Packing List for Students

As a trainer I'd like to put in another word for an item that you SHOULDN'T bring:

Any LARGE suitcase or piece of roller luggage. Once you get into a trainer's truck where are you going to put it?

Duffle bags, duffle bags, and duffle bags should be your mantra.

 

There is that... I will say that I have a roller suitcase/duffel bag that is about the same size as the duffel bag that I was issued by the Army (which I still USE 30 years later).... Either will store enough clothes/supplies for a 10 day excursion if planned intelligently; more if you pack laundry care items as well (reduce the amount of clothes)..... T-shirts are cheap, wear one for a couple of days, replace with new and either toss the old or demote it to 'rag' material.

 

Just be aware that roller luggage by definition has to have a frame, and that will often be extremely difficult to stow in a team truck situation. If you bring a large hard sided or roller frame piece of luggage then plan on stowing it on the top bunk and sleeping with it when the truck is parked and having to secure it from falling down when driving. The chances that it can be stowed under the bunk, even if the trainer makes space available, is risky.

Depending on the model of truck the storage area under the bottom bunk may not be able to hold a large hard sided piece of luggage. I'm currently in a KW T-680. Under the bottom bunk you have access to both side boxes and the center part I've left completely free to hold trainee luggage or items they don't need to access all the time. However, every time a big piece of luggage comes on the truck it's always a problem and they end up sleeping with it.

While wheeled luggage is much easier to get around when you are taking a bus or plane to orientation or school, it's much more difficult to deal with in a truck. It's better to lug regular duffle bags that can be collapsed down to nothing and stowed away after stowing your gear and clothing in available cupboards.

 

I've got a question for the vets. Is $18 an hour, locally and home every night pretty good? Giving the fact that I just got my license 2 weeks ago. Literally 2 weeks ago on 9/22?

 

As a touring motorcycle rider (my last 2 bikes have been a 1989 Honda GL1500 and a 2000 Honda Valkyrie Interstate; I've ridden through 32 states and have almost 300,000 ticket/accident/claim free 2 wheel miles between them); I understand the value of packing the necessities: no more, no less. Like I said, my roller bag ends up being about the same size as my army duffel bag when full. When empty, it's only about 30" long x 18" wide x 3" thick.

 

Would this be overkill? I could probably pack my sleeping bag in this too but just wanted to hear opinions before I go out and buy something and have it being too big.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Netpack-42-quot-1200-D-Interlace-Poly-Large-Base-Duffel/27766583

 

If that's not "overkill", it's pretty close. The problem with one that big is you'll get the urge to fill it, and remember that you'll be carrying it around the Greyhound station, as well as likely sharing your bunk space with it.

I have the Samsonite "Tote-A-Ton" bag, which is a 33" soft duffle bag. Half of the stuff I carried in it never came out while I was in training...

The biggest space saver I found was to get a cheap queen size quilt at Wally World and use it like a sleeping bag. It's not like it's going to get really cold in the truck...

 

That is a darn good start for a newly licensed driver. Others may tell you no but . We all had or first days and this is a good start for you. Next is benefits and vacation then raises for now. Congratulatons on a pretty good start. I know of several companies that start at $11 an hour for newbies.

 

I think it is just a LITTLE too big, I would suggest something in the 30"-36" size. It might be worth the extra money to look into what backpackers use and go to an REI or other outdoor sporting goods place. They also have a tendency to pack as efficiently and lightly as possible (in addition to being a touring motorcyclist, I also used to be in the Boy Scouts, although these days given the current controversy surrounding the BSA and their policies towards active members and leaders who are homosexual, I do not discuss it much as I feel the current policy is unfair and contrary to what I learned as a member).

Just my 8 pennies' worth.

 

A helpful video on what 'stuff' to bring...