LTL with auto restriction

You won't, I drove an auto for years. Got back in a manual recently, grinded a few and fell right back in the groove

 

I got hired on with Estes a few months ago. The hiring manager made it a point to say that I couldn't have the restriction on my license (which I did not have the restriction on my license so it was fine). That said, it was no problem for them to basically have me ride with multiple drivers to relearn how to drive a manual since I hadn't done it in over 2 years since CDL school. I'm fine with a manual now (I got way more practice in 2 months at Estes versus 2 months at CDL school lol) and I'm confident that it really would be like riding a bike if I ever went years for whatever reason without driving a manual again.

I would say at my terminal it's at least 50% autos versus 50% manuals, maybe even a higher a percentage being manuals. If the terminal needs drivers bad enough though they will work with you if you are rusty and need a bit more training on a manual (like I did). But you can't have the restriction, and it even said that on the application that I filled out for them too. I think in one of the pre-interviews with an Estes HR person they asked me about having a restriction on my license too but I'm not 100% sure about that (can't remember).

That said if the terminal needs help badly enough they might work with you on getting the restriction removed, they do have a dock to driver program so it wouldn't be unheard of. Couldn't help to ask and maybe every terminal is different I don't know.

 

It really is. I'm afraid most companies will eventually switch to autos tho. They are nice in traffic. Backing and climbing hills they are terrible tho

 

Kw's are notorious for being horrible at backing.

 

Our new trucks have a newer type of Eaton automatic transmission that is finally good at backing. It has a "creep mode" that is just like easing off a clutch in a manual. You don't have to find a sweet spot in the throttle, you just take your foot off the brake and it smoothly idles back. It even works backing up inclines.

I hate the older style. You're either slipping into neutral or hauling ### backwards. It's not just annoying; it also damages trailers when they slam into docks. Not to mention the damage they do to your ego when they make you look like a rookie!

 

We have way too many manual trucks for this to work... Garbage manuals at that.