Learn on a manual or automatic ?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BlueThunderr, Oct 30, 2018.

Manual or Automatic for new driver training

  1. Manual

    41 vote(s)
    95.3%
  2. Automatic

    2 vote(s)
    4.7%
  1. sevenmph

    sevenmph Road Train Member

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    Jan 26, 2007
    Pinellas county Florida
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    The CDL school I went to had manual transmission. The first company I went to had automatics. When I went to change companies there were some that would not take me because I had only driven automatic. I strongly suggest you train in a manual and find a job where you can drive a manual.
     
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  3. BlueThunderr

    BlueThunderr Medium Load Member

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    Sep 11, 2012
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    Been looking at them pretty hard...I am defintely considering them...One tough thing with them is lower starting pay.
     
  4. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
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    Old (I think) 1950s model split shift Mack.
     
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  5. Voodoo Pyg

    Voodoo Pyg Oink! Oink!

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    Jan 25, 2015
    Texas
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    Hi there and welcome. Took and passed my CDL test in a 10 speed three years ago. Since then I've driven up to an 18 speed but that isn't the point here. The guys are right. Learn the manual transmission and automatic transmission comes easy. I drove stick for the last few years and jobs. Been with my current company a year and was given an automatic Peterbilt two days ago after three 10 speed KWs. While I do miss shifting to my own accord, I am loving the new 9.2 mpg I'm getting over my original 8.0. That isn't to say that I still couldn't drive a manual if the time arises again. Good luck and again welcome.
     
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  6. Voodoo Pyg

    Voodoo Pyg Oink! Oink!

    496
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    Jan 25, 2015
    Texas
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    Probably not a new one but a coworker of mine has a pretty neat 13 speed manual and he's an O/O.
     
  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
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    @Voodoo Pyg I am not sure why you have choose to format the text color the way you have. It is your right to do so. However it is very hard for me to read without highlighting it.
     
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  8. Voodoo Pyg

    Voodoo Pyg Oink! Oink!

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    Jan 25, 2015
    Texas
    0
    That better? I just love pink. :oops:
     
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,039
    142,319
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Starting pay is much higher than most for new drivers.
    "Company drivers start at 40¢ per mile. They have the ability to earn up to 5¢ extra per mile per load based on fuel consumption. The company average is 42¢ to 43¢ per mile. The less fuel you burn, the more money you make!"
     
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  10. BlueThunderr

    BlueThunderr Medium Load Member

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    Sep 11, 2012
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    Was just talking to a recruiter there he says they have no problems giving miles to drivers...Said average should be 2500-3000/week.... I really like the fact that they have manuals
     
  11. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

    14,726
    31,346
    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
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    I was not picking on you. I was having to highlight the text to see it. Feel free to use pink all you want. I wish the forum had a setting where someone could remove color formatting. Oh well!
     
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