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Bad news for manual lovers

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by wyldhorses, May 21, 2014.

Page 1 of 45
  1. May 21, 2014 #1
    wyldhorses

    wyldhorses Medium Load Member

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    Swift has announced that they are switching their entire fleet to automatics, and all new trucks will be autos. This is good for new drivers as it will allow them to learn quicker and not have to worry about shifting. Swift is going to save millions of dollars in improved fuel economy too. Like I said before, in 5 years it will be rare for a fleet of any size to have manuals. Yes some owner ops and small fleets with have them, but big companies have seen the writing on the wall and know autos are the way to go. Here is the link to the story:

    http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stor...rSwiftpartnerinpilotprogramonfueleconomy.aspx
     
    wyldhorses, May 21, 2014
    wyldhorses, May 21, 2014
    #1
    mje, zoekatya and Go-Go Thank this.
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  3. May 21, 2014 #2
    passport220

    passport220 Road Train Member

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    ^ The story says it is a pilot program. I think a bit early to announce the death of manual big rigs.
     
    passport220, May 21, 2014
    passport220, May 21, 2014
    #2
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  4. May 21, 2014 #3
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    I drive an automatic occasionally. While it's easy to just press the accelerator and go, it's jerky, temperamental and difficult to back smoothly into a dock. And it rarely works the way it's supposed to.
     
    windsmith, May 21, 2014
    windsmith, May 21, 2014
    #3
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  5. May 21, 2014 #4
    wyldhorses

    wyldhorses Medium Load Member

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    The patient is in critical condition, heart rate is very weak and slowing, massive infection has set in, patient is in a coma and non responsive..So not dead yet, but it's just a short matter of time.
     
    wyldhorses, May 21, 2014
    wyldhorses, May 21, 2014
    #4
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  7. May 21, 2014 #5
    milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    So who told you that in 5 years most companies will be using autos? There is plenty out there who don't use autos. If you drive a truck you should have to learn on a manual transmission! No reason not to!
     
    milskired, May 21, 2014
    milskired, May 21, 2014
    #5
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  8. May 21, 2014 #6
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    You know who it's really BAD NEWS for.

    New Drivers that go to Swift, decide they want to quit.
    Then find out, that many companies are still running manuals, and will not hire them.
     
    Balakov100, May 21, 2014
    Balakov100, May 21, 2014
    #6
    BigSam, 48Packard, DocWatson and 33 others Thank this.
  9. May 21, 2014 #7
    SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    Oh good, now they don't have to take one hand off the steering wheel while holding their cell phone in the other.
     
    SHO-TYME, May 21, 2014
    SHO-TYME, May 21, 2014
    #7
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  10. May 21, 2014 #8
    fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    This was said over a DECADE ago when USXpress went all autos. A couple years ago they switched back to manuals due to downtime.
     
    fortycalglock, May 21, 2014
    fortycalglock, May 21, 2014
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  11. May 21, 2014 #9
    LGarrison

    LGarrison Road Train Member

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    We need more 5X4
     
    LGarrison, May 21, 2014
    LGarrison, May 21, 2014
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  12. May 21, 2014 #10
    milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    I'll take one!
     
    milskired, May 21, 2014
    milskired, May 21, 2014
    #10
    Bean Jr., TwinStickPeterbilt, OldHasBeen and 1 other person Thank this.
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