Limited Shifting

Not b**ching, just stating my preference. I can understand the ease of less shifting especially in the city's. The auto's were what the company's drivers asked for. Just thought I'd throw another co. at Dejuan US Express runs autos also

Sorry Michael, I wasn`t pointing that at you, just saying in general.

By the way, the trucks you train with are new trucks and shifting is much smoother.

No need, but appreciated. I understand this subject can be taken in more than one way due to its nature. I do find a large problem though with the fact that if they get trained on auto That is all they are going to be able to drive. What happens when they change companys? or when the truck breaks down and all there is are standards in the yard??

I have a similar problem.I have been driving standards all my life cars and trucks not rigs well now I drive rigs around the yard and so forth the ones I drive have only8 speeds now i know everything takes practice but im worried that it will come back to haunt me I have veteran drivers teaching me how to drive them which means a clutch is almost never used. how do I take the test and all if I learn without a clutch ?

No need, but appreciated. I understand this subject can be taken in more than one way due to its nature. I do find a large problem though with the fact that if they get trained on auto That is all they are going to be able to drive. What happens when they change companys? or when the truck breaks down and all there is are standards in the yard??

That is very true. I believe if you are schooled in an automatic there will be a restriction on your CDL stating that is all you can drive. I wouldn`t want that. Pretty soon driving a standard will need an endorsement... Weird.

I have a similar problem.I have been driving standards all my life cars and trucks not rigs well now I drive rigs around the yard and so forth the ones I drive have only8 speeds now i know everything takes practice but im worried that it will come back to haunt me I have veteran drivers teaching me how to drive them which means a clutch is almost never used. how do I take the test and all if I learn without a clutch ?

Don`t worry dude! You have the concept down. Just practice the double clutch. All the examiner is looking for is if you can safely operate the vehicle. I grinded the s**t out of some gears on my test and still passed with a pretty high score. Now, I`m not saying that is okay, but, don`t freak out if it does happen.

I do find a large problem though with the fact that if they get trained on auto That is all they are going to be able to drive. What happens when they change companys? or when the truck breaks down and all there is are standards in the yard??

Exactly. Indeed there will be a restriction on your license saying you can only drive automatics. In my opinion you can't let that happen. You can't go through training and wind up with a Class A restricted to automatics. 99.95% of the trucks on the road are standards. Going through everything it takes to get your CDL just to wind up eliminating yourself from almost every available job would be a grave mistake.

So for everyone out there - make sure you get your training and take the CDL exam with a standard transmission. I drove automatics for 6 out of 15 years of my career and I loved em. In fact, I don't think I've ever spoken with a driver that had an automatic for at least a few months and didn't love it. Nobody likes the idea at first, but once you've driven one there's no questioning the convenience of it. So there's nothing in the world wrong with landing a job driving automatics. You just don't want any sort of restriction on your license so make sure the CDL testing will be done in a standard.

I graduated from a private school to obtain my Class A but I have limited skills on shifting and afraid they're gonna expect to be advanced at it when I go to orientation for 18 days. Any advice?

Oh I got advice alright, lol. Hope it's good, let me know. First a funny little story, I had a tiny little suv ( Suzuki Grand Vitara ) like a tracker. Fun, fun little thing, turned on a dime, fit anywhere. ( stick) When I traded up to a ( at least i thought so ) Mazda Tribute, I brought it home to show off and told my son it was an automatic. He said, "mom do you know how to drive one?" haha, I thought it was funny. Anyway I read, if your going 25mph your in 7th gear 2+5=7 if your going 35 your in 8th gear and so on and so forth. Is this good advice? I hope someone will let me know Also, went bowling years ago and had a few beers did not drive home, but when someone offered to drive me they couldn't drive it!!! Bummer, Oh well.