Comments By Natedog1971

Wasnt aware of that. Thanks for the info.

Regrettably had to push starting back another week but told the recruiter 31st and reefer. Looking forward to starting.

Good to know, I'm 220 at about 6' but my necks gonna be close. The rest sounds pretty straight forward.

As far as Reefer vs dry van, I'm pretty flexible. I like to know what my options are if my family struggles with me being gone too long. Two teens at home keep life interesting and regional would be preferable over local, I hate LA driving enough as it is but it's good to know it's an option if necessary. OTR is my preference but running up and down the western 11 sounds pretty good too. Beautiful areas.

Silly as it sounds I do like that reefers trucks have fridges in them already and understand Reeder drivers can run dry van loads if necessary but not the other way around and around Holidays reefers keep moving more than dry. Sounds like I'm going with reefer

Thanks again, i am reading as i go and studying as well among dealing with family and getting ready to leave. I will complete the article not to worry. I understand shipers pay a percentage, seems to be in the low to mid 70s from what ive seen. And yes, im a greenborn i will agree.

1.75 per mile seems rough, my buddy with his hotshots hits that and upwards of 2.00/mile, and id imagine with considerably less cost on the trucks as well. Another reason hotshots are on the future potential list. Either way, im looking forward to driving, as much as id like to buck the info regarding leasing or ownership im no fool and greatly appreciate the truth spoken here. Its the reason i keep coming back here.

So now need to decide on reefer or dry van, any thoughts? More money per mile on reefer but more potential to sit too.

Good to know about the physical, anything special i should be concerned about?

Ok, another question...Knight, reefer or dry van? I know reefer earns a little more and potentially longer runs but the potential to sit more too.

Any thoughts?

Boy am I confused. I guess time will straighten me out. I liked the idea of O/O due to another parent on my son's water polo team discussing it last year at one of the tournaments. He runs So Cal to AZ 3-4 times a week dedicated and nets $10k a month. Net, after taxes, maint, fuel, etc... And now owns his truck outright. I'm trying to find him to discuss details but don't remember which one is his son and haven't seen him over the summer season yet.

Also have a contact looking for aggregate trucks to run Corona to Vegas and back at $1500 per trip. Crunched numbers with my friend and depending on how you ran looks to be $300--$600 profit (after taxes and expenses) per trip x 3-5 trips per week.

Seems to me you would need a dedicated run to make O/O work consistently and be sure you got the miles you needed. Or work for someone like Acme or an O/O only company

Thoughts?

Once again, thank you for your replies, especially Old School and G man. Don't worry about the late reply, I know you're all busy and appreciate any input I do receive. Hope the Dr appts go well.

Coming from the automotive industry, while I didn't drive Big Rigs, I did drive Porsches most recently, they handle just a little differently.

Changes in upper management have lead to major changes down hill which ultimately result in less pay and more hours worked, and often top performers are "rewarded" with paycuts. My biggest month in the car business was quickly followed with a change in the pay program which resulted in the top performers being required to do more for less with little affect on the lower performers. The philosophy from the industries I have come from seems to be why pay someone xxx amount when you can hire 3 people for the same amount and everyone is replaceable.

As to leasing, I will certainly read it and have to make my decision down the road. I see a lot of O/O here in So Cal but that doesn't mean they are making $. My parents owned 5 rigs at one point,lost it all good 20 years ago unfortunately.

My friend seems to be running pretty well with 3 Hotshots so that may be an option down the road as well. Just know being an employee especially In commiefornia makes it tough to get by. Who knows, being on the road may not feel so much like an employee. I do recall my dad complaining a lot about disbatchers at Roadway then YRC before being forced into early medical retirement and that doesn't bring positive thoughts to mind as an employee. He ran hard, provided well for us, showed us what a great work ethic was and I'm grateful.

Thanks again, just finished my physical for Knight, time to study

Thank you everyone for your replies, I know I am asking for opinions and I need to make my decision but everyone on here seems to be very straightforward and helpful and I do value your opinion.

I am sitting here taking my physical while I write this, anticipating Knight come Monday but still need my CLP, which I will take today or tomorrow. Not too worried about not passing, If I do anything well it is test. Thanks for the tips and links, I've read quite a few diaries thus far too and plan to start my own next week.

Keep you posted, thanks again!

Thanks Old School, was hoping you'd chime in. Appreciate the input. I'm considering Knight and CRST (gives me $500 bonus plus 38cpm as a veteran starting out driving with a trainer) compared to Knights $400 training pay plus 33-41cpm sliding scale for training but I have to pay back the tuition on my CDL class vs. 10 mo commitment to CRST to cover the cost.

Any concerns you have about the direction of the company merging with Swift? Understand Knight management will run the merged company but mergers always make me nervous especially when stockholders are involved and the put a lot of emphasis on shareholder benefit in the merger articles and none, from what I've read, on the employee interests. From my experience there tends to be a focus on improving shareholder value immediately which can often be in conflict with employee best interest as they are typically a company's greatest expense.

Any thoughts on either company, both seem like pretty good options from the facts, CRST runs teams obviously which I'm not sure about and Knight seems to have more options for local/regional work here in So Cal. Kind of torn to be honest, feel like flipping a coin. I guess for 10-12 months neither would be a bad choice from where I sit if I'm positive and willing to work, which I am. Any thoughts on lease purchase or going owner operator with either company? Pros/cons?

Again, thanks for your input or any advice you have and will be well appreciated.

Thanks Rainy, can't see leaving before 10 months but you never know with some of the reviews I've read. They are all over the place so I try to take each of them with a grain of salt, much of life is what you make of it, I am hoping this is too.

Hey Roadpilot,

Knight is still paying the $400 for weeks 2-3 to defray the cost of lodging, however anyone coming from California Knight is required to offer to finance the cost of lodging taking your total tuition obligation from $3,000 to $3750 for the 3 weeks. Nice option if you are on a tight budget and you still get the $400/wk.