What to bring to Orientation and Training

All of us when going to orientation and then going on the road with a trainer, we have/had the question “What shall I bring?”This post is to help the newbies with this question bugging their minds.


First of all, you have to pack as little as possible. Pack those stuff that is really a necessities. Then when you get through your training period, you can fill up your own truck with whatever you want. Now,with your trainer in that same cab, you have to remember that you area “Guest” in that person's truck and that truck IT IS NOT YOURS yet. Don't rush, you will have your own truck then you can pack it with your TV, your small fridge or whatever you want and fit in there. Besides, there isn't much room in these trucks for one person,imagine for two!! Most likely you will be sleeping with all your stuff on your bunk, unless the trainer has an empty cabinet that you can use, which is really rare. I would recommend you to get your stuff in those “duffel” bags,maybe two of them (that's what my company advised me to do), because the duffel bags are more easier to move around, you know!


I am going to try to list some stuff you might want to bring with you for orientation and training. But remember that this list it is not fit for everybody, maybe for some drivers or some companies it will be different. Any way, this one can help you with some starting point or ideas:

• TOILETRIES NEEDS => Which is the basics such as Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, comb, hair brush, etc. Most of the truck stops I've been will provide you with towels and a small bar of soap in the shower rooms. You can bring your own towel if you want, but it’s probably a waste of space. I also bought myself a pack of baby wipes. It sounds a little dumb, but honestly, during the times you go a couple days without a shower, it’s nice to have those to use on your face, arms, etc. There will be times when you go a couple days without a shower. It sucks, but it’s nearly unavoidable at times. So it’s good to be prepared.
• SMALL BAG – When you going to take your shower, instead of caring your big duffel bag around when you want to shower, it’s much easier to have a real small bag just large enough to put your toiletries and single change of clothes in. I have a small back pack (school style) and it works just fine for me.
• CLOTHING => Bring cloths enough to last you about 6 to 12 days:Pair of jeans, Short Pants, Shirts, socks, shoes, and underwear. Keep in mind, you’ll be wearing your jeans or short pants, 3 days in a row, sometimes longer. Sometime I find myself going nearly a week with the same pair of jeans or short pant, and usually two days with a shirt. And don't call me nasty because this is a reality for all truckers up here, so if you think that’s nasty, you might have a problem right off the bat. Nobody said this is a lifestyle you’d be used to!
• JACKET or COAT => Bring a jacket or a coat with you no matter what season it is. Up in the mountains it can get pretty cold, even in the summer. The desert can get pretty cold at night too. It also helps to have a rain jacket with a hood, specially if you are going for a flatbed division.
• WORK GLOVES => Remember that the fuel islands at truck stops are always a mess and your hands end up with black spots all over them. Also, cranking the landing gear on the trailers can be messy. I got mine at Home Depot for less than $6. Well worth the investment. If you’re going into flatbedding or tanker trucks, you might want to spend a little extra on yours. They will be used much more often.
• SUNGLASSES => If you don't bring one you will remember me, because it is a must to have. Doesn't matter what kind, but on your first trip driving westbound in Oklahoma at 7 in the evening, you’ll be glad you have them.
• SLEEPING BAG => Very important! Don’t bring sheets with you. When you’re in training, chances are you’ll be driving as a team with your trainer. In other words, your trainer drives while you sleep and vice versa. If the truck is moving, you’ll want to sleep on the bottom bunk. Instead of changing sheets all the time which would be a total pain, just grab your sleeping bag and you’re good to go. Then if you have some downtime and you both sleep at the same time, you can just bring your sleeping bag to the top bunk. I personally went to the store and bought two “indoor” type sleeping bags. These roll up very small to save on space. By having two, I don’t have to sleep inside the sleeping bag. I put one down flat on the bed, then use the other to cover myself. You can also zip two together if you prefer. Just make sure if you do this, you grab indoor sleeping bags. The ones you use for camping are too hot, and way too big and bulky.
• Don’t forget your pillow!!
• LAUNDRY BAG => Just a place to put your dirty clothes and lug them around with when you’re doing laundry. If you can find a small bottle of laundry soap, it’s probably not a bad idea to bring that along too if you have the room. Most truck stops sell it, but they charge way too much for it.
• CELL PHONE & CHARGER => The truck I’m on has a limited number of AC outlets, but if you can get a DC charger for your phone it’s highly recommended. You might also want to get a headset for it. Shifting, driving, and talking all at the same time isn’t a good combo, especially for a student. I won’t get into a debate about whether you should talk and drive or not, but when you’re driving through New Mexico at midnight and you’re the only person on the road, chances are using a headset is going to be OK with your trainer if you need to make or receive a call. REMEMBER you can not hold your cell phone to talk anymore, the fine are really high for you and for the company, most of the companies even prohibit the use of phone while driving, but they OK with a headset.
• LAPTOP or IPAD => This is very optional, and several people say you should leave your laptop at home as it’s a distraction. But I find email a very good way to communicate “outside the truck.” Having your laptop or IPad is pretty useless unless you have internet access. While truck stops do offer WiFi for a fee, I’d highly recommend getting an aircard for your laptop (uses cell phone towers). My Ipad has internet through my cellphone provider which works pretty good. But some people use a company called Millenicom (http://www.millenicom.com/). They have no contracts and works pretty good for most of the people I have heard of. Or you can check with your cellphone provider most of them has a package for a “hotspot on the go” or something like this. If you do want to sign up for Millenicom, make sure you do so about a week or so before you leave. That way they can mail you the wireless card in time for you to leave.
• BOOTS =>If you’re going into flatbed, you will gonna need a steel toe boots (with oil & slip resistant out-soles)it’s probably more of a necessity. Also you will need hard hat and safety glasses, but most companies provide the hat and glasses, check with your recruiter. But if you are going into the dry van division I’d say get a good pair of sneakers and that’s probably all you’ll need. They boots might be nice to have in case you need to pick up a trailer in a muddy lot or something, but if you don’t have any boots to bring with you, I wouldn't worry about it.

Other than that, there’s really not much else you’ll need. Your trainer will have a truckers atlas, tools, locks, a CB, etc. Just save up for that when you’re ready to go solo in your own truck. Remember, pack light! Just the necessities to get through your training, then you can load up your own truck with the creature comforts and toys from home.

I hope this had helped you.

Take care and drive safely.

 

Yes Sir... When I was packing mine too, it was even harder for me to find great post with such a help guiding you how to pack light... I wish you all the best!! By the way where are you going?

 

I have Verizon as my Provider and my IPad is with internet straight from them, just like a phone. I can even use my Ipad to make call if I want. But if you have, say a T-Miobile you can make it as a hotspot with no fees, I thought that they charge it but my Son has T-Mobile and he did it right in front of me showing that was no charges, I DON'T KNOW!!. Verizon will charge you $20.00 a month for you to use your smart phone as a hotspot or Wi-Fi to other devices. - But you are right, you can use your smart phone!!