Starting At Melton 16 Nov.

You would have won that lawsuit regardless. Why should I care? Principle.

Invasion of privacy.

So what? It's still an invasion of privacy.

It's interesting that things like Qualcomm and Peoplenet have been out for quite a few years, yet dispatchers will still call you on the phone when there's something that they want to keep off record. So, they have the ability to keep things off record, and you dont. Hmmmm...do you really believe that that camera is for your protection? I dont. Some slick lawyer would only have to show you picking your nose and you're done. They would have to search my truck for a booger to prove I was picking my nose. Then of course, I want DNA testing, and they would have to find a way to find out exactly when the booger was picked.

And there's one more mistake you guys are making: For you guy's thats only the beginning. One day they will use technology to show what you guys do in your sleeper to prove that you got 8 hours of sleep. Where does it end? Their hooking sensors into mandatory CPAP machines and matching it with your elogs?

 

Sorry for the late reply.

I would have checked with a few others before Melton. Not that Melton wont keep you working. But rather a few small details that for a rookie, I feel are very important, and could make or break future employment.

Melton tarps a lot. So coming into Melton during the winter,.. be prepared for frozen stiff tarps. This is not such a big deal to some. I personally try to avoid tarp loads that either begin or end in a frozen zone.

The second and this would be the deal breaker for me,.. Melton is moving to all Automatic trucks.

Where I take issue for rookies to hire on with an all automatic fleet is that you need this small but vital experience in this industry. Learning to shift 10's, 13's, 9's etc can make or break getting hired on with a company using manual transmissions. Flatbed particularly needs that extra bit of finesse when shifting and keeping that load safe.

Thats my main concern.

Other than that,. I wish you all the best in the world. Dont let these guys scare you,.. Flatbed is a bit more work in the weather,.. but its some of the most rewarding work that can lead to other bigger things down the road. There are so many different specialized areas of flat bed. Lots and lots of work for a guy who can keep his wits

Hurst.

 

I disagree with you Hurst about the automatic part. When I first got hired on, it was in an automatic rollback. Before I went to CDL, I couldn't drive a stick.

Gaining the confidence of driving a bigger truck in traffic without having to worry about shifting made it easier to learn. I got lucky, when I got bumped to an 18 wheeler, I spent a month in our only automatic tractor. It made the transition easier and smooth.

Once I was comfortable in the automatic 18 wheeler, I got an opportunity to go into a 13 speed and I had all the confidence I needed from moving up from a rollback, to automatic 18 wheeler to 18 wheeler.

I've also read on here, a lot more companies are moving to automatics because better milage.

Most importantly, there is such a shortage of drivers, that once you get your one years experience to satisfy the insurance companies, a company won't care that you can't shift, you have proven that you can drive accident free and safe and will invest the time in a safe driver to teach him how to shift.

 

Like it or not,.. learning to shift a manual is and will be a required skill in this industry for a long while to come. Until there are no more manuals,.. its a required skill to master.

In your situation I wont argue what works for you. Only that eventually you will need to master the manual with load and in traffic. If you have what it takes,.. I dont think learning it later vs jumping in with both feet will make much difference.

Hurst

 

I agree with you that you will have to learn it eventually.

But have you ever seen a noobie / rookie make a post saying they have one years experience but a company turned them down because it was driving an automatic?

I haven't seen anyone say that in the flatbed forum ever. Starting out in an automatic hasn't hindered anyone afaik. More companies should start newbies in automatics afai am concerned, so trainers can focus on teaching them the other basics of driving first, without having to spend their time to train them how to shift. It's pretty dangerous imo to have to teach someone how to drive (shift) and then have to teach them how to manoeuvre an 80 000 pound killing machine than doesn't turn like normal vehicles.

There is a reason why parents teach their kids to crawl before they walk.

 

I'm not going to disagree with you except that I do know of companies that dont train and have no patience for drivers with 2 - 3 yrs xp and still dont know how to shift a truck.

I agree that some guys are slower to catch on.. particularly those that are starting with absolutely zero experience. I'm still of the opinion that they will learn best with both feet in the water. If the trainer is any good.. the noobie will be that much better off.

I never had trainers. I was thrown in and told to swim or sink. Figure it out or find somewhere else to work.

Hurst

 

Now I know why that other thread for derailed

 

Why.. because I disagree with you?

Thats life in general brother. We have as many different opinions as we have differnt character sets.

Dont hate me because I dont think the same as you. Thats narrow minded and selfish in my opinion. If something I said upsets you.. come out with it. I dont hold grudges. I may still not agree with you.. but at least we will understand why.

Hurst

 

Melton is not moving to all automatics

 

ugh...............Happy Mike?