SWIFT's Tractor Fleet; FYI

This morning I had to take my semi-annual SIM class in Jonestown PA. The safety director who I've know for several years and trust implicitly, informed me by the end of 2017, SWIFT's company driver fleet will be at or close to 100% automatic. He wasn't able to confirm how this immediately impacts the training fleet, but common sense would suggest an eventual trickle down affect.

Since June of last year I have been weaned off the 10 speed day cabs (which I loved), into the LW 12 speed automatics. Although the transition was initially met with some resistance (what do I do with my left foot, etc.), I have overtime accepted the "dark-side" and would be hard pressed to regress to the 10 speed tractors. Much of that has to do with the type of driving I do for Walmart Dedicated, 25% of each day or more is spent in urban areas and congested highways and byways of suburban Philadelphia and Northern New Jersey.

If I happen to learn of a timeline for the training academies, I will update the forum.

I definitely agree with you. Trained on 8speed then into an automatic. Started with Werner had to do my road test in a 10 speed then back to automatic. Sometimes miss shifting but like you mentioned it sure is nice in heavy traffic or where there's a stoplight every half mile.

I definitely agree with you. Trained on 8speed then into an automatic. Started with Werner had to do my road test in a 10 speed then back to automatic. Sometimes miss shifting but like you mentioned it sure is nice in heavy traffic or where there's a stoplight every half mile.

Indeed.

I've just taken my automatic into this Appalachians. Interstate , mountain 2-lane, towns, they're all good.

That is good news, at least for me. For 34 of the last 40 years practically every vehicle I have owned has been a manual transmission. I purchased a Chevy Truck about 6 years ago with an automatic. I don't miss shifting a bit, the auto has spoiled me. I'm glad that I am starting school this month as to still train and test out with a manual trans. I certainly don't want the Automatic Only restriction on my license, but will look forward to the day Swift offers me an Automatic Truck. Thanks for the heads up G!

So the rumor is true. Haha.

I've heard 2017 for Swift would be nearly all automatics. I guess that answers a previous question that I asked Errol. But are they still handing out tractors with manual transmissions to the new recruits?

CJ is burning the candle at both ends:

I guess that answers a previous question that I asked Errol. But are they still handing out tractors with manual transmissions to the new recruits?

The previous question was answered in the original post, as was the current question that you had asked previously.

CJ is burning the candle at both ends:

I guess that answers a previous question that I asked Errol. But are they still handing out tractors with manual transmissions to the new recruits?

The previous question was answered in the original post, as was the current question that you had asked previously.

My apologies. Just over excited.

'S OK. My weakness is to try to take people's minds out and play with them.