Your Latest Thoughts On Automatic Or Manual Transmission? // Team Or Solo Driving?

Well, now that I've hopefully said almost enough in hopes of 'splaining, I can spare ya'll the more lengthy stuff. And I can thank you for what I'll take as mostly a vote of confidence, Kearsey. I appreciate your time. I put a lot into the background hoping to establish that, well in my defense, I've got more than ("over-) thinking" going on, thinking which I still think is mostly justified under my circumstances. Because as I tried to admit, I have this (slow-) learning disability of sorts that is not just about "fear". As a long-time mindfulness practitioner, I'm not "scared" or very nervous behind the wheel, pretty well centered and fairly calm and just acutely aware of the priorities... Like, paying attention to all other vehicles in traffic, all the while doing strange things like having to call out the clearance height of every overpass I pass under (who's used to even noticing them, pre-CDL?!); and especially making sure all turns are wide enough or else!...when we're told how many students have been plowing into this and that sign on a particular turn... Slowing and stopping sooner than cars do. Turning off the signal lever after every turn...Do NOT turn right on red...and of course the list is longer. You guys get to take it all for granted, and some of it no longer even applies...which I look forward to.

Of course, tension inevitably does build fast when you keep screwing up what you thought you had down better, and such performance under pressure can take practice when you're under scrutiny every second (the total opposite of the usual trucker's and motorist's reality)... And again, the main thing is we have to sit around waiting for truck time too much, precious class hours draining away, and I'm just not getting enough practice for a slower learner of complex physical skills... BUT.. What I wanted from you guys is, well, part of what you said. Helpful stuff like, NO I did not realize that only 5 points can count against bad shifting. (As long as I "recover"...now there's a catch.) But it's helpful to know, unless it might vary by state, etc. See, they don't just tell us all this stuff, right? And you ask why did I choose a school that teaches only on manuals if it's too hard? Well that's easy; simply cuz hindsight is 20-20. I had no clue it would be too hard to master that multi-tasking skill in the time available, that it'd be that complicated, especially while competing for truck time would be such an issue. I naturally figured I'm better off not having the restriction, but now I have to try to prepare to minimize my losses. I get that I'm being advised so far to suck it up and deal with whatever happens in the test, regardless of whether I fail as expected and have exhausted my hours at the school...when there might be a better option available. AND...you may well be right. Can't argue that when it comes to this, I basically do have 'cannot do it in my vocabulary'. So the question remains, SHOULD I do it, if I have the option of changing horses for the ultimate exam? Anyway, it'll be what it'll be...thanx for listening folks!

I sincerely want you to truly consider if you can learn the job. School is hard and that is the easy part. No lie. Training once you are employed is accelerated. It is fast paced and ever changing. Be prepared for that stress and come up with a plan to overcome it. Such as keeping a notepad and pen to write down instructions. I had a student who didnt know left from right so I wrote it on the window.

You are so concerned with shifting but how are you doing with the pretrip? That comes first in the exam

If you are this stressed over this why torture yourself and by testing in the manual? That is what you actually want someone to say. You already made your decision. So change trucks or schools. Whatever you need to do to eliminate issues.

As for "recover", that means grinding gears but then getting it back into the proper gear without stalling the truck. Stalling with traffic around is an automatic fail due to impeding traffic.

Good luck. You CAN do this if you try and plan to conquer.

First and foremost you have to decide you want this and your going to get it. A can do attitude, rather than a can’t do. If shifting is the only issue then focus on doing the best you can. It is intimidating at first, but in reality not that hard. My shifting in school sucked and I still passed. Just as Kearsey told you it can only count off 5 points no matter how much you grind them.

As far as testing at another school, I couldn’t tell you. Private schools are for profit private business’s. You need to go speak with your lead instructor about these issues and see what advise they can offer. This certainly is not the first time they have been through this.

Well thanx once again for the always honest feedback, folks. I've considered those responses, and did over an hour's worth of reading other's posts here along with the feedback they got, plus had helpful talks with the school I could switch to (to get the auto-trans. license) and the company I've been most interested in (which runs my current school). Also honestly confided last night in our most veteran examiner who's been my main driving instructor, and he actually showed me on his just-completed official testing sheet how there's two categories on shifting, containing a total of TEN possible points (out of 50 though). He was very sympathetic and encouraging. So...since my decision to change horses was tentative...I've decided to stay positive about passing on a manual transmission, stay focused on that and just do my best on the test. I DO VERY much want this, and so I sure want to succeed big at this "last career". So, I'm gonna bet on this phase of the adventure and let the chips fall where they may.

In my experience a very tricky fine line between that crucial can-do attitude and the apparent "realism" of knowing one's own limitations. But most likely the truth in my case lies somewhere in between, which would naturally mean that the "negative" part is excessive and there's a good enough chance I'll at least squeak by in the exam. And since I'll get more than one crack at it if necessary, all of the above tips the scale for me.

What I most wanted from you guys was the general support you're so good at here, and especially anything based on relevant experience others have had or are having now... In particular any specific tips on what's been helping or hurting others, aside from the common enemy of worrying too much. I think I'll have that part under enough control now. Well...What is certain is that I'll see how it goes the rest of the week! --E.Z.