Just How Hard Is It To Shift Gears?

I'm thinking of going to a company sponsored driving school, and I asked a male driver I know what he thought. He said I may have trouble with shifting gears, that even he has a hard time. I'm small, only 5' tall, but by no means a wilting flower. Any of you ladies have any advice?

Hahaha....sounds like he didn't want any competition !!!! There are a few lady drivers on here who are vertically challenged..I don't think Redgator is over 5 foot...and Special K isn't, I know. So theres no reason in the world that you can't learn to drive !!! And shifting ??? since when does it take "outside plumbing" to shift a big truck ????? Its something that you LEARN....just like every other aspect of something you have not experienced before....Like men experiencing child birth....I've often felt that men should always carry the 2nd child...but if that were the case...we would ALL BE ONLY CHILDREN !!!!!!! Anyway....YOU CAN DO IT !!!! All of the lady drivers I know have done it...and you are not any different. I have a dear lady friend who is around 80 years old. And after her husband died, she went to driving his truck to feed her children. And she is a little bitty thing..and this was back in the 60's, when trucks had manual steering ..no power steering, and scissor seats, no air...and no AC... She was one of the VERY few lady drivers of that time...when there weren't women's rest rooms or showers... So compared to that...us lady drivers have it pretty cushy now......

I think you bumped up against the male ego there. I'll bet you that after you get the hang of it you will be able to shift much smoother than he ever could.

I am a man and I think that was a stupid thing for him to say. He has absolutely no basis for that comment. Sure everybody struggles a little with it at first, but there are lots of Ladies out there steering and gearing with the best of them. Don't even give that wise crack a second thought - you will be just fine.

Old School nailed it right on the head (as usual)! Today's trucks shift just as easily as a car, I trained in a Volvo and you could use your fingertips. The shifting pattern is an "H" pattern 10 speed for most company trucks. Pretty basic stuff. I'd never done it until last October when I started school. I'm currently on a Cali to New Jersey run with my man and having a great time!

Thanks for the words of encouragement for those of us who have never driven a 10/13 speed.

Tracy...I'm and old driver...and I started my trucking career driving trucks constructing logging roads...OLD trucks...my first truck was a triple stick...now that was exciting....but when I started OTR , I had experience with a 9 speed, 10 speed, 13 speed, 15 speed (ugly transmission) and an 18 speed....So its just another learning experience, and once you get one down, the others are no big deal.

Wow! this is a super supportive group. I feel so much better going into this. I CAN do it!

Thank you everyone!

Yes You Can.......It takes Wanna, Grit, and Fortitude...but you can do it..