Swift Question

Starting the Swift school in Indiana on Monday. I was just re-reading some old training diaries and noticed a lot of talk about auto transmissions. My question is does anyone know if they are they still training on manuals? I sooo don't want to have the automatic only restriction on my license.

I went through the Swift academy in Memphis, 2 years ago. Automatics weren't in use yet. But I understand you will be trained in manual shift units, including your OTR road training. That covers your restriction worries.

But most of the new tractors will be auto-shift. Welcome to Swift!!

Starting the Swift school in Indiana on Monday. I was just re-reading some old training diaries and noticed a lot of talk about auto transmissions. My question is does anyone know if they are they still training on manuals? I sooo don't want to have the automatic only restriction on my license.

As of last week all training is still being done on Manual transmissions.

*Pretty sure they're keeping it that way as new drivers are getting the older trucks when first starting. Yes Swift is switching to Autos but the rollout/switch is not yet complete.

Relieved, thanks both of you. I'm not so much against an auto, I just don't want to start off with a restriction.

It may actually be the last time you drive a class 8 truck equipped with a manual transmission.

Good luck!!!

Yes I understand it's not the same as a manual in a 69 GTO but I've been driving manuals my whole life and enjoy it so it will be a shame. On the other hand a manual trans really cuts into the coffee drinking soooo. But seriously I've seen where a few guys have said they appreciate the auto in the city where there is plenty to focus on without shifting and that makes a lot of sense to me. More than a few times over the years I've watched guys making turns in cities with a tractor trailer and asked myself "who the hell would want to do that for a living"? Yes, that's my biggest fear of this career choice, that and some of the near impossible backing situations I've seen videos of.

It may actually be the last time you drive a class 8 truck equipped with a manual transmission.

Good luck!!!

GTO? Are you "Pontiac" guy? "68 Goat is one of my favorite muscle cars.

Brian is afraid:

Yes, that's my biggest fear of this [trucking] career choice, that and some of the near impossible backing situations I've seen videos of.

Brian, keep in mind that over 20 million Americans chose trucking for a career. Nothing "wrong" there! Check out the kind of people who switched careers to trucking: What did you do before becoming a truck driver?

As for backing that trailer up, yes you'll need some practice to get your brain wrapped around that. Here are a few situations you may run into. This link is a search result on Backing Practice™

I owned a 69 ragtop with a stock 400, Muncie 4 speed, Tach in the hood, rubber front end and hideaway headlights. With no upgrades other than headers it would pull the wheels in 2 gears. I also had a 70 1/2 Trans Am with a 389 which was very cool till I put a rod through the side of the block. There were 3 different Goats among my friends back in the 70's and my garage was the engine rebuild (mostly bent valves due to plastic timing gears) and clutch replacement gathering spot. We went through a lot of clutches, more breaking them than wearing them out. lol Don't even ask me what happened to the car I don't want to talk about it. :(

GTO? Are you "Pontiac" guy? "68 Goat is one of my favorite muscle cars.

I wouldn't say fear, I think more like an appropriate amount of nervous respect. Yes I have met a number of truck drivers who made me think "oh geez this should be a cake walk" haha. Then again I can say the same about some nurses I've worked with. Even worked with a few doctors who made me think maybe that route would have been easier than I thought.

Brian is afraid:

Yes, that's my biggest fear of this [trucking] career choice, that and some of the near impossible backing situations I've seen videos of.

Brian, keep in mind that over 20 million Americans chose trucking for a career. Nothing "wrong" there! Check out the kind of people who switched careers to trucking: What did you do before becoming a truck driver?

As for backing that trailer up, yes you'll need some practice to get your brain wrapped around that. Here are a few situations you may run into. This link is a search result on Backing Practice™