Packing List for Students

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by notarps4me, Jan 24, 2007.

  1. Aminal

    Aminal Heavy Load Member

    Yeah, good point Shawn. Not all companies give the freedom (well sort of) mine does. We are restricted to Love's and Pilot/Flying J unless we have an emergency and get permission to go to another TS, and Love's is our primary. We get a fuel optimized route with a fuel stop (or two) location and it will always be either a Love's or PFJ. We are free to deviate from the route or use a different stop as our judgment lends itself and your deviation is for a good reason and you use either any Love's or a PFJ, they don't say anything negative. Question maybe but not fuss. Ex: My fuel route had me fueling at a PFJ and then running US52 between Roanoke and down around Morristown (I think it was) NC. I fueled at Love's instead and ran interstate the whole way, which added about 30 miles. I was politely asked why the deviation. I politely responded that Love's is our primary and I was right there. I had a 43K load and I know that stretch of 52 very well. With that load I'd be in 7, 8 and 9 poking up steep hills and stopping at a ton of lights in small towns along the way all the way from Roanoke to 85 near Raleigh/ Durham. It takes forever and my MPG drops down to the low and mid 3's the whole way. I fueled primary instead of the PFJ to stay platinum for trainees to shower and get drinks (I didn't have a trainee), plus I like the points, and although I added 30 miles to the route I saved almost 3 hours and kept my MPG closer to 6 than 3 for that leg. A light load and I'll run that stretch of 52, heavy it's much better go long but stay interstate. Saves fuel and HOS. The reply: Cool with me. I just had to ask. If I didn't I wouldn't be doing my job. Keep up the good work.

    As you correctly pointed out some companies aren't like that. But if you have a CHOICE you can keep yourself and your needs in mind when fueling too. Really good point you made.
     
    Shawn91481 and Kickstand-117 Thank this.
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  3. wd40

    wd40 Light Load Member

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    Nov 8, 2013
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    Is it a must that you have boots? I have a orthotic insert and I have been looking, and looking, and looking... I can't find any that work... I have found only one type of tennis shoe that works.. I can function very well in them. I lift heavy, climb, walk normally or at fast pace... but I have been to mega boot stores that I have spent hours trying stuff on, the lady that was trying to help me sure had a bad day... it was embarassing.
     
  4. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Nov 23, 2012
    Yukon, OK
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    Some shippers or receivers will required steel toed shoes or boots. In the last year I've had to don steel toed boots three times. Other than that I use a comfortable pair of work shoes, similar to tennis shoes but all black with nonskid soles. Boots are a very good thing to have if you are stuck in snow and chaining up or a heavy downpour walking across a muddy yard.
     
    wd40 Thanks this.
  5. Aminal

    Aminal Heavy Load Member

    Closed toe, safety (hard - don't have to be steel anymore. A lot of them make composite hard toes a lot stronger than steel and a WHOLE lot lighter and meet the ANSI Standard as "steel" ) toe and shank (keeps nails and what not out the bottom of your foot) and non-slip are the big things. Wet proof and high sides are pretty much your choice but I'd go with them. I like my Timberland Pro's. Light, safety, good soles that grip but don't track the gunk in my truck like Vibram "tank treads" do (no matter how much you kick em), good leather that waterproofs and takes a shine too. Hey, former military. Boots gotta shine (helps protect the investment too, slick wax keeps crud from sticking and beads water) and ankle high helps support without running up my calf. Got a good soft feel inside too. Fit my arches and toes just right. Set me back $150 direct from Timberland but I'm WELL pleased and they saved my foot a few times when a pallet jack w/ a 2K pallet got a little out of control tailgating a load and ran over (or tried to) my foot. Warm in the snow, dry in the rain and cool in the summer. So far my favorite. Don't know about "requirement" but footware is VERY important. If you like your feet. That and quality gloves. Hands get banged up a lot too. Atlas, gloves and boots. First purchases. Gotta know where you're going and have hands and feet in shape to get you there, to the nex,t and back, before anything else. Those are the things that'll get you all the rest of the stuff. LOL. Some folks don't like them driving because they say it's hard to feel the right pedal to get your RPM's where you want. It is a little but there's a trick: curl your toes inside the boot or shoe; don't mash the pedal. Just curl your toes to increase RPMs and uncurl them to reduce. Before you know it, you'll have the feel of both and won't even be thinking about it.
     
