USA Truck Driver Newbies, this post is for guys who are wondering what usa like

Pretty sure we are getting our trainer tomorrow. Kinda nervous, but ready to get on the road.

 

I did orientation where we were told 55% of the USA fleet is automatic and declining. I had the same reservations as you. They are not as bad as I thought. If anything, backing and better downshift timing are the shortcomings.

Good luck.

 

We were told today that there are 600 out of 2200 trucks are still autos. I can't choose what I get so I guess its not that big of a deal. Now I'm waiting for them to give me a different trainer because my trainer is out for a week.

 

And those 600 are not long from retirement.

 

Nope. We pulled into the lot and saw all of those trucks with no decals and the shuttle driver told us they're all getting ready to leave for new Cascadias. It was pretty cool finding out that laundry at the terminals is free! We played on that portable hoop at the motel pretty hard, and those clothes got a nasty sweat bath. As far as the trainer I was supposed to have, anybody know a trainer named Gary?

 

@ chopper if u get a auto they have no problem maintaining there speeds down grades or uphill etc, they can also be switched into manual mode but the computer still monitors it and want shift until it falls into perimeters. My first truck was a prostar auto with a cummings in it never had a problem up or down hills with 45k+ it pulled better up hills than this cascadia I got. Poor ole Detroit got to work hard to pull 30k up hills LOL.

 

Is there a particular make or model in the USA fleet that drivers tend to prefer on average? Which tend to handle the best? Smoothest ride? Roomiest with the best storage? If I get hired, I don't really care which truck I get, as I know I will have to accept whichever, but I am still curious.

 

USA is going to a all freightliner cascadia company for now they do have some prostars and kenworths and peterbilts, the kenworths and peterbilts are getting fanned out as well as the prostars. The cascadias are ok for room, I personally feel there smaller than the prostar on inside. But like I said in other post, I do have a 2.5 cubic feet fridge , mircowave and tv in mine.

 

Some people like the cascadia, that's what I have. It's not set up the best for driver comfort in the back. The plugs are no where you need them or are practical, except for where the tv goes. The prostar while has its shortcomings as well, is set up so much better in the back for driver comfort. ie, shelves, plugs, cabinets, 2 dog boxes and of course.... WINDOWS in the sleeper. The prostar I had also rode better over the lovely northeast roads than the cascadia. The only things I didn't like about my prostar was the fisher price air horn, and the maxi pad motor which wouldn't pull a greasy string out of a hogs a $$!!!! Just my opinion tho

 

I noticed in the "Where Are You" thread that most of the drivers are posting from the eastern half of the country. USA website says they operate in all 48 states and in Canada. Is driving the western half of the country all that rare with USA Truck?