Personal opinion if you can't ride I mean drive stick your not a real trucker

IMHO....this is a ridiculous premise
47 years so far can’t even remember all the trucks transmission combos I’ve driven....Only one trip in auto...wasn’t fond of it....
I doubt I’m any less of a driver on the trip to the left coast in an auto
Course I couldn’t give a flyin #### what anyone thinks

 

This is nothing but a dig at new drivers. The world has changed and most OTR , especially at the megas, is automatic.

That said I think new drivers should arrange to get their CDL with a manual and see if they can find a trucking company to work for that has at least a few manuals left in the fleet.
If you go local eventually , many of those jobs are still ten speeds and up. I would hate to have that auto restriction on my license

 

I saw it as more of a practical thing.

When I first came on these boards before getting a CDL, the takeaway I got from folks was basically don't let your dream job pass you by because you have an auto restriction.

The message kind of extended to endorsements as well, but for the purposes of this thread...

 

Let's talk about Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, you name it traffic. I don't really care for autos that much, but in traffic they're a blessing.

 

Been at it, for nearly 30yrs. Moved into an automatic, in 2016. I’ll never go back. I sit back and relax, now. Traffic is nothing but a thing, now.

 

Stirring gears is not that much of a mark and total miles don’t mean much ( I’m looking at bid runners ) try doing LTL work in a major city and not ding anything up for a few months now you’re real driver.

 

I don't see what difference it makes whether its a stick or an auto except the fact driving an auto is way easier. The headline if this thread has too many drivers trying to fit this prototype of what a trucker should be. Once you set the cruise, an auto and manual are the same.

 

does the OP drive a truck now?

If not, learn what it is all about first.

 

I don't care if I am not a real trucker...as long as I still make real trucker money.

I have had many jobs and none of them defined me. They were just what I did to make money.