Does Knight still use 4-wheeler complaints?

Discussion in 'Knight' started by OverDrive, Aug 15, 2012.

  1. OverDrive

    OverDrive "A Watchman on the Walls"

    Does Knight still use 4-wheeler complaints?

    Again, I drove 5 yrs with Knight, and during my 4th year, at my review, my DM mentioned 2 separate phone-ins from 4-wheelers (both in the L.A. area but different dates) concerning my driving. They were both several months old, and so I couldnt 'defend' myself! One was changing lanes in front of one of them, and the other I cant recollect at the moment (?).

    Every driver knows that when a big truck 'legally' takes their right-of-way, they can tick off a 4-wheeler who generally hate our big, lumbering rigs which do nothing (as they see it) but get in their way! (They forget about the freight of 'theirs' that we deliver!) And, BTW, I've ALWAYS signaled my intentions sufficiently ahead of my lane changing, etc. But also, after signaling and slowly moving over, have had 4-wheelers try to pass me in the process!!

    It originally was a possible & proper way of getting feedback many years ago when the call-in had to get to a land-line and also pay for a long-distance call to complain, using the phone numbers being on the tractor & the trailer along with the tractor #. But not today..everyone has a cell phone and a plan that allows them to 'harass' a driver thru their co. w/o cost or inconvenience! It becomes their passive-aggressive method of 'road rage!'

    During that particular review of mine, my DM said that it wouldnt count against me (and shudnt since I wasnt confronted at the time of the complaint so I could respond it) during my review. If they would have, I would have done battle with them and taken them to the mat!!

    My Q is: "Does Knight mention those types of 'unverified' complaints during today's performance reviews??
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2012
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  3. pilottravel2002

    pilottravel2002 Medium Load Member

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  4. OverDrive

    OverDrive "A Watchman on the Walls"

    About 15 yrs or so ago, many businesses were placing bumper stickers on their company vehicles saying "How's My Driving, Call XXX-XXX" to get a reduction in their insurance rates. Again, was probably a good idea back in the 'land-line days,' where someone with a complaint had to stop and call (allowing for a 'cool down' period) to register a serious complaint.

    I dont see as many of those these days in the 'era of the cell phone'..always wanted to call in on one to see if I would get a real person or a recording that could be ignored!!
     
  5. RizenPhoenix

    RizenPhoenix Road Train Member

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    I noticed a lot of trailers have the phone numbers spray painted over on the back of the trailers.
     
  6. OverDrive

    OverDrive "A Watchman on the Walls"

    I've heard that the drivers actually do that as they pickup their next trailers! There are many 4-wheelers out there who really 'hate' truckers..you dont have to offend them in a 'road incident' to have them want to 'hurt' you.. I've been cruising down the hwy in 'my right lane' not doing anything wrong and have had some pass and give me the finger---several times on CA 99!!
     
  7. RizenPhoenix

    RizenPhoenix Road Train Member

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    It's not their fault really, something about living in that valley makes most people stupid dumb.
     
  8. Dna Mach

    Dna Mach Road Train Member

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    I got two call ins while at Knight. Safety director in Katy, Kevin Anderson, listened to my side and that was the end of that. A few have said that I bash Knight at every opportunity, and that his true. However Mr Anderson was hands down the best person I have ever met in this industry. He ALWAYS gave me the benefit of the doubt, constantly reminded me how important I was to Knight and to keep up the good work. I'm sure he's long gone by now, way to good of a person for Knight Transportation. He probably "retained" too many drivers and we all know what Knight thinks of a driver who won't work for free....
     
  9. OverDrive

    OverDrive "A Watchman on the Walls"

    Sounds like he was a 'real' manager! Managing ppl is not just lording a position over their personnel, criticizing their work when they err, or just filling in the pre-set boxes in performance reviews. ANYBODY can do those things!

    Knight gave the worst performance reviews of any co. I ever worked at---blue or white collar jobs. They were always late in giving me mine, and once I had to remind them in order to get a raise!

    A real 'manager' deals with ppl on a personal basis, giving credit & praise as well as critiquing short comings. A good manager doesnt have to threaten his/her personnel to get them to do their jobs, as they will respect him/her and do so voluntarily and with a good attitude.

    Knight does have some good driver managers come thru (I had 2 myself, who both left and went into real estate b4 the crash), but pressure them and put them into positions to do bad job because of: having to lie for the co., dispatch haphazardly and do an incomplete job of following the loads, etc. And, as stated above, a good manager will always move on as the job violates their personal integrity....
     
    shadowdaddy Thanks this.
  10. mitrucker

    mitrucker Road Train Member

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    There are enough other threads bashing the company. No they aren't the greatest, but find me one that is. Go find those other threads and spend your free time there. You certainly seem to heve plenty of it.
     
    xlsdraw Thanks this.
  11. OverDrive

    OverDrive "A Watchman on the Walls"


    I'm posting some of my experiences with Knight, having been there 5 yrs and left with a clean record and on good terms.

    If you've read some of my threads, you will note that they are both helpful as well as also give tips & info to Knight drivers. But the 'bad & ugly' must also be given along with the 'good.'

    If you with your whole "1 yr experience" cant 'handle the truths' that I post of my experiences there, I suggest you put me on "Ignore" and your head back in the sand....
     
    Dna Mach and shadowdaddy Thank this.
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