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USA Truck assigned me to an automatic?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ducktart, Jul 18, 2014.

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  1. Jul 18, 2014 #1
    Ducktart

    Ducktart Light Load Member

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    I just finished school and my training with USA Truck recently and am now being told I've been assigned to an automatic and all the "new guys" get autos. I'm actually kind of pissed off because I feel like driving an auto isn't going to make me a better driver seeing as 99% of trucks and most likely anywhere I go in my career will be manual. I don't have any problems at all driving manual and scored a 91/100 on my road test with USA so I'm not sure where the justification for giving me an automatic comes from.

    Should I be upset? What's the main difference with driving an auto? Why are they so despised by experienced drivers ?:biggrin_25510:
     
    Ducktart, Jul 18, 2014
    Ducktart, Jul 18, 2014
    #1
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  3. Jul 18, 2014 #2
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    they are not despised by all experienced drivers
    only the ones that think the shifter is connected to thier manliness
    you will have enough to think about the next few weeks
    without worrying about shifting

    our 10 truck fleet is slowly going auto
    only 2 drivers avg over 7 mpg both auto
     
    Cranky Yankee, Jul 18, 2014
    Cranky Yankee, Jul 18, 2014
    #2
    peterd, joseph1135, Chinatown and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Jul 18, 2014 #3
    Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    You will need to know a manual also, but think of it as a chance now to focus on the other aspects of your driving and hone those driving skills.
     
    Mark Kling, Jul 18, 2014
    Mark Kling, Jul 18, 2014
    #3
    OPUS 7, joseph1135 and Wild Murphy Thank this.
  5. Jul 18, 2014 #4
    joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    That's right. Autos aren't bad. Helps in the cities too.
     
    joseph1135, Jul 18, 2014
    joseph1135, Jul 18, 2014
    #4
    OPUS 7 and peterd Thank this.
  7. Jul 18, 2014 #5
    OPUS 7

    OPUS 7 Road Train Member

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    I have driven both,and don't mind an auto if Im getting a lot of city traffic.
    If its pretty new auto,dont sweat it.You can ALWAYS go back and pick the
    shifting up,if needed.
    The main goal is to get paid,and be safe doing it.If that involves an auto,then
    go with it.I do understand the not liking autos,but I would pull my skirt up and
    drive one ,if paid right!!:biggrin_25525:
     
    OPUS 7, Jul 18, 2014
    OPUS 7, Jul 18, 2014
    #5
    Wild Murphy Thanks this.
  8. Jul 18, 2014 #6
    w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Automatic tend to get better mileage, so companies are switching over. I had a manual and got a brand new one with an automatic. Don't love it but it still does the job
     
    w.h.o, Jul 18, 2014
    w.h.o, Jul 18, 2014
    #6
  9. Jul 18, 2014 #7
    TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    I would have been more offended by "USA Truck".
     
    TripleSix, Jul 18, 2014
    TripleSix, Jul 18, 2014
    #7
    JRTBud87 and Knucklehead619 Thank this.
  10. Jul 18, 2014 #8
    Dakota1358

    Dakota1358 Medium Load Member

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    I bought a truck with an auto last year.I swore I would never drive one.Now that I am I wouldn't change it.I still remember how to drive a manual but the auto saves me fuel and I feel good after a day in stop and go traffic.
     
    Dakota1358, Jul 18, 2014
    Dakota1358, Jul 18, 2014
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    peterd Thanks this.
  11. Jul 18, 2014 #9
    TomOfTx

    TomOfTx Road Train Member

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    Do not be upset. Just starting out, you have a whole lot to absorb. Driving the auto right now will take a little of the pressure off you. In a few weeks/months you will get a different truck with a manual transmission. You already know how to shift gears, and you will still remember in the future.

    Enjoy the auto. You may learn to really like it, especially in stop and go traffic! :)
     
    TomOfTx, Jul 18, 2014
    TomOfTx, Jul 18, 2014
    #9
  12. Jul 18, 2014 #10
    tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    That might be good, you can spend more time setting up your turns and looking at traffic, instead of thinking about shifting.
    My first 2 years were in an automatic, now 6 years with the manual.
     
    tucker, Jul 18, 2014
    tucker, Jul 18, 2014
    #10
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