Packing List for Students

This thread is getting a bit off topic...

.... but, in regards to the whole getting lost, what if my GPS fails thing...

... yes, the GPS will fail you. Count on it. It seems there's an area in Los Angeles and another in Chicago that's a black hole for GPS and it will invariably freeze as you get off the major interstate onto the side roads.

Don't panic, don't stop in the middle of the road, ask the GPS to reroute (and take THAT with a HUGE cup of salt), and find a safe place to park while you figure it out.

1. Get on the internet and consult Google Maps. My smartphone is great because it automatically looks at where I am RIGHT NOW.

2. Call the customer.

3. Reboot the GPS if you have to, that usually fixes the situation with THAT. If you need to know how to reboot the company GPS then call the GPS/e-logs guru at your company, it usually involves disconnecting the power wires to the black box (under the bunk in most trucks).

TRIP PLANNING - whenever I have available time on a load, on a 30 minute break or a 10 hour break, I get on Google Earth or Google Maps and start studying my delivery and my route. This has saved my bacon many a time, and made a huge difference between having to blindside back in from a busy street versus pulling in without backing from a side alley. The company GPS system may route you to the front door of the office, while the actual loading dock is down the street. Look at Street View, sometimes you'll see a sign that says something like, "Truck Entrance is on 49th Street". That's good to know. By using Street View I'll feel like I've already been there by the time I arrive.

 

Hey Lepton1... I totally agree with you that this has gotten "a little" out of topic... this thread is about "Packing List for Students"... I am sorry... was just trying to help pinkshoes with some info...

 

I know it sounds wrong of me to want to do this but i am sick of my current job and want a change i only earn minumum wage and imagine this is all i will earn to begin with the first year of driving and i worked harder tgan most to get my cdl because i am not the smartest and i spent over 5000

 

Yes south it went.. but how many times will the packing list change ?

 

The packing list changes all the time as new products come out and the needs of students change. The idea that started this thread was to give students a comprehensive list of the things that they'll NEED and can actually fit in the limited space provided to them by the average road trainer in the industry. I have seen students show up with a complete set of hard sided Samsonite suitcases containing everything they own and nothing they need for this leg in their journey of learning.

One of the recent posts suggested post-it notes. While this seems like a great idea, post-its were designed for use in your office or cubicle farm, not on the road in a truck where they can (and will) fall off, get lost, shuffled out of order and so on. I suggested some years ago that dry-erase markers are more efficient. You can write a basic list of driving directions and as you perform each turn you can wipe it off the windshield. After all the windshield is basically a transparent dry erase board. And it works really well. Just be sure to limit your writing to the near side of the glass as the local constabulary and the state troopers in every state will loose their humor if you write on the glass in front of you ... and yes, while it seems ridiculous, it has happened.

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled program .... thanks.

 

I was thinking about this thread as I was driving yesterday, in terms of "How much stuff should I bring?"

When I did a lot of backpacking weight was everything. It wasn't much fun to carry a really heavy pack. Before setting out we would spread out everything we wanted to take, then pack it in the backpack and attempt to lift the pack. After we realized we couldn't lift it easily we might weigh it and be shocked that "sum batch" was close to 100 lbs for a four day hike. Then we'd take everything out and look at everything and start making choices.

"Gosh, I guess we really don't need the cast iron dutch oven after all."

"Well, maybe we can get along without bringing firewood. Do you suppose there's any firewood in the forest?"

After a few times through that process we'd get the load down to a manageable 30-40 lbs and call it good.

The rule of thumb we used is if you aren't going to use it EVERY DAY then don't bring it.

Remember that you are likely going to be traveling on a bus to orientation and you should pack as light as possible because you are going to hauling that likely through more than one terminal. Not only that you might need to shlep it on and off multiple trucks. It might also make a difference in your choice of whether or not you want to bail out on a bad trainer if you have 9 matching suitcases that you need to lug around.

Light is right.

 

good stuff; thanks

 

My backpack averaged 74 lbs ..

Each company provides a packing list on paper .. why not make use of it ?

All that changes is the seasons and possobly trainees and trainers

Trainees only need the basics.. time to roll

 

I'm praying that if I decide to do this that I get a trainer like you. I am scared to death of getting a trainer who wont share all the little tidbits to make my career so much easier, who will use me as a slave. Im nervous as hell about being away from the wife that I don't need that. I want a trainer who will take the time to really show me how to make it all work do im successful. Btw, im looking at going with Prime, you wouldn't happen to be with them would ya? Lol jk..but seriously would ya? Anyways, in your experience, how many times has a trainee "dropped out"?

 

The other day, I found a dry bleach alternative in pod form... Never thought about it before as I use liquid bleach when spillage is not a problem. Giving it a try now and not disappointed. Good alternative to liquid, no risk of spills, easy to pack a few in a Ziploc of laundry supplies with pods of detergent, dryer sheets, and a roll of quarters.