knight refrigerated

Hey you too.

 

Got a voice mail. So, should hear back soon from them and have to see what they say before i can make any further decisions. Transport America has already approved me so all I need to do is set up an orientation date.Wont be till after thanksgiving. The 26th of November I'm guessing.

 

I found a driver / trainer on Facebook, "Cheryl Nicewonger" who gave me 'her' phone number... so I could call her!
She's been with Transport America since (I think) 1986?

My recruiter's name is Susan Paradise.
I'm in the process of getting my paperwork approved - and should know when I'm going to Orientation this coming week.

There's not a lot of information on this site about the company - I took that to be a good sign.

After talking with Cheryl and Susan, it sounds like it's a company that will give me a place to stay and grow (assuming I don't screw up, get in an accident, get cited, etc). They both seem like straight-talking, no BS, tell-it-like-it-is, people.

A new driver for the company said he's out with a trainer for 21 days now - and so far, so good - he said I made a good choice to go with them.

I have gotten some information - and it looks like a good company. They are really big on safety.
You don't have to have your Hazmat, but they encourage it, and pay you to get it. They pay .01 per mile extra on all loads when you have it, .04 per mile when you haul HM. The .03 per mile fuel bonus is pretty easy to achieve (according to Cheryl). They pay for loaded / unloaded miles, lumpers / freight handling, layover, and detention, and have toll cards (I think you get reimbursed for scales - didn't ask?). You are allowed to have a 1500w inverter installed in the trucks. Some of the trucks have EPU's, if not, you can idle when the ambient temp is 80 degrees or more (or put in a request to idle, and give up the bonus). All trucks have bunk heaters. Most of their freight is East of Mississippi river. Average length of solo OTR runs are 300-400 miles, but they stack up the deliveries, so you will average 2100-2500 miles per week. I've heard they pay movers miles (HHMG), but didn't confirm it with Cheryl... I'll have to ask. They use E-logs and Qualcom. They have 401k and matching funds (don't know the details).

If you have facebook, search for Transport America. Go to their facebook page, and find out who posted. Go to the posters Facebook page and send them a message to see if they can answer questions? That's how I came across Cheryl.

As it stands, if everything goes as planned - I'll be headed to orientation around December 3.

 

I could never understand tying a driver's fuel bonus to his idle time. It should be based on their mpg if it was really about saving fuel. Myself and a friend of mine both started with the same company at the same time back in '05. We got are yearly evaluations done at the same time a year later. He got his fuel bonus with a low 6mpg and 15% idle time. I didn't with a low 7mpg and 26% idle time. We where driving the same year/make/model of truck. The other reason idle time could factor in is wear on the vehicle but these BFI mega carriers turn over their fleet quickly enough that it wouldn't matter.

 

Dont do it if you choose knight you will regret it been here a month and already talking to another company they told me start pay. 32 per mile im getting. 20 per mile trying to get to home terminal so they can have this pos 2009 volvo and they say their trucks are their image....lmas

 

Thanks for the info. Going to transport America next week. Not too many nice things are said about Knight Refrigerated.

 

That's Knight's driver retention right there. They pretty much assume your bailing when you get back so they will keep you out a bit.

Are you getting good miles in the meantime?

 

Talked to the Knight recruiter last week and I could pretty much tell he was full of it.

 

Nope last haul was 500+ miles pay was 112.86

 

I worked there to. Was out of the Memphis terminal, then they decided to change my Dispatcher, so I could get home more!!! Yeah, right!! Missed getting home just like it was normal not to get home on time!!