Auto vs. Manual Transmission......

Never driven automatic, but I can see where it would be very nice in rush hour traffic.

 

I like them more than I dislike them. Hard to be fair, because every automatic I have driven has been speed restricted. It is a help for less distraction since it frees up a hand.

 

I like them and they are getting better. Every company should just pay for the rights to use the ishift IMO

 

Like the OP, I trained on manuals, Double clutching and floating. I drove an auto Kenworth T680 for 10K miles in training, then Freightliner auto (T12) for 70K otr. That 70K miles was October through May, mostly western States. A LOT of adverse road and weather conditions, including Whitebird on snow pack/icy, Cabbage quite a few times, 3 or 4 times in heavy fresh snow, Vail in heavy fresh snow/pack, Snoqualmie in snow, snow pack, lots of rain, Fourth of July and Lookout and Homestake in fresh snow, snow pack/icy, you get the picture.

I agree with OP. I feel autos are safer. I believe they are more fuel efficient, or can be, depending on load, programming, etc, but that's the subject of much debate.

I've heard seasoned drivers cite lack of a sense of control, now admittedly I have very little experience, but I never felt lack of control with the auto.

PS: FlowBelows SUCK for chaining.

PPS: I start pulling chips with manuals, possum bellies, a- & b-trains tonight or tomorrow night.

 

Not harping on you, but I think that is the silliest thing I've heard. I've read it countless trucking mags and have heard it from equipment "experts". Shifting is part of driving. "If you don't have to pay attention to braking, you can pay more attention to driving" "if you don't have to steer, then you can pay more attention to driving". Actually, doing things that are driving, like not using cruise control makes you pay more attention.

But if you like it better, it's all good.

 

Are you the same guy that didn't like those "New fangled single stick transmissions with the splitters"?

 

Not me. I don't have a problem with somebody preferring an auto. I just don't buy that having it shift lets you pay more attention to driving.

 

I may have posted that I ran into old man Frock, and he never has driven one.

 

If you've been shifting for a couple years and you still have to think about it, you're doing something wrong. It should just happen, second nature.