Items Needed For Orientation..
Topic 23308 | Page 1
Sandy When you get on a truck you will want a backpack when it comes time for showers. It's small and easy to carry your clothes and hygiene items in. I use mine for that and to carry other items in. Important documents, atlas headphones, charger for phone, bible pens, note book and bible. So yes get a backpack
I'd also say, please no hard luggage.. a large duffle will work much better. For bedding, I highly recommend a SLEEPING BAG and pillow. You also need real work gloves.. me personally, I buy ones with double leather palms.. pricey but they work well. More than 1 pair of shoes.. I've often had trainees who brought 1 pair of tennis shoes that ended up getting very wet or muddy and believe me, it was a problem. Me personally, I have some waterproof work boots that I'll wear if I'm in some nasty muddy flooded dirt drop lot having to drop and hook trailers. When I'm done I'll change back into clean, more comfortable tennis shoes for driving. Oh and a weeks worth of clothes to should be sufficient.. laundry can be done out on the road. Trust me, I've had trainees show up with multiple suitcases and a months worth of clothes and it's too much to fit in my truck. They end up having to leave most of it at a terminal to retrieve later when they go to upgrade.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Drop And Hook:
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
Thank you Susan. yes I have 2 pairs of work gloves and good pair of work boot shoes, I just bought a sleeping bag and backpack. also thanks about the clothes I was gonna pack enough for 15 days so that info helps. 
We have a huge list of items to pack for school and the road. You certainly won't bring everything we have listed, but it will give you some great ideas:
Items To Bring To CDL School, Training, and OTR
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Just a suggestion but pack only the necessities. Toiletries, bedding and enough clothes to last 7 days max. Something to carry papers and other loose stuff is a must have. Shower bag and dirty laundry bag are a plus and in a pinch can be used as a pillow. :)
Duffle bags work best and don't bring hardcase or big airline type suitcases. Rule of thumb, only bring what you can carry in one trip.
That right there is my 2 cents for what it's worth.
Peace!
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Forgot to mention cool/cold weather gear, good non-slip footwear and gloves. Space in a trainer's truck is limited.
Just remember that you can always pick up things later once you go solo.
Just a suggestion but pack only the necessities. Toiletries, bedding and enough clothes to last 7 days max. Something to carry papers and other loose stuff is a must have. Shower bag and dirty laundry bag are a plus and in a pinch can be used as a pillow. :)
Duffle bags work best and don't bring hardcase or big airline type suitcases. Rule of thumb, only bring what you can carry in one trip.
That right there is my 2 cents for what it's worth.
Peace!
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I'd also say, please no hard luggage.. a large duffle will work much better. For bedding, I highly recommend a SLEEPING BAG and pillow. You also need real work gloves.. me personally, I buy ones with double leather palms.. pricey but they work well. More than 1 pair of shoes.. I've often had trainees who brought 1 pair of tennis shoes that ended up getting very wet or muddy and believe me, it was a problem. Me personally, I have some waterproof work boots that I'll wear if I'm in some nasty muddy flooded dirt drop lot having to drop and hook trailers. When I'm done I'll change back into clean, more comfortable tennis shoes for driving. Oh and a weeks worth of clothes to should be sufficient.. laundry can be done out on the road. Trust me, I've had trainees show up with multiple suitcases and a months worth of clothes and it's too much to fit in my truck. They end up having to leave most of it at a terminal to retrieve later when they go to upgrade.
Mega experience right there I tell ya.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Drop And Hook:
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
Thank you all for info this helps tremendously!!! 
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Just wondering about items for orientation...mainly a backpack...I have a carry luggage bag is a backpack really necessary? Thanks everyone for the advice.