New driver. What stuff do I need to buy?

Once I finish non-carrier CDL school and head to orientation at my new carrier, I'm wondering what I should bring. What should I put in my duffle bag? I've heard some companies will pay for or provide some things, but what? I hear Schneider provides boots. But are they good boots?

I'm thinking I can start looking around and get better prices or better quality now, rather than wait and get on the road without a way to pick up things say from an Amazon locker.

Thanks for your advice.

 

X-tra Large sleeping bag and pillow.
You can get sheets after you have completed training and assigned your own truck.
I used a sleeping bag my whole career.

 

I like to travel light. Only carry what I can put in a ruck sack and sling on my back and maybe a gym bag I can carry with one hand.
A lunch box cooker is essential. You can cook just about anything in it, but it is small enough to put in a large zip lock bag and put in the ruck sack.

 

You dont need to run out and buy anything, Clothes, toiletries, sleeping bag and pillow if you want one. The rest you can get later, you have a month or two of driving with a trainer, you really dont want to take a bunch of crap onto his truck. I fit everything I take into 1 backpack, plus the sleeping bag all of which fits on the back of my Harley.
Do ta

Do take your CDL, Long Form Physical. Copy of SS Card, Copy of Birth Certificate with County stamp, Legal Pad and a couple of black ink pens,

You dont need to run out and buy anything, Clothes, toiletries, sleeping bag and pillow if you want one. The rest you can get later, you have a month or two of driving with a trainer, you really dont want to take a bunch of crap onto his truck. I fit everything I take into 1 backpack, plus the sleeping bag all of which fits on the back of my Harley.
Do take enough money to get back home, just of worst case scenario.

Wait and see dont buy new boots yet.

Your putting the cart before the horse, check with the terminal some will receive packages for drivers, Amazon Locker is a bad gamble for a driver that isn't on a dedicated run.

 

Just pack what you are taking to stay at orientation. Also add some shower shoes. Extra clothes and a bag to keep all your shower stuff in. You can always add other stuff later. You won't starve. Everytime you get fuel you can go inside and get whatever you need. If you get canned or don't like the company once you get there it will make it easier to get on a bus home if you travel light. Wear whatever shoes you like to drive in just in case you don't get any boots issued. Take sunglasses in a case. Insulated mug of some kind.

 

When I went to orientation with Schneider you had to have boots when you drove during orientation, they'll give you boots but you have to buy them from them. They weren't that expensive I think $30- $40 dollars I can't remember and they'll just take it out of your first pay check, they're cheap crappy boots but I didn't have any at the time. Once your out on your own you can wear whatever shoes you want, hopefully not flip flops.

 

The Schnieder in INDY issued Redwing or Wolverines and where heck of a lot more then $20

 

Please to help me with my rucksack.

 

plus some medicine for unexpected pains

 

Once you get your own truck is when you can set it up easier, you will be surprised how much stuff you can fit into that little box when you have to clean it out