Automatic trucks

PTL has a fleet of automatics

 

keep in mind that a new driver cutting his teeth with an automatic really limits his or her ability to change companies in the future...


one of the suprise side effects of developing auto shift trucks was a whole generation of new drivers that could not "shift" and therfore were captives of whatever or whoever had autos...


think about it before you jump on what looks to be the easy way out...

 

ok.... but you understand my point?


becoming proficient using a manual - up shift and down shift and selecting the proper gear for the proper situation takes a few years to master (maybe less if you have manual car tranny experience).


just keep your skills honed and make yourself as marketable as possible


))) no limitations (((

 

that point alone shold make you want to learn manual shift

 

To be honest - I thought I was pretty good at shifting...

then when I came to Roadway I really REALLY became good

you see - we drive a different truck every night...

we have an equal number of 8 - 9 - 10 speeds as well as a few straight (no spliter) 7's and even a few hotdog 9's - about a year ago I brought a an old truck up out of bowling green that had a twin stick!

the spliter was on the dash... you started with both sticks to the left and up...

you used the stick closest to you for 1-4 clutched / then hit the spliter - grabbed the second stick and went 5-8...

really freaky - and about 40 years old!


jumping into an unknown truck really has improved my overal driving...

I do much more thurough pre trips and take the time to notice details about controls and the differences


ohhhhh - and lest I forget.... we also have about 8 different types of motors....

ve-11's small cats detroit s-60 series 1's and 2's cummin n-14's mercedes - ve-12's with emission burn off units - old mechanical cats etc etc

each has a different sweet spot and power band...

 

I guess that would give you a ton of practice.

 

yeah - if nothing else - it really builds confidence

 

My first experience with an automatic was embarrassing. The truck was a brand spanking new 2007 Mack Daycab. It had about 25 miles on it. Before this truck I have never seen an automatic. I get into the truck. It was very nice inside, almost too nice. It had a woodgrain dash, cd player, all the bells and whistles. It had switches that we didn't know what they were for. My boss said lets take her for a spin. Now I' am excited! Me with my idiot self reached down for the shifter that was not there! I slamed my left foot on the floor at the same time(to make sure it was in nuetral, LOL). The shifter if you wanna call it that, was a keypad on the dashboard. It had D/N/R and two arrows one pointing up and one pointing down. I had no clue at the time what that was. My boss is laughing his butt off because I cant figure out how to get this truck to move. I reved up the engine, released the brake, LOL. After about 2 mins I figured it out. I immediantly told him after I drove the truck, you put me in am automatic, I'm quittin! Boooooring. I could have driven that truck, with no class A training. Plus, the truck was too quiet, I felt like I was driving an unleaded truck.

 

They like automatics becouse the launch is easier on the drive train.