Profile For Bart B.

And what Brett said about minimizing stuff during training - that x 2! My trainee has four or five bags with who knows what in them. He sleeps with them because I don't have enough room to stow all that along with my stuff. Funny thing is, he has no cold weather gear and only one pair of blue jeans - the fancy kind where you pay extra for the manufacturer to rip little holes in them and bleach certain areas to (I guess) enhance your appeal to the opposite sex. Most days he wears shorts. And he doesn't like cold. It's gonna get tough pretty soon when he's outside strapping and tarping in cold weather. Kids these days....

Now that there is good information. I just bought a good pair of boots, I'll definitely invest in jeans, longsleeved shirts, and gloves. 4 bags and designer jeans eh? Sounds like California to me.

Hey Bart, it partly depends on what kind of trailer you plan to pull. For any driver, I would recommend a fairly simple set of tools, including a flashlight, a good hammer or two, a couple of crescent wrenches, screwdrivers, a decent knife under four inches, and pliers. Those have gotten me through most situations, and the ones they wouldn't have I would have been calling road assist anyway, since I'm not a diesel or trailer mechanic.

Of course, you can get many more things to help out. I have enough junk on my truck now that I sometimes complain to myself about it, but then there's that one day when I'm so happy I have this or that tool that I forgive myself all over again. But 95% of the time, a very small, simple set will do what you need to get done.

I honestly don't know what they will put me in, first route. I'm gonna be a team driving, that is all I know now

Hey Bart. We have a great List Of Items To Bring To CDL School, Training, and OTR so check that out.

You're going to be going on the road with a trainer first anyhow so start small. I would just bring your tech devices (phone, laptop, etc), several changes of clothing, your personal hygiene stuff, and little else. You won't have to worry about a CB radio, tools, refrigerator, or things of that nature until you go solo. In fact, I would only pack one or two duffel bags worth of stuff for training. Often times you're going to wind up sleeping with your stuff on your bed because the trainer will have all of the cabinets packed with his personal belongings.

Thanks. I'm guessing I can wait till I'm an ice trucker to buy more stuff. 😊

Morning guys, gals and old timers. I'm midway through the second half of my school, and looking to buy my kit so I'm prepared. What things do you find yourself in need of on the road? Do I want the 91 piece tool kit from Pep boys? A K bar? A crow bar? I don't want to spend 300.00 for a tool at a truck stop in Ohio that costs 20.00 in Florida. Yes I'm from Florida. Anyway, please let me know. Thanks!

I am also a female that's going to get into the industry. My mom has tried every word in the dictionary to deter me. I think she's just worried about possible wrecks, the cold, and creepers at stops. But, this is how the conversation went last time "I do not look like a victim. I plan on driving like an old lady. The trucks are like tiny well equipped tents with electricity, heat, and a/c. This is something I want to do for my financial well being as well as my want for challenge and adventure. I will never be able to see the USA on my pay now, I live paycheck to paycheck, and I'm tired of not being able to afford things I want or need." She usually settles after that. Give your family the positives of your possible new life. How cool things will be, the skills you'll learn, how cool you think living in a trunk bunk is going to be (even if that's not necessarily true :P). And, be patient with your family. They care about you. People have built stereotypes of truckers and sometimes, they might be true but, you need to hold yourself high as a strong woman and get the job done!

Besides, you aren't doing this to make them happy. You are doing this for you and your life, gotta make your own choices and mistakes sometimes. Good luck.

Applause.

I beg to differ. I've met plenty of lady drivers and they can hang with the best of them. As far as safety and security, situational awareness is the key and that goes for everyone, not just the ladies. It's not the easiest life but once you get the hang of it and decide exactly how you want to run, you can make it work to your favor. Good luck and keep us all posted !!

I want to add to that, you're not alone in that situation. For some reason, my family thinks after surviving 2 wars, 3 conflicts and a terrorist attack, that somehow I'm going to snooze and drive off a mountain. Remember your family's concerns, while not necessarily logical, come from a place of love.

They do a lot of flatbed over there, I would recommend you start off with a flatbed company. Also getting some tanker experience will be a big plus.

Hunt Transportation does flatbed heavy haul and after you get some experience I recommend you go there before going to Alaska.

That's my recommendation if IRT is your endgame. But like I said before, take it one step at a time.

You need to get some experience first and be certain that trucking really is your calling. Going through school isn't enough time in the industry to decide if this is for you.

So for now, forget about going to Alaska and first prove you are a safe, skilled, and reliable driver.

Check out our Truck Driver's Career Guide. Getting through our High Road Training Program is critical to getting yourself prepared. Want to know how my life is really like on the road while also getting great tips? Read my Trucking with Daniel B,

Well sir,that's one detailed, informative and downright intimidating post. I see what you mean by getting experienced first.

I highly recommend you first go OTR for at least 3 years before considering driving the ice roads.

That's what he recommended.

indeed. I'm such a newbie lol.......guess I thought there was more to the process.

Going to Alaska straight out of school is suicide. I don't mean to be blunt sir, but your inexperience will kill you on those roads.

As far as I know, Carlisle requires a few years experience so even if you wanted to I'm not sure they would hire you.

I highly recommend you first go OTR for at least 3 years before considering driving the ice roads.

I have respect for you for wanting to do it, but if I were you I would take smaller steps.

Well thank you sir, for the trucking truth! Lol.....bearing in mind that is what I eventually want to do, what do you recommend?

Hi guys(and gals) Can't wait to finish school so I can start the long haul....looking forward to those Northern Lights. Anyway, my question is, how difficult is it to do the cold weather driving straight out of the school? Anyone have any experience in this?