auto vs manual trans

If you can qualify with a manual, the way the old school guys did. A monkey can drive an auto. An auto takes out the Dr. out of Driver.

 

Rather get some experience downshifting a manual (not so difficult as you think), than learning just to drive an auto. A manual is shifted with the right foot, and not with the left foot as many guys would think. Follow your instructor and you will be fine. Stay as calm as possible, I know it's not easy but you will eventually figure it out.

 

I think the new trucks they are getting are manual. You would want manual. You will need the experience when you leave. Very few companies test drive you in an automatic.

 

You feel wrong. Spend more than a week driving one and you'll see for yourself, exactly the same amount of control. No more, no less, just different. As for future job prospects, its up in the air. A few companies might care that only drove autos, most won't care one bit. That might change in the future but then again it might not, you never know. To each his own but for me, the type of transmission doesn't factor at all into deciding whether or not I'll work for a company. Work for anyone who will give you a job and not treat you like a slave. The transmission isn't going to make you or break you in the future no matter what you decide and no matter what the 'experts' here will tell you.

Actually a much better piece of advice is to not work for USA or any other bottom feeder carrier. Do everything you can to find a small local mom & pop shop that will hire you and you'll be way better off in the long run.

 

I disagree.

 

I have drove both, I won't get into details but I also disagree.

 

I strongly agree with the parts in bold. The happiest drivers I know are the ones that drive for companies with less then 25 units. Most are dedicated and are generally happy with their pay. I can't agree however with the control part. I have driven both. I have had auto's to (jump) on me while in tight places while very heavy trying to get moving nearly hitting other trucks, I never had that problem with a regular 10 speed. I also know that unless you (catch yourself) and put an auto into manual on a steep hill, the (jake) is nearly useless. Another problem I have encountered with autos is problems with the (X-Y) shifter and a very overly sensitive clutch abuse sensor. Get one and sliding recalcitrant tandems becomes an adventure! On some autos if you make the mistake of killing the engine in gear it is very hard to get truck restarted too. If a (X-Y) shifter gets even a bit out of alignment you most times are left stranded. Overall I would rather drive a standard 10 speed but my company is a (100% auto fleet) so I am stuck in an auto. At least their nice in urban areas.