Manual vs Automatic Transmissions

LMAO on the getting stuck part and getting pulled out by a backhoe. I'm sure a lot of people got a kick out of it! That is one thing that I've heard about Melton (assistance) which is always nice to have in any job! All of the drivers that I have talked to from Melton have been awesome! Glad you're getting it down though! As you said, with practice it'll get better. I, also, think you have the right attitude, which will go along way - or so I've been told. Work smarter and not harder!

 

I would not want an auto trans.

The reason that companies are changing to them is because drivers don't know how to drive (no offense). An automatic is harder to abuse than a manual.

For an owner operator, I think an automatic is outrageously expensive.

There was an owner operator in the local.quarry here that said he always had automatics (he was in his 80's). I asked him how he liked them and he said he hated them, but he was used to them.

He said that he hated them because every time they needed work, it cost him $5,000.

Much easier and cheaper to just put a clutch in, and if a trans is needed, head over to your local boneyard. Much simpler and way more cost effective.

 

Sounds like quite a first year, but it also sounds like you made some good choices. Personally, I don't think it makes you any less of a man for driving an automatic: I just don't wanna ruin my chances of future employment is all. I know that wasn't your point, but I'm just clarifying my personal take on the matter.

You make valid statements, and I appreciate you for it. Keep on keepin' on!

Best of luck to you!

 

Melton would be a good starting place. I know what you're going through, most places who aren't self insured are going to want you to be 23 with at least 1 year OTR. Its a tedious search, but stick out what you can. Next big jump is 23, after 25 you'll be set and can go pretty much anywhere unless something drastic changes over the next few years with insurance. I'll check around being up in new York makes it a bit of a struggle for me but like I said I've been in your shoes before and it sucks at times. Might be a couple companies out here that may be interested in you. Daws has good equipment, and he hauls a lot of steel out of the northeast he could get you home just have to figure out how to get you in a truck lol. I'll give him a call tomorrow and see if he's looking for a driver he could train.

 

Well, actually your point WAS also my point, sort of. I went manual first b/c I thought it to be the best choice for my career. And I was perfectly happy with my first truck here at TWT, but the boss said they needed me to slide to this one, so I slid. I'm told TWT is moving to all autos, especially with the newer Volvos having Volvo motors & Vovo transmissions. Such is life of a company driver, I suppose! lol

 

Yes, the hiring area is another big thing. Being in New York, as you noted, makes it difficult. If it helps any, I live about 30 miles from the PA border (Binghamton, NY). I'm looking into 2 private schools around that area in NY, too. You can PM me if you'd like for further details, but that's the gist anyway. I appreciate you attempting to help me out! That's one good thing I can say about trucking is the help from fellow drivers (well, this is in future tense for me). What kind of a company is Daws? You said they haul steel, so I'm assuming flatbed?

Thanks, man!

 

Very true. It does seem like companies are switching to automatics. I don't recall: how do you like automatics so far?

 

I think I have to agree with the majority here and say if you can get experience with manual transmissions. The knowledge gained will be invaluable even if you end up driving automatics. Your ability to judge proper gears for different situations will help you when you get into difficult situations. I don't know about anyone else here but I still think you should have to take your test in a manual in order to obtain your CDL

 

It's been okay. Took some getting used to. Heck, even today one time I still reached over there to prop my hand on the stick shift! lol. Haven't tried to push in the clutch that's not there to crank the truck in a while tho.
The first real mountain grade I went down I didn't like the auto at all! It tried to let the truck with a loaded chemical trailer go down the grade entirely too fast for my liking. So, I just set the stick to manual & "downshifted" myself --- i.e., pushed the buttons on the side of the stick that allow the driver (oops! "steering wheel holder", for the super truckers reading in) to select the gear he/she wants to be in.
There are times with certain chemicals I'd rather be able to clutch & shift myself, due to the surge. However, I've learned that I can just work it out by how much or little I get on the accelerator when starting out. The auto downshifting on level surfaces or regular downgrades seemed to mange surge fairly well. Smooth. Overall, I suppose I like the auto. But other than in traffic jam situations, I wouldn't say I prefer it over the manual. Nor do I prefer it less. I'm a company driver, so I'll drive what the company puts me in, as long as it's safe & dependable. That's how I see it. And I feel that if this truck had to go in the shop & they had to put me in a manual for a while, I'm confident I could drive it just fine. Might scratch a gear or two, but I'd get where I'm going with no problems. Heck, just today, as the truck was going ur the gears, I was floating thru the gears in my mind.

 

Nothing wrong with automatics. But as has been suggested, probably best not to drive one right out of school. I went to USX right out of school and admit, I'm going to have fun relearning to drive a stick in a couple weeks. I will be back into an automatic sooner or later, got a bad knee. I'll be driving for a good friend of mine and I'm going to ask him to buy an automatic for his next truck purchase for me to drive, I'm even goin to put some of my own money in on it with plans to buy it later.

That being said, anyone that says driving an auto makes ya less of a man...has issues, and obviously not decrepit as I am(I'm 32, feel 60)