Knight Training At Last.

TOP GUN update. Attended the Training Center located at the Memphis Swift Terminal. Stayed in the Freightliner Condos didn't turn the bunk heater on till the the ice storm rolled in. Slept great, had a nice Memory Form mattress. Hey, in my Navy days we'd bunked 3 ppl in that much space. Side note, rookie mistake saw that an alarm was already set for 5 am on the in dash system thought great hit OK. Did not check time zone, so at 4 am I had my choice of showers. Class runs 6:30 till ? M-F. Class room and simulators are available 24hrs with student access. Daytime is spent between completing modules on the simulators and applying skills learned on the range. Classes start weekly, up to 8 students (Memphis). Sadly, only 3 show up, me and two SWIFTies for our class. Next weeks class of 8 was already down to 5 as of Thursday. What a missed opportunity. Due to small class size and afterhours availability I was able to complete 86 simulator sessions covering. Blind Side and Sight Side backing and Docking using Straight, 45 & 90 setups. BS/SS Parallel Parking, BS/SS Serpentine Backing through barrels, City Driving, your are going to hit something its just a matter of when. And multiple delivery scenarios. backed around shipping containers, dumpsters, cones, barrels, cars and even super truckers buzzing around you. Mountain and Inclement Weather Driving where again you are going to experience Jack-Knife and Skids. Other scenarios and courses covering the basis Defensive Driving, Fatigue Awareness, Lane Position/Changing, watch ALL your mirrors that darn motorcycle comes from nowhere! I was able to complete 51 maneuvers on the range. In the evenings after a quick bite to eat I went back into the class room and worked with the simulator until 9-9:30. A couple of nights the instructor told me “don’t stay all night, go get some rest”. Wednesday night one came in and saw me Blind Side Parallel Parking and stated “we don’t teach that”, my reply was “that’s ok I figured it out myself using the the skills you guys taught me” (even got to demonstrate on the range). After reviewing the computer and seeing that I’d already done three successful parks, (nicely done I might add) he said “I might as well demonstrate”. There was very little difference between his demo and my method. After becoming bored with Parking I moved to Level 6 Backing (very tight, lots of obstacle's, blind 90’s, small delivery areas nothing straight). Told Instructor's the next morning how difficult it was, neither could believe I ventured there. After reviewing the computer they told me most students don’t make it very deep into Level 5 much less successfully complete Level 6 in their first attempt. Not that difficult if you paid attention. This experience really helped boost my confidence with a 53” trailer. I would encourage any Knight or SWIFT newbies to request this course, talk with your recruiter. There is very little info available on line you will need to be proactive in pursuing. You’ll learn to do a Horseshoe using only 1/4 turns of the wheel, parking just a few feet from where you originally started. Actually, everything taught is 1/4 turns.

I don’t share this to brag. I share to show what can gotten out of it. Neither, of my classmates put forth effort and it showed big time! I'm a rookie at truck driving, 30+ yrs training people in other professions. This is a get what you put into it course. an old phrase I used with previous career "those who do get, those who don't oh well" holds true here.

Hopefully, I'll hear sometime today from my TM/DM what's in store next.

Thanks I've been following you since I signed on. Your documentation of experience has help me more than you know. I have had the discussion about going out with a dry van trainer the "shadowing" a FB driver for a cupule weeks. I stood firm that was setting me up for failure. My conversation ended with I'll drive what I train in. I was promised a FB trainer we'll see how that goes. I did get to go to the Top Gun course hopefully my backing will not go down the drain with split tandems :).

I'm glad it helped out. It's somewhat disappointing to hear this could be a company wide issue with flatbed training. Hopefully your terminal will actually have you shadow a driver for a week. Like OldSchool said and I agree, Knights flatbed work isn't hard compared to other flatbed companies but it would be less of a strain if they would train rookie drivers.

Two tips I have for you right now. Listen to OldSchool, Chief Brody and the other flatbed drivers on here. They are very very helpful and experienced. The other, buy a winch winder. Your wrists and hands will greatly appreciate it lol.

Good luck and be safe.

Thanks I've been following you since I signed on. Your documentation of experience has help me more than you know. I have had the discussion about going out with a dry van trainer the "shadowing" a FB driver for a cupule weeks. I stood firm that was setting me up for failure. My conversation ended with I'll drive what I train in. I was promised a FB trainer we'll see how that goes. I did get to go to the Top Gun course hopefully my backing will not go down the drain with split tandems :).

I'm glad it helped out. It's somewhat disappointing to hear this could be a company wide issue with flatbed training. Hopefully your terminal will actually have you shadow a driver for a week. Like OldSchool said and I agree, Knights flatbed work isn't hard compared to other flatbed companies but it would be less of a strain if they would train rookie drivers.

