Knight vs Stevens vs Prime for training...

JewelCG · Jan 17, 2014

I would ask Prime about getting a full sized truck. It would mean less a mile, as I remember it, but worth it for the room. Of the three companies you listed, Prime is probably your best bet. Just DO NOT go near CR England.

dadischeap · Jan 17, 2014

The recruiter said that truck size was based on company need, so if they need a driver for a lightweight, you get a lightweight; don't have much of a choice she said

BUMBACLADWAR · Jan 18, 2014

dadischeap said: ↑

I have been plugging along this board for about a year and I'm ready to take the plunge into the world of trucking. I have completed online applications for all the major training carriers and have been approved with Knight, Prime and Stevens. I'm wanting to get started ASAP and looking for advise on which one would be the best. I live in Oregon, but home time isn't really an issue as I plan on pretty much living on the road for the first year, but Knight is the only company of the three with a terminal in Oregon. Prime and Stevens say I do not need my permit before I attend the training, but Knight requires I have my permit. I'm not concerned about getting the permit, but I won't have the $ for the permit and physical until my next payday which is the 5th and then would need to call and set a date to start with Knight. The others I could get on the bus on the 6th. I also do have a dog, but if I need to I have someone that will take very good care of her either while in training or longer.

I have done a lot of research over the last year and I see pluses and minuses on each one. Here are some of them for me.

Knight: Terminal in Oregon, decent equipment, paid for all training, 0% interest on training $50/wk for 18 months, pets now allowed, training 4-6 weeks, sliding pay scale, many negative reviews and requires permit already, training in Phoenix which means 1 day on the bus from Oregon, seems to have blindly accepted application without checking anything information.

Stevens: Good equipment, don't need permit before arrive, claim to have more miles, good structured training program including all regions of the country, the school portion seems more like a typical driving school before hitting the road, more positive than negative reviews, no pets allowed, training is 0% if you stay for a year, but still spread out over 3 years, low starting pay, training in Dallas means 2 days on bus, seems to have blindly accepted application without checking anything.

Prime: Higher starting pay, pets allowed, no cost training if complete one year, have already checked driving and employment history, more positive than negative reviews, seems to be quick to let go from training, governed at 55mph even when states allow trucks to go 65, after two weeks on the road with trainer, small tractors, training in Springfield means 3 days on the bus.

Right now, it is more between Prime and Stevens and leaning more towards Stevens. My thoughts are that if I'm primarily going to be living out of the truck for the first year, the larger tractor would be a big benefit and the being able to go faster could counter act the lower starting wage for the most part over time. I have nothing to worry about as far as work history or driving record, but should I be concerned that Stevens did not check these before offering me a position?

Any comments are very welcome and encouraged, as I have not totally made up my mind yet and might have over looked something important.
Click to expand...

No to Prime,Knights even worse idea. What about US Express,their supposed to have a rider and pet policy now.Id check out US Xpress or Stevens if your bent on it. GOOD LUCK.

froglegs · Jan 18, 2014

when i was looking into schools i was told that unless you were a texas resident that you couldnt be licensed or go to school in texas. that might have been cause alabama or texas crap, not real sure but might be something else to check on before the long bus rides. some states dont allow a license transfer of that kind

Mouse-KBR · Jan 19, 2014

Dadischeap, I have checked out just about anyone west of the Mississippi who provides their own training. 2 of the companies you listed were in my 3 finalists. Prime and Knight. (The 3rd one was Conway Truckload). Conway pretty much turned me off when the recruiter started dissing on Prime. It's not that I'm a huge Prime fan but when recruiters start badmouthing another company in order to get new recruits, it does not sit well with me (Prime was beating them out anyway).
My pick was Prime and I live in Phoenix (Knight HQ) - I drove for Knight before back in the 90s so I have an idea what to expect there and I think Prime is a better fit all the way around however, Knight is not a bad company at all.
Hopefully, all the comments have helped you with your decision. Check out a thread called "Prime What to Expect Springfield". I probably did not quote the name of the thread correctly but it's close enough that you should be able to find it. There is a ton of good information for Prime in that thread. Good luck.

dadischeap said: ↑

I have been plugging along this board for about a year and I'm ready to take the plunge into the world of trucking. I have completed online applications for all the major training carriers and have been approved with Knight, Prime and Stevens. I'm wanting to get started ASAP and looking for advise on which one would be the best. I live in Oregon, but home time isn't really an issue as I plan on pretty much living on the road for the first year, but Knight is the only company of the three with a terminal in Oregon. Prime and Stevens say I do not need my permit before I attend the training, but Knight requires I have my permit. I'm not concerned about getting the permit, but I won't have the $ for the permit and physical until my next payday which is the 5th and then would need to call and set a date to start with Knight. The others I could get on the bus on the 6th. I also do have a dog, but if I need to I have someone that will take very good care of her either while in training or longer.

I have done a lot of research over the last year and I see pluses and minuses on each one. Here are some of them for me.

Knight: Terminal in Oregon, decent equipment, paid for all training, 0% interest on training $50/wk for 18 months, pets now allowed, training 4-6 weeks, sliding pay scale, many negative reviews and requires permit already, training in Phoenix which means 1 day on the bus from Oregon, seems to have blindly accepted application without checking anything information.

Stevens: Good equipment, don't need permit before arrive, claim to have more miles, good structured training program including all regions of the country, the school portion seems more like a typical driving school before hitting the road, more positive than negative reviews, no pets allowed, training is 0% if you stay for a year, but still spread out over 3 years, low starting pay, training in Dallas means 2 days on bus, seems to have blindly accepted application without checking anything.

Prime: Higher starting pay, pets allowed, no cost training if complete one year, have already checked driving and employment history, more positive than negative reviews, seems to be quick to let go from training, governed at 55mph even when states allow trucks to go 65, after two weeks on the road with trainer, small tractors, training in Springfield means 3 days on the bus.

Right now, it is more between Prime and Stevens and leaning more towards Stevens. My thoughts are that if I'm primarily going to be living out of the truck for the first year, the larger tractor would be a big benefit and the being able to go faster could counter act the lower starting wage for the most part over time. I have nothing to worry about as far as work history or driving record, but should I be concerned that Stevens did not check these before offering me a position?

Any comments are very welcome and encouraged, as I have not totally made up my mind yet and might have over looked something important.
Click to expand...

dadischeap · Jan 19, 2014

I'm leaning towards Prime. I filled out the online app for Prime and the recruiter called me twice and sent me an e-mail and waited for me to call her back the next day. As for Steven's I've had a regional recruiter call, a national recruiter call, multiple e-mails and today received a post card Kind of like a community college vs a private career college.

photojoe100 · Nov 26, 2015

BUMBACLADWAR said: ↑

No to Prime,Knights even worse idea. What about US Express,their supposed to have a rider and pet policy now.Id check out US Xpress or Stevens if your bent on it. GOOD LUCK.
Click to expand...

Are you out of your MIND??? US Express is the bottom of the barrel. Oh, wait, I get it, you work for them....never mind

DC843 · Nov 26, 2015

None.

Unemployment office, ask about WIOA program, apply and most likely be accepted, find a community college near you with a trucking program, go to school and get CDL for free, then apply to any company you choose without being contracted or having to pay off their school.

DC843 · Nov 26, 2015

photojoe100 said: ↑

Are you out of your MIND??? US Express is the bottom of the barrel. Oh, wait, I get it, you work for them....never mind
Click to expand...

US xpress isn't a bad starter company at all. if you are willing to team you can make good money your first year.

buzzarddriver · Nov 26, 2015

20? month old thread. Hopefully they have made their choice by now.

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