Automatics what's your thoughts?

IDK, some of these new guy have a hard time backing an auto, jumping around like a cow with a badger in its butt. I hope the fuel savings cover the cost of more backing accidents.

 

I think there are threads on the topic already. Just saying.

Peace.

 

If you wanna let us know where you're parked we do a little research to find out which is more cost efficient.

 

The other day coming out of downtown Chicago I would have loved an automatic

 

I'm a traditionalist, through & through.

But, that said, I am all about practical & the bottom line before all else.

Until this is strictly a joy ride for fun or pride, I'm open to whatever is going to improve that bottom line.

Show me the money! Eh?


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I will start with I do not have a problem with Automatics and believe they will be an overall asset for carriers and drivers. With that being said does anyone else feel that the real driving force behind automatics is merely another move for the mega carriers ( like prime) to create an idiot proof process for people to acquire a Class A CDL?

It used to be that being an OTR professional driver actually meant something.. That a person looking to become a Professional driver had to not only posses but had to demonstrate and pass real skills tests to obtain a Chauffeurs License. Not anymore. Now almost anyone can and will be accepted into a Mega Carriers orientation/cdl training. . All done at the hotel as they lease the space to the clinic for all testing to be done on site. They have the DMV come to the hotel to administer the written exams for the people who need to acquire there cdl permit. The tests are broken into 4 parts general knowledge air brakes, combination and tanker. You are allowed to take each test 2 time per day. You have 2 days to do this at the hotel and then if needed you will be bused to the DMV to again take each test 2 times per day for 2 more days. If you do not pass all 4 tests in the 4 days 1 of 2 things will happen. 1 is you will be dismissed from the program and have to get yourself home 2 you will be held over the weekend and will be able to start testing again on Monday. It is at there discretion. If you pass all your tests hopefully you will be assigned a trainer and sent out to actually drive on the highways with a trainer. At the end of the otr training which can be as long as 2 weeks you are brought back to the hotel to take the skills test which is given by the carriers certified trainers again if you pass you get your CDL A license. Then sent out again for another 4-6 weeks with a trainer.. At any time you can be dismissed from the program. For any reason.. This is not skill and with Automatics this process will be made quicker and require even less skill. Any one that can turn a key has the potential to be able to be issued a CDL. At least with manual transmissions the very worst of the worst could be found out and not issued a CDL because they could not shift a manual..

There are approximately 400,000 trucking companies in the US. 94% of those are operating 6 trucks or less. ATA Chief Economist said. Carriers consistently report receiving applications for open positions, but that many of the candidates do not meet hiring criteria. Some 88 percent of trucking companies said most applicants are not qualified. An ATA analysis done in 2014 shows the driver shortage is at 48,000 and if trends continue the shortage will grow to 174,000 by 2024.

Before long you may even see a day when you can become a truck driver without a CDL if you have a valid drivers licence they will employ you.. I hope not.. I would like to see the industry go back to being an industry that required a driver to be skilled and to be a PROFESSIONAL DRIVER.. To an industry that you were PROUD to say you were an OTR Driver. Kids aspired to be drivers, Drivers were respected because people knew the skill involved to be a PROFESSIONAL DRIVER. When a Professional Driver was admired like a fireman a police officer it was a skilled job that not just anybody could be licensed to do... That is what I would like to see this industry be again.. But as long as the 1% has the power I am afraid it will only get worse. To the Veterans of this industry who love this industry and are PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS. I for 1 respect and admire what you do and who you are.. YOU ARE TRUE PROFESSIONALS.

 

You bring up great valid points. But you left out one. That we be us. Is being otr truckers. Our courtesy isn't there to one another let alone others. That is the reason we have lost some of our pride and respect. I have seen such travesty in character I really wonder what came first the chicken (lesser req) or the egg (lesser character quality). I think they both have bearing.

 

Must notttttttt commmmeeeennt, must resist the urge to let it flow...

 

Autos are great for those that either don't know or don't want to know how to drive a manual road ranger gear box and in the long run its probably cheaper for a company in the long run if their employing newbes who don't know how to drive a manual gear shift, its alot harder to destroy an auto shift.

 

Do you think that the loss of courtesy or respect for one another has anything to do with the carriers devaluing the driver? Where there entire hiring process, recruiting, orientation, training and schools are being designed and run based solely on Quantity. With NO thoughts or concern for the Quality of the people they are ultimately putting behind the wheel.. I would even suggest that they are at the very least bending or manipulating rules, regulations and even laws in there efforts to get butts in seats. From the class room to the drivers seat..