had my first lesson today with the tractor trailer

Hang in there you will get it!! Don't give up. Once you get the clutching down you will look back and wonder what was so hard about it!

 

Some states will disignate your CDL "Auto Only" which could brand you, I would just take the time to learn, you will be a better driver. I have worked for companies with both transmissions, and auto transmissions give you a false sence of security. I think you should start and stay on manual transmission for your first year. Another concern is a break down, if you break down on the road and the company partners with Penski or Rider guess what type of transmission your loaner will typically be?..... You got it a Straight 10, and with a heavy load like paper or water is a poor time to attempt to learn how to shift a truck, especially in the mountains out west.

 

So true, to took me forever! I was last in the class to figure it out lol

 

I forgot about the "auto only" that you would get on your CDL. Also I think it would make it harder to get a job right out of school, due to so many companies running manual transmissions.

 

First lesson and you haven't mastered double clutching? Do tell. Well, of course you haven't! Give yourself some time. It's just rhythm. Like dancing. It takes a bit of time but, it is pretty natural in the end.

 

I agree with these others. Just be patient, Grasshopper. It will come. My first time out on the road was somewhat embarrassing, but my instructor said I was doing fine. Each time I went out, I got a little better. After driving 5 different times now, I'm way better than I was, but I still have a brain fart. After all, I'm still learning. My school wouldn't teach us to "float" the gears. That is something we'll have to learn from our trainers.

I don't know how your school operates, but at my school, before they ever took us out on the road, they took us thru the school parking lot, bobtailed, shifting WITHOUT using the throttle. Just stayed 3rd thru 5th, shifting up and down. Of course we had to hit the throttle to downshift, but we never accelerated. This got us used to the idea of double clutching. Then when we were ready to go out on the road, we drove thru the parking lot again a few times, this time with a trailer, accelerating, and shifting as high as 7th. Again, to get us used to double clutching. It worked to get us comfortable with shifting so we could focus on driving.

 

LOL, my school gave me 5 minutes of shifting and turning practice on a dirt road with a trailer, then threw me out on the interstate and Hill Country two-lane state highways...with nice up-n-downs, school zones, construction (with a flagman), railroad crossings and stop lights that sneak up on you around blind corners. Trial by fire, for sure. I'm still trying to pull the seat out of my rear end.

 

LOL, sounds like the hardest way to learn!

 

Sounds like a very unsafe situation!!