Darn that's too bad...it seems to me like that is one of the most basic non linear editing functions and it's weird that there is no one key that can do it.
Also a little frustated I can't select a clip with the keyboard like you said.
I am used to editing with mainly the keyboard and only using the mouse sparingly. Trimming is also a but of a pain having to select the edit point and then placing the play head where you want the in or out and using another key to trim.
I guess it is just going to have to take some getting used to. I've edited occasionally with Premiere ever since version 6.0 back in 2002, however at work we use an editing program called Incite which I believe has the best keyboard shortcuts. So quick to edit in but its quite old an program and we are getting rid of it shortly.
Thanks for your help guys.