Starting OTR Training; What to Bring?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by L1ve2Dr1ve, Jun 24, 2013.

  1. Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    What I do is call the Walmart and ask before trying to go there, the one in Colorado said I could park to shop but not sleep and told me to park on the east side of the lot, they didnt tell me however that its very tight and hard to get a truck in and out, I hopped 2 curbs since I did not have enough room to turn wide enough no matter what I did, I should of went to the loading dock area instead of listening to the woman on the phone. I would say at least try the loading dock areas but make sure a truck can get past you, if you stop a walmart load they get very pissy
    Also ask the security or some employees that are around if you will be fine while spending some money inside, you will always find a few employees outside smoking. Dont however park just anyway and hope you wont get towed, you might think "I will only be 20 minutes" I have seen some quick tow truck drivers :p
     
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  3. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    For some reason the "Reply With Quote" function isn't working properly.

    transam pete said:

    "it is about twice as much as you need
    assume what ever you bring lives in the bunk with you
    you will probably get to shower every other day
    the cooking and coolers are overkill in a one week training before you get home

    I could live on the road for a month with all that stuff
    "

    When I left for orientation I brought enough basic foods, like oatmeal, canned goods, etc. to last while I supplemented with Walmart stops. I left home 7 weeks ago for orientation with the expectation I wasn't going home before going on the road for training. The people running orientation were a bit dismayed at the number of folks that made it through orientation and then felt a need to go home to mommy before going on the road. Those of us prepared and eager to get on the road were earning money within a day. Those that went home had to wait a week or more to get on the road.

    My clothes, food, and personal effects were packed with the idea in mind that I wasn't going home, would go right through training, and then get right onto a truck and start solo driving. At completion of each phase I pushed to get with a trainer and pushed to get on a truck right away. Currently I'm waiting to go pick up a load this afternoon for my first dispatch. The only thing that I would like to have brought that I couldn't was my tools. Fortunately my brother will be dropping off my tools before I hit the road. I couldn't imagine trying to lug an extra 30-50 lbs around, my duffles were heavy as it was.

    You are correct to note that whatever you bring as a trainee on the road will be living with you in the top bunk. Be prepared to live "out of the duffles" during your training (and do remember to secure your stuff so it doesn't all come crashing down if the brakes are applied hard). Seems like folks that have been in their truck for a while tend to hog up all the available storage space, I didn't get any cupboards, only the small cubby hole to stuff my jackets in the top bunk. The rest remained in my duffles.
     
  4. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Yes i can but why when i can just bring cloths for 2weeks? why wear dirty stuff if you dont got too? The company i work for we don't get alot of down time to do our wash. Heck we don't sit at many truck stops. so i pack for 2weeks at a time and once those 2weeks are up if i need to rewear somthing i will. but no point if you dont got too. Wanna call me high maint metro sexual guys? you must be one of the fat slobs out here? Learn to respect people
     
  5. Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    you have to take a 10 hour break every single day, some days you will have more than 10 hours so just stop somewhere you can do laundry and still get plenty of sleep. Heck drive and stop in the middle of your shift and take a hour to do laundry then finish your trip.
     
  6. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    I agree. When solo driving getting laundry and showers is easy. It's when training when they go team driving that it can become more difficult when you are on a tight schedule on a long haul. But I never saw a need to go more than a week between laundry or more than a couple days on a shower, and handiwipes do the trick in between showers to stay all fresh and dainty.
     
  7. Diab33tus

    Diab33tus Bobtail Member

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    I'm pretty sure i could make it on one pair of pants, and three or four shirts for two weeks and not smell that bad.
     
  8. Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    im guessing your not getting out much in this heat? doing pre-trips, dropping loads and stuff I know I sure as hell sweat, my truck AC also is going to crap so I cant idle either right now.
     
  9. Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    oh I see your a student, you dont know whats coming yet
     
  10. L1ve2Dr1ve

    L1ve2Dr1ve Bobtail Member

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    Jun 24, 2013
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    Jesus... Ok, first off; I appreciate all the input, I don't take any type of criticism and just throw it away... Secondly, for those of you whom have given input worth putting in, thank you; but for those of you who prefer to put in your own personal opinions before fact, not to worry, your responses were "looked over," AKA 'thrown out'.... Seeing as how I ship out for my first trip tomorrow, this is what I've done to consolidate my baggage more optimally;

    1. Wheeled Duffle Bag
    - Bottom: Clothes (3 pairs of jeans, 6 collared/polo shirts, 6 pairs of boxers/underwear, 6 pairs of socks, 1 hoodie (hooded sweatshirt, trust me. this is the only thing I need against rain), 1 bath towel
    - Top: Non-perishable foods for 6 days including: Instant Coffee (glass jar wrapped in PJ pants, 6x canned fruit, 6x canned veggies, 6x days worth of canned meat/fish, Big 100 bars ("meal replacement bars" for protein, I'm slightly hypoglycemic, and need more protein than the average person), Can opener, plastic utensils, wet wipes, instant oatmeal, water kettle, and a couple other non perishables...
    - Side Pockets: Toiletries, tools, and work gloves

    2. Laptop Bag
    - Laptop, Clipboard, Binder, and any other stationary I might need (BTW, what kind of paperwork will I need?)

    Whatcha think?
     
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