Knight and Squire Transportation?

Knight/Squire has a lot of bad reputation here but when compared to other larger outfits that hire new drivers, they are probably as good as any. A lot seems to depend on the terminal you operate out of and if your willing to roam 48 states and out 2-4 weeks or not as to the type of and amount of freight you may see. I understand their temp controlled drivers run more consistent miles than their van drivers. I used to drive there 4+ years ago (Tulsa) and enjoyed it for the most part, but they had [have?] serious truck:trailer ratio issues and you can expect to often lose time searching for or waiting for an empty in some markets.

 

Decide what company is going to best suit your needs. Don't choose a company because other drivers had a bad experience. More drivers complain then complement!

Knight is not a bad company and their special training, the Squire program, is actually pretty decent. Also you have the option to pull for the reefer division which I highly recommend. Reefer not only pays more but gives you twice the opportunity for miles. You can haul anything dry or refrigerated.

I actually attended Knights orientation and they were very straight forward. No bull! They will tell you that too. If you don't like what they have to offer then go somewhere else.

I do not know too much about Roehl so don't have anything good/bad to say about them.

My wife and I did drive for Central Ref. and loved it! I would highly recommend them! They run reefer (obviously) and have a school just like Knight in which you can attend for nearly nothing up front. Central is a mid-size to large company but are not a mega-carrier. They still treat their drivers like humans instead of numbers and their dispatchers are responsible for a hell of a lot less drivers then the mega's! Your dispatcher is your ultimate key to making money out there and at Central it is easier to build a personal relationship with your dispatcher.

Central has top of the line equipment and takes very good care of their stuff! The trucks and trailers were so nice that it actually made us feel proud to drive them! As far as miles and pay, I would say they fall into the average out there. They do offer regional and also dedicated positions if this something that you think would interest you. They do have a lease program but that is a whole other deal. You have a long road ahead of you before thinking about that but the option is there when the time comes. They have terminals all over and many drop yards Their terminal in Salt Lake is "world class" and really impressive!

The reason I recommend Central to this extent is because they really went above and beyond on many occasions to help us succeed. In one instance getting us a rather large settlement from Volvo!

Sorry I probably sound like a recruiter, but I promise I do not work for them!

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Good luck man!

 

hey ajv1987.....I just graduated the Squire Training programming at Knight. They are good. They start off from the forst day and pay you $300 dollars a week. After 1 week of class/range training you go out OTR for a week. Then back home for l week with a local driver. Still getting ur $300 a week. After u take the test...get ur hard copy CDL u go out OTR with another druver for 4weeks and ur pay increases to $400 a week. Squire sets u up in a nice hotel...my case in a Comfort inn. By the end of the first week u do get ur TCH card and can get money off it if needed. I just got done with orientation and go out with my trainer on Tue. My room here in Phx is paid till Tue.
They are very honest even firing 3 drivers for various unsafe driving violations just last week. They take safety very seriously.

You will have to pay the training back but you do not have to do that for six months, plus theres no money up front. They take out the cost at only $50 a week. I am prob gonna do western regional van maybe reefer after I get done with my last trainer. Any questions feel free to send me a PM anytime, I will help you the best I can..

 

I do have over 5 yrs driving and training with CRE but I let my CDL lapse so I had to start as a newbie.

 

just going through the forums and looking for a good program to start with. i have hheard good and bad about knight.i guess wether a company its what you make out. turn a bad situation into somthing good. my stepdad worked for knight and liked it except he didnt like being away from his wife.and drives a pubilic transportation bus and making dam good money to.anyways enough babble from me thanks for what you said about knight.

 

I have driven for Knight out of their Nashville Yard for 3.5 yrs. The money is good and they treat me well.

 

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