Just Got My CDL Permit Here In Arizona, Heading For Prime Training Saturday, August 24 In Salt Lake City

I have been on this site for about two weeks reading everything I could learn about Prime and truck driving. I had my Medical DOT done yesterday and then I went directly to MVD in Mesa, Arizona to take my 4 tests for my CDL Permit. I passed and I am so very excited. I found one packing list on this site but it pertains to a guy, I am just curious about items for the female driver? Am I able to wear shorts since I live in Arizona it is bloody hot in the summer and I hardly wear jeans. I have some stretchy jeans and other pants, but just need a list. I did read, which makes complete sense, to pack all dark clothing so I can do one load for clothing. I looked at Greyhound and decided I didn't want stuck on a running late bus so I booked an airline ticket. I have traveled all over the US and other countries, so I know about packing light. I do have questions about the actual trainers trucks, do they have plug ins for laptop computers? USB for Cell phone? Refrigerators or ice chest area? What items do you need for training right away? Steel toed boots, or can you wear tennis shoes, gloves, road map, etc? I fly out to Salt Lake City on Saturday, August 24.

Hi Janet, welcome to Prime. Congrats, you're in for a good time at a great company.

I only have a sec so I'll be quick.

Yes you can wear shorts, but obviously bring pants also, in case you go to a customer that requires long pants. We're pretty casual at Prime, so don't sweat that.

Bring enough clothes to get you through a week or two between washings, but don't overpack. You'll be cramped enough as it is. Plan on keeping and sleeping with whatever you bring with you in the upper bunk. That's your space. Some trainers don't give you any other space than that for storing your stuff. Also, don't count on them having bed linens. You'll need a blanket or sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and pillow case. And you can wait until you get to SLC and get that stuff at Walmart if you want to make your flight easier.

The trucks have both 110 electrical outlets and 12 volt cigarette lighter outlets for power/charging. You'll want to have your own USB adapter for both.

Most trucks have a fridge, and your trainer will probably let you use a small part of it for some of your stuff. But don't count on having much room.

You won't need steel toe boots unless you're going into the flatbed division. Tennis shoes are fine. Gloves are good to have. Skip the map. You'll have plenty of time later on to get yourself outfitted for going solo.

So you really only need to worry about bringing stuff to take care of yourself. Some people come with barely more than the clothes on their backs, and they make it.

Others will post more ideas, I'm sure. Good luck! Keep us posted.

I agree with everything Turtle said above finished school Friday been on trainers truck since Friday evening. Would add flip flops for shower. Closed toed shoes for classes especially sim lab. Shorts are fine but bring jeans. On trainers truck I am limited to to top bunk no refrigerator so truck stop special price gouging ouch. Be prepared for that. Hard to eat clean but can be done $$. Prime is great APU is really great.

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.

You won't need steel toe boots unless you're going into the flatbed division.

Dang that reminds me I need to slide in to a boot shop someday soon and get some of those.

Would add flip flops for shower.

☝️ Important statement there, 40 days.

There's nothing that could convince me to go barefoot in any portion of a truck stop, let alone a bacteria Dreamland like the bathroom. So many people going through every day bringing and leaving God knows what. Get those flip flops. I would recommend some decent slide in ones , not the 99 cent wal mart special I tried to make work.

So I have begun the process of packing. I have two girlfriends that do Flatbed for a living. They suggested I bring about three weeks of clothing, putting everything in gallon or 2.5 gallon bags and squishing the air out of them. I won't buy the boots, don't have the money anyway. I will bring two pairs of tennis shoes instead. For the Instruction training after the first initial week, is it go go go, or do we have time to do wash in between those three weeks of Instruction training before our CDL driving test?

Study High Road Training program before you arrive. Stay up late Monday and knock out most CBT's take permit Tuesday and finish CBT'S. I was done by 1pm Tuesday and only had morning roll call and Sim labs in afternoon or evening rest of week. Had a lot of free time for laundry studying pre trip and lounging while the rest of class were stressed. Only a third of class made it dont be one of them. I had time to meet trainer Thursday and rolled out Friday. Work hard then chill prime is pretty chill if you do what you need to and are not late.

Dang that reminds me I need to slide in to a boot shop someday soon and get some of those.

You can skate by in a lot of places, but someday you'll walk into one of those shippers that want to see you in full PPE head to toe before they'll even give you the paperwork. They're out there. Novelis is one of them, and Prime pulls a lot from there.

Dang that reminds me I need to slide in to a boot shop someday soon and get some of those.

You can skate by in a lot of places, but someday you'll walk into one of those shippers that want to see you in full PPE head to toe before they'll even give you the paperwork. They're out there. Novelis is one of them, and Prime pulls a lot from there.

Not just flatbed, either. I’ve visited a couple of places pulling van trailers that were very strict on PPE and dress codes.

I have my CDL Permit already, got it a week ago here in Arizona, So I can work on the CBT's and other stuff!

Study High Road Training program before you arrive. Stay up late Monday and knock out most CBT's take permit Tuesday and finish CBT'S. I was done by 1pm Tuesday and only had morning roll call and Sim labs in afternoon or evening rest of week. Had a lot of free time for laundry studying pre trip and lounging while the rest of class were stressed. Only a third of class made it dont be one of them. I had time to meet trainer Thursday and rolled out Friday. Work hard then chill prime is pretty chill if you do what you need to and are not late.

Turtle said:

You can skate by in a lot of places, but someday you'll walk into one of those shippers that want to see you in full PPE head to toe before they'll even give you the paperwork. They're out there. Novelis is one of them, and Prime pulls a lot from there.

PPE?

1. Hard hat. 2. Safety glasses. 3. Steel toe boots (6 inch ok?). 4. Gloves.

Anything else like long pants?

Rob.