No Manual Transmission, No Problem?!

Topic 31795 | Page 1

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Mimi R.'s Comment
member avatar

I’ve been studying for my CLP and weighing my options for schooling. I talked to two carriers - Roehl and PAM. I was disappointed that neither carrier offered training on a manual truck. When I asked a local driving school, they told me that I could pay the $5,500 class out-of-pocket and wait on a manual truck to become available for training. I don’t want the automatic transmission restriction on my CDL-A. I was prepared to roll OTR for 36 months, then local for the duration of my career. I think having the restriction on my license makes me less marketable and diminishes the value of any future endorsements I want to pursue. I was prepared to get paid like trash for about a year, then step up in pay. I wasn’t prepared to pay thousands of dollars to learn on an automatic. Am I overthinking this? What do you experienced truckers think I should do?

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.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

SAP:

Substance Abuse Professional

The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.

Anne A. (and sometimes To's Comment
member avatar

I’ve been studying for my CLP and weighing my options for schooling. I talked to two carriers - Roehl and PAM. I was disappointed that neither carrier offered training on a manual truck. When I asked a local driving school, they told me that I could pay the $5,500 class out-of-pocket and wait on a manual truck to become available for training. I don’t want the automatic transmission restriction on my CDL-A. I was prepared to roll OTR for 36 months, then local for the duration of my career. I think having the restriction on my license makes me less marketable and diminishes the value of any future endorsements I want to pursue. I was prepared to get paid like trash for about a year, then step up in pay. I wasn’t prepared to pay thousands of dollars to learn on an automatic. Am I overthinking this? What do you experienced truckers think I should do?

Howdy, Mimi! Welcome to Trucking Truth, too!

Have you looked into any other training companies, where YOU won't foot the bill? Apply For Paid CDL Training!

Also, here's a great starter read for you:

Keep us in the loop, ma'am.

Hope this helps a bit! If you add your state, it'll help us, help you!

~ Anne ~

ps: The link with company apps, STILL has some manuals to train on!

pps: If you end up with the restriction, it's easier than many think, to have it removed.

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.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

SAP:

Substance Abuse Professional

The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.

Mimi R.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks!!! I’m in Texas. I will add it to my profile. I didn’t know that the restriction could be removed. That’s a relief.

double-quotes-start.png

I’ve been studying for my CLP and weighing my options for schooling. I talked to two carriers - Roehl and PAM. I was disappointed that neither carrier offered training on a manual truck. When I asked a local driving school, they told me that I could pay the $5,500 class out-of-pocket and wait on a manual truck to become available for training. I don’t want the automatic transmission restriction on my CDL-A. I was prepared to roll OTR for 36 months, then local for the duration of my career. I think having the restriction on my license makes me less marketable and diminishes the value of any future endorsements I want to pursue. I was prepared to get paid like trash for about a year, then step up in pay. I wasn’t prepared to pay thousands of dollars to learn on an automatic. Am I overthinking this? What do you experienced truckers think I should do?

double-quotes-end.png

Howdy, Mimi! Welcome to Trucking Truth, too!

Have you looked into any other training companies, where YOU won't foot the bill? Apply For Paid CDL Training!

Also, here's a great starter read for you:

Keep us in the loop, ma'am.

Hope this helps a bit! If you add your state, it'll help us, help you!

~ Anne ~

ps: The link with company apps, STILL has some manuals to train on!

pps: If you end up with the restriction, it's easier than many think, to have it removed.

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.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

SAP:

Substance Abuse Professional

The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.

Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

You are totally over thinking this. Only 6% of truck sales last year were manuals. Most fleets have turned over to auto and even Old Dominion who claimed they would stay manual are converting over. Your marketability will be based on your clean record and on time delivery as well as your commitment to your companies.

Go to a company sponsored school and pay nothing in many cases, stay the one year or whatever.... Last I heard Roehl was 150,000 miles. Pam is less desirable in my mind and often seen as a second chance company. Why did you want them?

