I started to respond to this, but decided against it.
I thought it was obvious that I was NOT talking about Malakai, who I ASSUME had experinece in shifting, but rather, those who ENTERED the industry with the idea that they could AVOID dealing with shifting by just driving an autoshift and delivering their load for pay.
For those who think THIS way, my statement stands!
My own BROTHER, drives an autoshift, and has told me how much he enjoys the simplicity, and that he is just "driving the truck." I have heard as much from others on this board.
I will NOT change my opinion. MANY of those on this board, who have touted the advantages of the autoshift, have said that it makes it easier for their WIVES to do the job! I think this is LAZY and sexist!
But, it indicates to me, that those who can't DO the job, can GET the job because the autoshift does MOST of the work FOR them.
If you start with letting the tranny do the shifting, and then let the GPS give you the route..... YES..... You are no more than a robot that is "relocating" freight!
They could train a Monkey to do that!
What is LEFT..... is what I see on the road everyday! A "driver" with a cellphone glued to his ear, talking to his "wifey" back home when he SHOULD be keeping his truck in HIS LANE! (which he is NOT!)
Is that CLEAR enough for you REV???
A REAL trucker should at least know HOW to drive a manual shift truck, whether his company has them or not.... and he should know how to manually plan a trip, whether he has a GPS unit or not!
Right or wrong..... that is MY OPINION! And I have every right to my opinion!
Any newbie that gets into this job thinking they can get a truck that will shift FOR THEM, and a GPS that will plan their trips FOR THEM, and has no understanding nor intention of learning the trade, can stay AT HOME like the WUSSES they are!
Is that CLEAR??? DO you think it is necessary for YOU to clarify it for me, or anyone else?
If Malakai is a NEWBIE who fits that description.... then I guess I was including HIM! But, somehow.... I thought I wasn't!
BTW.... I thought I said the consensus of the BOARD..... not necessarily this thread! You REALLY should learn some English comprehension!
Just for you, Rev.... when I get time.... I will open a "survey says" thread/poll to find out how many on this BOARD think it is important to learn to SHIFT and TRIP PLAN without the help of "newfangled" devices!
Winner takes ALL..... and I truley MEAN that as it applies to the industry!