Manual vs Automatic Transmissions

i would highly suggest that you learn to drive a standard or Manual transmission, I'm sure some of you guys may agree with me to this point. But now I highly suggest that anyone that wants to drive an automatic to drive an automatic, It doesn't separate the super Truckers from the Steering Wheel holders in which they drive, I think the bigger and better companies are going to be completely going to automatic transmissions as they are being issued as standard equipment, I know that sounds odd but the manufacturers are making a Manual Transmission an option to buy. So for me I like Automatic Transmissions.

 

Thank you! I have heard all great things about Melton, besides miles. Most drivers who I have talked to said that they get good miles, but some threads mention that they don't give great miles. I like every aspect of my research that has been done on Melton. Most of my information has come from drivers, and not recruiters because we all know how they like to lie.

 

That's my thinking! I do understand that even after a year or two I will not be proficient still at shifting, but it'll be better than day one! I'd rather familiarize myself with manual because I feel that you get a better understanding of how everything works. That's what I did when I first started out driving, and it has helped me tremendously (no, I am not saying that driving a car or pickup truck to be likewise to that of driving a semi)!

 

I prefer the manual transmission over autoshift being I have had nothing but problems with autoshift transmissions.

 

I drive one of Melton's automatics (2014 Freightliner Cascadia). Can't speak highly enough about it. I've had experienced with manuals (Volvo and International) and Volvo's automatics and I told myself I'd never willingly drive an auto again after the Volvo experience. Well, Melton has about 25 of these automatic Freightliners (and they tried a few Volvos at one point) in addition to their fleet of KWs and I drew the right straw to get one. I didn't complain too much because it has so much room and a lot of nice features that come with it, but I was a little skeptical about the auto. It performs very well compared to what the Volvo had in it. Volvo automatics jerked around a lot, had big problems with hills and charged extra (which my old company didn't pay for) if you wanted to be able to manually change gears. The Freightliner takes off smooth and easy whether loaded or empty, shifts, skips gears when it can and gives me great fuel mileage. I'm quite impressed with it! I drove one of the KW manuals for my road test and I liked it quite a bit, so I could honestly say I'd be happy in either one of the two Melton has.

It's highly unlikely you'll get a Freightliner since the vets tend to swipe them up when they're open and I just plain got lucky. If I had fussed enough, I'm sure they would have given me one of the KWs they had sitting around, but I liked all the room in the Freightliner too much to pass it up, since I'd be living in it for weeks at a time. Either way, all the trainers are in manuals, so you'll at least get some real hands-on instruction in shifting. You'll most likely wind up with a manual, too, so I wouldn't worry about that. You'll learn what you need to learn.

 

Check out Melton as twknstick said. Boyd brothers might bring you on as well I'm not sure what their age requirement is. But its worth a shot. Also don't be afraid to go to box or reefer work lot of sitting waiting but I'd rather sit and wait that get stuck in an automatic truck. Just me personally. There aren't as many options for you gins in flat bedding unfortunately. I believe western express hires at 21 don't know that is recommend them though. Malone is lease purchase, Werner has a flatbed division as well as prime but I wouldn't recommend them. I don't recall the requirements for FCC off the top of my head. If there's any small local companies around might want to check in with them. Check into local lumber yards as well that's a start and they won't have an auto. Might have to do some class B work and some yard labor but it still gets you driving and if you can drive in the city the highway becomes easier.

Good to see another youngin on here BTW. Good luck

 

I agree with learning manual transmission first, automatics can be nice, for instance, the Army has been using Alison Automatics for years now. That is one beast of an auto, but I would rather learn on the manual first. I do think that the trucking industry will have automatic trucks as standard equipment someday.

 

Only if the men do all the shopping, laundry and cleaning... including washing the dishes... and pots and pans!~
mary

 

Learn to drive everything

Just like learning basic Spanish and basic french.

Or getting all your endorsements.

More you know....more opportunities.

Limiting yourself is just plain dumb.

 

I get a chuckle at the maverick ads suggesting that they are some manly trucking company and they run automatics,super singles, and the trucks do not even have an exterior sun visor. Oh yeah-they run maybe 64mph and only need like 1 year experience and are now running horizontal exhaust? is a cdl required since they do not have 18 wheels?

okay.that took it too far.everything else i meant. gee.i sound arrogant.never mind.that was from a prior post.

yeah those trucks ooze testosterone and i just love seeing them in the right lane.
where they belong.
or in my mirror.
as they get smaller.
and finally while rather quickly disappear.
but being new,you need to start with whomever will let you pilot their ground pounding equipment while doing your best to avoid being trapped in the automatic transmission indentured servant contractual agreement.

synopsis-pay for your own driving school junk and do not allow a mega company to reimburse it or hopefully you'll have gone on some grant.

I got off topic didn't I?

manual or bust-