Journey To Becoming A Knight Driver

Hey everybody! After a lot of research I have decided to apply for a job with Knight Transportation. I currently work a desk job and the pay is not doing it for me. I also have always wanted to drive a truck and I love to travel so I think this will be a good fit. I’ve done a lot of research on this site and am currently studying the High Road program here in conjunction with my state’s CDL manual.

I feel fortunate to live in Springfield, MO so I imagine it will be easy to get a load back home. I am looking forward to my new career and to sharing this experience with all of you.

Chris

Welcome aboard Chris!

Do you already have your CDL , or are you going through Knight's "Squire" program? Do you know what terminal you will be dispatched out of? I was a Knight driver for a good many years. I have a ton of great memories working for them.

Welcome aboard Chris!

Do you already have your CDL , or are you going through Knight's "Squire" program? Do you know what terminal you will be dispatched out of? I was a Knight driver for a good many years. I have a ton of great memories working for them.

I don’t yet have my CDL. I am going through their Squire program. That is if they decide to hire me. I don’t have anything bad on my record and have held my current job for 10 years, so I imagine they will. I know they have a terminal in Kansas City but don’t know if that is where they’ll dispatch me out of.

I wanted to get a start on this journal to provide updates from start to finish for anyone interested in Knight and to contribute to the overall perspective on becoming a driver. I also wanted to find others that have or do work for Knight as well as other drivers to provide tips and advice. From everything I’ve read and seen there appears to be a lot to this and I want to make sure that I’m the best driver I can be and as safe as possible. If this is my career then I want to master my trade and look forward to all of the advice I will gain from this forum.

Thanks for your reply Old School. It’s reassuring to hear that others have had a positive experience. Hopefully they call me tonight to get the process started.

That sounds great. Keep us posted.

I actually don't know where all they are doing the Squire program. For a while they had cut it back to only doing it in Phoenix, but I think they've started expanding it again. I'd be interested in knowing if they train you out of the K.C. terminal. I loved working at Knight - I was in a special flat-bed division serving a dedicated customer.

Well, when I applied at Knight I also applied at Maverick, who got back to me much quicker. From everything I have seen, heard, and read, it seems Maverick is a much better company with better training and higher starting pay. I called them back on Wednesday and went through their preliminary phone interview and passed that. I called today and my application has been approved. I will be going to training sometime in March.

Let me tell you, I am over-the-moon excited to be making this change and go with a great company. I will be making a huge jump in pay and can finally get out of debt as well and start investing in real estate on the side.

Congratulations Chris! That is great news!

Don't let yourself be so quickly persuaded about one company being better than the other. It's a nonsensical way that trucker's approach all of this. The only thing that counts out here is how well you can learn the job and adapt to the ever changing environment of it. This will be a huge challenge. The name on your truck will have little effect on your ability to make a go at this. I am sure you can do well at the job, but don't ever expect the company to be what makes a great difference. They are going to count on you to be a great driver. That is what they need. They need you to step up to the challenges and conquer. Do that and your trucking career will be golden!

Welcome! I’m super new at this myself- first week in trucker school finished.

Congrats you will make money at maverick get your running shoes on cuz they’re gonna run ya I’m excited for you my goal in this is to get to flat bed in a yr wanna get better at my trip planning and and getting the most out of my clock then hit flat bed good luck your way keep us posted they got nice rigs and no limits on toll roads your gonna hit they expect you to use them that’s a major plus!! My bro drives for them I’ll get you some more info on them again 🥳 congratulations

Well, when I applied at Knight I also applied at Maverick, who got back to me much quicker. From everything I have seen, heard, and read, it seems Maverick is a much better company with better training and higher starting pay. I called them back on Wednesday and went through their preliminary phone interview and passed that. I called today and my application has been approved. I will be going to training sometime in March.

Let me tell you, I am over-the-moon excited to be making this change and go with a great company. I will be making a huge jump in pay and can finally get out of debt as well and start investing in real estate on the side.