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Not using the clutch.

 

lazy man shifting..lol...shifting without the clutch...tho sometimes the clutch is good for the power, pulling hills and such.

 

I think you were lied to about starting wages for a truck driver,....Most drivers are lucky to make 25 or maybe even 30 grand a year starting out and most never make much more than that,...It's sad, But it's the reality of the industry,..

Of course there are some drivers that make good money starting out,.But not many,..

Sure the starting pay on a off shore rig is a bit low,...BUT,...How does the wage progress upwards over time with experience???

Make sure you look at the big picture,...

 

Learn double-clutching and use it. Floating gears, skip-shifting, split shifting, double shifting, etc are for people with alot more experience and/or Billy Big Rigger wannabes. Forget all the "shortcut methods" for now. Done improperly, nothing will faster put a driveshaft or tranny on the ground and bring your driving career to a halt.

Big trucks are intimidating and they should be. Your average car weighs around a ton and a half while your average T/T weighs 15 tons empty and 40 tons (or more) loaded. Hit something at 60 mph with your car (60mph x 3000 pounds) and you hit with 18000 ponds of force. T/T at the same speed ( 60 x 80,000 pounds) equals 480,000 ponds of force. Get sloppy with a big rig and it can kill you quick. Don't ever forget that fact.

Pay attention to your instructors and avoid the "S--t, that's alot easier my way" crowd. They won't be around for long.

Take your time, do research and be sure this is what you want to do. When Mistress Highway injects enough diesel fuel and truckstop coffee (often alike in taste) into your blood it's too late for you. You're hooked for life.