Learning shifting on a truck - any advice?

I'd like to confirm what the others have said as it relates to training people to shift a truck. In ALL areas, the biggest challenge for instructors is breaking the bad habits that these drivers have learned since they got their class C license. Most drivers in schools are probably 30+. Breaking 15+ years of bad habits and getting them to RE-learn all the things they had to know to acquire their original drivers license.

 

yes some of the drivers around here can get you in trouble with their so called "advice"

 

Most anyone can learn to straight shift a rig without prior experience, but the concept of a clutch is not a bad thing to learn prior in a smaller vehicle. And really, being effective and efficent driving won't all come together until you're rolling just under 80k and HAVE to get it 100% right. Till then, just absorb as much as possible in school and practice, practice, practice. I saw a lot students when I was in that just lacked motivation. On the road, you are your only motivation to get up in the morning and the do job safely.

 

its a dance 1..2..3..1..2..3.. 1=pull out on shifter gently 2= move shifter into position 3= put it in gently about 5-6 r's between shifts and flow dont jab...

 

lol that was actually very confusing

 

Well that got sunk real quick. Went to first day of CDL training and we of course had to have a DOT physical. As soon as I said that my father had a history of Sleep Apnea, I was immediatly disqualified till i can get a sleep study done. Plus if by some chance i do have it wait for a month while on the machine before they may or may not pass me then. Dont have to money even with insurance to get the darn thing done. Plus if i stay unemployed any longer I will go insane.

So back to the job market. Thanks for the advice everyone.