Bad news for manual lovers

Of course , can not expect me to hold something that heavy , that amount of time.

 

Yea that must be reason.lol

 

Saying you don't want to drive a manual sounds silly to me

 

You're the one that sounds silly. "I want to drive a truck that drives itself because I'm a lazy ###". Save it for the n00bz that don't know any better.
The cons to an auto are a fact. My guess is you can't drive a manual for ####.

 

It kinda seems like they're scared of a manual

 

It requires a little too much skill for their liking I guess. Manuals have and always will be better when it comes to performance and fuel mileage. Not too mention cost of the transmission and repairs. The only purpose they serve is to cater to those that don't want to learn how to properly drive a big truck. Yes it takes a certain amount of skill shifting up and down on big hills/mountains with a load. This should be a prerequisite to even getting a class A endorsement. A class A with automatic transmission only is silly.
Now we will have a whole new class of drivers unskilled in the basic operation of big rigs and calling themselves truck drivers. Imagine them looking for a real job sooner or later and having to explain to potential employers they've never driven a truck with a manual transmission.
The only reason swift or any other mega n00b carrier would go to all auto transmissions is because they hire inexperienced drivers that just don't have the hand/foot coordination necessary to drive a manual and many of them never will have it.
When we should be requiring MORE skill to be a truck driver, they are requiring less.

 

Yes sir they call them selfs professionals,and they have an endorsement to block the hammer lane.hahahahahaha

 

The only people this is bad news for is the wannabe truck drivers slaving for the mega n00b carriers. Don't kid yourself by thinking because swift hires people incapable of driving a conventional big rig that the entire trucking industry will follow suit. The only purpose this will serve is to separate the wannabes from those serious about learning the skills necessary to be a truck driver. If you can't drive a manual transmission truck, it will be so noted as a restriction on your CDL thus eliminating you from consideration for the good paying jobs. Still sound like a good idea by swift?

 

I was not a fan of autos or super singles, but bought a truck out of the Melton fleet 8 months ago that has both (09 KW T660, eaton fuller ultrashift 10 spd direct drive with 2.62 rears, ISX 425hp)...
I made a business decision, swallowed my " old school pride" and have not regretted it, much. Bottom line is the bottom line. My knee & back appreciate this decision.
I could look cool in a big Pete getting 4.5 mpg or get 6-7 mpg and pocket the difference.
The Ultrashift has a clutch but no clutch peddle, the smart transmission can be driven in manual mode, which is what you come down I 70 in, locks it into the gear you want to hold.
As a smart transmission how it shifts is dependant on how hard you mash on it, downshifting is perfect, jaking or not.
It has locked up once... turn off key for a couple minutes and it resets the brain box, off you go, had manuals do the same thing and you call the tow truck.
My partner bought a 2013 that has the 12 speed Ultrashift & loves it, an old school LS BCO I know got the Ultrashift Super 18 speed and loves it..
Nobody has even mentioned CVT's that are being developed for big rigs, when those come out there will be more squealing than Ned Beaty in Deliverence

 

That isn't true, the newest generation autos are more fuel efficient than manuals. The two most fuel efficient class 8 trucks on the market currently, the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution and Volvo 670 XE are both automatics:

The Volvo cruises at just 1,150 RPM at 65 mph. I can drive any manual, in fact I started out on a 13 but give me an auto any day. Anything to make my job easier. I am sure when single stick gearboxes first came out the "old timers" were saying how we should stick to twin sticks.

Even in the automotive sector the newest generation of automatics are both more fuel efficient and offer better performance than their manual counterparts. "Slushboxes" are a thing of the past.