    HauntedSchizo19 and mickimause Thank this.
  6. gingersquatch

    gingersquatch Medium Load Member

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    Dec 15, 2013
    Pittsburgh, PA
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    As I'm sitting here packing getting ready to leave for school, I fell like I should share my discovery. A while ago I picked up a Fieldline Tactical 3-day pack from walmart (~$30) with the intention on making it another GTFO pack for the wife to use, but never got around to setting it up. Has 3 compartments and each compartment has several zippered pouches. So far, I have 7 pair of jeans, 7 t-shirts, 14 pair of socks/underwear, toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, all in one shower, shampoo, shave gel, hair gel, razor, a couple small boxes of pens, a box of sharpies, 4 pack of dry erase markers, a couple notebooks, 3 in 1 laundry sheets, my necessary documentation, the laptop I'm typing on is about to go in and there is still a good amount of room left in every compartment. That pack itself doesn't take up much room. just a tiny bit bigger than a standard high schoolers backpack.

    Just thought I'd share this awesome cheap roomy pack I found with you guys.
     
  7. DevilDawg2146

    DevilDawg2146 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 16, 2014
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    Thank you for the post. Great info!!!
     
  8. Dragonfly619

    Dragonfly619 Light Load Member

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    Mar 10, 2014
    Drifting
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    Great info and always good to be able to pack everything you need without having a HUGE bag!!
     
  9. Gordon A

    Gordon A Medium Load Member

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    Jul 22, 2013
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    Or a passport card.
     
  10. Gordon A

    Gordon A Medium Load Member

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    Jul 22, 2013
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    It seems that one important thing is missed here. VERY Important. READ the drivers hand book that is given to you. It will tell you what your required and not required to do. It will tell if you get detention or not. It will tell you if you get paid down time if truck is in shop .
    Also,,,It is not your responsibility to do trainers laundry. It is not required for you to buy any meals unless it is your decision.
    It is a responsible trainer that you do not have to tell to turn down the radio or CB . You need your rest no different than the trainer. Remember that you have a person in gthe bunk. do not drive like you in your car. You are not at a drag race. Easy does it especially on curves and in city traffic. some trainers shouldn't be and don't even think about you in the bunk. It is ok to remind them. You are a person. If you and the trainer are not compatible it is OK to call and request a different trainer. It does not mean pass or fail asking for a trainer.
    I used to train and can tell you from experience how it goes. I used to get trainees from other trainers that shouldn't have been. A good trainer will demonstrate good driving habits and explain while driving things you need to know. TAKE NOTES. REMEMBER You are a person and should be respected treated as such. 2nd class companies have 2nd class trainers.
     
  11. Gordon A

    Gordon A Medium Load Member

    384
    345
    Jul 22, 2013
    0
    It seems that one important thing is missed here. VERY Important. READ the drivers hand book that is given to you. It will tell you what your required and not required to do. I tell if you get detention or not. It will tell you if you get paid down time if truck is in shop .
    Also,,,It is not your responsibility to do trainers laundry. It is not required for you to buy any meals unless it is your decision.
    It is a responsible trainer that you do not have to tell to turn down the radio or CB . You need your rest no different than the trainer. Remember that you have a person in the bunk. do not drive like you do in your car. You are not at a drag race. Easy does it especially on curves and in city traffic. Some trainers shouldn't be and don't even think about you in the bunk. It is ok to remind them. You are a person. If you and the trainer are not compatible it is OK to call and request a different trainer. It does not mean pass or fail asking for a trainer.
    I used to train and can tell you from experience how it goes. I used to get trainees from other trainers that shouldn't have been. A good trainer will demonstrate good driving habits and explain while driving things you need to know. TAKE NOTES. REMEMBER You are a person and should be respected treated as such. 2nd class companies have 2nd class trainers.
     
    Dragonfly619 Thanks this.
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