On Board With Knight Transportation, Squire School Started 03/22/21

Hopefully people interested in Knight will read this diary. I noticed that there are a lot fewer diaries here for Knight than other carriers, Im not quite sure why. From what Ive seen from them, they seem to be a very high quality company with professionalism and Ive gotten everything and anything Ive requested.

I am still here, just got caught up, as I have been away a bit. Next time in Tulsa - it'd be cool to meet up if schedule allows.

Going to get serious about going to Knight in mid July, as I have a planned vacation at beginning of July - I didn't want to rob my wife of her vacation. I already have my medical clearance from my cardiologist, just have to get DOT Physical (which I will likely do early next week), and get my permit after returning from vacation - then going to CDL School and officially getting started. I originally wanted to start this month, but wife asked me to wait til July.

I will be contributing a diary as well.

Your diary has been encouraging for me - I believe Knight is the right choice for me. They weren't my first choice (as I have stated before), but they are my first choice now. I want to be clear that I know my "choice" doesn't mean I know I will be hired there for sure, but after discussion with two recruiters (one via email and one in person at the terminal), I feel that Knight has a place for me and will work best for my situation.

Again, don't mean to hijack your post - just wanted to really say that your diary has been great - and it has encouraged me on my decision with Knight - and where I am in the process. Keep it up as you can!

Hopefully people interested in Knight will read this diary. I noticed that there are a lot fewer diaries here for Knight than other carriers, Im not quite sure why. From what Ive seen from them, they seem to be a very high quality company with professionalism and Ive gotten everything and anything Ive requested.

I am still here, just got caught up, as I have been away a bit. Next time in Tulsa - it'd be cool to meet up if schedule allows.

Going to get serious about going to Knight in mid July, as I have a planned vacation at beginning of July - I didn't want to rob my wife of her vacation. I already have my medical clearance from my cardiologist, just have to get DOT Physical (which I will likely do early next week), and get my permit after returning from vacation - then going to CDL School and officially getting started. I originally wanted to start this month, but wife asked me to wait til July.

I will be contributing a diary as well.

Your diary has been encouraging for me - I believe Knight is the right choice for me. They weren't my first choice (as I have stated before), but they are my first choice now. I want to be clear that I know my "choice" doesn't mean I know I will be hired there for sure, but after discussion with two recruiters (one via email and one in person at the terminal), I feel that Knight has a place for me and will work best for my situation.

Again, don't mean to hijack your post - just wanted to really say that your diary has been great - and it has encouraged me on my decision with Knight - and where I am in the process. Keep it up as you can!

John;

Indeed, Davy's diary is bombdiggity, re: Knight!!! Have you looked up Old School's, as well?!?

Here's his blogspot, as can be found in his profile:

OS's Blog Spot . . . !!

I'm looking forward to YOUR diary, as well, for sure!!

(The 'self proclaimed' site cheerleader/trucker's wife of 20yrs & aspiring driver!)

~ Anne ! ~ :)

ps: Davy, .. rock on with your dang good self!!

Hopefully people interested in Knight will read this diary. I noticed that there are a lot fewer diaries here for Knight than other carriers, Im not quite sure why. From what Ive seen from them, they seem to be a very high quality company with professionalism and Ive gotten everything and anything Ive requested.

I am still here, just got caught up, as I have been away a bit. Next time in Tulsa - it'd be cool to meet up if schedule allows.

Going to get serious about going to Knight in mid July, as I have a planned vacation at beginning of July - I didn't want to rob my wife of her vacation. I already have my medical clearance from my cardiologist, just have to get DOT Physical (which I will likely do early next week), and get my permit after returning from vacation - then going to CDL School and officially getting started. I originally wanted to start this month, but wife asked me to wait til July.

I will be contributing a diary as well.

Your diary has been encouraging for me - I believe Knight is the right choice for me. They weren't my first choice (as I have stated before), but they are my first choice now. I want to be clear that I know my "choice" doesn't mean I know I will be hired there for sure, but after discussion with two recruiters (one via email and one in person at the terminal), I feel that Knight has a place for me and will work best for my situation.

Again, don't mean to hijack your post - just wanted to really say that your diary has been great - and it has encouraged me on my decision with Knight - and where I am in the process. Keep it up as you can!

