September 2024
Since the last posting, I once again changed companies but still doing the same thing... hanging out with Laferty and Wilfong and delivering loads. The last company I worked for I liked except for the trucks, they rode like a trampoline in an earthquake. The money was good and the loads were long which I also enjoyed. However, the workplace became toxic and it's something I saw before signing on with the company but thought I could simply do my job and not be noticed. For the most part they would send me the load information and leave me alone.
That lasted a little over a year and then the lies started along with having to deal with condescending attitudes. Pretty much most companies are like that because they feel that drivers are a dime a dozen despite the driver shortage rumors. After being disrespected by management, I defended my values and management of course tried turning the tables on me and said, "if you're not happy here then you can clean out your truck and go somewhere else." Well little did he know that this was already in the works so I left and was immediately hired on with another company making more money and a much better truck. In the past I have only worked for companies pulling refrigerated trailers delivering food. My new company pulls what is called dry van loads and doing a lot of drop and hooks. Dropping a loaded trailer and pick up a preloaded trailer which keeps me moving and I get a little more exercise.
Most all companies now days only have automatic transmissions, and CDL schools only offer training using automatic transmissions. Once you get your CDL your license is restricted to automatic transmission only meaning you cannot legally drive a truck with a manual transmission... yes, it takes training a some practice. Up until 2010, automatic transmissions were unheard of, but with the new drivers climbing on board, companies found it difficult to train the students on manual transmissions. Driving a semi truck with a 10, 13 or 18 speed transmission is nothing like driving a car. I hear it all the time with new drivers coming into the industry saying, "my car is a stick shift, it can't be that much different.
So my new company has mostly Kenworth T680 trucks, but 99% of them all have automatic transmissions. Trucks with automatic transmissions still have a few bugs to work out and can be problematic when doing maneuvers. The truck this company offered me had more than its share of issues and after unsuccessfully trying to work out the bugs, they offered me a truck with a manual transmission which was a big win for me. The other reason why companies are going to all automatic transmissions is because they claim they get better fuel mileage which is a huge savings.
So my new company has mostly Kenworth T680 trucks, but 99% of them all have automatic transmissions. Trucks with automatic transmissions still have a few bugs to work out and can be problematic when doing maneuvers. The truck this company offered me had more than its share of issues and after unsuccessfully trying to work out the bugs, they offered me a truck with a manual transmission which was a big win for me. The other reason why companies are going to all automatic transmissions is because they claim they get better fuel mileage which is a huge savings.
The new truck I now have rides much better, more comfortable and not as noisy, plus it looks more like a truck... it's a Kenworth. The previous trucks were all Freightliner Cascadias, just about the cheapest made trucks on the road today. I can't blame a large fleet investing in low quality trucks, but throughout the years, the Freightliner has gone down hill in quality and getting worse. If I have to go back to driving a automatic, I hope it's a Volvo. They run smoother, much more room inside and absolutely no transmission issues. But for now, it's a Kenworth T680 with a Super 10 manual transmission.
