Question:
Ok I miss a gear coming up- immediately go to the next higher- a little fuel-sound right ?
How about missing a downshift ?
Thanks...

Answer:
IT WAS THERE, YOU JUST SCREWED UP.
RULE OF THUMB " GET IT INTO SOMETHIN"

Answer:
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
Or, as the old trucker's saying goes:
If you can't find 'em,
grind 'em!!!!
Answer:
Dont worry about it!
Worry about the position of the truck!

Answer:
With clutch RELEASED, a simple 'blip' of the throttle will enable you to "TRY' again....
You let the rpm's drop too far to enable gears to mesh, giving it a simple rev with the motor gives you 'nother chance at the gear.
Now, with downshifting it's basically the same. You rev'd it up to make the shift, but missed. You just rev it again and slip it in. Just make sure you rev'd it HIGH enough to make the shift. That is usually the cause of missing a downshift(or going to fast for the gear).
Live and learn..............we ALL do grind'm occasionally....

Answer:
9 or 10 speed and a new driver
learn where 3 speeds are
20mph
30mph
40mph
know exactly what gear and RPM you are in for those 3 speeds,so you have a point of recovery at all times untill you get used to driving a truck,than you can forget all about it.
say you loose where your at at 27mph,if you know exactly what gear and rpm 20 mph is, you will recover before coming to a complete stop
if you don't know where nothing is,you got nothing to even try for,your just guessing and will grind away.
pick 4 numbers if you want 15,25,35,45 and as long as you know what gear and what rpm matches those speeds,you have a point of recovery.
amazing how tough truck trans are to survive new drivers
Answer:

I was looking for input and I got some good input. Often there are differant ways to do the same thing. Yes this is covered in training but Im trying to learn as thoroughly as I can. If you have a problem with that- what do you think this forum is for ? Just for your info- I have a 98 average between my skills and road test. Long way to go- but I can drive.

Answer:

I was looking for input and I got some good input. Often there are differant ways to do the same thing. Yes this is covered in training but Im trying to learn as thoroughly as I can. If you have a problem with that- what do you think this forum is for ? Just for your info- I have a 98 average between my skills and road test. Long way to go- but I can drive. Not intending to come down on you, but. Most trainees in school have some where close to a 98 average. Almost all run from 95-99 percent average. Your school grade point doesn't really mean much. I had a 98.5 average and one company kept telling me they knew I could do it. That company said they required a 95 or better to hire newbies. Sadly while she was telling me she knew I could do it I kept thinking, I haven't told her my score yet.
I took one trainee out who averaged a 98 and was 100 percent on backing. he was proud of his scores and reassured me over and over he could drive a truck. I failed him because he was one of the most dangerouse people I had ever been in a truck wit. Not only could he not back in a real life cituation he couldn't even keep the truck going in a straight line down the highway. Every pass he made he hit the left side rumble strips so I wouldn't allow him to go over 60. He told the boss the same crap about his score and I was an azz. I told the boss I wanted to live and home he went.
Over confidence because school is going great is a big mistake. School and real life are not the same. As a fact, running with a trainer and even a good one is not the same as the day your given your first set of keys. You have alot to learn and I can say with confidence you do not know how to drive a truck yet. But your probably pretty good at the motions and repettive actions in a school. Keep asking questions and learning all you can and one day you will really know how. Besides in reality it's not all that tough but you do have to do it on your own first.

Answer:
Not intending to come down on you, but. Most trainees in school have some where close to a 98 average. Almost all run from 95-99 percent average. Your school grade point doesn't really mean much. I had a 98.5 average and one company kept telling me they knew I could do it. That company said they required a 95 or better to hire newbies. Sadly while she was telling me she knew I could do it I kept thinking, I haven't told her my score yet.
I took one trainee out who averaged a 98 and was 100 percent on backing. he was proud of his scores and reassured me over and over he could drive a truck. I failed him because he was one of the most dangerouse people I had ever been in a truck wit. Not only could he not back in a real life cituation he couldn't even keep the truck going in a straight line down the highway. Every pass he made he hit the left side rumble strips so I wouldn't allow him to go over 60. He told the boss the same crap about his score and I was an azz. I told the boss I wanted to live and home he went.
Over confidence because school is going great is a big mistake. School and real life are not the same. As a fact, running with a trainer and even a good one is not the same as the day your given your first set of keys. You have alot to learn and I can say with confidence you do not know how to drive a truck yet. But your probably pretty good at the motions and repettive actions in a school. Keep asking questions and learning all you can and one day you will really know how. Besides in reality it's not all that tough but you do have to do it on your own first.
Very good and informative post! I'll remember that when I start on Tuesday. I, myself, got 99% in class and 100% on the backing excersizes....but I know I still need lots of practice in that department. The more the better I suppose.
Answer:
Thanks for all the help- I agree the scores dont mean much at all, and there is no place for over confidance.

