Companies running automatic transmissions?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by smith2121, Oct 8, 2010.

  1. wyldhorses

    wyldhorses Medium Load Member

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    Because of fear, that's why. And misplaced pride. They think just because they can shift a dang old truck they have an important skill or something. Well the United States department of labor classifies Truck Drivers as "Unskilled Labor." And that's if you drive an Auto, a 9 speed, or an 18 speed or a 500 speed lol. Just wait about 5 years, and about 90% of trucks on the road will be automatics. Schneider is in the process of going automatic, so is Swift, and others.

    About 5 years ago they were all panicked and going crazy because e-logs were taking over the industry. Oh no what if an e-log breaks down, or messes up or or or or...Same thing with autos.
     
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  3. k1221n2

    k1221n2 Light Load Member

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    Swift is supposedly going auto.


    QUOTE="smith2121, post: 1550191, member: 46666"]Just got my class A cdl wanting to go with a company running automatic transmissions. Appreciate any information on any companies. Thanks,[/QUOTE]
     
  4. SlowPoke44magnum

    SlowPoke44magnum Medium Load Member

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    After shifting gears for nearly 20 years, I'm quite enjoying the automatic Cascadia automatic our expediting company has us in.... No more sore knee in traffic jams!!!! We even got to experience it in ice coming through western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming the week of May 10th ... I'm honestly not sure how I like it in that weather as I drove way slow because I've heard the horror stories about automatics on slick roads, I didn't have any problems but again I was being super careful with throttle control.... My wife and I both can shift manuals as that's what we learned and tested on, but I'm beginning to really like the auto AND the fact that our truck is so small... No truck stop parking for a big truck?? No sweat, we can fit in spaces that a bobtail can fit into ;)
     
  5. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Basically what everybody mean is its okay to drive an automatic once you learn how to shift a truck for about 3-5 years. But not okay for new wannabe truck drivers who think it's just about holding a steering wheel
     
    Dumdriver Thanks this.
  6. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    driven the cascadia autoshift the last 2 winters across WY havn't put in manual yet. This mercdes transmission is unlike any Eaton auto i drove
     
  7. D33RHUNT3R

    D33RHUNT3R Medium Load Member

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    Well if you are just coming into this industry you will find most companies that will train are either totally automatics or are in the process of getting there..especially for team operations.

    Auto's now get better mpg's and less maintenance = more profit.. that's the bottom line in all businesses--Not how great you can shift..
    Plus, I think some feel it makes them much easier to be replaced... Not that they would admit it..
    I don't think one gets paid more to drive a stick vs an auto do they ?.. or is there a bonus for that ?

    I guess anyone that has e-logs vs paper logs is also less of a logistics specialist too..or power steering or A/C or air ride seats, cruise control, etc..
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2015
  8. chimbotano

    chimbotano Heavy Load Member

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    I grew up in the farm. I learned how to drive pick up trucks with shift gears since I was 13. I'm almost 50, so I've been driving small cars and semi trucks with shift gears for many many many years. I have a couple trucks one automatic and the other with 18 gears. When I get the chance to drive the automatic I don't feel no "real driver" I just feel good and more relax specially when am driving in the city. I think shifting or automatic is almost the same and doesn't take a genius to shift gears......do you guys feel like you are genius because you shift your own gear??? just asking.
    I think we are jumping into conclusions too quickly......what about if this guy has been shifting his own gears for longer than you guys had been and he just wants to relax?? what about if he has some disability that impedes him to shift gears???
     
  9. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    What if this topic should never have gone on for 4+ years and 23 pages? I doubt anyone who posted in it ended up being convinced of anything after all was said and done.
    Good rule of thumb is that, whenever a topic opens up a door for Wyldhorses to go off on another one of his diatribes, spewing the exact same thing he's done with every other one, it's time for the discussion to be sent off to the glue factory.
     
  10. JRPhillips09

    JRPhillips09 Bobtail Member

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    I don't know about the original author but I am a disabled combat veteran with a knee injury that hinders my ability to effectively operate the clutch. That is why I am looking for a company with tractors using automatic transmissions.
    For those who question my driving ability try spending 33 months dodging IEDs in Iraq driving a M1070 HET with a M1000 trailer carrying M88 tank recovery vehicle.
     
  11. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    You win.

    If the company runs Volvo tractors with the D13 engine made after 2014, it's likely an I shift. Volvo made the I shift standard equipment that year. A manual transmission with the Volvo engine is a special order.

    I have a Volvo with the I shift and I love it. But when needed I can jump into a manual truck and function just fine.

    Volvo at one time offered it's European market synchronized 14 speed in its US market tractors. It didn't do well as it required clutch action in a world used to floating gears.
     
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