STICK OR AUTOMATIC
Topic 20186 | Page 1
It's absolutely essential to learn manual, whether you end up using it doing the job or not. It allows you far more options both in whatever company you start with, as well as more options and greater desirability should you choose to move to a different company later.
I much prefer automatics, though. They're shown to be safer due to having less to focus on, considerably less chance of error should you need to change gear on a hill, provide better fuel mileage, and are just all around easier. Were I to win the lottery in a big way, enough to buy trucks upfront, I'd get a work truck that is automatic and a truck to play around in that's not for hire. There are a few roads around home that would be a blast to take a manual down.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I prefer a manual, but autoshifts are nice in stop and go city traffic.
My company has all autoshifts with the exception of training trucks. All drivers are expected to be able to drive anything. All new drivers are trained in a manual.
Glad I learned on 10-speed, but LOVE the Cascadia with auto. In traffic, pulling heavy loads and even in mountains I felt in control without worrying about shifting. Less tired also.
Prayers are always good. 🙂
Only driven a 10-sp; been told the automatics are nice, in that shifting is one less thing to worry about. Would agree with Susan that learning to shift is crucial: even if assigned a company truck that is auto, if it breaks down for any length of time and you are given the option of driving a different truck temporarily, it might be a stick-shift.
Exactly, Pete. And that is why West Side Transport does that. What if your truck breaks down and the spinner they put you in temporarily is a manual? They want drivers rolling, not sitting.
I'm currently in training with West Side (my upgrade test is tuesday) I was super nervous about driving a stick after all most 3 weeks and 5k+ miles pulling 40k pounds even had 45k across mountains of PA and WV I'm shifting with a lot more confidence and skill. It took awhile to prove to myself o could do it but the last 2 weeks have been a huge confidence boost. I still have a ways to go as I miss shifts still bit have become must better at recovering. I still prefer to have a auto as my arm is sore form the hills and traffic last few days.
Trust me if I can do it you can as well.
Oh and don't worry about people behind you staring at you once they get around since you'll be slow starting out, they will have to build a bridge and get over it.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
My CDL school taught us on 13spd manuals, we only ever double clutched. My first trainer had an 18spd and he only used the clutch to start and stop while splitting every gear up and down, I think he was showing off but I saw it could be done and he never ground a gear. My second trainer has an automatic which I really like in heavy stop and go traffic. I think it's better to be trained with an auto first to handle the truck then put in a standard to learn shifting, I found there was a lot going on to be worried about shifting gears at the same time as negotiating heavy traffic but to be a professional driver I think you would want to be able to drive any sort of transmission.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Excellent BobCat! I'm sure you will do well. Welcome to West Side and I hope you love driving here as much as I do.
Just a tip. Testing out you'll do a 4 hour road test, trip planning, load legalization , Qualcomm tests, (basically everything in the operations manual), 45, 90, and blindside backing. Just take your time, relax, goal as many times as necessary by walking COMPLETELY AROUND THE TRUCK, and don't forget to honk your horn before you back.
Again congratulations. You've obviously handled our Shippensburg PA loads so you'll do fine. I love driving through WVa and across I-68.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.
Thanks! Between Shippensburg and Maysville KY and Philly and Baltimore. It's been a steep learning curve, but my trainer says I'm ahead of the game on the road and backing and I haven't hit anything yet, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
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I will be starting at Houston Community College 07/31/2017. If you have seen my previous post I am a little concerned about learning the gear shifts However I'm not too nervous because I know if any of you can do it I can too. Just gotta focus, pay attention, and pay more attention lol. But Im curious to my new drivers and seasoned drivers which do you prefer and why stick or automatic. I know a lot of companies are now switching their fleet over to automatic trucks..let me know your opinions guys! thanks. Also send up a prayer for me if you will. I'm going to take my dot test tomorrow.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.