Automatic Manual Transmissions vs Manual Transmissions

I'm only there because the pay is too good. And yes the boss is a lemming. He was sold on the "expected fuel mileage" saving idea of the auto shift. BTW, that is why many companies are going to these, not driver experience level. At least the two we have are the only ones this company will ever buy again. All the newer trucks are 18 or 13 speed manuals.
BUT, I did not agree that the auto's are garbage, They have their place on the road. I can see where in the right application they can achieve better fuel savings. I just don't happen to use it in the right application. Going off road for every trip is not what these trucks are made for. As to the fuel savings, I don't care what truck is being used but when your gross is north of 100k you will not get 7-8MPG and I don't care how you drive or what you're pulling it with.

 

First of all, don't make assumptions about me or my company.

I was skeptical about automatics after hearing drivers whine about they couldn't back up, they couldn't slide tandems, the things accelerated like molasses, etc.

So I started doing research, read online manuals and came to realize that many of the problems were drivers simply not knowing how the system worked. Volvo I shifts are geared towards efficiency but have programming to kick itself in the nuts. Drivers just weren't using them.

But I don't appreciate you making blanket assumptions about us that we are dumbed down because we found automatics to be useful.

That attitude is why I've lost respect for some "senior" drivers because it's the same attitude that has you guys sitting in your seat talking crap while a new driver backs in rather than help him out.

 

They lease the trucks for three years then dump them so those kinds of maintenance issues become someone else's headache.

 

It's not at assumption. Useful for........... getting lots and lots of in-experienced drivers in the seat faster. That's it. Period.

 

Yes it is an assumption on your part.

 

I'm happy you're happy.

 

I'm going to have to agree with your statements as from the very limited experience I had with automatics was horrific. In my mind it takes skill not to hit something while in close maneuvering or as you said,.. the inability to rock it because not only the shifting is automatic,.. but its also giving and taking rpms. The last part is what really through me for a loop. I'm wondering how many little yard 'incidents' arent actually caused by the automatic operation itself.

Driving a B train with one? Yeah,.. hats off to you. But,.. F that.

Hurst

 

Dont take it personally.

But older guys,.. or 'seniors' as you referred to us, are from an era that skill = bragging rights. No skill,.. no bragging rights.

Like it or not,.. as long as we have blood coursing through our veins,.. thats going to be our attitude on anything that simplifies or as @rank put it,.. 'Dumbs down' something that originally took skill to master.

Your asking us to defy our personal pride in something we worked hard to master and give up on the idea that skill over rules everything else. Thats not going to happen brother.

Peace,..

Hurst

 

We have international autos and they suck. I do like the volvos with the i shift.
My first company out of school was all autos. I have to admit that somedays i do get jealous. Wished i had a manual.
I like my job and company so i drive what they tell me to drive.

 

ATM's are great for better traction surfaces, but are a death trap for slick roads. I live in the northern part of the U.S. and have seen many automatics being forced on this part of the country. Accidents are common and braking on grades is non existant when in an auto compared to a manual. Compression braking is especially compromized when using an auto. Most "flat land" drivers don't realize that you have to have some sort of stopping power beyond just brakes and many heavy vehicles just wont stop, no matter what you do as a driver, You just have to "ride the ride". An automatic will spin out going up hill on a slick highway. You can feel it better with a manual. This gives you more time to react. ABS(antilock braking systems) make things worse on any slope. The "jonny bar" is your best friend when in a situation like this. Try and straighten yourself out when you get into a situation where your trailer tries to "pass you". These situations are terrifying, but if you do as you are trained, you should be fine. "Drag chains" on the rear set can help greatly. I know most drivers don't have to deal with these situations, but even the most experienced driver can learn something from survivors tales.