No more manuals?

Letting the slack out...

 

Well fine im going to write my side of things. I went to one of them steering wheel holder academys. I passed everything first try. I have an automatic only restriction. In ky thats a E restriction. I figure thats universal though because its a cdl. As well as no where on my license does it list air brakes as a endorsement and since I have them. I dont know if it would show as a restriction, im assuming it would be a restriction rather than endorsement though.

Now unlike so many of the steering wheel holders. I dont want to be one. Ive always wanted to drive and made that dream come to. Ive got a hair over 2 months left before ive been at it one year. So im still green and anit even close to being ripe. The thing of it is though I want to improve. Im always looking for something that can better my career.

For me right now that means I'm going to retest one day and get the restriction lifted. Then I plan on going to work for a carrier that has autos and manuals or just manuals. That way I can learn what im truly doing versus just passing a test. Ive got an ear for mechanics something not sounding right or knowing what rpm to shift at. Ive driven manuals many a time. Ive got a 5 speed freightliner dump truck thats a manual albeit its synchronized. My daily driver is a 4 speed that I float most of the time. Now im well aware of the difference between the two types of transmissions but I also know what not to do. Dont dump the clutch dont ride the clutch dont pour the throttle to it and then let out on the clutch etcetera etcetera.

I worry about damaging equipment I take the time to make sure things are working right. I might be one of the few that actually takes pride in what he does and wants to do it right. The reason being maybe one day ill become an o/o or more than likely I may work for a family friend that owns a small fleet ; but even if its working for a multi million dollar carrier I want to do my job right. I'll take the time to learn to shift and drive a manual so im not limited in who I can work for. I think I'd like a manual better I may be wrong but I think I would.

The few of us that want to do the job right and safe. At my age are few and far between. I dont plan to be one that only works for mega carriers that get micro managed and have so many computers telling me how to drive. I try to be a professional all I ask is to be halfway treated like it.

 

O/o stands for owner operator meaning I would own the truck and be ultimately responsible for any damage and maintenance to the truck. I think prime is autos only but I seem to recall Pam still has manuals at their schools. Im 22 so im one of these new age drivers but I try to set myself away from the pack.

 

This whole thing is humorous........the same drivers that are trashing the mechanicals on a truck, are also creating losses for the insurance carriers.

This debate is exactly why most insurance companies won't cover a new CDL driver. Our loss experience shows a dramatic reduction in accidents once a driver has at least 12 months of CDL driving experience, and again at 24 months. That first 12 months or so shows a high incidence of "property damage and physical damage" claims......with a lot of incidents in TS parking lots. These claims are getting larger and larger all the time due to the increased repair costs on $ 150,000 power units, and $ 75,000 trailers, so most insurance carriers just take the easy way out and won't deal with new drivers.

We will take on a new CDL driver, however when we do we charge 100% more than for a seasoned driver.

Rookie drivers are OK at a mega, who is self insured and just eats the losses as a cost of doing business. We used to do a deal for JBH who took their new drivers out of THEIR in house coverage and PAID us a fortune to cover their rookies. We did it for 2 policy terms and lost our rear end, even charging outrageous premiums.

The school of hard knocks tends to teach lessons that last.

 

Its always been 18. Just can't drive interstate until 21.

 

I love the AMT, if you don’t hold your tongue correctly when you flip the switch for reverse and it just beeps at you, rotate back to Neutral hold the brake pedal the EXACT foot pounds necessary, if you are off 1,000th of a fraction of a pound the friggin thing won’t go it gear, push the accelerator and it may start backing up or it may say urge to move lost press accelerator to launch, then when she finally starts moving back it goes to fast or too slow. Then when you finally in the dock and unloaded do all that and pray it decides to move forward. Mash on the go go pedal and wait for it to make up its mind if it wants to go or not. Yes I only drove a 10 sp manual for year and half but 100% would take that over the is stupid auto shift and don’t get me started on the babysitting equipment on the truck either. They claim only reason I am in a AMT now is because I’m on a dedicated local route and rarely drive over 300 miles a day, so they use the Manuals on the OTR people

 

I LOVE this guy. If you guys didn’t pick up on why, you’re missing out. That’s all I can say!!!!

Please, continue

 

I (company linehaul)was assigned a manual truck this week. Drove manuals 32 years, last 10 in auto but just fed up with the auto Cascadia, nice to drive but too many issues. Final straw was it going into “ I ain’t budging mode” last week. Got a 2019 Coronoda and it’s a love hate relationship

 

I’m still waiting for the “GOTCHA!” post.