The Rotary Phone

I happened to be at a trucking event recently when I met a seasoned driver and we began to chat. We talked about the new technology added to the new trucks of today. Mostly, our conversation centered on the topic of the new automated manual transmission (AMT.) This seasoned driver was reluctant to want to peruse any changes or additions to his truck. He liked his equipment just as it was. This conversation reminded me of the way I felt about anti-lock brakes when they first entered the market. At the time the new brake system was introduced, I was racing a stock car on dirt tracks. My thoughts were that I already knew everything about brake systems and vehicle control. My question was… why would I need a computer to interfere with my driving ability? In my stubborn mind, I believed that I already had anti-lock brakes and it was up to me on how I wished to modulate the brake pedal. Needless to say, I was wrong. I quickly learned that ABS enhances one’s driving ability.


While continuing to chat with the stubborn seasoned driver, I shared the above thoughts with him to no avail. He still was not interested in new changes. I thought I would put things into another perspective and my thoughts turned towards the telephone. I explained to him that years ago, I was really quite good at “dialing” a rotary phone. This is all good however it’s a useless skill in today’s modern world. We now need to be good at knowing how to get the most out of our “smart” phones. I told him that my son can do amazing things on a “smart” phone. The funny thing is my rotary phone skills are superior to my son’s. Once again…it’s really of no significance in this modern world of technology. I went on to discuss the fact that our advanced phone technology is no different than the new AMT advancement. One of his fears with the new change in the transmission was that he would not be in control of the vehicle. I then explained that you are still in complete control however just in a different manner. I shared with him that the transmission responds to driver input and control settings. Once you have knowledge of how to interact with this technology, it then becomes second nature. In addition, the driver can find ways to get the transmission to perform shifting strategies that all but a select few could ever manage with a traditional unsynchronized manual truck transmission.


In the end, it’s all about training and understanding the driver’s role in order to interact with today’s new modern truck technology. By the way… I didn’t think I needed a “smart” phone either. Boy…was I wrong!