Knight Transportation CDL Squire Training Program - Phoniex, AZ

So I've finally narrowed my decision down to Knight Transportation. I want to be trained not as a "Team Driver" but as a "Solo" Driver. Through all my research on schools in my area it will cost about 3k to get my training. Sure I could go spend $800 and only spend 6 hours driving a truck to get my Class A but I don't feel that will be enough time behind the wheel and what local company would hire me off the street like that. Most of the starter companies I spoke with (Prime, Swift, Schneider, Werner, Jim Palmer, Knight) mentioned I need to have an approved state certificate of completion from the trucking school I attend. I feel that if I want to make this my career then why try to squeak by with the bare minimums? With that being said I am curious if there is anyone here that can offer more insight into the Knight Squire Training program? I have read the information on this site but haven't found any up-to-date information on driver's experiences or diaries. :(

I spoke with my recruiter and she said I'd be going to Fontana, CA for the first week for orientation and then for weeks 2 -4 I'd be out at their Phoenix Training facility. Once I tested out I'd be able to come back to California to turn in all my paperwork and get my temporary license. After that it's off to 30,000 training miles and then 30,000 solo miles until I'm a full Knight driver.

One thing I really like about Knight is that they train you as a solo driver and my life or the trainer's life isn't in each other's hands while one is sleeping. That's one thing that made me really nervous about all the other companies. Would I really want to be sleeping if there was another inexperienced driver with me? Nope!

Another thing I like is they pay you $550/week the 2nd week of training before you even get your CDL!! For me that's huge as I wouldn't suffer such a loss in income. I mean yes I have enough saved but being able to start making money right off the get-go is how I actually trained for my CDL B.

The only thing that sucks is the sacrifice of missing my girlfriends and baby daughter (19 months old). However, I have written down my reasons of why I want to get into trucking: (I will use these as my motivational factors when times are tough)

1.) Pay Off Debt
2.) Save up money to buy our first house
3.) Improve my and my family's life
4.) Be my own boss

When I'm barely making 3k per month with over 70 hrs of hard work I put in each week there is something wrong. Sadly the tour bus industry does not make a lot of money. It's time to give this another shot!

You're definitely taking the right approach by doing company sponsored training , or attending a certified school for 160 hours minimum. If you went the route of spending 800 to obtain license you would find yourself unhireable at most places due to insurance company wanting atleast 160 hours of schooling. I can't recall anybody here who has gone through the knight squire program. Although it'll be hard being gone from home while OTR you're definitely taking the right approach to this career/lifestyle. If you started local and got involved in a couple accidents/incidents they're alot more likely to terminate you than an OTR company is, as local positions typically have a much higher pool of candidates wanting to come off the road. Based on your young family, I am assuming going local is what the end goal is. Just know that local positions tend to be very high paced and you're pushing 12 to 14 hours daily, typically off long enough only to get your required 10 hours off. I'm a local food service driver and tend to get 48 to 50 hours on a 4 day work week, or 62 to 65 on a 5 day work week. Just don't want you entering this industry thinking you'll be able to land a local job later on only working 8 hour shift...thats a unicorn job I'd love to find.

Ronald you came to the right place. There are multiple people on this site that will help you out based on their experiences. A close personal friend of mine went through a similar experience that you are going through and he also went through the Knight Squire Training Program (this was three years ago, so things may have changed). He was a little nervous also and wanted to be trained one on one with a trainer and not trained as a team. He loved it. He mentions to me when we talk that if he has to do it all over again he would. That in itself says a lot! The one thing that he mentions all the time is the number of people who came to the squire program unprepared. Either through their attitude and their drive to succeed. Learning and going through a program is designed to teach you the basics and give you the hands on knowledge of what you WILL need when you go solo. Many people that I have met wanted the fast track to the learning program and when they got to go Solo were not prepared. Learn everything you can and stay focused. Patience is key in this business, so keep an open mind and stay focused on your training. Also Knight has some NICE trucks!!