Gonna be a driver soon!!

Hello! I may soon be joining the vast truckers of America here. I do have a couple q's:

1.) What essentials do you all recommend I get?
2.) Would it be better to spend the money and attend a 3rd party driving school or train w/ the company (Schnieder)?

If there is any other info you could provide, I would really appreciate it. Thanks a bunch!

 

Thanks for the replies. I have already spoken with a Schneider recruiter and was very helpful in answering my questions; and, because Schneider has been recommended to me before, I have already decided to join them when I am ready. The driving school that I will be attending offers the following:

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Lab, class or observation time – 240 hours.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Simulators designed exclusively for trucks.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Driving range to develop skills prior to on-the-road driving.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Skid pan training. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Back road, city, two- and four-lane highway driving.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Fleet of different makes and types of tractors and trailers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Night driving. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Third-party CDL testing.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Program Outcomes[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Upon successful program completion, students are able to:[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]1. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Pass Kansas Class A CDL testing (written exams, vehicle inspection, basic skills and road test).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]2. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Understand and identify DOT Regulations and maintain legal logbook and check for violations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]3. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Perform and pass vehicle inspection and know out-of-service criteria.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]4. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Perform preventive vehicle maintenance (change oil filter, lube tractor/trailer, perform brake adjustments and use fire extinguisher).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]5. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Achieve certifications in American Red Cross (First Aid, Adult and Infant/Child CPR), Defensive Driving and Forklift (loading/unloading).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]6. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Diagnose basic refrigeration problems, properly pre-trip the unit, start unit and properly adjust temperature controls and know the basic requirements for trailer security to maintain required temperatures (checking air-circulation and door seals).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Position emergency triangles, obey and interpret signs, signals and pavement markings.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]8.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Perform pre- and post-driving procedures and maintain interior tidiness.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]9.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Hook and unhook tractor/trailer.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]10.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Operate 9-,10-,13- and 15-speed transmissions, turn tractor/trailer, know brake techniques and spatial awareness.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]11.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Perform street, interstate and emergency (range and skid pan) driving.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]12.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Back tractor/trailer.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]13.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Driver performance in simulator classroom with driver reactions analyzer (brake response, signs/symbols and threat recognition).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]14.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Display the following personal characteristics: professional attitude, demonstrate self-control, minimize driving risks, follow instructions, obey traffic laws and drive courteously.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]15.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Demonstrate time management; manage resources; participate as a team member; utilize the following workplace skills: listening, speaking, problem-solving, decision-making, creative thinking; demonstrate work ethics including integrity and honesty; exhibit self-esteem; and demonstrate self-management.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]16.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Meet Professional Truck Driving Institute (PTDI) skill standards and certification standards and requirements for entry-level tractor-trailer driver courses.[/FONT]

When I spoke with the recruiter, I told him that I was gonna be attending a driving school. At this point, he already knew where I lived; but, failed to mention if the school I will be attending qualified. He just told me that Schneider would reimburse the cost of the school 100%.​

I do have a question for those that drive with Schneider and have their Freightliner S/T: Do these trucks have outlets for small appliances (coffee maker, microwave, toaster, etc)? If not, then how would I go about getting these appliances to work. I know I have seen a microwave in a truck before.​

And as I asked in my 1st post, is there any equipment essentials that you all would recommend I get before I am on my own?​

Thanks a bunch!​