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Greetings from Missoula

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by John1988, Dec 11, 2018.

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  1. Dec 11, 2018 #1
    John1988

    John1988 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2018
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    Hey guys,

    For those of you who might remember my other thread - I made it to Jim Palmer for CDL training! I have my permit and will be hitting the road for my 40,000 training miles in two weeks.

    There are a lot of rumors flying around the school here in Missoula about the seemingly inevitable switch to automatic transmissions. Jim Palmer (Wilson) is switching to fully automatic, and today we sold 1 of the 2 remaining manuals left on the yard. Our training manager today said the odds of us testing out in an automatic is "very high", and all the other instructors and staff at Wilson seem to think the same thing. The problem is we don't want to get an E restriction on our license especially since up to this point we've been training on sticks. The scuttlebutt around here is flying all different directions, some saying the FMSCA recently updated the law so that those testing in an automatic will not have any restrictions, even manual.
    Anyone out there have any clues or more reliable information on this topic? A quick google search only revealed info from 1+ years old. If there is another thread or forum discussing this please point me that direction and I'll be on my way.

    Thanks guys!
    - John
     
    John1988, Dec 11, 2018
    John1988, Dec 11, 2018
    #1
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  3. Dec 11, 2018 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    If you've been training on sticks ask to test out on stick shift; maybe use one of the remaining training trucks.
     
    Chinatown, Dec 11, 2018
    Chinatown, Dec 11, 2018
    #2
    John1988 and stillwurkin Thank this.
  4. Dec 11, 2018 #3
    John1988

    John1988 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2018
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    Definitely, we plan on doing that for sure. I was mainly curious if anyone else had heard the rumor that was being spread around here that testing on an automatic doesn't necessarily guarantee an E exception. Sure seems counter-intuitive to me so figured I'd ask around.
     
    John1988, Dec 11, 2018
    John1988, Dec 11, 2018
    #3
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  5. Dec 15, 2018 #4
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Jul 25, 2008
    Somewhere out West, in my mind.
    0
    EVERYONE has an opinion. But the official opinion is the only one that counts.
     
    tscottme, Dec 15, 2018
    tscottme, Dec 15, 2018
    #4
  7. Dec 15, 2018 #5
    speedyk

    speedyk Road Train Member

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    Apr 8, 2015
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    Just went through there, pretty country. I see manual as an additional skill, wouldn't surprise me if it becomes an endorsement at some point.

    Get your ride in the manual truck if possible. I'd even offer to rent one for the occasion. Local private trucking school might be a way to get one if needed.
     
    speedyk, Dec 15, 2018
    speedyk, Dec 15, 2018
    #5
  8. Dec 15, 2018 #6
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Somewhere out West, in my mind.
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    Automatics are taking over the industry so fast I no longer think it's important to avoid the auto-only restriction UNLESS you have a particular job in view that requires manual.

    If you've been trained on manual you will pick it up quickly even years later if you ever need to use it.
     
    tscottme, Dec 15, 2018
    tscottme, Dec 15, 2018
    #6
  9. Dec 15, 2018 #7
    Ubu

    Ubu Road Train Member

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    Rumored to be somewhere
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    I think your “rumor” is just wishful thinking from those that have the restriction.

    You can check the FMCSA site for any proposed or pending changes to the regulations but if memory serves me right they just added the restriction for automatics a few years ago (2014?) so I doubt they are even considering removing it at this time.
     
    Ubu, Dec 15, 2018
    Ubu, Dec 15, 2018
    #7
    Rugerfan Thanks this.
  10. Jan 4, 2019 #8
    BlueThunderr

    BlueThunderr Medium Load Member

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    Sep 11, 2012
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    I'd defintiely watch those Jim Palmer recruiters...They are not always truthful.
     
    BlueThunderr, Jan 4, 2019
    BlueThunderr, Jan 4, 2019
    #8
  11. Jan 4, 2019 #9
    Lumper Humper

    Lumper Humper Road Train Member

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    8,686
    Nov 23, 2018
    Colorado Springs, CO
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    The automatic scare meme is still a thing? I’m sure they’ll switch eventually but everyone was afraid of that when i was going through training last Jan/Feb
     
    Lumper Humper, Jan 4, 2019
    Lumper Humper, Jan 4, 2019
    #9
  12. Jan 7, 2019 #10
    federal221

    federal221 Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 29, 2010
    new haven,IN
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    I was thinking about Jim Palmer have had my cdl since 2009 took 2 off due to eye surgery been back about a year if the industry changes to all autos I would be really ticked can’t stand autos stick is the way to go
     
    federal221, Jan 7, 2019
    federal221, Jan 7, 2019
    #10
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