Question:
How do I get there? Where do I find that info? What do you use? etc..........
I know that money will be almost non-exsistant or really tight, but these things I'm about to list are things that you will need in order to do your job in an efficient manner.
The things you WILL NEED right away are..........
A couple pens
A legal pad or spiral notebook
A Motor Carrier Road Atlas (preferable the laminated one)
Dry erase marker (preferably red)
Cell phone w/ hands free (preferably w/ external speaker)..........or a.......
Calling Card and a 'Dispatch Buster' micro cassette recorder (to tape directions into a place) NOTE: I use one w/ my hands free cell phone
Plastic ruler
National Truck Stop Directory (latest edition)
A GOOD alarm clock
A magnifying glass (3" diameter or bigger)
That's a pretty good list of things that you WILL NEED!
Also, here's a couple tips..............
When your Qualcom beeps with a load for you, dig out your atlas and spend 10-15 minutes researching where you have to go and how to get there. LEARN HOW TO READ THE ATLAS!!! Do you honestly know what the 'Map Legend' is and what the symbols mean?
Write down the road numbers and town names on your notebook in big enough letters that you can see at a glance..........or write them in a corner of your windshield w/ the dry erase marker.
Low bridge clearances, restricted roads, kingpin to axle lengths, overall lengths, etc...........are ALL COVERED IN THE FRONT OF YOUR ATLAS!
Plan where you're gonna stop for a nap or for dinner or for the night. It makes it a little easier than to just drive until you're too tired to find a place to park.
If your company routes you via Qualcom, use that route. Just because you don't wanna go over some hill like Mont Eagle isn't a good excuse. Mont Eagle ain't nothin!
If you're being routed through areas that you've never been through, travel through there during daylight hours. It's much easier to see that 90 degree 15 mph curve in daylight.
If you can, call the shipper or receiver direct! Talk to the manager of that department, not some flunky that answers the phone at the reception desk.
Most of the trainers out there today are 'training' *cough cough*, just for the few extra bucks the company hands them. They could care less if you learn anything.
Anyone else have any ideas on anything that I missed?

Answer:
Yeah, Work gloves. and a good book.

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Flash light & a pin puller (non-flatbed types). A couple of short bungee cords to hold the van doors open when the OEM mechanism is broken. Air pressure (tire) gage. Extra glad hand seals. Extra truck keys.

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Clothes? Or are those optional?
Yes I know, we assume everyone has this... but depending on what career they come from some purchases may be in order.

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CLOTHING:
Sturdy jeans & 'PLAIN' T-shirts (works best for most applications)
Leather work boots (some companies required steel toes)
Jackets or coats (light, medium and arctic)
Work Gloves, 2 pair (I have 1 pair of leather work gloves and 1 pair of rubberized gloves for fueling)
Winter boots
EQUIPMENT:
First Aid Kit (small personal one)
Flashlight
Calculator (solar powered)
5th wheel pin puller
Tire Pressure Gauge
Duct Tape
Electrical Tape
Tool Kit (a small 35 piece tool set works well and is fairly cheap)
Batteries (spare batteries for alarm clock, tape recorder, flashlight, etc...)

THINGS TO GET FROM YOUR COMPANY SHOP:
Gladhand Seals
Spare Headlight
Spare Light bulbs (turn signal and marker lights)
Spare Fuses
Bungee Cords (at least 6 short ones)
THINGS TO CHECK WHEN YOU FINALLY GET YOUR TRUCK ASSIGNED: (Separate from doing Pre & Post Trip Inspections)
Permit Book (are all permits current?)
Fire Extinguisher (is the inspection tag current?)
Warning Triangles (are they present & accounted for?)
Tire Chains (is the required amount of chains there and are they in good shape? do they fit?)
Something else to do when they assign you your 'new truck'...........Go over it with a 'fine toothed comb' and look for ANY DAMAGE (body & interior) or worn out parts!
Have it fixed or noted on the receipt for equipment PRIOR to you signing for it!
Come on Drivers, add to this. I know I missed a thing or 10.

Answer:
Hoss:

I thought that I was the only one that did that.
For glasses wearing drivers another pair of glasses
Food and a can opener and a spoon
deodorant
toilet paper
plastic trash bags
small bucket
electrical connectors and a crimper
body soap
paper towels
medical information a medical alert tag if you are allergic to penicillin or other drugs etc. etc.
matches
inflate-a-mate oops sorry wrong list
razor, comb, deodorant, shampoo, deodorant soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, deodorant
window cleaner
deodorant
Unless you want to be a cab lizard in which case no personal hygiene items are needed and just the inflate-a-mate for those night that the lot lizards are to costly or not present

Answer:
Money wasted on 'deodorant' (whatever that is?) is money that can't be spent on chicken lights. Forget the deodorant.
(I've got to go back to work!!!!! I'm spending waaaayyy too much time here).

Answer:
Need glasses to drive?
What you gonna do if the only ones you have break and you are far from home base? Happened to me. I placed them on the bunk, then later on sat on them. Option 1 below saved me.
Options:
1) Carry a spare set.
2) Carry the prescription with you and get a new set made along the road somewhere. This option is problematic if your only set breaks somewhere remote from an eyeglass place.
For those who do wear glasses, consider getting two sets... yes I know a real pain. But one set of completely clear for night driving and dark days, and one set of prescription sunglasses for those bright days. You will see marginally better with the clears at night.
Just remember to remove those shades when the sun goes down. Don't do like I did a coupla times... "Geez it is getting dark early this evening."

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Baby Wipes
Gallon of water
A hammer

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shower shoes...for those truck stop showers

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12V Cooler
Inverter (For Laptop and or Cell Phone) Phones charge better on 110V than on 12V Some of the cell Phone do NOT charge when hooked up with a car "Charger"
You may not need these items but I for one would like something cold to drink and NOT have to stop at the truckstops to get them when I get thirsty

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Everyone please note that this stuff they are talking about is for AFTER you have completed your training and gotten assigned YOUR truck. Please do not think you need to try to lug all this stuff to orientation with you when you are going out with a trainer.
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Hey Uturn... my permit says I can't leave my glasses at home.
What am I gonna do?
Seriously, I think we know what you mean. There is another list for going out with the trainer that is long on the clothes/personal care items and short on the other stuff.

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A thick rope ,so you can hang yourself,.. if you decide to jump off a bridge please dont do it, during rush hour.. this will back things up real bad..and I gotta goooo!!LIARS SUKK

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I always keep money in bank account, or credit card to get home in an emergency. Also have heard of drivers getting fired on the spot with no way home, although I have not seen this happen personally.