Question:
Im still goin through school and have been hearing horror stories about the guys goin out for the first time and having a hard time with the downshifting. Is it really that bad at first especially the double-clutching.

Answer:
downshifting is an acquired skill. It gets better with practice. You will get the hang of it.
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Two suggestions for you to remember.
First, be in the correct (lower) gear at the peak of the hill BEFORE you start to go down the hill. You see, once you start to go downhill the truck will pick up speed. If you take it out of gear to downshift then, you may be going to fast to get into a lower gear or even the same gear. You will only be able to shift into a higher gear and coming downhill that is a really bad idea.
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Finally, watch for road signs and if you see a sign that indicates a percent of grade ahead; believe it and plan accordingly.

Answer:
There is a post about downshifting just a few threads below you might want to read.
Downshifting

Answer:
I drive the junkiest trucks in the US and a few tricks you learn after a while are don't use the clutch when you shift if you can't clutch and get your timing down then don't use the clutch. Your trainers well tell you to use the clutch and its your dicision but I don't and about 99% of all truck drivers don't use it either. Even my trainer after he finished training me didn't use it himself. The trucks I drive are so worn out that you have trouble even getting them in gear I even learned to get them in gear without using the clutch. I wouldn't advise it with a Tractor though. Just get your timeing down with the gears and what RPM's and road speed you need to be at for what gear you are in and it will get easier with every shift. Trust me after about a year of driving you'll be skipping gears and all kinds of shorts cuts you can take. When you are taking your test follow the rules but out in the real world do what you have to do to drive that truck safely. That is the most important thing about driving, driving safe. Not going by the book also goes with everything else on the road like turns if you need the whole road take it if you can do it safely. But in the end it is up to you what you decide to do as long as you do it safe.

Answer:
While you are in school, with your trainer and definitely when taking your CDL test; you will need to use the clutch. Once you have your CDL and are out in your own truck, it is a different story.
What follows is the basics in general. Ask your instructors/trainers for the specific information about your type of equipment. At what rpm do we upshift in low range? What rpm on high range? At what speed and rpm do you downshift to this or that gear?
Memorize this: the only time you depress the clutch all the way to the floor is when the truck is completely stopped and not moving.
To upshift: depress the clutch about half way and shift to neutral, let the clutch out, depress the clutch about half way and shift to a higher gear, and let the clutch out.
To downshift: depress the clutch about half way and shift to neutral, let the clutch out, tap the throttle to increase your RPM's 300 to 400 rpm, depress the clutch about half way and shift down one gear, and let the clutch out. Note: the increase in rpm may differ for the engine and transmission you are driving so ask your instructors.
Once I was on my own, after school & trainer, I used the clutch to take it out of gear. I found that when I had the road speed and rpm's right, it would go into gear without using the clutch and without grinding. Of course when the road speed and/or rpm's was off, it ground something awful. Like many things in life, practice makes perfect.
Remember, in school you are paying for that education one way or another. If you don't understand, ask questions and make sure you get your money's worth. I was dumb; but, because I asked questions, I got educated. Good luck.

Answer:
Double clutching will seem like a nightmare. It takes some time to get used to doing but with a little pratice you will become good at it. It is important to know how to double clutch though. As pointed out before you will need to demonstrate your ability to double clutch while in school in order to pass, when you take your skills test in order to get you CDL, when you road test for a company (be it your first or tenth), and when you go through training. Also even if somewhere down the road you decide to float (not use the clutch to shift) there may be times when it is better to use the clutch.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
2nd Gear 4 MPH
3rd Gear 6 MPH
4th Gear 8 MPH
5th Gear 10 MPH
6th Gear 15 MPH
7th Gear 20 MPH
8th Gear 25 MPH
9th Gear 35 MPH
10th Gear 45+ MPH
Hope this helps you out a bit, on a downshift if you are at the correct road speed and learn your truck to bump your RPM's then you shouldnt have a problem finding your gear, Like another driver said here 99% of drivers dont use clutches, I know I dont it comes with practice and each truck tends to react just a lil different just be patient and you will catch on..
Also I know alot of drivers will not down shift through each gear. IE coming up on a light at 45 MPH just let the truck slow with light braking, if light changes before you get to it, check your road speed and hit that hole.. will save you alot of shifts and wear and tear on your leg if you do clutch..
Good luck hope this helps!!

Answer:
The following is a tip for finding the proper gear while downshifting if your speed is going down fast and you're "lost" as to which gear to drop into.
1) If it has a slow grind when you try to bump it into a lower gear tap the gas slightly and it should fall right in.
2) If it has a fast grind you are trying to go too low, try dropping into a higher gear.
remember and learn that about "fast grind = too low of a gear", "slow grind = just right, tap the gas and drop it in the hole" and you wont ever go wrong.

Answer:
I just started with TRANSAM TRUCKING out of
Olathe, Kansas and their solution to down-shifting is "DRIVE AN AUTOMATIC"!!! I was
concerned with the same issue after being out with
my Trainer, but the company issued me a 2001
Frieghtliner Classic with a 10 speed automatic.
What an awsome piece of equipment!!

Answer:
Look at it this way...
When you first learned to walk, it took you a LONG time to just learn how to stand-up without falling over. But eventually, you developed reflexive motor skills that took over, and then you didn't have to think about it.
Same with shifting. You WILL eventually get to the point you don't even think about it. But.....there's a long distance till you get there. So be patient with yourself, and just keep doing the best you can.
I've been driving 5 years, and I STILL find slightly different ways to handle the transmission in certain situations (sometimes my students help me discover them)

Answer:
Thanks for the inside info on shifting Tuco. Thats the kind of knowledge that can really be helpful for a Newbie, not the kind of info a Newbie would get from most formal Trucking Schools.
Let your dispatcher know who is the real boss!