have a master list of companies that I have crossed off--I don't meet the experience requirement--or put a check beside--ones that told me to send in an application. I think I'm going to camp out at the nearest TA--25 miles east of here and simply ask the drivers in person.

Thanks again for the feedback. Let me know if you come across any smallish companies that will hire someone with basically zero experience.

Peace,
H

 

I worked as a slave for FedEx Ground for way too long (2 years was enough) now im Workin a local gig where im home daily, although I long to go OTR though.

 

That last part is shocking--never getting home for more than 12 hours at a time. I would definitely put my foot down and insist at least 48 hours off every 3 to 4 weeks. I hope I don't sound naive--if so, the trucking industry is worse off than I imagined. I know it was not this bad twelve years ago when I started out.

I used to run regional for Arnold and got home every weekend at least for Saturday evening and Sunday. Of course, now, I don't need to be home every weekend. In fact, I really hate my hometown--hate--not exaggerating. The only reason I would ever want to come back here is to visit my daughter and two granddaughters from time to time. I'm hoping they'll move outta here as well. Ohio generally is not a great place to live, anyway. I'm looking for a new hometown out there somewhere--some place less depressing and less full of crime and poverty--somewhere west, more progressive.


Anyway, good luck. I hope you get adjusted and find your niche in trucking. A local job can be really great.

I ran local the last half of my trucking career back in 2001-2003. I spoke with many local drivers who ran for USF Holland, Yellow, Pitt Ohio, Estes, and a few others. I liked my route--200 mile radius of Columbus, Ohio. However, the company I drove for, Milan Express, literally had the worst equipment out of all the local companies I looked at in Columbus. They ran up to 15 years+++ old International day cabs. They only had two late model IH trucks when I was there and the guys with the most seniority got to drive them.

It was nothing for me to show up for work and find serious repair issues with my truck (as we slip-seated, day to night), such as windshield wiper arms that did not work during winter, heater and defrost not working properly, glad hand taped on with black electrical tape, leaking exhaust fumes, gears that are so worn that the shifting configuration was like a maze, etcetera. God, that company was terrible. I remember one time I went to Cincinatti (where their shop was locatedd) and I showed the mechanic that I had two drive tires that were nearly bald on one side--he produced a tire gauge and he refused to replace them. He made me wait another month or so, while I feared the worst. They did this kind of stuff all the time.

On the bright side, many of those other local company drivers gave me glowing reports about their jobs and equipment--I remember two USF Holland drivers in particular--they had the best equipment and were making $25.-$28. an hour. Of course, both had been with the company for eons (15+ years). Of course, driving local, you go home every evening and have the weekends off.

Anyway, I made $15.5 an hour with Milan starting; but I know there are local jobs that get you up to really decent pay in a fair period of time. You gotta be careful--the trucks I drove did not have speed governors, nor cruise control. It's easy to find yourself going over 55mph on a long, boring stretch of road after awhile. I ended up getting a couple speeding tickets and blew my chances of getting on with the better companies.
Thanks again.

Now I can't decide if I should send Knight an application or not. I really want to find a smaller company.

Be safe,
H