My experience with Knight Refrigerated

So this is my first week with Knight. Treated EXCELLENT so far and I don't have a single bad thing to say. All good news below...

I attended AIT in Phoenix and I'm based out of the Knight Phoenix terminal.

One nice thing I want to mention. I'm local, but they paid for lunch all four days. Domino's sandwiches on Monday, Pizza Hut pasta dishes on Tuesday, Papa John's Pizzas (various kinds) on Wednesday and then we went to Golden Corral on Thursday. The food was surprisingly good and FREE. IF YOU'RE NOT LOCAL... motel is FREE and so is the shuttle to and from the terminal if you don't have a car. Take advantage of the offer. You don't owe anything back later and they are very courteous about things. You physically see all the people you'll be dealing with. No BS of dealing with dispatchers from a building you've never seen in your life. So far, Knight has been very cool and straightforward.

I'm leaving with a trainer today and going to Dallas, then who knows where for 4-6 weeks.


The point of my thread is to update with info to share what I'm up to and hopefully shed light on how things work for someone who's curious.

So far, the orientation was very sensible. The do a few trainees at a time, so it's not crowded or confusing.

We did some written tests (it was more like a discussion and we would discuss the answers and eventually be given them and educated... this was good) We did a 'rigorous' test where you go to a doctor's office and pick up a few crates with some weight in them and show you understand proper lifting technique. You do pee tests for sugar levels and drug screen... Hand squeezing for steering and a step test along with a few other easy things. Doesn't take long.

You'll get a few shirts, a lanyard with a Knight logo, your photo and name. You can earn more shirts and stuff over time... they go over all of this with you during orientation (monday-thursday)

Monday was basically paperwork and an in-office drug screen. Make sure you gotta pee. They will give you bottled water during your time as well as vending machines with good snacks, waters and sodas in cans and bottles. We watched some videos and did some slide shows with Q&A as well.

Tuesday we went and did the doctor's office run where we did some various ability tests, hearing tests, eyesight, and a blood sugar test (pee). There was some orientation time, too.

Wednesday was more or less a day of making sure all paperwork was complete and didn't need editing. We did a lot of slides, Q&A and a few movies, too.

Thursday we finished the paper tests, did more Q&A and took a passenger van out for a more basic road test to ensure everyone actually looks ahead and stops properly.

In another post later, when I get more time, I'll post what I'm bringing on the road and any advice I get from my trainer. Anything to help any other newbies be better prepared.

I have to get going, shower and head in to get with my trainer and hit the road.


I'll post again as soon as I get enough free time.

 

AH, I'll see if I can move it or delete this thread and copy over...

 

I have my first delay. I guess another guy switched trainers, so I'll be on my way either Sunday or Monday.

Fine by me... I get to try the new recliner that's going to my house today! Also gives me a chance to make a few calls and do some extra stuff that I was hoping to finish but didn't yet.

 

I'm leaving for Wisconsin sometime on Sunday afternoon or evening.

Also wanted to mention this... Per Diem is optional with Knight. You get it while training (3-6 weeks) then you can decide at any point wether or not you want it once you get your own truck.

 

Knight has three divisions. Transport, Refrigerated and Container that go to ports.

There are differences, though I don't know them all.

All I'm gonna say is that everyone I know that's been there for a while loves working for them. The pay is fair, the loads are available.

Sure, some drivers have breakdowns and it might cause you to break trace to go help, but that's part of driving. As long as you don't have your heart set on going to only specific parts of the USA then you will be fine.

They have payscales that work according to which type of driving you will do. You can drive teams or solo.

I'm pulling reefer. I don't mind the noise and I certainly don't mind driving a big grey truck! Plus, I'm very flexible. I don't have kids and my girlfriend lives at home and she's incredibly supportive. We're both artists, so she has plenty to do while I'm away.

I'm only 30 (31 in a couple of weeks) so I'm at a good point in my life to make the choice to do some OTR.

As far as all the differences between the three divisions, I honestly couldn't tell you, since I'm new and lack experience. I only drove non-combination trucks and flatbeds in tri-state areas in my past.

I'm sure you could go here..

http://www.knighttrans.com/about/locations/ and get the 800 number for a terminal near you to ask anything about the divisions.

Man, I'm looking forward to tomorrow! One again, I will keep a log on here of my experiences regardless of how good and bad they might be.


So far, all good. I met some driver trainers yesterday and a friend of mine just got his own truck fresh off the training and he absolutely loved it!! The trainers were all cool and told me they love training and some have even been with other companies and they finally switched to Knight and are really having a better time.

You know.. it's all opinon, but I'm glad I met all smiling faces and didn't hear complaints!

Take care, everyone! I'll update the next time I get a chance out there!

I'm going from Phoenix to somewhere in Wisconsin (I think, will confirm before I go) tomorrow (Sunday, June 11th) afternoon or evening.

Later, dudes and dudettes!