Leaving for Orientation - 6 weeks with mentor

Asprin, pepto, nyquil,

 

Seven pairs of underwear and socks.
3-4 changes of clothing
Extra glasses and/or contact lenses and solution.
Workboots (flatbed, van, or reefer?)
One set of heavy leather work gloves (you'll buy these repeatedly)
ALL of your job history info
Voided check for Direct Deposit
Wife and kids SS#'s (for benes)
Small body soap (for the days you can't get a shower, use a sink)
Emergency cash (only you know how much you need)
Debit card
Deodorant
Foot powder or spray (trust me, you'll thank me for this)
Shaving kit
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Fingernail and toenail clippers (PLEASE!!!!)
Small book to read to get you to sleep during your down time.
3 or 5 subject notebook to take notes during class and on road.
Package of black ballpoint pens
Document Holder/Clipboard with calculator (pickup at truck stop, calcs aren't worth a #### so..)
Small calculator


and the most important thing....

Wide open eyes and mind to soak it all in and learn as much as you can.



May want to have a small bag (like a book bag for your laptop) so you can put your clothes and soap and so on in there to run into the truck stop for a shower.

 

Ive also found permanent markers come in handy, along with post it notes.

As far as basic tools, Id say a hammer, zip ties, wire cutters,electrical tape, and a bunch of spare glad hand seals.

I understand you will be with a trainer and he should have these things, but from what I have read on this site, some trainers are incompetent. You will need them all eventually so Id go ahead and get them.

 

i do have to say that the trainer i had supplied everything....he even supplied all the food and drinks..and you want to talk about a guy that is so helpful and tries to teach you all he can.....he even showed me how to chain a truck in less than 15 minutes and only have to move the truck one time...i wish more trainers were like that....i know that is how i will train.

 

Im sure there are plenty of great trainers out there who care about their jobs and students.

All Im saying is that from what Ive read on here, some of the mega carriers in particular have SOME pretty awful trainers.

 

You got yourself a gem there. One in a million. The industry needs MANY more trainers like that.

 

Less than 15 minutes? You're going to have to prove this to me....or are you not doing both tractor and trailer?

22 minutes my best time...and that was minimum level....singles on two tires each side, drive/drive/tandem/tandem.

I was not the Mentor....but I qualify for this sleeve patch!

 

i dunno never done chains i hide out in the truckstop till the roads clear up ...been lucky on that so far ..hope u get a good trainer man ...its more like here ya go i am going to the bunk after 2 weeks and ur on your own pretty much ...6 weeks just blows to be with a trainer ...hopefully u get along or it will suck more than you know ...

 

Febreeze....just in case your trainer forgets to shower WITH soap...lol