Packing For School Is Hard

So, I have a few hours to get my apartment settled before I head out tomorrow. School is not until the 21st but I am taking pets to my family and spending a few days studying and getting ready. The problem is that once I leave tomorrow, I am out of luck if I left anything important - I will be 700 miles away.

I've looked at the threads and I am trying to keep my packing light. I have a bag that is about 2 feet long (21 inches) and roughly a foot in width. It's small, but I have crammed it like a boss! My goal is to only take one bag and buy the sleeping bag/pillow once I get there. I have two of these bags but am trying to push it so that I only take the one. My main concern is that I don't want my trainer shaking his head if I show up with too much stuff.

I think the bag is pretty small and shouldn't be much of a problem as an extension of a pillow on my bunk. I have no concern of sleeping with it in the bunk.

So I guess my question is this - would you have taken both of the bags or would you try to do what I am doing and cram it all into one? I'm down to the wire on this and need to do something quickly so any help would be appreciated.

Hi!

You are wise to pack as efficiently as you can.

I have a bag about that same size. I also brought along a small to medium back back. It had toilietries, note book etc. I would put on my bunk when driving & passenger seat when sleeping. (Also handy to carry clean close into truck stop when it's time to shower)

My trainer was pretty easy going about sharing space with me. I hear some trainers are not so understanding.

Pick up some baby wipes at some point. They are invaluable. Also if you need to purchase ANYTHING try to get it at a Walmart etc. I needed a laundry bag. I paid $4.95 at Walmart & saw the same one in a truck stop for $11.95.

Those little single laundry soap packs are very convenient. And cheaper than truck stop soap. And a thin box of dryer sheets easy to shove in your laundry pack.

This is the size of the bag that I am taking - and believe me when I say that it is packed to the max! They already told me that they would run me up to Wal-Mart during my training to get a sleeping bag/pillow and anything else I need. Is this about the right size to be expected to take for training? It's hard to cram in 3 months worth of what you think you will need in one of these things! CDL training and his cat" title="truck drivers duffle bag packed to go to CDL training and his cat">

I have the same thing in blue. Excellent. The walmart shopping bags were usefully in storing my dirty clothes til laundry day. Plus the backpack and you're all set. The cat can cling to the side. Doesn't even need velcro.

Be sure to bring a certified birth certificate, your ss card, and w2s for proof of employment for last 3-5 years.. Depending on what company you are heading to. You never know if you will need all that, especially if your home state is not "real ID compliant".

Oh yeah and passport if you already have one should you go with a company who goes to Canada.

One company had high school diploma on their list.

This is the size of the bag that I am taking - and believe me when I say that it is packed to the max! They already told me that they would run my up to Wal-Mart during my training to get a sleeping bag/pillow and anything else I need. Is this about the right size to be expected to take for training? It's hard to cram in 3 months worth of what you think you will need in one of these things!

Most truck stops and company terminals have laundry facilities. You do not need to pack for three months.

Most truck stops and company terminals have laundry facilities. You do not need to pack for three months.

No, I only packed clothing for about 7 days but once you do that for shirts, socks, underwear, jeans, couple of sweaters, paperwork, toiletries, etc ...the space gets used up quickly. What I meant is that it is likely that I won't see home for 3-4 months and so this is it - I think I did ok to condense to just this.