I hate double clutching!!!!

Dont quit... you will get it.. at one time tying your own shoes seemed impossible. . And now you can do it without thinking... or even looking... you have learned more difficult things.. and you will get this too if you keep at it a d do t quit...

 

On the contrary, I say go ahead and quit. This career is full of hardships, and if you're daunted by something like shifting, how will your resolve hold up when you're headed through the Rockies on slick roads? Shifting is only one hurdle of many, and if you're ready to throw in the towel now, you'll be ready to again soon. Not trying to berate or insult you, just saying maybe it's not your gig. It's not for everyone, and trying to pretend like it is doesn't change that.

 

I thanked both posts from opposing points of view. Both are valid.

Seems to me that the OP (or anyone in the OP's shoes) should make a decision regarding whether they have the intestinal fortitude and patience to stick through a difficulty this early in a career, because certainly professional driving will constantly be throwing challenges at you.

That being said, I also think the OP may have an issue with the teacher, or more to the point the teacher may have an issue with how he/she is teaching. While none of us are in that truck with them, I'm thinking about the OP noting the teacher is wanting the double clutching to "go fast" or something to that effect, when IMHO it's more a matter of getting the rhythm and being patient to wait for the rpm's to match (in most shifting situations).

I've taught hundreds of students to climb rocks, frozen waterfalls, and mountains. Many came to my classes or hired me to guide them because they were afraid of heights and wanted to overcome their fear. You think any of them wanted to quit the first day? You bet. I never had one that dropped out. I never quit on a student, either. One thing you learn from climbing is that you will ALWAYS get yourself in a position where there is no apparent way to go up or get back down, and you HAVE to stay with it and work it out. Sometimes you don't think you have enough strength to go on, and you HAVE to tap into that reserve.

Proudest moment in my guiding career was taking a woman and her son to the summit of Mt. Rainier. She was 50 years old and by no means athletic. It was the achievement of her life and she wanted to give up many times on the way up, but patience and taking one step at a time was the key. We got back down at midnight by way of headlamps, her legs were jelly, and I'm sure she probably took a week or two to recover. I still get Christmas cards from her son (she's passed on).

The point is, if anyone that is looking to get their CDL and get into this profession you need to understand up front that you will have intimidating and difficult learning to get through. You will likely also have less than ideal working conditions and compensation for the first year or two. You have to approach this as you would boot camp, and have the resolve to make it.

Was I intimidated, stressed out, and wondering what the heck I'd gotten myself into the first time I got behind the wheel of a truck? YOU BET! I think most veterans would voice the same experience. We all worked through it. We all still get challenged on a daily basis.

 

Alpinist isaz!

 

Wiching Hour does make a very good point...

Actually, that is one of the things I love about trucking... it has made me a stronger person in ways I never imagined and it has tested my resolve.... and I know it will continue to... but, I actually look forward to it...

There really is nothing like the feeling of facing challenges and coming out stronger.. and although I still only measure 5'2".. I would swear I was taller now than when I started...

 

One of the problems nowadays, and Homer Simpson says, which in case people aren't familiar with animated shows like the Simpsons or Family Guy, is they are a huge satire spoof of life today, but carry an underlying message, and I quote Homer, " If something is hard to do, it's not worth doing", and sadly many people adopt that mindset, rather than continue, it's just easier to give up.

 

I have never double clutched in my life!! Never learned how to do it, don't want to learn how to do it.

After watching it on you tube, I think that has got to be hard on the knee.

 

Adam's Family Theme Song was how I got used to double clutching, at least on the up shifting... Down shifting was a different story, until I learned to read my RPMs right. Then again, I never drove a manual car so I guess the whole single clutching problem didn't bother me cause I never did it. My biggest problem with trucks is parallel parking. I can straight back, alley dock, and offset. But parallel is complicated for me.

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4202196]One of the problems nowadays, and Homer Simpson says, which in case people aren't familiar with animated shows like the Simpsons or Family Guy, is they are a huge satire spoof of life today, but carry an underlying message, and I quote Homer, " If something is hard to do, it's not worth doing", and sadly many people adopt that mindset, rather than continue, it's just easier to give up.[/QUOTE]

Confidence comes when you succeed at overcoming challenges.
Courage is continuing forward in spite of fear.

Those who give up never know the satisfaction of either.

 

If that guy can do it so can I. Some are just better at it than others.