If you really know how to do it, it is easier than using a clutch and no harder on the trans. There are very few sticks that I have driven that I was not able to shift clutchless. I learned how when I was 16 and have done it reasonably often for the rest of my 58 years.
On many semi's, if they are geared low enough, you don't even need the clutch to start off. Even the slightest movement is enough to allow the shifter to slide into gear.
Clutchless shifting can never be forced. It must be done with finesse. When everything is right the stick slides into gear very smoothly, perhaps even smoother than an average clutch shift. The synchro is doing almost nothing.
Done improperly clutchless shifting can be damaging, even disasterous. If any of you really want to learn how, I posted the details on how to do it a year or two ago and you should be able to find it with a search.
