Squire/Knight Journal

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by deviltalk, Jan 24, 2012.

  1. deviltalk

    deviltalk Light Load Member

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    Dec 18, 2011
    Las Vegas, NV
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    Internet has been few and far between so I've been writing a lot.

    Met my trainer Monday at Phx. terminal. He drove us to Casa Grande and we got acquainted. He would have let me drive but we had to get to the shipper in a hurry. They loaded us up with baby food and formula bound for Los Lunas outside of Albuquerque. Once loaded I got behind the wheel.

    The truck was an 8 speed Volvo. I learned on a 10 speed so I'd need to adjust.

    I drove us back to the Phoenix terminal and was very disappointed and very embarrassed with my shifting, mostly within the city.

    We fueled up and made for Albuquerque and stopped at a rest stop just passed Flagstaff for the night.

    I got more comfortable with the 8 speed, and had a good heart to heart with my trainer, telling him how embarrassed I was with my first drive. He saw that I was eager to learn and was very reassuring and respectful. He told me I'd be fine and he won't give up on me.

    About 275 miles driven on the first day. I slept better than I thought I would in the top bunk that night.

    Trainer and I are both non smokers and get along so far. We have similar personalities and interests and he likes to shower at least every other day and does not allow piss bottles in his truck.

    Good stuff.
     
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  3. deviltalk

    deviltalk Light Load Member

    128
    20
    Dec 18, 2011
    Las Vegas, NV
    0
    We got up at 8 and I drove us into Albuquerque. I have a long way to go but I've improved since yesterday thanks to some pointers from my trainer.

    We had to sit at Wal Mart for 3 hours. I'd heard they (Wal Mart) aren't terribly kind to drivers and saw that first hand.

    I feel comfortable with my hwy driving including up and down hills, up and down shifting. I notice I panic in the city when surrounded by traffic and working in the lower 4 gears.
     
  4. 1/9/12 Trucker

    1/9/12 Trucker Bobtail Member

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    Jan 14, 2012
    Albuquerque
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    Welcome to my town
     
    deviltalk Thanks this.
  5. reoTrucker

    reoTrucker Bobtail Member

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    Jan 25, 2012
    Salt Lake City, UT
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    Rider Policy?

    Hey I have a question about Knight.
    What is their rider policy? and what are the associated costs, and is there a limit to the amount of time a rider may rider with you during a year? Does the rider HAVE to be a "legal" family member?

    Their website is fairly vague, and other outside blogs or forums are all over the place about details.

    I have a fiance whos job takes her away from home a lot, but she may be making a serious career change so that we can spend more time together. Maybe full time with me on the road. ;)

    She's not interested in getting her own CDL at this time, but down the road who knows?

    I'm in a CDL school at CEU here in Price Utah, and will be getting my license very shortly. I feel I am at the top of my class, but I still will be without any actual CDL driving experience.

    I'm looking for a company who will
    #1 take someone fresh out of a training school
    #2 allow a rider if not 100% of the time, a very serious portion of the time
    #3 allow a rider at a "reasonable" cost... it shouldn't cost me more than $100 a month just to be with my significant other.
     
  6. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
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    Don't let her ride for free! At least get her a license so that you can run two logs! You know how much money you guys could make as a team? If $200,000 a year doesn't convince you, you're on the wrong planet!
     
  7. deviltalk

    deviltalk Light Load Member

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    Dec 18, 2011
    Las Vegas, NV
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    Regrettably Knight is a bit stiff with their ride policy, limiting to immediate fam only. Many other companies dont mind, and charge like 30 a month. This will vary. But.. If you are engaged and she is serious about getting in, I think it is worth an inquiry.

    Their website sucks. But PM me if you like and I will get you in touch with a recruiter if you like.

    I'm still training so I'll update my goings on when I can (hard to get internet OTR rn. I need to upgrade my hardware!)
     
  8. reoTrucker

    reoTrucker Bobtail Member

    11
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    Jan 25, 2012
    Salt Lake City, UT
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    Well, since I'm such a "new" member to this site, it apparently will not allow me to send private messages until I've reached 7 posts. LOL

    Any help would be greatly appreciated, It will make a HUGE difference where I start and stay, for the immediate future, depending on the companies rider policy. We are getting married, but we don't necessarily want to rush out and do it just so that she can ride along. At some point after I see if this is the life for me, I will be getting my own truck.... period! Then we can start to work together, and maybe even perhaps she can get her own license. She's just a bit intimidated with a big truck. We LOVE to drive together.. just drive... so why not drive together and make money while we do it?

    Thanks again
    Rick
     
  9. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

    10,371
    5,085
    Nov 8, 2009
    Charlotte, North Carolina
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    call Watkins Shepard....you can thank me later. You'll make twice as much as a Knight driver, be in better shape, and you and your wife will be much happyer




    American Trucker
     
  10. "The Prophet"

    "The Prophet" Bobtail Member

    8
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    Feb 3, 2012
    Aiken, SC
    0
    I am about to attent the sage truckdriver training school in lexington, sc and i want knight to be my first trucking employer...any takes on how likely that will be?
     
  11. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

    10,371
    5,085
    Nov 8, 2009
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    0
    [quote="The Prophet";2416191]I am about to attent the sage truckdriver training school in lexington, sc and i want knight to be my first trucking employer...any takes on how likely that will be?[/quote]


    knight is a bottom feeder all you have to do is apply and they'll hire you....





    American Trucker
     
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