Last minute packing ? any tips

LadyTrucker99 · Jan 23, 2008

jlkklj777 said: ↑

A motor carriers atlas,
A calculator,
a couple of pens,
a ruler,
work gloves,
a notebook that will fit in your pocket,
a cellphone,
a warm coat,
work boots (oil resistant),
dot physical form and/or dot card,
Drivers license,
If you wear eyeglasses be sure to pack an extra pair,
A pair of sunglasses,
Minimum 2 weeks worth of underclothes (socks, underwear),
7 to 10 days of street clothes,
a pillow and sleeping bag,
a small alarm clock,
a wristwatch,
personal toiletries such as comb, soap, deoderant, toothbrush+toothpaste, dental floss, shaving gel+razor, mouth wash and aftersave
a small gym bag for a change of clothes and your shaving bag for showering at truckstops (towels, and wash clothes are provided)
any prescription meds you require (be sure they are disclosed to your employer AND in the original packaging with your name on the bottle)
A bottle of pepcid ac (for possible heartburn),
A bottle of immodium ad (for possible diarrhea),
A bottle of advil (for body aches, head aches, etc),
A can of Tinactin or Desenex (to combat athletes foot from the public showers).

Another tip for you is start putting your wallet in your FRONT pants pocket. Sitting on a wallet in your back pocket for several hours per day can cause severe back pain.

Also be sure when adjusting your air ride seat to keep you feet flat on the cab floor with a 90 degree angle at your knees. If you raise the seat too high you will restrict the blood flow to your lower legs (the seat cushion will press on the backs of your thighs) causing your legs to go to sleep and cause discomfort.

Be sure to alot yourself about 30.00 per day for food expenses and personal items such as cigarettes, and start learning how to "budget yourself" save as much as you can. It is not your trainers responsibilty to pay for your food but he should be receptive to the idea of you saving money and help guide you to lower priced foof options rather than the truckstop restaraunts.

Your trainer may have some of these but it is better if you carry your own in a kit. You should be able to put all this stuff in a large duffle bag or 2. There will be additional supplies you should carry once you are assigned to your own truck but for now stick with the above list.
Click to expand...

That says it all right there--take what you need and the bare minimum of what you dont. As far as food goes--i always kept chips or crackers or something of that nature in the truck and of course my mtn dew! I never took that canned stuff--for i cant stomach cold foods like that--most men can though. Sometimes i would put in peanut butter and bread for sandwiches in case i ever go stuck. He gave you the most general list! Good luck to you and Be safe out there! Remember--no load is worth your life!!

ionlyhitdatonce · Jan 23, 2008

Wow! Thanks ya''ll, that is one awsome list ! I wished i had a laptop right now ,to take on the road , obviously for the home comunication, but you people on this site ROCK ! I really think this site and the people on here are great , you have some where to go and vent , and ask questions .I didn't know that this site exsited till just the other day.

But reading ya'lls post encourage me in a positive way ! Thanks !!!!!!

jlkklj777 said: ↑

A motor carriers atlas,-got it
A calculator,
a couple of pens,
a ruler,
work gloves,
a notebook that will fit in your pocket,
a cellphone,- its lke a ankle monitor,
a warm coat,
work boots (oil resistant)
dot physical form and/or dot card
Drivers licenseIf you wear eyeglasses be sure to pack an extra pair,
A pair of sunglasses,
Minimum 2 weeks worth of underclothes (socks, underwear),
7 to 10 days of street clothes,
a pillow and sleeping bag,
a small alarm clock,
a wristwatch,
personal toiletries such as comb, soap, deoderant, toothbrush+toothpaste, dental floss, shaving gel+razor, mouth wash and aftersave
a small gym bag for a change of clothes and your shaving bag for showering at truckstops (towels, and wash clothes are provided)
any prescription meds you require (be sure they are disclosed to your employer AND in the original packaging with your name on the bottle)
A bottle of pepcid ac (for possible heartburn),
A bottle of immodium ad (for possible diarrhea),
A bottle of advil (for body aches, head aches, etc),
A can of Tinactin or Desenex (to combat athletes foot from the public showers).

Another tip for you is start putting your wallet in your FRONT pants pocket. Sitting on a wallet in your back pocket for several hours per day can cause severe back pain.

Also be sure when adjusting your air ride seat to keep you feet flat on the cab floor with a 90 degree angle at your knees. If you raise the seat too high you will restrict the blood flow to your lower legs (the seat cushion will press on the backs of your thighs) causing your legs to go to sleep and cause discomfort.

Be sure to alot yourself about 30.00 per day for food expenses and personal items such as cigarettes, and start learning how to "budget yourself" save as much as you can. It is not your trainers responsibilty to pay for your food but he should be receptive to the idea of you saving money and help guide you to lower priced foof options rather than the truckstop restaraunts.

