Helping My Husband Choose Between Prime And Knight

Come to Roehl

What is the upfront costs? Is it a good company to work for?

Personally I think that Prime might be the better starting point for your husband. I'm a little confused about your location, but I do know that recently Knight has really cut way back on their training, or Squire program. I think there is only maybe two locations that they are doing the training at, and you must live right near by to qualify. If there is one constant in these trucking companies it is that they are always adjusting things they are doing, or trying some new harebrained idea that some management personnel came up with just to see if maybe it would work. It is a game of pennies (lots of pennies though) and they are constantly trying to see what works best for them to be in the enviable position of being profitable.

If flat-bed is your end goal, but you don't necessarily want to start out with it, then either place would make for a great start to his career. They both offer a lot of different divisions that you could eventually work in, but Prime is definitely a larger operation. Knight's flat-bed division is very small, and is only designed to serve a dedicated customer (SAPA Aluminum). Your home location is critical for getting a job in their flat-bed division, and it usually requires that you live in the same town where a SAPA plant is that they are serving. More than likely if you eventually wanted to switch to flat-bed you would probably be looking at switching companies if you started with Knight, whereas at Prime you could very simply make a request to be moved over into their flat-bed division. I believer they run all of the lower 48 states, so it is a true over the road job.

You really have to determine what are the most important features of the job to you - don't fall into the trap of wondering "are they a good company to work for?" Here's some examples of what I'm talking about: Knight is arguably a little more flexible about your home time, whereas Prime may want you to stay out for a longer period of time. That doesn't make one better than the other, but it is worth noting if your man doesn't want to stay on the road for four or five weeks at a time. Prime is definitely going to pay a higher rate right from the start than Knight, so if that is important to you then weigh that in the balance. Deciding on which company has nothing to do with whether they are a good company to work for, what it boils down to is compromises. You have to determine which compromises you are willing to make to get the benefits that you are looking for out of the job. You may have to compromise frequent home time because you are really needing to make some good money right now, or you may be willing to compromise the larger income because it is imperative for two or three days every three weeks. Maybe you really don't want to have to change companies when you are ready to move over into flat-bed, it is those kinds of things that you want to focus on when making this decision.

I realize that everywhere you look on the internet (except here) is going to be having discussions about which companies are good to work for and which ones are terrible. It is an absolutely futile argument to base your decision on, let me explain. All of these trucking companies are basically trying to carry out the same plan, and that is to move freight efficiently and profitably from one location to another. Being a commodities business there is very little that they can do to distinguish themselves from one another. There are only four or five brands of trucks that they can use, there are only so many interstates they can travel on, they are all having to work under the same regulations, and none of them can accomplish any of this without having good safe drivers on board. The driver is the one factor that can make a difference, and even that is not a very distinguishing factor because each of the freight companies has a core group of good solid drivers on their staff.

These companies have various ways to try and grow their operations. Some offer sign on bonuses to experienced drivers, some offer training to non drivers, some bring in great hordes of new drivers hoping to just find a decent one in the bunch every now and then - the needle in the haystack method. I started my career at a company which had a terrible on-line reputation, they would bring on around 150 new drivers each week, and they would just about lose that many each week also. In spite of all the negative reviews on the internet about them, I discovered a way to succeed and prosper over there. What did I discover that everyone else was missing? I found that what I am trying to convince you of is true, it has nothing to do with whether they are a "good company" or not. The one thing that will contribute to your husbands success whether he starts at Knight, or Prime, or anywhere else, is that he commits himself to being the best he can be at this. Now, there is more to that than just having the bold idea that I'm gonna do good at this. It is a difficult adjustment, to say the least, when starting out in this career. It is stressful, and it is totally different from any other career start I can think of. We talk a lot about it being a lifestyle, and that is the hardest thing for people to grasp.

Wherever he gets started, you can be his biggest help by keeping him encouraged about his new career. I can promise you there will be multiple times that he is going to want to throw in the towel and come home. Continued...

If you can keep him motivated by being understanding and supportive, and maybe occasionally giving him a quick swift kick in the seat of his pants (like reminding him that it is going to take at least a one year commitment for him to even begin to feel like he knows what he is doing, and that what he is doing is important to you and your future together) then he will have a much better chance at success. I personally believe that a new truck drivers success is half based on his own effort and commitment, and half based on his wife's support and commitment - it is tough on both of them, and the family too if there are children involved. Remember what I said about compromises? Life is full of them, and being a successful truck driver calls for them to be made by both husband and wife. I love this career, and I enjoy helping others make a decent start in it, but there is no sugar coating it, there are difficulties that have to be faced. It is just so different from most other careers that the best way to approach it is to accept it as a new lifestyle, and that takes a big adjustment on everyone's part.

One final note, let's just say your husband does well, but the two of you decide after that first year of commitment to the job that he would rather be home for the weekends, or maybe even each night of the week, but he still wants to drive a truck. As long as you have stuck it out for that first year of good safe productive driving habits you will have a whole new world of opportunity opened up to you that is not readily available to the introductory driver. Most local truck driving jobs require experience, many of them require three years, but there are also a good many who will take on drivers with one year of experience. Keep that in mind while putting in your time learning the career. Occasionally there are local driving opportunities available to new drivers, but I do not normally support the idea - it is a tough driving environment that can quickly end your career before it even gets off to a good start. Over the road , though not always agreeable with everyone, is by far the best approach to getting started out in this career.

Old School Thank you so much. That has been by far the best answer I have gotten. It has helped a lot and it has better helped with the decision. And I have encouraged him to do this job. He had a major passion for truck driving before we got together. But after being together a while and he had grown to love being around me and my daughter he had changed his mind because he didn't want to leave us. I didn't encourage his decision on that. I was a little upset, but after discussing it for a couple months he has come to realize that it is still something he loves and would love to do. I know it won't be easy but it has been a dream of his and I want him to go for it. Prime might not give him as much time home but overall they seem like they will be the best option for him and what he desires to become. Like I said thanks again. Your honesty and bluntness has given us just what we need.

I couldn't have said it better Old School. You did hit on some very good points when it comes to what to consider when making your decision.

BamaPride, I did my training at Prime, drove in both the reefer and flatbed divisions. So if you have any questions, I will do my best to help if I can.

Ernie