Unrefreshed newbie looking to go back out need serious advice

Abilene has an all automatic fleet and hires from Florida. They don't have a set refresher time frame. Show the trainer you know what you are doing and they will cut you loose. None of that 200 hrs or 40k miles etc that other companies stipulate, though I would expect to spend at least a week or two with a trainer.

There is a lengthy thread in the favourite company forum. Lots to read through and see if it's someplace you might like.

 

Freymiller might take you.

 

If I am not mistaken, I believe that Freymiller has stick shifts. The OP is looking for automatics due to a bad knee.

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

OTR & LTL - over the mountains - through the woods - coast to coast - sea to shining sea

The OTR & LTL truck drivers of America are positively the driving force of our economy.

 

At the time you were working for TransAm, could you please describe the conditions and situations that you were working under.

This could be of great help to many people who are planning to get their start, or re-start, at TransAm.

Good luck to you! God bless you and your family!

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

OTR & LTL - over the mountains - through the woods - coast to coast - sea to shining sea

The OTR & LTL truck drivers of America are positively the driving force of our economy.

 

We'll ask @Ssand Man since he works there.

 

@irishlad is it your left knee that is the problem? Lots of clutches have a lot of resistance, some don't. Those more mechanically inclined can explain the difference. If you can get in a truck with a soft clutch it makes a world of difference.

Another thing that can open up opportunities with companies that don't have automatics is to learn to float your shifts. I can go through Dallas rush hour and rarely ever touch the clutch, only when necessary to start from a complete stop. Get the hang of floating and keeping a steady pace in stop and go traffic and it is relaxing.

 

Also consider what is wrong with that knee if it is bone peices coming off and interfering with the joint, have a doctor shave em down and trim in surgery. You might get your knee back. Remember they can always chop the bad knee off and drop in a artificial one.

Autos are pretty common, but you do not want to test in a auto, results in a restriction against manual trucks which will reduce your hireability.

I don't mind a refresher or schooling. It's not the issue for me. But it will be nice to break the rust off and show a trainer that sure they can not only cut me loose but also make a trainer out of me as well. LOL. And I have bigger problems way beyond a common bad knee. The industry has changed so much, and I fear not always better. In my particular case anyhow.