Question:
I am a newbie (still in driving school )and am thinking about U.S.xpress. does anybody out there know anything(good or bad) about them.
Thanks

Answer:
to USX is that they use 100% auto shift transmissions in their trucks which could cause you problems later on if you switch to a carrier that has manuals.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
I have heard allot of bad stuff about there Medford Ohio training facility.You stay in a place called the bunkhouse. Hear its a real adventure. Also dont know if I would like an autoshift. Just don't sound good to me.

Answer:
It isn't too bad at all, and will actually spoil you in a hurry. Probably 90% of drivers who have driven them like them on the whole. They will spoil you in a hurry especially in heavy city traffic.
Like I said before though. I do not really think that a newbie should learn to drive a truck with one simply because they still are not that wide spread in the industry even though more and more companies are beginning to use them.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
thanks everybody for the advice on u.s.xpress. I didn't know about the auto shift. it does sound easier but I think you are right,I need to stay with the manual for the experience. Am also talking to TransAm,Roehl,and CRST. Any info you can give about them would be appreciated
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Answer:
Trans AM is starting the switch over to Auto shifts the last I knew. (Be a good idea to check with them on this though)
Roehl is still using the manuals.
CRST: Unless you have your heart set on running teams they are not an option if you are wanting to be a solo driver. Also with CRST you can expect to be away from home for at least 3 weeks at a time.
Trans AM and Roehl will both get you home roughly every other weekend unless you choose to stay out longer. Both seem to be good solid companies and among the better of the outfits that hire newbies.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Bamadrvr,
Do an archives earch here, at layover.com, and ooida.com for companies you're interested in. You'll get info, also check safersys.org. BOL

Answer:
for the info and links folks. Definitely want to stay with the manual trannys (kinda like the challenge of working the darn things)Fyi I am going to drive teams with an old friend I have known and worked with for years. We are both in school right now but will graduate in a few wks. (God Willing )
Roll Tide Roll!!!

Answer:
I quit CRST. The pay is real bad 9 cents a mile on the split, you have to sleep in a rolling truck(teams), 2-3 day layovers constantly, lead drivers with no experience, thsy fire you for anything,(mine had been driving three months, and had never drove in snow in his life. They have about a hundred newbies every monday morning. That tells you allot of drivers are leaving.

Answer:
If US Express has manual transmissions i would go with them and stay there the rest of my life. seriously though i have heard good things about them i have never worked for them tho. I also hear alot of good things about roehl and i think their starting pay is a little higher. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Answer:
LoriAz ,no offense but I dont think you should be giving advice to other newbies. You need to start a new thread " bored housewifes". Like I said b4 next to CRST, US Xpress is the worst.
Do you know why they have autotrannys? I'll tell you why. Because they train newbies and they want them to stay there. They know if you cant drive a manual then you cant really go anywhere else.
What would happen if drove a autotranny 4 a year, then applied for a better job? More than likely their gonna laugh at you. I know I would cause you basically just wasted a year. Good companys won't train you how to drive a stick shift. It takes time learning how shift good.
I definatly would go with Rhoal. I would have if they hired in my region but they don't.

Answer:
I have read your post in other forums. I don't think you are qualified to give advice on much of anything especially trucking. Thanks but NO THANKS !!!!

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I have heard allot of bad stuff about there Medford Ohio training facility.You stay in a place called the bunkhouse. Hear its a real adventure.
Well, maybe Medford stinks, but the MEDWAY facility isn't bad. It's a fairly decent, big, air-conditioned spread (it's not the Hilton, or even the Motel 6, but it's not the No-tell, either): The bunk room is not bad. You will have a big locker to put your stuff in. It is partitioned into cubicles, so you have a little bit of privacy. The shower room is across the hall and is adequate (private shower stalls, not marine corps style.) US Xpress Medway Thread
Oink! Oink! Oink! Grunt! Grunt!
Answer:
If US Express has manual transmissions i would go with them and stay there the rest of my life. Once you drive an auto-shift, you'll LOVE it. But if you insist on shifting gears all day, they do have manual mode.
And if you want to go there to stay the rest of your life, anyway, then why worry about not getting the manual experience?
Oink! Oink! Oink! Grunt! Grunt!
Answer:
"But if you insist on shifting gears all day, they do have manual mode." Now thats interesting. I've never heard that before. Kind of kicks the theory of making it hard to get another job out of the way. Just kick it in manual and practice away. Sounds like a deal to me.
I'm not sure an auto tranny really helps much in heavy traffic. It's not shifting that gets tough. It's easy at slow speeds to shift. It's in and out with the clutch that starts to be a pain, literally. You still have to clutch autos to a stop and take off. gets to the knee after a while.
I think the auto is a real plus. More so when your new because of just a few less worries. Actually, I want one.
Would you please leave LoriAz alone. She just gave an opinion not advice. I've also heard good and bad about US Exp.. I've also heard good and bad about Roehl and think their starting pay is a little higher.
"Caution: Door May Open"