Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

wouldn't it be smarter?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by rbrtwbstr, Dec 21, 2012.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Dec 21, 2012 #1
    rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

    3,374
    7,785
    Jul 11, 2012
    in the bush somewhere
    0
    here's some food for thought.. I've been reading on here more and more often cases where a person goes to XYZ truck driving school and learns how to drive an autoshift and not a manual. I may be off my rocker here, but when I learned to drive, I was made to learn on a manual. So, my question is this- would it not be better to require newbies to learn in manual transmissions, so if and when they do switch jobs, they aren't confined to autoshift-only companies? And for the experienced driver who likes the auto better, let them have it. I realize a newbie is more prone to tearing up a tranny, and I dont have a clue how one would address that, but in the end, would it not be safer? If I posted this in the wrong place, please move to the proper place. thanks
     
    rbrtwbstr, Dec 21, 2012
    rbrtwbstr, Dec 21, 2012
    #1
    Numb Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Dec 21, 2012 #2
    jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

    924
    553
    Oct 25, 2012
    south english iowa
    0
    yes, that is part of the problem in trucking now. the trucks are so easy to drive just about anyone can drive one. in these so called schools soon as you can fill out a log books you are good to go. b careful out there
     
    jbourque, Dec 21, 2012
    jbourque, Dec 21, 2012
    #2
  4. Dec 21, 2012 #3
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

    3,424
    2,143
    Apr 1, 2011
    Broomfield, CO
    0
    I think this is one of those nuance discussions which will never go away. Yes, it certainly would be smarter to learn on a manual, and to get some experience driving them before driving an autoshift truck. The manual transmissions are still predominant.
    But let's say someone comes out of school and gets on with a carrier that works out good for them, and they happen to use the autoshifts. I couldn't really sit there and tell someone to pass up a good job on account of an automatic transmission.
     
    WitchingHour, Dec 21, 2012
    WitchingHour, Dec 21, 2012
    #3
  5. Dec 21, 2012 #4
    vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

    1,436
    1,990
    Jun 14, 2012
    In the Stratosphere
    0
    Growing up in Germany and geting my first of many licenses over there you would have a restriction on your license. If you went through a driving school on an automatic they would note that on your license and you could not drive a manual. Not sure if they still do that, but it made sense at the time.
    I do drive a 12 speed I-shift Volvo and would not go back to a manual if given the choice. I run California a lot with downtown L.A, San Francisco , Oakland and several other cities for stops and it makes it so nice not have to use the clutch and shift.
     
    vikingswen, Dec 21, 2012
    vikingswen, Dec 21, 2012
    #4
  7. Dec 21, 2012 #5
    DirtyBob

    DirtyBob Road Train Member

    1,913
    1,628
    Sep 2, 2010
    Indiana
    0
    DirtyBob, Dec 21, 2012
    DirtyBob, Dec 21, 2012
    #5
  8. Dec 21, 2012 #6
    Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

    2,905
    49,064
    Dec 8, 2012
    hunting...../ retired
    0
    Every single "new" driver should have to be taught on a standard trans. You should have to have that capability and knowledge before you are allowed to possess a CDL.........Never know even if you get a restricted license (auto only) and your truck has a breakdown...the rental place has only standard trans. well you are stuck, and more importantly your employer is.... his customer's load don't move cause "his" professional driver can't drive a standard trans.......
     
    Tonythetruckerdude, Dec 21, 2012
    Tonythetruckerdude, Dec 21, 2012
    #6
    rbrtwbstr Thanks this.
  9. Dec 21, 2012 #7
    rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

    3,374
    7,785
    Jul 11, 2012
    in the bush somewhere
    0
    thats exactly what my point was, guess i screwed that up, couldn't have said it better.
     
    rbrtwbstr, Dec 21, 2012
    rbrtwbstr, Dec 21, 2012
    #7
  10. Dec 21, 2012 #8
    Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

    2,905
    49,064
    Dec 8, 2012
    hunting...../ retired
    0
    No you said it just fine..your point was clear and spot on. I just had another example of how the problem could be if a newbie was put into that spot.
     
    Tonythetruckerdude, Dec 21, 2012
    Tonythetruckerdude, Dec 21, 2012
    #8
  11. Dec 21, 2012 #9
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

    15,317
    209
    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
    0
    all the threads on autos none mention learning on autos
    I know of no school teaching on autos
    In NJ you get a restricted license for testing on an auto
    and yes I drive an auto but can drive a quad box can you?
     
    Cranky Yankee, Dec 21, 2012
    Cranky Yankee, Dec 21, 2012
    #9
  12. Dec 21, 2012 #10
    rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

    3,374
    7,785
    Jul 11, 2012
    in the bush somewhere
    0
    yeah as a matter of fact, I can drive a quadbox, although I'm not very good at it. If anyone drives an autoshift and likes it, thats great. I drove one for two years, and kinda liked it. My point was simply that every driver should be trained/tested in a manual so in the event of a breakdown, emergency or whatever, the driver isnt limited to searching for an auto
     
    rbrtwbstr, Dec 21, 2012
    rbrtwbstr, Dec 21, 2012
    #10
    Logan76 and Tonythetruckerdude Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 3