Limited Shifting

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?

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?

Hi Dejuan and welcome.

No need to worry. The school just teaches you enough to get your CDL. Your training at the company will help you hone your shifting skills among other things. Heck, you may even get with a company that runs automatics.

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?

Hi Dejuan and welcome.

No need to worry. The school just teaches you enough to get your CDL. Your training at the company will help you hone your shifting skills among other things. Heck, you may even get with a company that runs automatics.

Thanks for your reply! I'm deciding between Knight Transportation and Schneider, not sure if either of those have any automatics.

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?

Hi Dejuan and welcome.

No need to worry. The school just teaches you enough to get your CDL. Your training at the company will help you hone your shifting skills among other things. Heck, you may even get with a company that runs automatics.

Thanks for your reply! I'm deciding between Knight Transportation and Schneider, not sure if either of those have any automatics.

Me either. Maybe someone who does know will chime in.

I don't believe either run autos but you don't want one. Shifting is a valuable skill to have in the industry and just in general. You will get it, it takes time.

Yeah, don't sweat it. Nobody is good at shifting in the beginning and even drivers with 20+ years experience grind gears more than they would care to admit. So don't stress yourself over it. Before long you'll have it down and you won't even remember what you thought was so hard about it.

Thanks guys! This forum is unbelievably helpful

“We’ve found that many younger drivers looking to enter the industry prefer the automatic transmissions because it removes the perception that operating a truck is outside of their ability,” said Gretchen Jackson, recruiting manager at Con-way Truckload. “Truck driving is an essential role within the economy and, given the current driver shortage, we want to provide career opportunities for those who have an interest but may think the job is unattainable.” This is from Conways website, 540 new automatics this year. Also this statement,Learning to shift a 10 or 13 speed transmission may make some new drivers nervous about starting a career in trucking,” said Stephanie Klang, professional driver for Con-way Truckload. “But with the auto shifts in the trucks today, new drivers can feel more comfortable, focus attention on their surroundings and maneuver their truck safety through traffic and congestion. While driving a truck still involves a lot of skill, the automatics make life on the road a little easier.” I'll take a thirteen any day!

“We’ve found that many younger drivers looking to enter the industry prefer the automatic transmissions because it removes the perception that operating a truck is outside of their ability,” said Gretchen Jackson, recruiting manager at Con-way Truckload. “Truck driving is an essential role within the economy and, given the current driver shortage, we want to provide career opportunities for those who have an interest but may think the job is unattainable.” This is from Conways website, 540 new automatics this year. Also this statement,Learning to shift a 10 or 13 speed transmission may make some new drivers nervous about starting a career in trucking,” said Stephanie Klang, professional driver for Con-way Truckload. “But with the auto shifts in the trucks today, new drivers can feel more comfortable, focus attention on their surroundings and maneuver their truck safety through traffic and congestion. While driving a truck still involves a lot of skill, the automatics make life on the road a little easier.” I'll take a thirteen any day!

It`s about preference. I didn`t even think to ask the company I work for about transmission type... Didn`t care. If you go into trucking worrying about what you are going to drive, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. I felt awkward driving an automatic at first, and experienced some of their issues, but now, I actually prefer one. Truckers are the only people who will b**ch and moan about how hard trucking is but also be the first to shoot down anything that makes our job easier. Hell, drive what you have until you can buy your own.

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