Will the shifting get easier with time?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by kwikk9, Jun 6, 2013.

  1. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    I recall having a hard time starting out. Then about 4 months into it I felt I 'had it down' but around 6 months I really had it down. Then a year into it and 2 years into it kept getting better and better.

    In order to be a great shifter one must first be a poor shifter so you know what not to do. Of course someone will come along and say they became a great shifter after only one hit upside the head from their trainers tire iron on their first day.
     
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  3. The Space Cowboy

    The Space Cowboy Light Load Member

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    Is walking easier today than when you first started?
     
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  4. Charli Girl

    Charli Girl Road Train Member

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    Houston,Tx
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    story time:
    yes it will get easier...I didn't go to any school,I trained myself around a parking lot for a couple hours then took the test. Luckily the inspector was new too,so the short of it is tell him to get out of the mindset of shifting it like a car,that was my problem and most new folks.
    once I past the driving test ,next day went and bought a truck,they put a load under me that went from Austin,Tx to Reno,Nv. Trust me ..me and that Freightliner were pals once I got to Reno...lol
    It was awful sounds coming from the inside of the cab all the way there though! By the time I got to Reno,I figured out it was the RPM's I needed to watch and listen for.
    Tell him that everyone does the same thing,he WILL get it.
    Best of luck
     
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  5. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Automatics,manual,every starter company especilly pays peanuts.
     
  6. lilrich

    lilrich Light Load Member

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    his instructer is and arse and should get a new one asap no reason to deal with that crap and would report him to whoever the company is..but reassure your husband it will get better and not get discouraged over his instructers bitterness
     
  7. lawdog82

    lawdog82 Bobtail Member

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    Man I can relate!! I just got out of school and had a trainer that yelled and screamed at me for grinding gears and making turns wrong and just showing up to class. One day he threw a water bottle at the windshield because he made me so nervous I stalled out... I should have just set the brakes and got out until I got another trainer. If I got through it he will! Just tell him to keep it up and ignore that guy! He shouldn't be doing that type of work with that type of personality.
     
  8. Charli Girl

    Charli Girl Road Train Member

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    geez,sorry that happened to you,that's awful!!!! Why do these schools have trainers like that? I would've opened the door and pushed him out the door!!!:biggrin_25522:
     
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  9. Woodys

    Woodys Heavy Load Member

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    Tampa, FL
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    Def gets easy. I'm young, and never touched a manual until I started driving trucks. Even after I somehow passed my roadtest, there were times where I would come to a complete stop just to get it in gear because I couldn't find one.

    Once you do it for a few months though you don't even think about it. Id tell him to put a foot up his trainers ###. Most people like that just train so they can feel some sense of accomplishment by yelling at trainees.

    Learning a manual for this industry, at this time, will open many many many more doors than not learning it.
     
  10. Allaby

    Allaby Light Load Member

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    Sure it get's much easier just takes time. I learned by myself. They stuck me in a truck with a 46,000LB of water and said see ya. Soon enough your old man will have him one of them shifters that almost touches the ceiling and his seat down to the floor come onnn!
     
  11. Casual Trucker

    Casual Trucker Medium Load Member

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    When you relax your body&mind and i mean really relax not just say it you will find yourself driving like a PRO You need to spot distractions and know if you need to shift up/OR down before the distraction appears What Distractions? { right turn, left turn,stop sign, car too near etc.} You Need to Plan your actions a few seconds in advance so you are not shocking your brain by waiting to the last second to react stay cool on your stool always listen and never argue/ make excuse's until you pass the test Nothing a trainer hates more than listening to a new driver telling him that The dodo you just saw me drop wasn't Mine or wasn't my fault Keep your mind on your driving and watch how the other drivers are shifting or turning don't space out in LaLa Land while driving Keep your mind on the driving part and tune out everything else. Good luck
     
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