Anyone will try automatic transmission as a new truck driver straight from school?

paying attention to the road can make your "inside focus" lack. It doesn't mean you're a "dangerous" driver, not in the least. It means you're paying attention where you SHOULD be...where you can kill people, OUTSIDE the truck. I guess by the standards posted by one (driver? non-driver? I didn't pay attention, my bad) on here, I'm a bigger hazard than a newbie, because I'm not paranoid enough of my surroundings that I require NO shifting just to make it from point A to point B. I'm one of the other types who is so used to driving manual tranny trucks that if I'm put into one that's auto/semi auto (yes, I tried it once), I'm paying more attention to outside than the dash controls, and reaching for the shifter.
Gee, my bad. Slap my mouth and call my momma, but I'd rather know how to shift (because my knees can currently handle the clutching) a manual transmission and be momentarily confused by the lack of shift lever, than not be able to multitask.
And that's where I would assume we're headed, if we can't drive a manual transmissioned truck...into an inability to handle the equipment that's currently the majority out on the road...I don't see any favors being done by throwing a new guy/gal into a truck with autoshift. It just makes it harder for 'em down the road, and some become so fearful of the manuals that they wind up stagnating with a company who might not be right for them.
There's my $.02 plus tax.

 

And what I said is that I've driven both, gone from one to the other and back again spending long stretches of time in each before switching (i.e. more than enough time to develop a 'habit') and I've never once reached for a stick that wasn't there. Not once. Not ever.

I will tell you exactly that. I have never done it. Not when I first started. Not now. Not never. I'm not saying that to brag. I'm saying it because its not an accident that I've never done it. I'm not simply 'magically blessed' with the ability to always know what transmission I'm driving (not to mention all the other features the truck may or may not have). It takes effort to maintain that level of focus. I put forth that effort because that is what professional drivers ought to be expected to do IMHO. If you feel differently, you feel differently. You won't change my mind and I'm sure I won't change yours. But either way to suggest, as giggles did, that new drivers ought to avoid automatics simply because she kept reaching for a stick that wasn't there the few times she actually drove one is, to put it kindly, a bit lacking in the logic department.

 

Well I have drove only one auto trans that was in a volvo ( a dirty word in my book to begin with anyways ) but I still find it hard believe after driving a stick for so long not to reach for one, and that is being perfectly honest. I just thought it was rather rude when ever my post back on the other page, things can be taken out of context, but I digress lets just agree to disagree becuase the auto trans is junk , most of the time I don't know I am reaching for the stick and the dog, don't realize i am doubling down half the time, merely reacting to traffick, or some other opposing force, my attention is focused on keeping the idiots from my rig, and as for the first two pedals on the floor only used to start and stop either at lights or emergancies i can't do that with an auto trans nearly as well as i can in wyoming with an old two stick oor a straight stick......

 

Ok well this has been an interesting read. I can see points on both sides. being that i work on military big rigs dailey i have some different insight as well. Our trucks went from M818 tractors which were 5 spds with a high low stick, bullit proof,great for all loads, but the trucks had ROCK hard suspension IE non for you. The driver seat was a OLD single spring hunk of junk and passenger had a pad on a framed seat bolted to the floor.

The next we got the M931 tractors. these had old cummins 250's with a 5spd. not a good package for hauling tri axle 46ft flat beds with trucks,connexs army equipment on the back.Things were GOD awful.they eventually got upgarded to turbo's but even worse at that point.

Now we have Frieghtliners, as a bunch of you have seen of the ones i have posted in the past. They come with brand new detroit 60's hooked on a Allison 6 spd. They have Armor on the underbelly and firewall of the truck for added weight. These trucks are GREAT. there quick up to speed.Down shifting is easy with a blip of the throttle at the right RPM will drop it right in for you.

Basically i think everything has a purpose. Auto's and Man are both great in their own respects. Autos are great city driving/military operations. Man mountains ect. #### our HETS run auto and they haul Abrams tanks so they are pretty #### strong.

I think Ego's are the biggest comaprison on here and not the actual truck or transmission.

just my 2 cents from a differnt angle

 

The passenger seat M19 just described is pretty standard issue in the dump trucks I've driven...riding shotgun in those trucks can be REALLY hard on the back....

 

Automatics are a godsent if you spend all day driving in a city environment. The employer I'm with has nothing but automatics.

 

I thought "real" truck drivers drove trucks...whatever the company they work for hands them the keys for...and if you didn't like it, you walked.

Grandma always said, "plain driving beats fancy walking." I think she had the heart of a trucker.

 

husband and i both spent several years doing local (LTL) work....both had manuals....wouldnt change it if i could...

 

again its all personal preference and or Ego...lol

 

I'm not LTL. I'm a night driver for the Post Office. I pick up mail from the DC and MPA and take it to various Post Office branches around the city. This would be comparable to a UPS feeder run as it's the same thing. I also drive a yard dog 2 nights a week. I've driven a manual for years, but in this line of work automatics take the cake.

For OTR, manuals are the best option.