Packing List for Students

Because I carry an Ipod and a cell phone, I would add chargers (both 12v and 110) for any electronics.

 

My trainer in 8 weeks never once too me to the store or even offered. I would say something and make plans to go but then a "special high priority" load came in and couldn't stop at walmart

 

My student and I have been running pretty much non-stop off of recaps as a team for the last couple of weeks. Freight seems to be pretty hot right now and we are stacked with JIT loads.

We always manage to get to a Walmart or take a shower. In the middle of a hot long haul it means either taking a shower or stopping at a Walmart on a 30 minute break. Personally I alternate between stopping for a shower or stopping to go shopping, and I'm teaching my trainee to make his day's trip plan with his 30 minute break in mind so he's managing to stock up at Walmart whenever he needs to.

Before we run as a team we run as a solo, and during that time it's easy to schedule trips to Walmart. Several times we take a 10 in a Walmart or similar shopping center.

IMHO part of the training process is showing the trainee the ropes in terms of how to manage life on the road: the best places to take a 10, how to squeeze in a shower on a 30 minute break, how to find a Walmart en route and check out whether it will be open and how to get into a parking spot, etc.

 

@Lepton1, that is useful information and noted. Never thought of it that way but what do you guys do if there is a line for showers? I hope when I do get to the point of training with a trainer that I get someone who is a time user and not a time consumer. This thread that you posted, I hope a lot of other newbies, like myself, takes heed to it. Again, thanks for the heads up.

 

@Lepton1, if you don't mind, who do you drive for?

 

If there is a line for showers then it is a judgment call whether to stay and wait. Remember that baby wipes (or the larger adult wipes stocked with the adult diapers) are decent for cleaning between showers.

One thing to bear in mind when teaming is to split the day in 12 hour shifts, to try to keep a consistent sleep pattern. If you start at 6 am then you usually have no shower lines during 12 to 2 p.m. (or midnight to 2 a.m.).

Swift.

 

@Lepton, Thanks for the info and I did consider the baby wipes. I have heard lots of horror stories about Swift, how is it working for you there and how long have you been with them.

 

Do you know if SWIFT maintains a relationship with a gym (like 24 hour fitness) for the purposes of employee membership discounts?

It seems to me that a gym would be a great place to take a shower and a workout either at the end or the beginning of a day on the road....

 

I've had a positive experience. However, I come from a varied background that gave me good perspective to know exactly what to expect, how to communicate effectively, and maximize miles.

 

@Lepton, I think communication plays a vital part in a business's success and most vital to a person in this career field. Thanks for the info.