Not Hijacking at all. Im glad to see it helping motivate you. Totally understand waiting to start, another month wont hurt, and certainly will help keep the wife happy with you and trucking. I waited too. Hopefully all goes well with the DOT medical card. Looking forward to seeing your diary and journey with Knight. If I can be of any help, please dont hesitate to reach out.

Anne, You rock and I cant thank you enough for all the kindness and support. There have been days where its really nice to have that support and friendly words.

Well, some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you.

Made it up to Bedford PA, Walmart DC, the drive was fun. I lived in West Virginia for a while, so sort of knew what to expect road wise for the area in general. Things went smooth at the DC. Backing was meh. It wasnt bad, but wasnt good either. Mental note to practice set up for slant parking. Had a few hours left on my clock, Next shipper is in Canton OH, bout 6 or 7 hours away, but appointment isnt til 3 pm the next day, live load. I took the turnpike back up to the Somerset PA service area. It was fairly empty when I went by earlier. By the time I got there, still a few good spots left.

Made the trip back down to Canton OH. Backing went well enough but my setup was one dock to early, so it lined up beautiful for door number 50. Instead of number 51. So I redid it completely, went fine that time. I made a mental note that I need to practice it. Like one of those things that floats around in my noggin, but not at the right time. Did really thorough route planning on this one, thinking about what OS said. Figured Id hit the Somerset PA parking again, unfortunately, I cant really do anything about it being late. And I did not want to have the whole trip still to do. I figured Id need all the time I could get, because I have to go to Maryland after that receiver. Well, not a space available at all, even the offramps and on ramps are full.

To top it all off, I took the exit before the service station which brought me through the town of Somerset. I had a girlfriend from there way back in the day, so I remember it as being really tight roads. Anyway, I scope a quick route through town on the GPS's while in motion. I spotted a Lowes that has a Knight Truck in it and almost ducked in there for the night, but I figured I still have a few hours and Ill stop at Bedford or round there at one of the turn outs on the pike if nothing else. I wound my way a few miles down 219 (I used to live off of 219 in WVA) and then through a state route that the Rand McNally says is truck safe through old town area. I come down the hill to an unmarked bridge. I pull as far off the road as I can, get out and checked and dawned on me that I have a laser measurer that I will equip on the truck. Its tall enough, and a passerby says big trucks sometimes go this way (probably if they are lost lol). I hold my breath and drive under it, with an inch or 3 to spare. Probably needlessly stressing, but I have a tendency to do that, and I have found myself being a bit too comfortable at times lately, which ironically makes me uncomfortable if that makes sense.

Pulled off at another two service centers, 3rd time the charm, Pulled into the last in line of about 10 or 15 trucks on the service road and called it a night. Made it to Walmart DC the next day. Tired, somewhat stressed because traffic was pretty thick around Philly, but mostly because I get in my head about things when Im not familiar with them. In short I added a lot of anxiety maybe or just low level stress that didnt really have to be there.

The Walmart DC was jampacked. There were no slots to drop my loaded and there was a lot of traffic, very small tight areas too, Smallest Wally World DC Ive been to. I tried getting it into a hole that I really didnt want to try for. There was overflow trailers parked, a tractor blocking part of the way, very unfavorable setup, Anyway, after violating most of my rules of thumb and ignoring my instincts I tried for the hole, actually had it in the hole and would have been good, but reverted back to overthinking and stressing, Pulled it out, back in and came way way to close to hitting something which is unacceptable to me. I took a breath, abandoned the hole, went searching for another, watching my 14 hour grind down. Found a couple of possibilities but nothing promising. On my way back to the hole of doom, I spot one that although tight will be a modified straight back. I do a quick horseshoe and get it in after about 3 pullups. It is definitely on my mind that I need to practice parking when time and space permits, and that I need to eat, relax and get back to fundamentals.

I grab a bite to eat and hydrate while Im there, drop, hook up to my empty (one of only 2 in the entire place). I force myself to relax, eat a bit more, follow protocols. I get my messaging and paperwork done, put my clocks out of my mind and make sure I have good routing to the next shipper. (ive been stressing of the next run which is from the Walmart DC here down through Baltimore into MD.) I dont have anything lined out for parking and really want to get out of the whole area, knowing that I still have to go through the DC area, not looking forward to it.

