Prime Inc. And My Supply List.

Alright, after I first joined here a few works I went from working 48 hours a week to 58 to pay off some debt and have some peace of mind before I even got in touch with a trucking company. (When did my shins start hurting instead of my feet?) Without the worry of money and the pressing need to keep on top of bills, I've been able to research a little more into CDL school and companies as a whole. Though it'll still be a few months till I have every little thing settled and I have enough savings to last me a few months.

I've gotten in touch with a Prime Inc. recruiter to get some of the questions I had about they're company out of the way. Besides the big plus of they're trucks coming with APUs (Thank you TT for the info!), something I'd want on cold/hot days/nights and an inverter if I don't want to funnel all my hard earned money into truck stops. They also have company ran training, ones that last a good while before and after one gains they're CDL. Even if I have to stay with them for a year because of it I don't mind, add onto the fact that leaving it made way looks bad on the resume and may become a habit when things get rough.

Now onto the supply list.

For the training, besides the legal documents, I'll need...

1. Work gloves: Will one pair be enough, any price range? 2. Seven days worth of clothing: Should I have mostly dark, easy to wash clothing and should I bring anything suited for the cold? If so, how cold? 3. Bedding 4. Alarm clock and flashlight: Batteries powered alarm clock right? What size of flashlight should I bring? 5. Eye wear: I wear glasses, will tinted prescribed eyeglasses work in place of sunglasses? 6. Towels and/or wash clothes 7. Work boots: Will steel toed be a good idea? How many pairs of shoes should I have? 8. Personal Hygiene products

Now some things to bring with along with life out on the road...(I'll pass, I swear to all that is holy I'll pass.)

1. Unlimited data plan with wide coverage and hot spot, was thinking T-Mobile since it's coverage has gotten better these last year. Should I bring along a tablet for better mapping reference and entertainment? 2. Steel toed boots, I heard they were good for working around when it's snowing? What is...'winter' wear? I've only really ever been in the very southern part of the country. 3. Rain coat, better then an umbrella when it's raining and windy, should I get a hat and boot combo? 4. Handy supplies such as scissors, can opener, a sharp food knife, plastic food utensils, little bungee cords, hand wipes, duck tape, and truck cleaning tools.

They're are more things I could list, like a basic set of tools and things to make/store food, but I have a good idea of what to get there and I plan to ask more about them during training. The stuff they may find more...annoying to answer goes to you lovable people.

Those that are that took the time to read this, thank ya very much!

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Travel light for school and training. Yup, gloves, work boots, flashlight, sleeping bag, clothing, a tablet or laptop, your cell, chargers, shower bag/personal hygiene items, baby wipes. Add the tools and truck supplies after you go solo and get your own truck.. space will be tight. Take a fleece jacket or hoodie as it can get cold at night in some areas. Pack shorts as well as long pants.. be ready for any kind of weather. Rain suits are the bomb. I would imagine your company will give you a safety vest and safety glasses. Non perishable snacks. Your trainer may or may not have a fridge or cooler.

I'm.not sure about the company individually but I had done extensively travel before for a living. I found space bags are nice to help squeeze more in than what you need. I used to use two types the kind with the need of a vacuum for heavy clothes and the type you use by hand for lighter clothes.just my 2¢

I can answer mostly everything you're asking with this simple link:

What to bring to training?

As far as T-Mobile, I strongly urge you to stay away from them. I used them for a year on the road and they were absolutely awful. Constant dropped calls, never a connection, and I had to trip plan to end my day in major cities because that would be the only time it would actually work. My recommendation is either Verizon or AT&T.

I'm.not sure about the company individually but I had done extensively travel before for a living. I found space bags are nice to help squeeze more in than what you need. I used to use two types the kind with the need of a vacuum for heavy clothes and the type you use by hand for lighter clothes.just my 2¢

Yo, Matt, thanks for dropping by!

I completely forgot about those things, which one did you use to prefer? Did you find the one that needed the vacuum, the vacuum itself, to take up to much room? I could see putting clothing away in such things to save a LOT on space.

