Question: Going from Ag to OTR
I'm making - or at the very least, thinking of making - the transitional phase of going to OTR after spending some years of doing agriculture hauling.
I read a few threads already that suggested (by some who were trainers) to bring minimal items as possible, that are essential. Below I have included a contingency list of items that I intend to bring on board, because I discovered thru my driving experience (with the Ag industry at least) that they were necessary. Some might be obvious, but I mentioned them anyways for clarification-sake.
Tools and other accessories:
Gloves
Powerful/compact flashlight (mine being rated w/337 lumens, w/strobe capabilities)
Needle-nose pliers (small ones, since fuses do go out from time to time... not to mention other multiple situations/uses)
Screw driver
Phillips (driver)
Duct tape
Sewing kit (compact like the ones military AFEEs stores sell)
Rain gear (in my case, a light-weight pancho)
Spring-loaded clamps (one 2", and three or more minature clamps... to keep paperwork intact, map-book open, etc.)
 
Food (that is mobile, non-perishable... in small amounts of course):
Jerky
Almonds
MREs (Meals Ready to Eat, military rations.... Just a couple for the first week of training/driving)
Packets of Tuna
Energy bars
 
 
Basic essesentials:
Duffle bag (for containment of items)
Sleeping bag
Bath towel
Shower shoes
3 pairs of shirts, socks, shorts, and 2 other pair of jeans
Hygiene kit (shaving kit, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, Q-tips, etc.)
Head gear (summer and winter)
Sunglasses
Cell phone charger
 
 
Other items:
Pens
Pocket-size ruler
Pocket-size notebook
And of course, as several drivers mentioned already, bring along a good attitude, patience, and optimism.
 
 
And as one driver mentioned, ask for a (insert name of prospective company) packing list
 
I know there was another thread or two that related to packing lists for new drivers (which I consider myself to be since I'm changing my assignment of duties), however I didn't discover them until recently, and some posts involved discussions about fridges, hotplates, GPS and other items that I consider to be abstract to me, for the moment at least - since some trainers (present and former) highly recommended of bringing absolute minimum of items, for obvious reasons. Anyways two of those threads I came across, became incredably long, and I don't have the time to read them all.
I guess basically what I'm saying is there anything essential I may have left out on my list that someone might have noticed. If so, could you please pass along your thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks.
 
 
Question: Going from Ag to OTR
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by vanishing point, Nov 12, 2012.
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Just make sure you can carry all that stuff if you have to clean out the truck.
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Thanks. -
Entertainment for those times when your sitting around. Books, DVD player, laptop, etc.
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waaaaaayy too much crap for going out with a trainer. bring clothes, lots of socks and underwear, work gloves, sunglasses, cellphone/charger and you should be good
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As a few of the trainers on other threads suggested to bring nothing more than the absolute necessities, including not packing along a bunch of tools... which is still a hard concept for me to adjust to on the thought of it, but I understand why.
Thanks
 
 
 
 
How often are showers available? Once a week? Twice?
How often are the opportunities to wash clothes? Once every two weeks?... 3 weeks?
Thanks.
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