Companies With Automatics

PAM Transport and all its subsidiaries (Decker Transport, McNeil Express, PAM Dedicated Services [PDS], and Allen Freight Services [AFS]) have automatics. I started my career with this company and had a good experience with them. You will find others on this forum who didn't have the same type of experience as I did, though.

My step dad drove for US Xpress for a short while last year. As I recall, he didn't have too good of luck with them. I remember several times he was given over 24 hrs to run 300-400 miles repeatedly. They also had some problems getting him home and he lives in southeastern IL just a few miles east of I-57 at exit 54.

Personally, I would not recommend US Xpress to anyone.

Also, I wouldn't recommend anyone start off driving an automatic, even though I did. Because I started out in one, when I left PAM and went to another company with manual transmissions I had a very difficult time even passing that company's road test. I had two years experience at that time, but looked worse than a rookie. The company actually gave me two road tests to see if I was going to be able to make it without tearing up their equipment and being safe.

Still to this day I wish I would've had someone other than my trucking school instructors teach me shifting techniques in a one on one setting. I still find myself scratching gears, although I don't "get lost" in my shifting as much as I used to. I used to panic worrying if I was going to get the truck in the right gear or not. Had there been someone in the truck with me during those times, I wouldn't have been as panicky.

Just some food for thought.

 

I don't think there's any difference in safety. Perhaps as a newbie, but once you master shifting it's really no different. I don't take my eyes off the road to shift gears. As to driving in city traffic, yeah it's nicer to not have to shift, but I always felt like less of a truck driver before I got into a manual. It's a part of being a trucker to me. After all, they called drivers "gear jammers" for years. I find it much more fulfilling to get thru the gears than I did just mashing the gas and letting a computer do the shifting for me. I really think you should reconsider wanting to start off in an automatic. Just speaking as the voice of experience here.

 

Most of the larger companies are trying to at least supplement there fleet with some auto's. I would just call around, but if its REALLY important to you, make sure they can guarantee you one. That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend your first year be under a basic 9 or 10 speed manual. Just because these trucks are auto does not make them an auto. Its really a computer tricking the transmission. If you get a year under your belt in a manual, you will have enough skill under your belt to not restrict your career later. But even more important then that, you will understand how gears really effect the safe operation of the vehicle. You will get a far better understanding of grades, traffic, and fuel economy. Another thing to consider is there is different types. Some don't even have a clutch which makes backing smoothly much harder. I also hear a complaint that sometimes the ones without clutches tend to roll back a little before engaging into first or whatever gear you pull from a stop. Thats not good at a light with a tailgater. I am not knocking them. I like them in traffic and stuff, but I would not start in anything BUT a manual. Its the safe, smart, and skill building thing to do.

 

Well said and I totally agree with everything you said except I dont like autos.... One thing you forgot to mention is that being able to shift gears certainly helps to keep one awake.......

Seriously though it can get pretty boring out there sometimes and just having something to do like changing gears can keep it interesting. IMHO

 

other automatic companies are maverick(flatbed), averitt, interstate distributor