Two tips I have for you right now. Listen to OldSchool, Chief Brody and the other flatbed drivers on here. They are very very helpful and experienced. The other, buy a winch winder. Your wrists and hands will greatly appreciate it lol.

Good luck and be safe.

Thanks, talked with terminal manager today, looks like I’m headed out with trainer Sunday/Monday. The information on this sight is priceless. I’ve tried to absorb everything OS, CB, others have said and the articles Brett and folks have put out there to help us newbies. Due to my OCD and over achieving desire for knowledge of anything undertaken (according to wife of 36yrs) I often dig deeper than required then second guess myself. Hopefully, getting on the road and behind the wheel will slow me down some. Stay safe, hope to meet you on the road.

Thanks I've been following you since I signed on. Your documentation of experience has help me more than you know. I have had the discussion about going out with a dry van trainer the "shadowing" a FB driver for a cupule weeks. I stood firm that was setting me up for failure. My conversation ended with I'll drive what I train in. I was promised a FB trainer we'll see how that goes. I did get to go to the Top Gun course hopefully my backing will not go down the drain with split tandems :).

I'm glad it helped out. It's somewhat disappointing to hear this could be a company wide issue with flatbed training. Hopefully your terminal will actually have you shadow a driver for a week. Like OldSchool said and I agree, Knights flatbed work isn't hard compared to other flatbed companies but it would be less of a strain if they would train rookie drivers.

Two tips I have for you right now. Listen to OldSchool, Chief Brody and the other flatbed drivers on here. They are very very helpful and experienced. The other, buy a winch winder. Your wrists and hands will greatly appreciate it lol.

Good luck and be safe.

Thanks, talked with terminal manager today, looks like I’m headed out with trainer Sunday/Monday. The information on this sight is priceless. I’ve tried to absorb everything OS, CB, others have said and the articles Brett and folks have put out there to help us newbies. Due to my OCD and over achieving desire for knowledge of anything undertaken (according to wife of 36yrs) I often dig deeper than required then second guess myself. Hopefully, getting on the road and behind the wheel will slow me down some. Stay safe, hope to meet you on the road.

Following as well, I always like things about Knight. I can certainly understand the OCD and overthinking. I dont know anything about skateboards except what I get to learn from you guys doing it, but I do know a good bit about getting the brain to calm down. We can be our own worst enemy. Relax, breathe and shake it off. I chuckle at myself quite a bit, relieves the tension.

I may not comment a lot, but I'm following.

Been on the road for three days now with my trainer. He’s a great guy! The hours are long. Takes a little getting used to Used all but 34mis of my 11. Backing is coming to me. First run 3 stops S. Fl, last delivery was ugly location to get out of. Blind side back with limited nose swing. Conestoga this trip, headed back to shipper for run West with another Connie. Trainer has requested Tarps for next week for my experience (not his :) ). Looks like weekend in hotel while he takes 36. Will update our next’s trip at the hotel, my drive clock ⏰ almost refreshed time to take the wheel to Delhi.

Been on the road for three days now with my trainer. He’s a great guy! The hours are long. Takes a little getting used to Used all but 34mis of my 11. Backing is coming to me. First run 3 stops S. Fl, last delivery was ugly location to get out of. Blind side back with limited nose swing. Conestoga this trip, headed back to shipper for run West with another Connie. Trainer has requested Tarps for next week for my experience (not his :) ). Looks like weekend in hotel while he takes 36. Will update our next’s trip at the hotel, my drive clock ⏰ almost refreshed time to take the wheel to Delhi.

So GLAD you've been blessed with a great trainer. Me & the hubby are following as well; no advice with flatbed, though! If Chief's got ya... and a great trainer, YOU'RE GOOD! Very excited for ya, for sure, man.

Kudos!

~ Anne & Tom ~

We should have bought lottery tickets! Left shipper after strapping headed to Tx. Clock down to last hour and looking for a parking spot. Several we had pre-planned did not work out 28 minutes left we pull into a Love’s it’s PACKED, drive, lot next door, 3x at the scales figure nothing to lose as I snake through fuel area jam head to circle the back. Low and behold about 6 sports along the side and there it was beautiful empty spot. Eased up expecting a 4 wheeler jammed in it. No, the good Lord was blessing us it was empty! Easy pull-up straight line into it 16 mins remaining. Right at 580 mile drive for me and a pickup needless today my old body is tired today. Two drops remaining and head home for the weekend.

Who is your trainer?

Who is your trainer?

Jeremy he’s been great. We’ve made a 3 stop SE run and just returned from 3 stop SW run all wagon. Jason is trying to set up a tarp run next week. I’ve been driving daily to the point of using all but 15-20 of clock. The 600+ mile day was a little hard on my old body but know I’m capable if needed.