Automatic/Manual Transmission considerations

Your next company will probably have automatics. More & more companies are switching to automatics for better fuel milage.

 

Shouldnt restrict you if your liscense isnt restricted. Just dont go advertising to your company that you don't have much experience with a stick.

 

You won't forget how to row gears, it's just like riding a bike... If you go somewhere new and road test, you can just say it's been a bit-lots of people get nervous and grind gears on a road test. They will be more concerned about you being able to turn, back, and maintain your lane.

 

Just don't mention the fact that you are driving an automatic if you apply for another job

 

Personally I wouldnt worry about it. Odds are the next company you go to work for will have automatics as well. If not just tell the guy on the road test your last company used automatics so your a bit rusty. As ExOTR said, they will only really care if you are competent at your road skills and backing. Theyll know the shifting will come back in time.

If given a choice theyll take the gear grinder before they take the guy who cant back or drive safely.

 

I also learned manual at CDL school, then signed on with TransAm and drove automatics. After 1.5 years, I put myself back on the market. I had no issues getting offers, no one even mentioned it. I went with a company that put me in a manual, I make a pay rate as if I had been working with manuals the whole time.

I will say, I did struggle a bit switching back, out of practice driving a manual. I thought I failed my road test at my new job, my new boss said it was clear I knew how to drive a truck and I would get back into the swing of a manual soon enough. I was okay after a few day, after maybe two weeks, it was like I was born driving a manual.

 

In 20 or so years if these forums are still here I can imagine a thread titled something like did you ever drive a manual transmission or does anybody know where I can find a manual. I have a suspicion that in the near future manual transmissions will only be available through special orders for that occasional old school driver. For the now don't sweat not driving one because it is not limiting you as much as you might think.

 

Most cars now are special order if you want manual transmission. Personally, I'd never buy a stick shift car or truck. To me that's like preferring a manual typewriter over a computer.

 

There should be manuals in a truck for a long time. Some of us still like to be in control of our truck and or transmission. I for one don't want and automatic. Not ten years ago. Not now. Not ten years from now