Learning on an automatic... Worth it?

I'd recommend you check into the program Conway Truckload uses in affiliation with Crowder College. Very affordable and you end up with a pretty decent company that does not hold a contract over your head. It really is a good option for folks entering the industry.

 

I wouldn't risk training on an automatic. . Because if u learn manually, then u can drive anything, basically. ..

 

learn how to drive using double clutching and the trucking world will be a lot easier for you. One of the first things any trucking company is going to do is give you a road test. Most of the LTL, Oilfield, etc... use 10 speeds and its EXPECTED that you can use one. We had a newbie who applied at YRC who looked good on paper only to see him fail his road test because he could not shift to get the truck out of the yard. Don't limit yourself by going the automatic and cheap price route. Listen to what semi retired driver and some of the others are saying. Automatics are good when the weather is nice and you are old with bad knees. Other than that plan on filling out lots of applications and being turned down for the good jobs.

 

I don't think they use them now, but USX back in 2008 when husband started, had autoshift Volvo's, we loved his condo, it was huge inside. But he knew how to shift trucks too. They had a lot new students there who were women and I think that was why they got into using them. They are easier on arthritis on hands also. But anyone who just learned on them, back then was cutting their own throat if they went to another company who did not have autoshifts.

 

I know one of the suggestions i was given on how to avoid a CDL farm was to avoid places with automatics so just going to pass that suggestion onto you.

 

Don't forget that for the driving test you will have to DoubleClutch your gears, it will be difficult to do if you have no practice. I own a driving school in Oregon and this part of your training is very important. If you have a friend that would let you practice that would be great but without it you will have your work cut out. Some states are putting a restriction on your license for "automatic" only, contact your local DMV to find out. We offer about 80-105 hours of BTW for our students. If our students can't do a correct 90 back, or shift right, we keep working with them until they get it right. It is my reputation on the line after I send my student to the trucking company. Good luck and do consider going to a full time school, just screen them very well for BTW time and if they will work with you if needed. Also try not to have more than 2 students per truck, makes a big difference. Maybe a local O/O would mentor you and bring you along. I started in a dump truck and learned to shift from the school of hard knocks. Hope you succeed and don't give up on your dream.

 

One instructor one student, that is the way we did it. I agree with the other things you said, good advice.

 

Yes you will get hired. But you will be able to count your available job options on one hand with fingers left over.

Here's a reality of trucking. There are jobs that you want and then there are jobs that you can get. When you're fresh out of school with no experience, almost none of the jobs that you want are jobs that you can get. But as you gain experience more and more of the jobs you'd actually want become jobs that can actually get. But right now, that's only the case if you can shift manuals.

If you learn only on automatics, your first job will be on an automatic. And whatever experience you get from that job will be on only automatics. So the only jobs that will ever open up for you will be from companies that run automatics. Therefore lots of jobs that you'd actually want will NEVER be an option for you.

Maybe 10 years from now, that will be different. But then again, in 20 years or so, the trucks will probably be driving themselves so there's that.

If you're going to learn to drive, then find a way to learn to drive manuals. And make sure the first job you get is in a manual. Once you get six months to a year in a stick, you could spend 10 years in an automatic and still drive a manual whenever you had to.

 

Sounds like a good plan to me. You will have a good paying job with benefits and a pension plan. Probably be home every night unless you get on line haul then you will most likely be home in the day time. Smart thinking.