Knight Transportation, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

Be Nice,remember the Reason for the season.You will be rewarded.

 

Not a problem at all. I passed over this thread earlier today, because after having done this as long as I have been doing it, I knew what would happen if I responded in any manner that discussed the finer aspects of his post.

After I thought about it, and read his post a second time, I felt I had to try and get to the root of what he was offering. He chose to take my comments the wrong way, and to demonstrate what the real problem was.

I think anyone can see the real deal here. I apologize to anyone that feels I should have let things lay as they were. I never want anyone to think that anyone, including myself is going to jump on a poster for the things they offer, but this is a discussion forum, and people should realize that discussion is what will happen on topics of interest.

Maybe I shouldn't do this either, but the reason why I did what I did, was because I didn't find most of his claims credible in the least sense of the word. I don't think he called the DOT or any other agency, hired a lawyer, or was fired from the company for refusing to log illegally.

I do think he has experienced a severe case of culture shock. He came from a company after eleven years that paid drivers extremely well, ran 100% compliant, and scheduled their drivers time down to the minute.

To be suddenly thrust into the kind of circumstances and working conditions that most of the OTR companies offer, which will tee off a driver that is used to it, was more than he could handle. I think he went into meltdown.

Now, to return to a topical issue regarding the company he mentions, there is evidence that Knight Transportation is having trouble controlling their safety numbers.

Their ISS-2 stands currently at 93, which is bad. They are slightly under average for equipment out-of-services, and a bit over average in drivers placed out-of-service. Obviously, there is something amiss with them.

I would not apply for a company that had stats like this, because it is likely that logging issues are a problem there, for whatever reason. Those figures are a good indication that it is either condoned or encouraged to some degree. That's not a place I want to be hooked up with.

As Forrest Gump would now say, "That's all I have to say about that."

 

Where can I see find those stats on companies?

 

No i did not attack him, i stated that i did not have those problems.
And that he might be the problem.

 

http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SafeStat/disclaimer.asp?RedirectedURL=/SafeStat/SafeStatMain.asp

 

Thats the problem with alot of older drivers (lots of experience), you come to another company and think your the Captain right off the bat. I hate to say it but you must start at the bottom again with no special K favors! Just because you have 20 + years doesnt mean your above the next guy with 5 years with that same company. . . I hear alot of arguments on the CB about "Ive got more experience then you" and its just a ego trip! Sometimes I think if you have more than 15 years driving OTR then you probably have more bad habits, which isnt good for anyone. Drive Safe

 

Very well put.

I will add only one thing to that, and it's rather simple.

Attitude is everything.

 

thats why i will stay at my comp with NO benfits cause i AM THE CAPTAIN of this ship with my 31 years of ex.

 

I disagree.........If I come to a company with 20 years experience, I am entitled to higher pay for one thing. With experience I am a known quantity.........

Have more bad habbits with more experience? Please....the new guys who have very poor training (most new drivers fall in this catagory) don't knowthe difference between a bad habbit and a good habbit.

 

This is true, but does this make you entitled to expect to sign on with a new company, and get the newest truck, the better runs, or top pay, simply because you have more time behind the wheel, over and above a guy that has been with the company consistently for five years, as the poster offered?

I think longevity has to be a factor as well. If an experienced driver comes on board, who may be coming from a job where they spent several years with the same company, they should be given more consideration, because that in itself is an indication that this person is capable of staying put and will likely be an asset, if you meet the requirements he/she is seeking that will keep him/her content.

Far too many drivers who have time behind the wheel, but have a ten year history that includes 20 jobs, feel that this entitles them to be considered equal, or better in some way to a guy that may only have five years behind the wheel, but only has had one job in those five years, and I don't see it that way.

I'm not saying that you fit into that category by no means, but I have met drivers that held that opinion. I feel that you have to look at all of the factors mentioned, along with their safety record, to get some idea what a driver is going to be worth to a company, and then structure a starting compensation package accordingly.

I am also not a person who feels that all in life has to be "fair". Achievement is determined by a number of factors, and you should pay qualified people according to their ability, attitude, how well they follow company policies, and of course, how loyal they are to the company.

There are no absolutes to either side of the debate on that issue. I've met some newbies that were unsafe, and some that were extremely on top of their game. I've also seen some obviously mature and experienced people who were safe drivers, and some who were in need of a remedial course in driving and attitude adjusting.

I don't think that age, when it comes to truck drivers, is reflective of how they drive. I also don't think that years behind the wheel reflects any absolutes either.

If you look at the cases where a truck driver is charged in some way with causing a horrible crash, often times the age of those drivers average in the 40-59 age bracket, or at least that seems to be what I see. I pay attention to those kind of things. The next largest category of drivers are those in their 30's, but rarely do you see those in their 20's or above 60 being charged. And that may be due to the fact that they are simply not in abundance in equal numbers, rather than an indication of their attention to safety.

The bottom line is that all drivers are individuals, and each individual deserves to be considered separately, and based upon their individual records. That's the "fairest" way to determine the potential worth as an employee.

If that means that I have a twenty five year old with four years of experience, who averages a c-note more a week, because his brief record is better in more ways, than that of a 50 year old with twenty five years of experience, then so be it.