Your trainer may have some of these but it is better if you carry your own in a kit. You should be able to put all this stuff in a large duffle bag or 2. There will be additional supplies you should carry once you are assigned to your own truck but for now stick with the above list.
Click to expand...

jlkklj777 · Jan 23, 2008

We all had to start some where and for many of us the knowledge has been gleaned through years of service and talking with older more experienced drivers. The internet is a great invention and forums such as this 1 are doing a great job in providing a place to talk and compare notes. Many posters will dis-agree from time to time and that is the nature of the industry. Read as much as you can and decide for yourself which information best suits you. Remember "knowledge is power!"

mikel · Jan 23, 2008

ionlyhitdatonce said: ↑

Hi people ! I am headed off to oriontation on friday . two days of that then i am on the road for 21 days . I know its not a long time . Its the longest i have been away from my family though.

I am hoping to find out from you pro's, what to pack or not to pack . any tips will be appreciated ! Thank you
Click to expand...

Ionly.... where you going to orientaion?

ionlyhitdatonce · Jan 23, 2008

I am going to the Dallas Location....... are you going ?

myminpins · Jan 23, 2008

LadyTrucker99 said: ↑

That says it all right there--take what you need and the bare minimum of what you dont. As far as food goes--i always kept chips or crackers or something of that nature in the truck and of course my mtn dew! I never took that canned stuff--for i cant stomach cold foods like that--most men can though. Sometimes i would put in peanut butter and bread for sandwiches in case i ever go stuck. He gave you the most general list! Good luck to you and Be safe out there! Remember--no load is worth your life!!
Click to expand...

So it's not just me? lol I can't STAND cold cans of food of any sort but Mike can. Ugh!!! crackers, peanut butter, water or pop.

Another handy thing to take are hand wipes/baby wipes in a small plastic container. They take care of sticky hands and keep your steering wheel, etc., clean. In a pinch, they can be used to wash up a bit if you have nowhere to go.

Always have lots of fluids with you no matter what!!

Good luck!!!

LadyTrucker99 · Jan 23, 2008

Nah its not just you! My kids do it all the time--cold spaghetti , cold pizza, etc. I cant do it--prefer to eat crackers or chips myself. I wont even eat leftovers at home--but i get that from my dad who was also a truck driver. I guess i get it honestly. Thats just my pickiness i guess!

mikel · Jan 23, 2008

mikel said: ↑

Ionly.... where you going to orientaion?
Click to expand...

I must of missed were you said you were going for company training.
Let me know ?
I'm hoping to goto Prime for training . I'm just waiting on my slower than s### recruiter. I already have my CDL .Just waiting to see where and when so I can get things in order to go.

0ptimu5 Prime · Jan 23, 2008

jlkklj777 said: ↑

A motor carriers atlas,
A calculator,
a couple of pens,
a ruler,
work gloves,
a notebook that will fit in your pocket,
a cellphone,
a warm coat,
work boots (oil resistant),
dot physical form and/or dot card,
Drivers license,
If you wear eyeglasses be sure to pack an extra pair,
A pair of sunglasses,
Minimum 2 weeks worth of underclothes (socks, underwear),
7 to 10 days of street clothes,
a pillow and sleeping bag,
a small alarm clock,
a wristwatch,
personal toiletries such as comb, soap, deoderant, toothbrush+toothpaste, dental floss, shaving gel+razor, mouth wash and aftersave
a small gym bag for a change of clothes and your shaving bag for showering at truckstops (towels, and wash clothes are provided)
any prescription meds you require (be sure they are disclosed to your employer AND in the original packaging with your name on the bottle)
A bottle of pepcid ac (for possible heartburn),
A bottle of immodium ad (for possible diarrhea),
A bottle of advil (for body aches, head aches, etc),
A can of Tinactin or Desenex (to combat athletes foot from the public showers).

Another tip for you is start putting your wallet in your FRONT pants pocket. Sitting on a wallet in your back pocket for several hours per day can cause severe back pain.

Also be sure when adjusting your air ride seat to keep you feet flat on the cab floor with a 90 degree angle at your knees. If you raise the seat too high you will restrict the blood flow to your lower legs (the seat cushion will press on the backs of your thighs) causing your legs to go to sleep and cause discomfort.

Be sure to alot yourself about 30.00 per day for food expenses and personal items such as cigarettes, and start learning how to "budget yourself" save as much as you can. It is not your trainers responsibilty to pay for your food but he should be receptive to the idea of you saving money and help guide you to lower priced foof options rather than the truckstop restaraunts.

Your trainer may have some of these but it is better if you carry your own in a kit. You should be able to put all this stuff in a large duffle bag or 2. There will be additional supplies you should carry once you are assigned to your own truck but for now stick with the above list.
Click to expand...

Wow thank you very much for the great tips.

ionlyhitdatonce · Jan 23, 2008

I am going with Werner and I like you already have my CDL, but need wheel time . I found for me it is a great thing with Werner because its 21 days out with trainer, and i can come home paid for one week , then go back out another 21 days. Or just stay out 6 weeks and get a bounus of 500. buck after i complete my first solo run .

I like this for the at home factor , but i get bothered with people and 3 weeks at a time with some one is way better for me , and it helps my family break-in for whats to come

mikel said: ↑

I must of missed were you said you were going for company training.
Let me know ?
I'm hoping to goto Prime for training . I'm just waiting on my slower than s### recruiter. I already have my CDL .Just waiting to see where and when so I can get things in order to go.
Click to expand...

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