Travel light for school and training. Yup, gloves, work boots, flashlight, sleeping bag, clothing, a tablet or laptop, your cell, chargers, shower bag/personal hygiene items, baby wipes. Add the tools and truck supplies after you go solo and get your own truck.. space will be tight. Take a fleece jacket or hoodie as it can get cold at night in some areas. Pack shorts as well as long pants.. be ready for any kind of weather. Rain suits are the bomb. I would imagine your company will give you a safety vest and safety glasses. Non perishable snacks. Your trainer may or may not have a fridge or cooler.

Hello there, I've seen you around, you've given some amusing and informative posts, thanks for the reply!

Also, I did not take into account how my numbering would show, oh well.

Confirming the basics is a great help, I'm planning to get a tablet soon. I've either been on my old desktop or more as of late, staring at my cellphone screen as I go over my CDL exam information. Something with a wide enough screen, portable, and easy to use will be a life saver while out and about. By the way, would you use it for trucking? As in, would you put it up somewhere in sight or would you mainly put it off to the side, using it to check digital maps/direction before a trip?

Fleece jacket or hoodie, along with some closes shorted for warmer weather. Pack light. Gotcha.

I'm just wondering when I'll have the time to go around and get the stuff I need once I can solo drive. Well I just end up picking things as I go?

Idk how other companies do it, but mine will automatically route a new solo driver home for about 4 days, since they've been in training. That allows them time to add the "necessities" like nice sheets/bedding, TV, microwave or whatever is a must for you lol.

Well I always used vacuums at a car wash or if I stayed at a hotel I put things I wouldn't be using every day in them. The ones you use by hand dont go down as far but I used them for the more day to day things. I always kept a zip up hoodie and a couple pairs of clothes on top so I wasn't having to mess with it everyday. Made it nice when since I never knew what climate I would be in.

I'm.not sure about the company individually but I had done extensively travel before for a living. I found space bags are nice to help squeeze more in than what you need. I used to use two types the kind with the need of a vacuum for heavy clothes and the type you use by hand for lighter clothes.just my 2¢

Yo, Matt, thanks for dropping by!

I completely forgot about those things, which one did you use to prefer? Did you find the one that needed the vacuum, the vacuum itself, to take up to much room? I could see putting clothing away in such things to save a LOT on space.

Two sets of gloves: a pair for basic work and a special "coated" pair for fueling. I also have a winter weight pair of work gloves. All from Harbor Freight.

Good luck!

Daniel, thank you for the link and telling me of first hand experience with T-Mobile, I'll give AT&T and Verizon another look, seems they're the best bet for what I need.

I can answer mostly everything you're asking with this simple link:

What to bring to training?

As far as T-Mobile, I strongly urge you to stay away from them. I used them for a year on the road and they were absolutely awful. Constant dropped calls, never a connection, and I had to trip plan to end my day in major cities because that would be the only time it would actually work. My recommendation is either Verizon or AT&T.

Oh thank god, I don't know how'd I'd handle not being able to at least drop by home for a few days to give everyone the good news and make sure the things I set up before hand to keep things running smoothly back home was in order. Really reassuring Susan.

Idk how other companies do it, but mine will automatically route a new solo driver home for about 4 days, since they've been in training. That allows them time to add the "necessities" like nice sheets/bedding, TV, microwave or whatever is a must for you lol.

Since I'd want to save space and swiffer duster will be my main mode of cleaning things, a personal vacuum wouldn't be that appealing I guess. The ones that I just have to roll up would be the best, thanks for reminding me that space bags were a thing, Matt.

Well I always used vacuums at a car wash or if I stayed at a hotel I put things I wouldn't be using every day in them. The ones you use by hand dont go down as far but I used them for the more day to day things. I always kept a zip up hoodie and a couple pairs of clothes on top so I wasn't having to mess with it everyday. Made it nice when since I never knew what climate I would be in.

Do you mean Polyurethane Coated Nylon Work Gloves? Also, got a name for the winter weight pair of work gloves or is anything that is thick a good pair for the cold? Nothing like putting on a pair of work gloves thinking they'll keep your hands warm in the cold, but feeling like it's burning you with ice.

Thanks for adding to my supply list G-Town.

Two sets of gloves: a pair for basic work and a special "coated" pair for fueling. I also have a winter weight pair of work gloves. All from Harbor Freight.

Good luck!