Knight Transportation Chat

As fas as the OP............Knight has so far been a good fit for me. The weekend staff leaves a lot to be deisred. Weekend are an adventure at best. If you wind up here, stay on your driver manager to get you set up for the entire weekend. This is something I am going to have to do better with. Equipment is good. I have a 2013 Prostar with a 9 speed. There are differences in how things are done depending on which terminal you are out of. Some terminals offer things that others dont. Insurance is decent and resonably priced. I pay 105 a week for a family of 5 for medical, dental, and vision.

 

That used to be one of their main 'selling points' to new drivers.

My only input on U.S. Express is that they were sticklers on following the shortest route, and fined and could fire those drivers who didnt...(such as taking the I210 thru L.A. during rush hour vs. running CA58 and saving time bypassing L.A.; or the back way Barstow<-->Desert Center missing all the traffic and 2 scales)

Several times I went out of route with Knight (weather, traffic, detour for a visit w/family, etc.) and Knight never mentioned or complained about it!! I gave them a 'plus' for that...i.e. safely delivering on-time freight is what's most important!.

 

I absolutely agree with you. For all of Knight's shortcomings, there are some little things that help make up for it





My only input on U.S. Express is that they were sticklers on following the shortest route, and fined and could fire those drivers who didnt...(such as taking the I210 thru L.A. during rush hour vs. running CA58 and saving time bypassing L.A.; or the back way Barstow<-->Desert Center missing all the traffic and 2 scales)

 

Like any big company, they will try to get away with not paying out on anything extra. In training I was not told about layover pay, extra stop pay, detention pay etc. I figured that out on my own. They will pay out as long as you stick to your guns. If you do this, they will eventually pay out automatically, (knowing that you are not going to back off) If you are a good driver, they don't want to lose you. There is a very high turnover rate with large companies and it is a hassle for the to have to deal with replacing you. Keep your head low, make ontime deliveries and pick ups and you will fare just fine. Make a point to introduce yourself and make relationships with everyone you can in the office. Even when you are at other terminals. Whenever I have to get service out of my terminal, I go into the office and request that they put me in one of their trucks so that I can help out with any local deliveries. They will agree to hourly pay and don't forget you. In these times of economic uncertainties, I have come to the conclution that I am fortunate to have a job. I keep this in mind everytime I want to pick up the phone and tell off some new hire dispatcher working the weekends what it is I exactly think about them. Document everything! If you have a problem and something is going to get screwed up and it is not your fault, make #### sure you have your story straight. I qualcomm everything in this regard as well as send text messages to my DM. Office personel like to blame the driver at every turn if something goes wrong. This still happens to me. I always cover my ###. When it comes down to it, Knight pays me what I am owed.

 

What do they ask you do for Knight dot psychical functional tests???I got type 2 Diabetes its under control ,Getting older eyes don't work like they used to, I got glasses but never put that on my renewal on license, Can i also wear glasses they wont check my license will they???? Thanks guys

 

The tests are a bit strenuous. At least they were in Denver. They like to get your heart pounding see if you will keel over. You will fare just fine if you do some sort of exercise. I like to walk. It helps. I often see drivers that are so grossly overweight I wonder how they passed the test of just walking into the examiners office. Once you pass the test you don't have to go to the company doc again. You can just go into one of those fly by night places you see at truck stops. As far as your glasses go, wear them for the physical. If you need them, you need them. They will put it on your certificate. Doesnt matter if it's on your actual licence.

 

Would you happen to know if the Joliet, Illinois terminal is a 'major freight lane'...?

 

I don't know personally, but I would have to imagine that Joliet (Chicago) should be real good.