On the way down, I get message on the Zonar that says If im empty, which I am that severe Thunderstorms with high wind bursts likely, recommend shutting down. I get the message as I see a nice wall cloud that Im driving into. Winds and torrential rain, luckily no hail. I creep along, get through the tunnel on I95, rain finally lets up and I get to my shipper. My info said to drop the empty in the drop yard first, which seemed off to me, but I followed directions. I get over to the shipping office. Gal is totally cool but says I need to go get my empty back and bring it over to her, then go put it back. I tell her, I totally understand, its all good. She says they should at least let you just do it off pictures.

Continued...

I reply that I took a few pics of it, with date and time stamp, and the trailer number with a hopeful tone in my voice. She says that will work. Double checks them. I thank her profusely. I go back to the far back of the property to get the trailer, Its a fun obstacle course on the way out. The trailer is missing the mud flaps entirely and the frame for one is bent, the skirts are dented too. Obviously whoever had it last neglected to notify their DM of the damage. I call afterhours and let em know of the damage, Opt to put on new mudflaps my self and get on down the road.

I get over to the local TA about a mile away. its crazy packed, like something out of a Mad Max movie. Its a huge pay to park lot. I have 3 hours left on my 14 hour. Its raining, Im tired, starving and grumpy. The bolts are rusted and the frame wont budge. I call breakdown, they will have the shop repair on site there. Im stressing because my parking has been far less than stellar today. I circled the lot, tried a few different spots, just wasnt feeling it, pulled back around again, tried for one, guy was going for it too. He got *****y, kinda understandable though, My setup was really bad and he was there first by a hair bit. I acknowledged that after a few attempts, said take it man, one of those days. I think it kinda took the wind out of his sails lol. He didnt really know how to respond. Kill em with kindness. Finally circled back around, got a good spot, that was open to one side. Moderately butchered the parking job lol, couple pull ups later and it looked professional when all was said and done, most importantly I didnt hit anything.

Good news is that because the shop is working on the trailer, my parking is paid for. I didnt hit anything, life keeps going and I still have a positive attitude. I definitely need to keep up the maintenance on my parking practice and skills, not just rely on luck and easy spots. Onward and upward.

My zonar is having some issues as well. Ive named her Karen. According to her I did 814 miles today lol. Obviously not accurate. We will see how it does in the morning after being shut off for a bit.

Actual was 7 hours driving, 371 miles by the odometer.

purple is the drop lot, yellow or green (colorblind) is the shippers homemade obstacle course.

WHEW!!

Readding vicariously through all that made ME tired!!!

You're awesome, Davy. Quite the prodigy of Knight and TT ..... KEEP SHARING! PRICELESS!!

~ Anne ~

ps: I'd almost think Old School trained you his DANG self, sheesh !! (DID HE??? YOU HOLDING OUT ?!?!?!?!)

WHEW!!

Readding vicariously through all that made ME tired!!!

You're awesome, Davy. Quite the prodigy of Knight and TT ..... KEEP SHARING! PRICELESS!!

~ Anne ~

ps: I'd almost think Old School trained you his DANG self, sheesh !! (DID HE??? YOU HOLDING OUT ?!?!?!?!)

If Old School had trained me, His patience with my backing performance probably would have reached an end and he probably boot me off the truck lol. I feel bad for what I put my trainer through. Poor guy probably got sea sick from me jerking the brakes on all the time too hard. I had a bad case of that yesterday.

Man.. I really appreciate your diary. I just spent an hour + going through the entire thing. I’m in school for Knight just outside of the Troutdale OR terminal. I test Tuesday morning in Washington🤞🏼.

This has been so helpful, and has answered all of my questions. Really appreciate all the details and insight! Thank you, and drive safe!

Man.. I really appreciate your diary. I just spent an hour + going through the entire thing. I’m in school for Knight just outside of the Troutdale OR terminal. I test Tuesday morning in Washington🤞🏼.

This has been so helpful, and has answered all of my questions. Really appreciate all the details and insight! Thank you, and drive safe!

Awesome to hear. Hope all goes well. Start a diary if you have time, Id love to hear your experiences at Knight as well. Let us know how training goes. That goes for the other folks who are starting there too.

