I really like Knight Transportation

Very interesting. A few people who don't how to properly use a very useful tools provided for them, ruin it for everybody.

 

What is Knights policy on layover? Just curious as I am spending the weekend in lovely Phoenix.

 

Well, you will have a nice big yard to park in. And access to showers. And a "roach coach" that comes in morning, noon, and night.

Or you could do like I used to do, and bobtail over to a restaurant. There is an Outback Steak House not too far away. Most anybody there can point you in the right direction.

 

Being stuck in that Pheonix yard SUCKED. Head for that Pilot or Flying J.

 

Well... I am actually at the Pilot. What I meant was, do they pay you. Most companies pay for 24 hour layovers...

 

Didn't you have to go through an orientation or something? Seems they would've covered that in there. Or at least provided you with some sort of employee manual or something that includes info on the layover policy.

 

I don't think there are any large trucking companies that DON'T limit revs to around 1700-1800 or so.

And of course the engine brake works better at higher RPM's. If you feel better listening to it work at higher rev's just downshift!

 

I have an issue that I would like to share. My truck uses a gallon of coolant a week. I noticed this two weeks ago. The problem was I was in the Dakotas to Georgia and then just as far back to my house. More than likely, since the leak is internal, it's my oil cooler, which will be a few days minimum that I will have to use a loaner truck. This will further lower my miles as I will have to get back to my truck.

Sorry to ramble but I do drive a truck.... I bought a gallon of coolant for ten bucks, and another for next week. They will tell you to put water in it BUT that is only to get straight to a terminal. My problem is I never get by a terminal during their so called word day, it's a small window to catch them so I never get by a shop during the day. However I did get by the Chicago terminal one morning and the guy told me they "we're out of coolant" with a straight face only Blagovitch could duplicate. LOL out of coolant. I understand that a coolant leak is not something to be nursed but they won't aid and abet to band-aiding the problem. That is the only reason I can come up with as to why they do not let you a have some extra coolant. My other problem is my own doing. When my truck is in the shop I do not want a loaner as I work quite hard and deserve the break, so I would rather be at home while they work on it. But that can't be done because the shop is 300 miles away.

SOO now I'm out 20 bucks and it will be interesting to see if it's like pulling teeth to get my cash back.

 

I have never had a OTR truck with a air dump so I think drivers will survive without it. Besides I hear it has only been taken out of some of the trucks and even put back in on others.

As far as I'm concerned the simpler the truck is the less chance of being broke down waiting to get it fixed.

I had to get a $500+ Tow Friday down in Portland because a valve that regulates the even distribution of my fuel failed and sucked one tank dry and a sensor shut the truck down right in the middle of Hwy 30 outside of Portland OR. The steering wheel locked and I had to coast it for awhile, and was barely able to get it off the road enough to let cars pass.

 

From what I hear Knight issues you 2 quarts of coolant which should be kept in the box at all times and replaced if you use it or it is not present at the time you seated the truck. So why did you not have any in the first place?

Well I would say you might of had a case for being upset but it is my experience that many OTR drivers do not treat this issue correctly.

If you buy something without a P.O. number or reference number at a OTR trucking company, especially a large one like Knight. You will most likely be footing the bill.

If you have any issue with your truck or trailer you send the macro for a breakdown issue. Then you call breakdown and you give them the specifics of the problem. Even if no resolution of the issue is given you still have it on record. Then if no authorisation is given to purchase coolant by breakdown you call your dispatcher and attempt to get a P.O. number from them to buy coolant and embellish a little if you have to and make it sound like a service issue.

If the companies policy's are followed and no one will pay for the coolant, then you buy it yourself and deduct it from your taxes with everything else that you might have to pay for to operate a OTR truck that year.

The fact is that even if you are a company driver there will be instances where you will have to foot the bill from time to time, either because of some prick at the company or just because it is easier to just write it off at the end of the year. But do not buy things first and then expect compensation if it was not approved before had.

It would be prudent for any driver to know how to operate within the policies of the company they work at and what benefits are offered to you as a OTR driver that a company will never go into in a orientation.

If you expect these OTR outfits to act with Honor and fairness after the fact you will in most cases be very disappointed for your expectations.