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I neglected to add my input previously. There's only one way to correctly upshift or downshift transmissions. You're paying to learn the techneque
from instructor. If you can't figure that out you sure as hell aren't going to learn
anything here.

I don't have the "problem" you do. I'm not the one in training. If you can drive as you claim you wouldn't have asked a relatively ignorant question in the first place.
Answer:

For those of you who are unable to accept information unless it is presented to you in a sweet, palatable, easy to swallow package, I'd suggest that you bail out of the industry now before you waste any more of your time and money.
Try to get it through your heads that you're entering a vocation (vocation is a nice word for 'job') at the absolute bottom of the ladder and that for most of you, there is NO upward mobility. In other words, what you start off as is what you're going to end up as; a truck driver.
You may, as various others have said, think of yourself as being as important to the company as the CEO but I can assure you that if you believe that nonsense, you're a minority of one. To shippers, receivers, your dispatchers/fleet managers, load planners, etc., etc., you are an easily replacable cog in a very large machine. If you're unable to accept that and, more importantly, unable to accept that you're going to be treated as an easily replaceable commodity, you're in for a world of surpise.
The discourtesy that you experience on this board is absolutely nothing compared to what you're going to receive once you have graduated from the CDL mill of your choice and become another steering wheel holder. Get it through your heads that you're paying someone to turn you into "meat in the seat"; nothing more, nothing less.
Quit your whining.

Answer:
I was refraining from positng on this forum, but I couldn't resist.
Here we are again, biatching, complaining, belittling and degrading newbies.
Did you foget when you first started that you grind a few gears?
Hell, I do because I have this Freightliner where I had to teach myself again on when to shift. I still dont have it down packed. Missing a gear is something you learn with time. Today in Allentown, Pa at the WaWa truckstop I thought I had my truck in the proper gear, but instead I dogged it out a little. I made a mistake, I got over it and you old folgies should look back to when you started driving.
Didn't you make a mistake more then once? Or are you God's gift to driving?
No one is perfect and if you think you are perfect at driving, please get off the freaking interstate. I know I wouldn't want your egotistcal self on the same road I drive on.
I think it's time we all as a "whole" get along for once. Who will take your place when you are six feet under, retarded (retired) or just plain give up on the industry?
There is a few that posted on this that makes sense, but instead of telling why "you" hate it, why not give some encouraging statements.
For instance, if you are having problems shifting do the approach of "bam bam." This approach is used when you are taking it out of gear to putting it back into gear. Think to yourself, "bam" when you take it out. Gas it up and "bam" you are in the gear you need to be in.
Don't handle the gearshift like a rolling pin. Place your hand on the top of it and get to know it like you know your manly hood. That one slipped, sorry... Lightly move it into gear without slamming it. This will make the shifting easier, because like most things a soft touch is better then a hard touch.
Make sure your RPMs are at 18 rpms or some trucks higher. Make sure you never reeve up your engine past 20-21 rpms. This can and will blow your engine. Correct me if I am wrong fellas, I know you will.
Now Stuffings don't bash me on this post. Or I'll, I'll.............
I'm sure I won't get bashed, but I'm on guard in case I do.
If you have anymore questions, I'll be happy to answer them. I'm only on my third year out here, but I'll try and help the best I can.Sweet Whiskey

Answer:

I have one. I'm repeating myself but "why would anyone pay
for training and not recieve what they paid for?". The "internet"
is in reality a poor source for training as proven by you answer.
You failed to provide an answer to the original question.
Rabelam,
Yes the internet is a poor source for training, but to some it is helpful to answer their questions. In fact, you should of never used those two words in the same sentence! I was just stating that sometimes questions can be answered by a person who has a little bit of experience. In your case, alot of years of experience.
I also agree that you should get what you pay for.
So what was my original question?
I'm getting old and forgetful, or were you talking about someone else?
I'm so lost!Sweet Whiskey

Answer:
Well, Sweet Wiskey.............I'm glad you make some comments. I refrained from any of it, til now. When I read the comments that came from these "wannabee, arm chair quarterbacks" I got down right PO'd. I can't believe that when someone asked a simple question, the "sheet-don't-stink" crowd jumps down their throat .
Growing up, didn't ANYONE ever come home from school and ask their parents to help with their homework because the teacher didn't explain it well enough?? Ya, I know all the "perfect drivers" out there never, ever asked a question. They simply woke up one day and could drive PERFECT .
This place simply amazing me every time I look. It's the internet, so I take it with a grain of salt. Just like the CB anymore...nothing but "Rambo's" everywhere you look!