What to bring

Email your recruiter, they should provide a suggested packing list. Keep it to a minimum... go long on underwear, short on outerwear. Remember to bring something warm- it get's cold at night in the desert or at high elevations, and on freezer docks. Flip-flops for the shower unless you want terminal atheletes foot, and something to carry your personal items/clean clothes to the shower. Pack in soft-sided luggage. You will need a sleeping bag, but you can pick that up at Walmart.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-drivers/16652-packing-list-for-students.html

 

A smartphone is a good deal if you want to get online, but you can bring a laptop. WiFi on the road is spotty and many times unreliable, so you'd need an aircard to get online with a laptop. Remember, outside of what storage your instructor or later, your trainer can spare (say about 1.5 cu feet, you'll have to share your bunk space with your duffel, and what you bring. Pack light - say 3 pair of jeans (or whatever,) more shirts and underwear. You can do laundry on the road in a couple of hours. Footwear is up to you, if you are comfortable in work boots that's fine- they're not necessary for a reefer driver, but I'd bring a pair of sneaker too. Sunglasses, and if you need to wear corrective lenses, your glasses of course.

If you don't have one get a checking account, and bring a cancelled or voided check and a debit card. When you make it through PSD, you'll be getting a paycheck, and direct deposit is the best way to deal with the majority of your funds. There are ATM machines at the Campus Inn and the terminal, and at truckstops. It makes things go much smoother if you have access to some funds while you're going through PSD.

Bring all of your prescriptions in the bottles you got them in- that's important. Take your meds like you're supposed to, and get a good night's sleep before the DOT physical. If you have high blood pressure, make sure you stay away from salt and caffeine. Don't smoke a cigarette before the physical either if you can help it.

 

A credit card that works in case things don't work out

 

Thanks dschmidt for your input.

As long as you don't lie about your background, try to omit something, that shouldn't be a problem. Prime pays your way back for things that disqualify you that are out of your control. But yeah, you should have enough money to get a bus ticket back if things don't go your way. That is good advice for after you get your CDL and are on the road too.

 

A blow up doll

 

This is a serious thread. If you don't have anything useful to contribute, then just don't.