My Experience With Knight Transportation

So I just went through orientation with Knight Transportation at their Gulfport, MS terminal. First day we got to meet everybody in the office, everyone was very welcoming and made me feel like part of the group right away. We went to do our physicals at a local chiropractors office and then came back to do our driving test and drug test (urinalysis and hair follicle). There was about five of us in orientation, which i hear was one of the bigger classes. The second day we watched some videos about Knight and how they operated. Day three we did a Smith safety driving test and waited around to get assigned our trucks. They let me pick which truck in the yard that I wanted to be assigned to. Every one was very easy to talk to and did not discourage asking questions. I got to meet my dispatcher on the third day also and got into the 2012 international prostar that I had picked out. it has been three days since out of orientation and has been going great. My first run was about 800 miles and have already been pre-planned for two more load this week, my second load is about 850 miles and the load i am pre-planned for after that is 1,350 miles. I dont understand why there are so many bad reviews about this company online, they seem to be an excellent company to work for so far. They are interested in driver feedback and like to hear about how they can make things better. Nothing but great things to say so far.

My driver trainer is from the Gulfport terminal!

My experience overall was good I just had a Crappy DM. It's a long story but we parted ways after he suggested maybe I wasn't cut out for Knight and we should part ways. I agreed and he quickly changed his tune after he realized he couldn't bully me around and I agreed to part ways. Next thing I know his Supervisor was on the line trying to talk me out of quitting but I told him the DM just fired me. Lol!

Sounds like an awesome start Drew! You won't find bad reviews about Knight here. We hear a lot of great feedback about em.

95% of the success and happiness you'll have in trucking will depend upon the level of professionalism you display as a driver. If you work hard, you're safe, you're reliable, you communicate well, and you know how to get along well with people you'll do awesome at pretty much any company you work for. The complaints you hear about Trucking Companies are normally from drivers (or former drivers) that simply didn't get the job done for one reason or another. And you guys know how people are - those who tend to do poorly in life rarely ever take the blame for their lack of success. To them, it's always someone else's fault.

I agree with Brett on this one. Even outside of the trucking industry there are always the select whiners that complain that they got the short end of the stick, the company was no good, blah blah blah. But what they dont tell you is that they were late every other day, took too many days off, or didnt perform on the job. Work ethic goes a long way these days. I'm sure there's a few exceptions, but if you're willing to work hard and go the extra mile (no pun intended), I think you'll have a much better experience no matter where you work.

I definitely agree making it in this industry has a lot to do with what you put into it. It seem also that your DM can play a huge part in how your experience on the road is too. I trained with Werner and lucked out with a great trainer who was very patient and willing to teach me a great deal about the industry. However, once I was assigned my own truck and DM with them it was a different story. He would constantly have me sitting and when my hours were low would schedule me to pick up. He was terrible about keeping me pre-planned. I never new if I should be trying to sleep because I might be running that night or picking up the next day. It seems they will hire anybody to plan/dispatch their loads, or either they had to many drivers per DM to effectively manage them. My DM with Knight actually seems to know what he is doing, I am able to run during the day and sleep at night while still getting a decent amount of miles. I know I have only been with them for a few days, but I am pre-planned for the next 4 days and will be able to keep my sleeping schedule. I hope it stays this way. Parked in Springdale, AR for the night, got a chance to walk down to some stores today and get out of the truck for a few hrs. Picking up in the morning and headed to El Paso, TX!

My driver trainer is from the Gulfport terminal!

Who is your driver trainer, if you dont mind me asking, and how is your experience with their training program going?

His name is Ken Morton. Its going pretty good so far. Only issue I have is he has a automatic truck so why am I training on an automatic? I don't get why they would put me with some one who has one.

His name is Ken Morton. Its going pretty good so far. Only issue I have is he has a automatic truck so why am I training on an automatic? I don't get why they would put me with some one who has one.

Yeah, that doesnt make much since to me either. I do know that these days trainers are hard to come by so they may be putting you with whoever is available to keep you from sitting in a hotel. It took me two weeks to get a trainer with Werner. I also hear that all the new volvos they are getting are autos and that trainers usually get the best equipment.

Yeah I know. What is the hometime policy out of the Gulfport terminal?

Yeah I know. What is the hometime policy out of the Gulfport terminal?

Well I believe they have different options for home time. I think you can run two weeks out 1 week home (slip seat though) or two weeks out and 2 to 3 days home bringing your truck home with you. i am doing the two weeks with 3 days home, although i have not been home yet, they gave me the option to stop by the house after orientation. I decided to run for a couple weeks then go home. From the experience I have had with the people working at the terminal there, I bet they would be willing to work with you on your home time needs too. I feel like I am working for a small trucking company, but with the benefits of being a larger company.