Starting in an automatic truck?

I trained and drove an automatic at first, I guess it let me pay more attention to driving and turning.

I called the CDL school up and paid a little to drive the manual for a little while, before hiring on to this company with all manuals.

 

it did for me... helped me with getting tight turns down, on ramps, etc. didn't have to worry about missing a shift... just getting laughed at for being in a volvo. lol

 

Learn how to and master the stick......1st and foremost. Call me an Old Fart , but , if you're gonna learn to drive a semi , then learn all of the skills at the beginning. Learning how to shift in all sorts of situations turning , descending/climbing grades etc are part of the job. You either want to learn all of the job , or not. Just my thoughts.

 

I will tell you a story, my brother in law graduated school with me started out at western did 8 solid months only came home 3 times that 8 months but because he drove a automatic for western he had to do six weeks of training at usa truck.

 

Go with whichever is the better job offer. Either you can drive or you can't, regardless of the transmission. If you can, you'll be able to adapt when the time comes. If not, then you won't make it, either way.

 

Just be advised, once you're done with your "starter" companies and are ready to graduate to the better companies (that require experience), these generally DO NOT have autos. And you're going to have to take a driving test and they will expect you to be proficient in the operation of the vehicle. If you completely blow the shifting aspect of the drive test, don't expect them to cut you a lot of slack. There are too many other drivers out there competing for that same job who can handle a stick.

 

I would stay away from Auto's especially reversing there is no control they seem to go crazy and there shyte in snow

 

I work for a small local company. He just stuck me in a new Volvo automatic. No button for manual mode. Stick to the manual. Auto sucks in snow! Ask me how I know.

 

I will probably get slammed for saying so, but I prefer the automatic. I have, can, and presently drive a 10 speed. However traffic sucks and we all get in it. That's where the automatic makes the task of rush hour much more tolerable. I can't wait to get another auto.
Another guy said backing and snow with an auto are difficult. I personally never had any problems. I have driven in snow every winter since I was 16 though. Perhaps he's from the south?

 

Well after having been in a 13 speed for the last 5 months, I really like rush hour doesnt even bother me anymore, however, I would take a new volvo with an auto in a without never had probs with backing one, and if snow is that bad then I will be parking anyway....