Swift driving mentors please advise

There's a thread under Questions from New Drivers already on here that explains what and what not to bring...It's pretty good thread for newbies....good luck out there....

 

Not a mentor,but I took a fullsized duffle type bag,with clothes,computer,phone and money.....IN the bag! +plus pillow and blanket,all you really need...

 

Friend of mine went through Swift - San Antonio right after me and there was a good discussion on his thread that starts here:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ft/161004-diary-of-a-new-swift-driver-18.html
and has a good list. Try to bring as little as possible because you will be moving it around all the time. When you are underway everything you bring is on the top bunk and needs to be moved every time you shut down to sleep. Bring small and lightweight versions of things as much as possible. For example, get a flashlight that will fit in your fist and leave the 6 cell Maglite at home.
Frank

 

1. Clothes for a week. Prepare to dress in layers, and bring things that can be worn more than once. One day you will be in Miami at 100 degrees and 3 days later, you're in Wisconsin and it's 40. Don't forget to bring a packable raincoat, extra underwear and socks, leather gloves for fueling and fooling with the trailer, and a small towel and washcloths for cleaning up on those days you can't get to a shower. Pack all this in a large duffel bag, NOT A SUITCASE.

2. Electronics: Hopefully, you have a smart phone. There's your radio, your television, your library, your alarm clock, and your laptop. If you don't already have one, you're gonna need a blue tooth, and if you want to listen to your own music, better make sure that blue tooth is A2DP capable. Don't forget your chargers. You will want to have a flashlight like Frank suggested. It doesn't have to rival the sun.

3. Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, soap, razors, shaving cream, Q-tips, lotion, aftershave (might want to skip this while you're in training since so many find it overpowering in confined spaces), baby wipes, and hand sanitizer. Pack all this in a separate bag that you will carry into the truck stops for showers. You also might want to take along another small foldable bag that will fit into the shower bag to carry your clean clothes in and your dirty clothes out. Oh yeah, you might want to pick up a laundry bag at the Dollar Tree.

4. Sleeping bag, sheet, pillow.

 

Even if you have never used them do NOT disregard the baby butt wipes. Sit in a seat driving for hours and you will know why.

Again, you also need to keep in mind you will be carrying your stuff around a lot (bus terminals, motel, Swift terminal, to and from mentor's truck, repeat previous) so pack light. Wilma mentioned a smart phone being the electronic be all. If you have the phone, leave the laptop and charger home; you will have very little time for it anyway. (If you read books, get the Nook app for your smart phone because everyone needs a little nookie now and then.) Skip the bluetooth for now. If your mentor has half a brain you will not be allowed to talk on the phone while driving even if it is DOT legal because you need to stay focused on the driving not the phone conversation. BTW, it is Swift's policy that there be absolutely NO phone use, handsfree included, while driving. They also direct that you to park in a safe place to make an emergency call.

 

Baby wipes do good for cleaning hands before you get in truck and spread grime

 

You might not come home before you go solo so be prepared to be on your own with whatever you bring with you.

You don't always test out in your home terminal.

 

Flip flops for the showers. You certainly don't want that fungus from the shower. Change for washing machines and dryers.

 

Absolutely right, homegirl. Also, you might want to look into the Purex laundry sheets. They have detergent, fabric softener, and a dryer sheet all built into one. You can pull them out of the bulky box they come in and pack them in a ziploc bag and they take up no room at all. They also make those "pods" now, but I've never used them.