Mimi R.'s Comment
member avatar

I needed that heads up about PAM two days ago. I didn’t see their reviews until I had already left the driving school. In my opinion, the driving school recruiter basically just pushed me to apply with their carrier partner who offered the highest recruitment incentives - PAM. My first choice is Roehl for their safety rating and training. I was a little turned off by the $7k price (if I fail - which I won’t) and Wisconsin location.

You are totally over thinking this. Only 6% of truck sales last year were manuals. Most fleets have turned over to auto and even Old Dominion who claimed they would stay manual are converting over. Your marketability will be based on your clean record and on time delivery as well as your commitment to your companies.

Go to a company sponsored school and pay nothing in many cases, stay the one year or whatever.... Last I heard Roehl was 150,000 miles. Pam is less desirable in my mind and often seen as a second chance company. Why did you want them?

Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

Location means nothing. I was sent to MO for a week orientation then went out OTR with my company. My dispatcher was in MO but I lived in NJ.

Don't always believe reviews. Most of the time it is what you put into it. You should stay at your first company at least a year because they will forgive accidents and dings more than your second or third company. A year goes by very quickly. Nothing is firm until you sign a contract.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Dispatcher:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Mimi R.'s Comment
member avatar

I definitely plan to stay with my first carrier at least a year. I’ve budgeted for lower rates and training pay, etc.

You’re right. It is super valuable to stay with the company who invests in my training, because they’ll be invested in getting me past my rookie stage and into a more profitable/efficient stage.

Thanks for the valuable advice. I will keep the group posted.

Location means nothing. I was sent to MO for a week orientation then went out OTR with my company. My dispatcher was in MO but I lived in NJ.

Don't always believe reviews. Most of the time it is what you put into it. You should stay at your first company at least a year because they will forgive accidents and dings more than your second or third company. A year goes by very quickly. Nothing is firm until you sign a contract.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Dispatcher:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Anne A. (and sometimes To's Comment
member avatar

I needed that heads up about PAM two days ago. I didn’t see their reviews until I had already left the driving school. In my opinion, the driving school recruiter basically just pushed me to apply with their carrier partner who offered the highest recruitment incentives - PAM. My first choice is Roehl for their safety rating and training. I was a little turned off by the $7k price (if I fail - which I won’t) and Wisconsin location.

double-quotes-start.png

You are totally over thinking this. Only 6% of truck sales last year were manuals. Most fleets have turned over to auto and even Old Dominion who claimed they would stay manual are converting over. Your marketability will be based on your clean record and on time delivery as well as your commitment to your companies.

Go to a company sponsored school and pay nothing in many cases, stay the one year or whatever.... Last I heard Roehl was 150,000 miles. Pam is less desirable in my mind and often seen as a second chance company. Why did you want them?

double-quotes-end.png

PAM/Driver Solutions, hmm.. are you locked in? Did you apply via our site? Apply For Paid CDL Training, A division of PAM (Decker) here in Ohio, is excellent; all dedicated/regional; but no idea, elsewhere.

Roehl is on our site, as well. Yes, their price IS steep, but their required commitment isn't too long. However, from reading our diaries on here, it seems that they aren't the most 'tolerant' before sending one home. Did you get any 'other' hits from our app, above?

How about Knight? It's now Swift/Knight, but ... excellent training; look at all our former Swifties, ie: G'Town, and Davy at Knight.

There's also CFI/TFI (recently acquired Transport America, and the LTL of UPS) that pays to train, or at least 'for' your training. I'm not sure what their contact info is, currently.

Another training company that actually IS in TX, is Raider Express: Raider Express, Ft. Worth, TX.

Always worth a shot, I'll think of a few more, too!

Happy to help,

~ Anne ~

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.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

LTL:

Less Than Truckload

Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.

LTL carriers include:

  • FedEx Freight
  • Con-way
  • YRC Freight
  • UPS
  • Old Dominion
  • Estes
  • Yellow-Roadway
  • ABF Freight
  • R+L Carrier
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