Companies running automatic transmissions?

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

  1. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    An old myth!

    Skateboarders back up more then you think into tighter places then a box hauler.
     
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  3. Maxxdad

    Maxxdad Light Load Member

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    Just razzin you Redd.

    I enjoy shifting, but I'll drive an auto if it means working or not.
    Max
     
  4. Toms_2003_GT

    Toms_2003_GT Light Load Member

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    In our school only 1 of our trucks is an auto, id rather take an Eaton-Fuller 10 speed stick any day of the week........
     
  5. Romans612

    Romans612 Light Load Member

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    Probably because his buddy lost his left leg in the war..... (I say this guy gets an exemption)...
     
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  6. Bobcat Tail

    Bobcat Tail Light Load Member

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    like it or not, times are changing in the trucking industry as they have in the automotive industry...

    ...the op did not state whether or not the person could shift....the person simply asked a question concerning companies running automatics....you guys then ran with an assumption....and assumptions often turn out to be wrong....:biggrin_25525:

    ...that a person prefers an automatic says nothing about their driving ability or whether or not they belong in the trucking industry...:biggrin_25511:
     
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  7. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    actually it DOES.........what will a person do fresh out of school and starts driving an automatic, then quits his job or gets fired. where will he go then..........?? did you know (probably not) that new student drivers quit thier jobs or get fired BEFORE they put in as little as 1 year, some only 2 years.........??

    now comes the experience part, snow, ice, mountain climbing and descending. all which are better handled with a manual shift. the automatics will be skittish on slick surfaces. automatics lug an engine down till nearly the top of a mountain. automatics MUST be manually shifted (put into manual mode) to avoid speeding up going down the mountains.

    there is MORE control with a manual over an automatic. you students as a rookie, newbie, wannabe, just don't get it.............

    and i pity the newbie that CANNOT shift a manual when he loses his "automatic" job..........or maybe i'll be laughing at him..........???
     
  8. TB John

    TB John Company Shill of BYOB & CBD

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    Well yes you gotta have a manual trans, none of this automatic stuff, and the more gears the better cause everyone knows the more gears you have the better trucker you are. 9 speeds, bottom of the barrel, 10 you're getting a little better, 13 now you're starting to show your manhood. 18 king of the road, left lane superstars, you've really got them swinging.

    Yea you've gotta have a manual trans otherwise you're just some guy driving all over the country delivering freight.:biggrin_25525:
     
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  9. mysticguido

    mysticguido Light Load Member

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    Talk about a beat down with words...

    I agree with the knowing how to drive a stick Teaches You a lot about the truck your driven. When I was in the Army and had to Teach others how to drive some of the trucks. Most never even seen a stick shift in a truck, let alone a car. Right before I got out of the Army Autos where coming in...


    My co-driver and I where on war games one year, We where dispatched to Scouts. I was the main driver for them because My Sergeants and Officers knew I was that good with a truck. Anyway, Some places I drove I wouldn't have done it in a autotrans truck.

    Try going down a hill that is around 45deg's and 300 yards from top to bottom. My Co-driver saw me put the truck in granny gear and said "What do You need me to do" I answered " Put Your head between your knees and Kiss Your butt good bye" We where hauling 1200gal's fuel. That was fun, But I knew the truck.

    That was the only time I ever used first gear, other then when I had to when I was in driving school..
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2010
  10. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Rerun is right. A new driver must know how to shift all trucks all the different ways before they get out in the work place. If this OP driver is asking because he's having problems shifting or likes a auto better then his career is in question. If the guy falls into the category of the wounded soldier then I doubt he'd get a SPEC with a complete leg missing but he's sure able to try. There's more to truicking than just driving. I'll thank him for his service and would like to see him working but not in a truck.
     
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  11. TruckerDragon

    TruckerDragon Heavy Load Member

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    while I agree with people saying you should know how to shift a truck My problem with how you all reacted is two fold.

    First: I dont know how to drive a stick yet, never had to, but as I was told for the school 'thats good, no bad habits we gotta break' but sense I dont know right now does that mean I too have no 'buisness' driving a truck? We all learned somewhere.

    Second: This forum is supposed to be for helpful advice, a simple question was asked and you all swarmed like sharks that smelled blood. Very few of the 3 pages of posts were helpful, useful, or anything but plain out and out chewing someone out who is clearly new.

    With all the problems truckers already face, (And yes, steering wheel holders are one) do you really wanna start trashing someone who came here looking for information?
     
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