Does It Really Hurt You Starting Out Automatic?

Bad think about auto shift is if you never drove a stick, and trained with auto shift, how do you expect to go with another company after say a yr and drive stick.. We had a guy who came to our company and destroyed a new trans in a truck because he never shifted one before.. Best bet is to drive stick then go work for a outfit that has auto shift if that is what you prefer..

 

If you were/are decent at shifting while in school, it will come back to you.

I started my career with PAM (all autos) and haven't had many problems at all. The first company I went to after PAM made me take two road tests to make sure I knew what I was doing, but other than that I've never had a problem.

I'd say it just depends on the individual.

 

I'd imagine (nothing else to go on) if you had a year or more experience driving auto shift, and you were safe/on time, etc. You might find a company that would look at you. Heck, it wouldn't take much for a company to find out if you were worth their time to train.

 

Road test last about 20 minutes. And they won't let you borrow it for an hour, before the test.

 

I think it does hurt you. Shifting is a big part of driving a big truck. That will be a credentialed skill others have over you. I can't be too closed minded though....With the economy as it is; take the truck auto or stick to start your road to 3years accident free. Then your experience will superseed the lack of shifting experience.

 

Check with the school you attended and see if they have refresher courses for free like my school in FL. If so, if you do eventually have to drive a stick, go back to school and take advantage of their trainers ensuring you are ready. Remember, you paid for that training, might as well keep using it if possible.

 

Like I said, I had no problems with companies or shifting after spending my first two years in an automatic.