Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
CDL Training with Knight Transportation
Forgot to mention we did have one guy get sent home for failing the hair follicle drug test. Guys let me tell you. If you have done ANY kind of illegal drugs in the past 3-4 months, YES months, Dont even attempt it. YOU WILL FAIL!! Then you will always have that on your record. Just dont do it. Again, DONT DO IT YOU WILL FAIL!! There is no amount of cleaning or diet or anything that will alter the result of the hair test. NOTHING. This guy said it had been over a month and he still failed.
Tater
Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
CDL Training with Knight Transportation
Ok so I forgot to update the first two days of orientation. Im a bad person!! LOL It was just as others have said, physical from hell, death by powerpoint and alot of sitting around talking and bs'ing with the other guys in the class. There were 9 of all all together. Two of us going on to Squire CDL training and the others are just here for orientation and or refresher training. Three guys were actually going to get the next available truck and hit the road. Everyone here seems nice and mostly all positive comments about Knight. The only negative I see is quite a few drivers have been here for several days (some more than a week) trying to get their trucks repaired. Dont know why its taking so long, some of the repairs were minor things, its not like they were getting an overhaul or something. In fact thats a common gripe Ive heard from just about ALL the drivers is the service department is seriously slacking. Now of course I have no first hand knowledge of that ONLY what these guys and gals are telling me. Today is actually Friday and I am officially HIRED!! I got my driver ID and number and also a stack of ppw to take with me. Since I live about 6 hours away and I drove myself here they are keeping me in the hotel here in Columbus for the weekend and Sunday I will drive out to Indy to start Squire CDL training on Monday. Im feeling pretty good about my choice to go with Knight, other than the issues with service Ive heard mostly positive things and the overall feel you get is really good. Some of their policies are great and have the safety of the driver in mind, Knight is changing over to the Sonar system and most all the dry side already has them and about 70% of the refer guys. It wont be long and all the trucks will have them. Really nice system but its kind of like big brother watching over you 24/7. Way more than any Qualcomm thats for sure. Doing a pre-trip is as easy as scanning a small sticker located at all the key points of the truck and entering notes if needed. It can also take pictures of any defects or repairs needed. Its an Android tablet and of course has all the perks that go along with that. (read in Pandora Radio!!) So thats about it until Monday, if anyone has any questions just let me know and Ill try to answer the best I can. Till next time!!
Tater
Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
CDL Training with Knight Transportation
Made it here to the hotel in Columbus. Its a Super 8 and fairly clean about what you would expect from a Super 8. Not great but not bad either. I took a short drive just to try and get my bearings. Not much around really. Got a Steak and Shake, couple gas stations and several pizza and sub shops. There may be more on down the road, I didnt go far. There are several of Knights' Volvos in the parking lot, all bobtail. I overheard one guy on the phone yelling something to the effect of "just get ****ing Volvo here and get the ****ing truck fixed so I can get back on the road! He was NOT happy!! LOL I have not heard from my recruiter so I really have no idea what where or when Im supposed to do tomorrow. If I dont hear anything by morning Im just going to head on over to the terminal and see what I can find out. I have a feeling since I was a late arrival I may have been forgotten about. It happens. Thats all I got so far, more as I go along for sure.
Tater
Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
CDL Training with Knight Transportation
Well due to some guys dropping out or not showing up Knight called yesterday to tell me they have openings and I can come right away sooooo. I'm Columbus Ohio bound today!!! I'll start tomorrow with orientation. Here we go!!
Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
CDL Training with Knight Transportation
Today I got several emails from Knight. A lot of forms to fill out and send back in, also had to send tax return copies from last two years. Got all that done and I'm scheduled to be in Columbus oh on the 16th for orientation. It's finally happening!
Posted: 9 years ago
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Hey congrats Tater! I'm going to look over that WV state manual and see what's so different about it.
Well see thats the thing that was weird Brett, its worded different even from their OWN manual! Tricky to say the least. Plus I actually had a few questions about passenger buses on my Gen Knowledge test?? Maybe thats normal but it threw me a bit. The High Road Training is right on par with ALL other training material I found anywhere. I took tests on a couple other sites using just High Road for study material and passed with flying colors. Im telling ya, this was just a WV thing!! It is after all WV, wheels turn sloooowwwwwww in WV!!
Tater
Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
I cant say enough about the great work Brett has done here and the outstanding training provided for FREE!! As a result, I passed my Gen Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combo today!! Got my permit finally!! Could not have done it without High Road Training!!
One bit of advice, I'm in WV and I can say that the wording on our test was COMPLETELY different from the High Road Course here. Definitely read your state manual too, don't rely on any one source. The more you study the better your chances overall. This sounds like a given but its something to really keep in mind. There were entire sections on the WV Gen Knowledge test that I never heard of. I just skipped them and came back at the end. Worked for me!! Thanks Brett and everyone here at Trucking Truth!! Fantastic resource!!'
Tater
Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
CDL Training with Knight Transportation
Well its official I am going with Knight Transportation for my CDL training!! Ive been researching all the company sponsored schools and landed with them as being the best fit for me. I just today got my CDL permit!! Yes!! So with that in hand Im ready for orientation in Columbus OH on the 16th of March!! Yep Im all applied and signed up. My recruiter sent me all the final details today so Im ready. Just trying to decide if I want to drive to OH or take them up on the bus ticket. I go to OH for a week then on to Indianapolis for the rest of the schooling. After that I return home here in WV to take the skills test and get my actual CDL. Thats when I will be paired with a trainer and go out for several weeks for the good stuff. I am super duper stoked and ready to roll!! Ive been reading all the entries I can find here about training with Knight and overall they are mostly all positive with the usual couple of negatives thrown in for good measure. To be expected I think. Anyway, thats where Im at and where Im headed!! More to come as this journey unfolds!!
Tater
Posted: 9 years, 1 month ago
View Topic:
Swift Orientation, Memphis, TN
Damn Im jealous, I would love to be as far along as you are right now. Truth is Im still studying just to take my test to get my learners. Knight says I have to have that first!! Congrats on your success and I wish you many happy and safe miles in your new solo truck!! We want pictures of the new ride though ya hear!!
Tater
Posted: 9 years ago
View Topic:
How long from submitting application to company training?
I will echo what the others have said. I actually applied to several companies and talked to a recruiter at EACH one before making my decision. Some are faster than others but absolutely call them and ask to speak to a recruiter. They are not always the best at emailing you but most will take a call. At least that was my experience. Get yourself a list of questions together of things that are important to YOU. Then ask the same question of each company you're interested in. That way you can have your own pro and con list. Plus read read read everything you can about them, here and anywhere else. The information here at TT is invaluable. Lots to learn just hanging around here!!
Good luck and let us hear what you decide!!
Tater