What do I pack

[dirtclod]

I am a new driver and am about to go on the road with my mentor for 6 weeks. My question is what all do I need to pack

1. How often does one stop to do laundry? ( How many days do I pack for)

2. What kind of winter gear do I need? ( Coveralls, warm coat, gloves, boots)

any advise would be appreciated, .....

[DesertRat]

Lets see, what to pack... a handgun, a bottle of scotch, a years worth of playboy back issues... wait scratch that.


If you are going out with a trainer, they will want you to pack lite (most companies want to see you carry one bag with you.) Remember, there isn't much storage space in a truck, and your trainer already has all of his stuff on board. Bring about a weeks worth of close, shoes, shower shoes, an alarm clock.

As for winter gear, normally a good heavy jacket and a pair of boots will do you. Always have a pair of gloves handy (actually two, one for cold weather, one for fueling.) That should take care of things. Unless you are running flatbed, then you may well want a pair of coveralls. Flatbedders spend a lot more time out in the weather

[kuettel]

I am in week 3 of my training and one thing I notice is that I carry too much stuff! Space is limited in the cab and the driver (trainer) may or may not give you storage room.

I would pack for one week's worth of clothing (plus one extra set just in case) Bring extra underware and socks. So, I would pack two pair of jeans, 7 shirts, 10 pr socks and underware, one or two sweaters or light jackets, toiletries, one bath towel, laundry bag. It may be too early for the overalls and cold weather stuff but remember you can layer sweaters/sweatshirts to get more warmth. (Besides the cabs are heated and your time outside is limited) Make sure you bring a heavy duty pair of gloves to fuel etc. A flashlight is nice, but your trainer probably has one so you could get away without one. A sleeping bag and pillow should just about do ya.

Most trainers will try to get somewhere for laundry every week or so. Don't worry about bringing things to do during your "spare" time.....you won't have any during training. You will either be driving, observing or sleeping.

Good Luck (I am sure others will add to and even change my list!)

[fireman932003]

Well, seeing that you said you are going out with your "Mentor" I would assume you are going with Swift. If this is the case I believe they give you a list of what to bring and what not to bring. If not, then just call your company and they will be able to tell you.

[dirtclod]

Yes ...as I suspected I was about to bring to much stuff....

and Yes it is with Swift....They told me to pack enough for 2 weeks.....I can't get that all in one bag...

Thanks all

[nrvsreck]

I'd say just get a big ole duffle bag and pack every bit of clothing you can fit into it. Everything else will be provided for you. Also bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and jacket. Once you get into your own truck you can deck it out however you see fit, but for training your "Mentor" should have everthing covered. BOL!

[dirtclod]

:shock: that's sarcasm right...everything covered..yep ...I have been waiting for two days now and they haven't found a mentor for me yet...they seem to be havin trouble in this area....or at least at the KC terminal.

[shyykatt]

Just curiouse.... where is your mentor out of?

[dirtclod]

shyykatt

I am based at KC MO Edwardsville.....I havin't got a mentor yet...still waiting

[shyykatt]

silly me... if I would have paid a bit more attention I would have seen what you wrote above!-sorry; 'MY BLONDE'

[kuettel]

I had my first mentor pick me up right at orientation in Memphis ( I am attached to the Menasha, WI terminal)........ had to leave my car in Memphis (will pick it up after training) The first mentor was a total a** and I asked to be taken off his truck after one week (if interested my journal of that experience can be read at my personal web page: http://home.new.rr.com/kuettel/Training%20Journal.htm )

I am now with a "sane" mentor and things are going very smoothly. BUT I did need to sit at home a week waiting for the second mentor. Swift is very short of mentors right now, and the schools are graduating students at a high rate, so you could sit up to 2 weeks waiting. Some in my class sat almost 3 weeks..... others gave up and went to other carriers that would pay off the schooling for them. As long as you can afford to sit and wait, that would be your best bet for now. As far as I can find out I am the only one that got a rotten mentor. All the rest that I have spoken to are very pleased with their mentors.

If for some reason they give you a bad mentor DO NOT be afraid to ask to be removed from the truck. They really don't mark that against you!! Some mentor/trainee matches just do not work.

Most of the others in my class understood that Swift is a company for newbies...... and most of us don't really plan to retire from there. We could all be surprised, of course, as Swift has been making improvements and increasing the pay and such.

Best of Luck to you!

[shaley06]

Funny I just finished class in Memphis but no mentor But what is really funny is the cars parked over in the fence are being stripped a couple with no hood and tires are gone. Not to worry but may wish your car wasn't there.

[kuettel]

I do wish my car was not in Memphis. There were already several tireless cars in the lot when I left.

I wonder if that is vandalism or just what a Tennessee carlooks like? In any case I do have full coverage insurance. s*i*g*h

The plan is to drop me back off in Memphis when I am done training to finish me. And, yes, I did tell them I had my car there, so I have no idea why they had my mentor pick me up there.

[yeti]

I am now with a "sane" mentor and things are going very smoothly. BUT I did need to sit at home a week waiting for the second mentor.

Sanity in a co-driver, or mentor is way over rated. The sane make for dull teams. Of course, I ran teams for the better part of 20 years so I guess I really know very little about the sane, but they are boring after a few days. Sides you feel bad if you pull away while a sane person is answering one of natures emergencys proped up on some cold guardrail with her draws around her ankles. oops sorry dear, promised to never mention that.

[kuettel]

Sanity in a co-driver, or mentor is way over rated. The sane make for dull teams. Of course, I ran teams for the better part of 20 years so I guess I really know very little about the sane, but they are boring after a few days. Sides you feel bad if you pull away while a sane person is answering one of natures emergencys proped up on some cold guardrail with her draws around her ankles. oops sorry dear, promised to never mention that.

ROFLMFAO And just why was she answering that call at a guardrail instead of a real bathroom? I hope you at least left her a roll of TP or some Kleenex.......lol lol lol lol

[yeti]

time and truckstop food, often wait for no man....or woman. I only pulled up about 60', and I paid, and paid, and paid...........still am paying, but damn it was worth it!

[dirtclod]

I am still waiting for a mentor..but I will be patient...while I was waiting today I went to Dept of Trans, Iowa DOT and Switched my CDL over to my home state...and while I was there I took the Doubles and Triples test,and the Tanker test, and passed and added the Endorsements to my CDL, also got the ball rolling on the Hazmat Endorsement, passed the test and got fingerprinted and now waiting for the all clear.

I am about broke so I hope Swift comes thorough for me with a mentor so I can get to work....If they don't I may be forced to look elsewhere, but really don't want to do that...would really like to finnish what I started....Ya Know!!!!

Good Luck to you all and thanks for the support ...over and out....CLOD

[dirtclod]

Oh and Yeti


That was cruel ....but funny...