Ok, I'm about to give you a supply list that, if you get everything on it, you will be ready to drive solo after stepping out of school........... 1. Get a hard-sided briefcase that you can sit in your lap and use as a desk. You will always be able to use it. 2. Pens, pencils (the kind that doesn't need sharpening), black sharpie markers, and highlighters. 3. A good stapler. Not one of those crappy thumb-size plastic ones. Get a real one like a "swingline" brand. 5. White-out of some type. Not the kind you paint on with the little brush 6. A notebook with perforated sheets. I like the kind that tear off at the top where the cover flips over. Get the one that has a hard back cover so that you can use it to write on while standing up. 7. A stenographers notebook (mid-size that has a flip cover. Will come in handy on the road) 8. An accordion style folder to organize any handouts that your company will give you. Get religious about keeping up with ANY AND ALL pieces of paper given to you in the course of your job. 9. A pad to keep in your shirt pocket or pants pocket to always be ready to write down numbers, addresses, or any other information at a moments notice wherever you may be at the time. 10. A small ruler. I don't know if swift trains on paper logs or not, but besides that, you will find other uses for it. Just this morning, I used mine to spread butter on toast for example. Sometimes it's all about "repurposing" normal items. 11. Get yourself a good paperback atlas. Get one that will fit in the flap pocket of your briefcase lid. 12. Some folks will swear by those dry erase markers that they write on windshields with. I don't like them, but you might. 13. Paper clips and rubber bands. Just a few of each are always handy. 14. I always keep a little zipper bag from the bank that I store all my pens, ruler, paper clips, highlighter, etc in. Keeps everything in one place. Thats about all I can think of at the moment regarding what would go in a briefcase. As for clothes.... 1. Shirts, pants, and tee-shirts that you don't mind ruining. I'm a HUGE fan of Carhartt. I like the pocket tee shirts and the regular button down work shirts, short sleeve. Their clothes are by far the best money can buy to work in. 2. Something you can wear in rain. The one I use is a Columbia brand pullover. It has elastic cuffs, and a drawstring at the waist. It also has a hood that folds into the collar. I always get one that is a size too big so that it will fit over my coat in the cold. 3. At least two pairs of good gloves. 4. Bandana style handkerchiefs. They are big enough to use as a towel in a pinch. I always have one in my back pocket. 5. Depending on he weather, a good jacket or coat that allows you to work and move freely. 6. If I could only have one pair of shoes on the road, it would be my work boots. Go ahead and invest in a good pair of work boots. My favorites are Georgia Boot Company. They and Rocky are the same company. Either are excellent choices. I like the slip on style for many reasons. They slip on and off fast, they offer support and comfort for any work I do on a truck, they are waterproof, and most of all, they are loose at the top and my pants leg covers them. Why is that important you ask? My company's employee handbook has a policy about weapons on their company trucks. What the tops of my boots are good for is NOT keeping a rolled up copy of the handbook tucked in there. When it comes down to it, in a pinch, I'm not going to reach down there and grab that handbook in a hurry to throw at someone who is threatening my life. You'll figure out your own company policy that best suits you and your needs. It might take being downtown in Newark, NJ at 3am, but you'll figure it out nonetheless. Other incidental supplies include a flashlight. I like the headband style. Also, get yourself a good pocket knife. One with a 3 or 4 inch blade is perfect. A folding lock-blade is best in my opinion. I have one with a clip. I had one with a spring assisted opening which is perfectly legal in Mississippi, but they frown on them up north because hey consider them switch-blades. I have a simple Kershaw brand locking blade. And I keep it sharp. Lastly, get a good watch. Learn how to tell millitary time if you don't already know. Thats everything I can think of. Can you tell I've been bored this evening? LOL.
Something I'd like to add about clothing- I've been doing this for a while now, and this work can be tough on a person with regards to clothing, grooming, and the like. One thing you have to remember, even as you go to training, is that this is your occupation. In your case, it's an occupation you hope to have after school. Consider your training as an extended interview and dress appropriately. I'm not saying you have to dress like you're going to the prom, but always dress like you care about what kind of image you are projecting to others. Little things like tucking your shirt in go a long way when you show up at a shipper or receiver. Show Swift you care about your image and I'm sure they will take notice in that.
LMAO! Best parts, spreadin butter with a ruler, and the atlas in the boot. Gotcha! I appreciate all the info friend. As always you never fail to inform in a way that is hard not to laugh at. Thanks.
10-4 on the truck-stop at the moment. Unfortunately for me, it's the Petro in West Memphis. I ran out of hours heading to Austin, Texas. I've spent so much time in Texas these past two months that I think I'm going to grow horns.
I would also like to add that when I backed up, I was Inbetween two Swifties, both of whom have since left. On my left is now a Marten Reefer running full steam, and on my right is KLLM, who by the way is ALSO running his reefer full steam. Looks like its going to be a long night as a reefer sammidge
Actually, it's like trying to sleep Inbetween two 9630 model John Deere tractors (look it up to give you the idea) without mufflers. Or at least that's what it feels like. You just have to keep in mind that those hands are just trying to make a living like the rest of us. I grew up with a window A/C unit in my room so I'm used to the humming noise when I go to sleep. But when two of them are going, it vibrates the walls on my cab. Note to self- next trip to Wal Mart, purchase some of those shooter's earmuffs.
Here is something to add to your bundle. A pair of Vise grips and small hammer and a mt spray bottle. When you go solo, fill up the bottle with liquid soap and water, or WD-40. Trailer rails and pins. You will thank me in the end. Swift trailers, tandems. As far as the ear plugs, everytime that I am in a plant and see them on the wall, I just ask, and they always tell me, take some. found the dark orange ones with the blue string the best. Just cut the string off. I have been wearing them since the days that I hauled a reefer, and that was more years ago then I can remember. I have gotten so used to them, I even wear them when home, or in a hotel room. Block out the air conditioner noise
Thanks, Bisqueak. Yeah I had to wear those same earplugs working in the cotton mill. I have also heard about the WD-40 coming in handy, with the pins on the tandems..thanks for the reminder.
