Need some good quality advice?

There is tons of info on this forum. Start reading it.

 

right now you are asking for a lot as a newbie. there are companies that have automatics, but what will you do when you change jobs and have to shift...??? you might very well have a problem finding a job later.

the good jobs, drop and hook, do not easily go to newbies.

if you do not start driving right away, even though there is a family issue right now, you WILL BE FORCED to go back to school and pay all over again.

as stated, there are TONS of threads already started about what companies are out there, please do a search first, and you will see where many of your questions were already asked and answered.

good luck to you, but remember, as a newbie, you take what you can get, and not be TOO CHOOSY....there are just too many unemployed EXPERIENCED drivers right now, they will get first cracks at "drop & hook" jobs over you......

 

I hate a truck with an automatic. Takes the fun and LEARNING out of driving for me.Plus it is boring to drive.

Even if you start with a manual truck for a year or so would be better for your experience.
Don't be picky about jobs right now.Get your first year under your belt.
Those drop and hook runs are not real common for newbies..

 

You have to go with a trainer first for up to 8 weeks. That will be OTR. Then you could go regional. I also recommend learning on a stick. You never know in your career path a great job might come open that requires a stick. I road tested a guy one time that had two years and he couldn't shift at all. He said he never drove anything but an automatic. He got hired but had to ride with a trainer again.

You'll have drop and hooks, but most likely you'll be bumping docks doing a live load/unload. Most places utilize a lumper service that will take care of the freight at a cost to the company. You'll have the option to unload yourself with a pallet jack at a fraction of what the lumper gets. Once you get experience you can get dedicated runs that are strictly drop/hook. LTL road drivers come to mind.

If you have a truck stop near you, there are plenty of books with trucking companies and hiring area's in it. There are plenty of online referral companies that show hiring area's. (search trucking jobs) Or even go to a certain companies website. Once you find a company that interest you, use the forum search feature here and type the company name in it. You'll find all kinds of invaluable info.

Tough out that first year out and earn your stripes. I hope your family member is okay. That is always tough on a trucker. Good luck!

 

I shifted until this past year when I got my Pete that has Autoshift. I'm fully confident I could get into a manual truck and drive it without any problems.

That being said, if I'm not mistaken, TransAm runs automatics and they hire recent grads. There may be more, but TransAm is the only company that comes to mind right now.

 

Say what? I had both kneecaps busted when I was 21, plus the bone above the left knee cracked lengthwise. Got pinned between a 5 ton truck and the back of a road grader when the so-called truck driver started it in gear. After 38 years and over 3 million miles, my knees are just fine thank you..... and I've shifted gears the whole of it.

You know why outfits have started using the automatic? Safer? No. Concern for their drivers? Give me a break. They got em because they consider the "new breed" too dumb and lazy to be taught how to shift properly.

Do yourself a favor and don't speak your "requirements" when looking for a job; because all that is heard is "We got us a little ##### supertrucker here" and you'll be treated accordingly.

 

I am sure you mean when you are actually getting a job, and not when doing research?

 

One thing that takes knees out faster than anything else is jumping out of the truck. Use three-point contact ALWAYS. You'll be thankful you did later in life.

I tend to be more careful of my joints than I used to , but one thing I never worry about is damaging my knees by shifting.

Good luck. I hope you find what you are looking for.