Profile For Alan C.

I am a former LEO as well, understand it is not like it use to be when I first became a LEO. I am switching careers into trucking as well. I have looked at a lot of companies for company sponsored training, as that suits my needs for now. Went to truck stops talking to drivers from different companies. I will be going to Knight on September 8th decided to drive on the refer side, LOL on your comment for refer trucks. Being a fellow sister stay in touch let me know how things work out and which way you decide to go.

Hey John I passed my cdl written test today WOOOOHOOOOO. Waiting on my recruiter to call me back, want to set up training date for September 8th.

I'm hoping to be in school with Knight as soon as I pass my permit and for the same reasons as you ,Alan C. Money is very tight right now so I'm trying to plan ahead in every way possible. Can anyone give a more detailed schedule of the time from DOT physical and drug tests till I'm driving with a trainer? Will I start school the same week then be on the road the next? Also, what will I need once driving with a trainer as for stuff in the truck and food expenses? I drove for a few yrs about 10 yrs ago so I'm a newbie again lol this site has helped so much!

Hey Julie I understand completely on money being very tight in same position myself. I just went today passed my written test passed it, got my cdl permit. WOOOOOHOOOOO !!!!!!!! I am waiting for my recruiter to call me back, to set up my start training date. I am looking to start up on September 8th, this gives me a little more time to save funds and get things done at home before being otr. Be cool if you can start up at the same time if you're going to Memphis. Anyways to help you out check out this link https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-1470/Page-1/beginning-company-paid-cdl-program-with-knight-transportation He has a lot of good information posted. Good luck stay in touch. Maybe will meet up

When I talked to the recruiter she assured me that once I get through training and I am assigned my own truck I could take the truck home and the only time I would even need to go to the terminal is for maintenance and such. I am assuming while I'm in the Squire program I will be driving in the trainer's truck.

Yes you will be with a trainer, I will be going through the squire triaging as well. Week 1: Classroom and Range Training (where you will work to learn your skills for driving)

Week 2-3: OTR (Over-the-Road) with a trainer

Week 4: Pass the skills/pre-trip test to obtain CDL-A license

Week 5: Orientation in home terminal

Week 6-9: OTR with a trainer

Week 10: 30, 000 miles Solo

Sounds great John, good luck will have to stay in touch to compare progress. I will be starting my training the beginning of September. I am going to the refer side, reason being from talking to drivers refer side gets more miles, plus if slow can take dry goods where they can not haul refer. Not sure of getting home weekly best I heard of is home time after being out two weeks.

John Knight's closest refrigerated terminal is 5 hours away from my home. They allow you to take the truck home on your off time, just fyi if that helps. Not trying to sell you on Knight, by far they seem to be the best as far as being a training company. In fact I have talked to about 8 different drivers for Knight, least amount of time a driver has been there is 4 years, that says a lot for Knight in itself.

I understand I am making a career change from law enforcement to trucking. My advise only believe part of what you read on forums, most of the time the person making negative comments isn't giving all the facts and could be mostly their own fault. Being a cop I wanted to get all the facts.

After looking at different trucking companies that offer company sponsored training, Knight and Prime offer paid training. I went to truck stops and spoke to drivers from both companies to get the god, bad, and ugly info on both to make a educated decision. Knight has better equipment full size tractor vs. light weight tractor giving you more room and two tanks for fuel instead of one tank, the other important issue for me is more home time. Prime is known to keep drivers out 6-8 weeks at a time with forced loads all otr. Knight has many options to suit drivers, no forced runs, plus they offer regional and dedicated keeping me closer to home in case of a family emergency. Needless to say in my opinion Knight was a no brainer decision they are the best overall for being a new truck driver.

If you don't mind me asking, what made to decide to go with Knight?

After looking at different trucking companies that offer company sponsored training, Knight and Prime offer paid training. I went to truck stops and spoke to drivers from both companies to get the god, bad, and ugly info on both to make a educated decision. Knight has better equipment full size tractor vs. light weight tractor giving you more room and two tanks for fuel instead of one tank, the other important issue for me is more home time. Prime is known to keep drivers out 6-8 weeks at a time with forced loads all otr. Knight has many options to suit drivers, no forced runs, plus they offer regional and dedicated keeping me closer to home in case of a family emergency. Needless to say in my opinion Knight was a no brainer decision they are the best overall for being a new truck driver.

You need to choose what fits your needs, I have done a lot of research and spoke to drivers. I am getting ready to start my training with Knight get paid while learning, Central was second choice.

I am looking at going to the training program in Memphis within the next month end of August beginning September 2014, wanting to be on the refer side. Can anyone give me more info and what to expect from day 1 till going out with a trainer? Also do you know what determines if you operate out of Memphis or Lakeland terminal?