Sorry bout the lag, been a busy past few days. Last check was 1481.00, included 200 breakdown pay for my little wait at the TA in MD for the busted trailer.

Ive been running on recaps since then. Learning to manage my clock a little better and not push so hard on the last few hours. I want to each time, but I cant. Also, my Zonar is having many issues with figuring out my GPS location, so it ends up duplicating my time driving as on-duty as well. Took an additional 3 hours off my 14 hour clock yesterday, Ill probably have to deal with it once I get back for home time.

Left the TA at Jessup MD for Kissimee FL at 7 pm. Drove till 5am the next morning. Shut down at a rest stop, all the truck stops were still full. Dont remember the miles but was over 550. My ELD didnt count over half of them, still working on it. Drove around DC and Baltimore using bypasses and toll roads that we have passes for. Glad to get out of the congestion and general madhouse there. I still dont know why, but freeway traffic in major cities dosnt bother me, I do fine with it. Stop and go, bumper to bumper Im usually good with too, I just keep a lot of space and know my route, my exits and lanes as much as possible before hand. Maybe Im just getting used to it?

Drove the remainder down to the receiver in Kissimee (just south of Orlando). Lightweight foam. Receiver is small place, I butcher the parking Job, slightly blindside straight back. In fairness to me, the door is really close to old trailer there that is angled, no lines and just kind of weird, an opening like a garage door, no dock marks or anything of the sort. I paused and got out and looked for like 5 minutes, figured out that its an optical illusion, I actually need to come in kind angled due to the trailer there and that i needed my trailer about only a foot away from the other trailer. Got back in and popped it right in. My next appointment is an hour away, Its at 3:00 pm. I got my current one, live unload at 11:30Am. They wont be able to get me unloaded in time. I call my DM immediately, he contacts the shipper , the latest I can get there is 4:00pm. They get me unloaded here at 2:19 pm. I explain to my DM that in the interest of time, Ill do my empty call and scan docs at the shipper for the next load. He agrees. I head over there, traffic ensues, get there at 3:34 PM.

I have about 4 left on my 70, 4 left on my 14 hour and 5 or so on my 11 hour. I put split on so as to pause the 14. The shipper, Mizkan Americas, is a difficult nut. Old building, have to back up across a street that gets a lot of traffic, busy rail line, you come in blindside, and not enough room for a horseshoe to convert to sight side. No yard to U turn, no property to park on. All of the trucks use a combination of driveways to back across and then turn around, or go to the neighbors private yard that they are not supposed to or go down to the T intersection, pull into it, back across and then go back down the street. I check all my gps's and sat photos, looks like there is a road that loops around. I go down to the T intersection, find out that recent construction took out that road. I get a couple of neighbors to spot traffic for me all three ways, back down the street across the T and then turn back down the street.

Finally get my turn in the barrel, pouring down torrential rain, barely room for a slight 45, the employees all park their damn cars right across from the docks leaving us no room to maneuver. I explained to them as they were watching all of the truckers get really ****ed off, that I am new and dont have any confidence in my backing yet...a few of them decided to move their cars. They dont spot traffic, Its chaotic, unsafe and a mess. The only saving grace is that people here are used to it happening. I almost hit one of their cars on the way in, Instinct or just caught it in my peripheral vision saved my butt. I get it in the hole. Safe and sound. Several hours later, Guy comes out in the rain says Im good to go, pull forward and he will put the seal on.....I pull out, trailer is empty still. ****ed, very. I now have to redo the back from hell a second time. I do it, one pull up, in and done. Got out of there, drove up US 93 I think in the pouring rain for a hundred miles or so till I found a nice fairly empty Petro and shut it down. Headed to a walmart DC in Brewton AL.

Get to the Walmart DC on time, really struggled to get it in the spot there, redid my setup several times, Finally slowed everything down, my thought process down, just relaxed, and actually asked myself "Where do I want the trailer to go" instead of just blindly doing it. That worked, Once I got it in the hole, I realized that all of the slots there are really tight. I could barely fit and get the landing gear down. If you are new and reading this, we hear it all the time that it just takes time and patience to get backing and it does. This is a process. Ive only been doing this for 6 weeks now. Its gonna be a bit, but it will come. Sometimes it feels like one step forward, two steps backwards, but its getting there.