Knight Refrigerated?

A lot of drivers compare Knight to Swift on this blog...Well, that's because the 4 people that founded Knight used to work for Swift and Randy Knight was even a part owner of Swift. I don't work for Knight. I went to their orientation and the people at the terminal seemed really nice and respectful. I just honestly didn't see myself dealing with the no apu, no idling, 62mph, and e-log crap, so I just left because that's not what I'm looking for. I used to work for Stevens Transport before and I had great miles, they were so good that I leased a truck and was making decent money, but I left because I had 0 home time and on top of that, I took my leased truck to the shop one day and found out they put a brand new MCP200 on it...No way I was going to be able to run enough to make truck payments and make a profit. I know someone here said "mom and pop" companies are the best to work for, that is the truth. I just started with a small company and I could feel the difference since the day that I called to ask if they were hiring. Brand new trucks, the very few old ones are in top shape, their entire fleet has APU's, good benefits,etc...I'm not the big corporation type person, I don't like kissin #####, I don't like being called Truck #12345 and I don't like to be out 6 months at a time, I mean if I can get home every 2 weeks I'll be happy even with low miles. So it's hard for me to find a big company to fit in.

 

"no apu, no idling, 62mph, and e-log"
Back when I started trucking, A truck sleeper was a 3 X 4 x 7 foot box behind the cab and we had little boxes on the side of the truck to keep our stuff. Our engines were 300hp and it took all afternoon to climb a hill. I remember calling CRETE Carriers and asking "Do your drivers unload trucks?" the reply was "It's a part of the industry sir."My response was "CLICK"

I went to Roads west and that was my first time out in a condo sleeper with 450 HP engine. I was in high cotton. Now all the trucks are condo's.

Congratulations drivers for walking away from those crappy old trucks and forcing the industry to buy nicer trucks and get us lumpers to handle the freight.

I think the next big change is going to be APU's. I think it will be the industry standard soon and companies like Knight and Swift will need them to retain and recruit drivers.

 

I like running east for the higher speed limits and less traffic. The west coast is slow and regulated. Ever try to run from San Diego to Van Nuys mid day? On paper, I logged that 55 MPH. By the time I got loaded at Van Nuys, I would have my ten our break completed. Got to love those paper logs. I wonder how that works with ele logs? CA,OR,WA cannot be as profitable as running wide open cross country. Is there a shortcut on the ele logs I am missing?

 

I worked for KR for over a year out of the Phoenix terminal. It wasn't very good. However, I've been told by many drivers that PHX is a joke and you should try to work for Memphis, Columbus, or Idaho Falls. Their drivers always get their bonuses and plenty of miles.

I was just going to walk into here and slam KR, but I can't speak for the terminals listed, since I've heard better things about them. It all really depends on YOUR work ethic and how good your planner(s) and DM are.

 

Knight does not use APUs at all. You will not get a bonus if you need to idle, but I always sacrificed my bonus for a safe and restful night's sleep.

Knight uses mostly Volvo 670 tractors. If you are a team, they will give you an International Pro Star if you want.

If you choose to work for Knight, avoid the Phoenix yard at all costs. The shop there is a joke. I've called there so many times and they never answer.

As I said before, I can't speak for some of the other yards. You could check them out, I would shoot for Memphis if you can.

Marten is another choice if you want to haul reefer and hazmat. The pay is better. The trucks have APUs and they use Petes, KW and Freightliner Cascadias.

 

Your shop comment made me think of this.



I made it some time ago.

 

Smaggs, IS THIS YOU IN THE VIDEO?

 

Yes... that IS me in the video.

 

"It depends how many times your willing to call payroll" gave you away not to mention the Phoenix Shop.

I have a Phoenix shop story for you. In Albuquerque, I had a low tire on the trailer. to save the company some money, I aired it up and had the Phoenix shop fix it. I needed to be on my way but much to my surprise, the Phoenix shop took all the tires off my trailer. I was there in the heat 6 hours while they rolled around used tires and reassembled my trailer.

They had all those trailers in the yard to work on but NO!! they had to hold me up and you cant tell them anything.

I just NEVER took another flat to Phoenix for repair.

 

I didn't make that video, though... just saying. Bearded guy in a beanie... that's me.