Profile For JJ K.

You know, D.M., many people in life try to avoid "restrictions". True, this is a "free country" and maybe the idea of restrictions is frowned upon. Also, I understand your desire to be legally able to drive any semi-truck tractor on the road.

However, in the last several years most of the major trucking companies have been switching over to auto-shift shift tranmissions. (These are not true automatics like in your car, more of a computer controlled shifter trans.) They have their reasons (economy and rate of maintenance + repair) and they did not ask drivers about this.

I drive for Swift. I learned how to drive a manual shift big rig. I understand Swift still likes to train using manual shift tractors, maybe like I said to reduce restrictions for drivers, and to make sure they can drive the older stick units. But large company trucking companies are driving into the future with auto shift power. You can still look for manual-training companies, just ask your recruiters. But there is coming a time when you'll only see manual shifts driven by old timers and in the antique section of truck shows

Just since im a newbie.... if i go to a company training school which uses the “automated manual”, (petrbuilt 579 for example), instead of true manual, will i end up with the ‘auto only’ restriction on my license? I get ya though, since the big companies which keep a 24 month style fleet refresh will most likely all have this more current/modern trans in their current fleets, but just wondering is all, for edification.... still learning all about things, and what are ‘deal breakers’ and what are ‘who really cares since it’s 2019’ ... type thing.. your last sentence seems to answer that particular question, but i’d still like to know if i get a restriction or not.