Following This Forum For A Little While...now I Have Joined The Conversation! Hoping To Start With Knight Or Wilson... Thoughts?

I agree with the other responses, attitude and work ethic will make the difference whether you like your job or not regardless of company. The only thing I’ll add to the previous responses is that I do think it matters what type of runs you’re looking for. Are you looking for OTR), regional , Dedicated), local, or maybe some combination of those? I think that’s one of the more important questions you can ask when determining which company to go with. The name on the door doesn’t really matter much, but if you are looking for something where you’ll be home every week you might not be very happy with a company that does mostly OTR or vice versa. I know for myself I tend to get bored doing the same thing all the time so I personally like to choose a company that has a variety of fleets to choose from so if I don’t like the fleet I’m on I can try a different one without having to change companies. I don’t know much about Wilson or knight so I can’t answer any specific questions about either but I think either one will work great for you as long as you work hard and learn everything you can.

I'm just about finished with the training process at Wilson. As Pianoman says, what you want to run might influence your decision. Wilson at this point is pretty much all OTR reefer. Another difference is that I believe Wilson's training program is a bit longer (30,000 training miles, among other phases). I *believe* Knight's process is shorter. So you might want to think about that: maybe you want the longer training process, maybe you don't.

But as others have said, what you bring *to* the training and the job is crucial... and it will indeed test you.

Best of luck to you!

I'm just about finished with the training process at Wilson. As Pianoman says, what you want to run might influence your decision. Wilson at this point is pretty much all OTR reefer. Another difference is that I believe Wilson's training program is a bit longer (30,000 training miles, among other phases). I *believe* Knight's process is shorter. So you might want to think about that: maybe you want the longer training process, maybe you don't.

But as others have said, what you bring *to* the training and the job is crucial... and it will indeed test you.

Best of luck to you!

Knight, at least for dry van , ports and refer, both regional and OTR is two weeks with a trainer and one week Top Gun program, then 30,000 solo miles under a training DM. Or 4 weeks with a trainer then 30,000 solo miles under a training DM. So I think in that aspect it was shorter as the 30k miles for me was just basically solo with a bit of help from my DM now and then.

Also, most knight trainees I've talked to had a road test and backing test at the end of their training before the squire miles. I didn't but it was explained to me that my trainer basically tested me as I went along.

Knight/ swift has an amazing network of terminals, you can roll into a lot of major cities any time of day and have parking, a blessing in denver puyallup, indiana etc., also no forced dispatch will keep you outta new england :)

Knight, at least for dry van , ports and refer, both regional and OTR is two weeks with a trainer and one week Top Gun program, then 30,000 solo miles under a training DM. Or 4 weeks with a trainer then 30,000 solo miles under a training DM. So I think in that aspect it was shorter as the 30k miles for me was just basically solo with a bit of help from my DM now and then.

Also, most knight trainees I've talked to had a road test and backing test at the end of their training before the squire miles. I didn't but it was explained to me that my trainer basically tested me as I went along.

There is also an "evaluation" after your miles with Wilson--a road test and backing test, though fairly informal.

It does sound like Knight's process is a little shorter, since the 30k miles are kind of "probation." For me, I had a week in initial training and orientation, 2 weeks out with a trainer, CDL test, then 8.5 weeks (60 days) with a trainer to get my 30K miles in. Then the evaluation, and now I'm working "solo week" shuttling trailers at Kraft, as detailed in my diary. So, all in all, my process has been 13+ weeks. I started December 13 and should have my own truck by March 18.

Interesting the difference in the two methods. I was really scared to be solo after only two weeks with a trainer but at the same time, Im Very independent and am very proactive about asking for help so it worked well. But I would think that being with a trainer for 60 days would build a good skill base if done right.

Hey Rustybone Rambler,

I can add a little bit more insight along with what Matt already said. Im currently in the training process at Wilson, in the C-seat 30k portion. There is a dry van component that runs regional. It is a dedicated Springfield area to Dallas area route, weekends or every other off. I believe they are all hourly. Even though Im wanting to do OTR on the reefer fleet, Im currently doing my 30k on the regional fleet. It all depends on trainer availability.

If theres anything in particular you'd like to know, feel free to ask.

Good morning, Rusty. I will be starting my training with Wilson on Monday (3/14). So far, I have nothing but praises to say about Wilson. Both my recruiter and processor are both awesome ladies. Before I chose Wilson, my choices were Knight and Wilson. Wilson stayed in contact through the entire process, checking in once or twice a week. With Knight, there was about a week and a half or so with no check in from my recruiter to see how things were going. I cannot make your decision for you, but I think I will be happy with Wilson. I wish you good luck with whatever company you choose.

Good Morning!

I can relate to what you are saying with regards to communication for sure. I find myself 'interviewing' them as much as they are interviewing me so to speak. Thank you for this insight. It is much appreciated.

I agree with the other responses, attitude and work ethic will make the difference whether you like your job or not regardless of company. The only thing I’ll add to the previous responses is that I do think it matters what type of runs you’re looking for. Are you looking for OTR), regional , Dedicated), local, or maybe some combination of those? I think that’s one of the more important questions you can ask when determining which company to go with. The name on the door doesn’t really matter much, but if you are looking for something where you’ll be home every week you might not be very happy with a company that does mostly OTR or vice versa. I know for myself I tend to get bored doing the same thing all the time so I personally like to choose a company that has a variety of fleets to choose from so if I don’t like the fleet I’m on I can try a different one without having to change companies. I don’t know much about Wilson or knight so I can’t answer any specific questions about either but I think either one will work great for you as long as you work hard and learn everything you can.

Good Morning and thank you for this insight. I think that I would like to keep the option open to do local, regional and OTR. At this juncture of my life, I am looking for OTR or regional. I would like to be out on the road, driving, hooking up trailers and learning as much as I can about this new endeavor. Also, I want to be as flexible and versatile as possible to ensure I am prepared to deal with any changes the economy may bring.

I'm just about finished with the training process at Wilson. As Pianoman says, what you want to run might influence your decision. Wilson at this point is pretty much all OTR reefer. Another difference is that I believe Wilson's training program is a bit longer (30,000 training miles, among other phases). I *believe* Knight's process is shorter. So you might want to think about that: maybe you want the longer training process, maybe you don't.

But as others have said, what you bring *to* the training and the job is crucial... and it will indeed test you.

Best of luck to you!

Good Morning,

Thank you so much for the response too!

I think I would like as much training as possible, but I think you and several other posters n here are right. I will be the author of my own success story. I really appreciate the reminders that I got to bring my best me!