Any opinions about "Magnum"?

Just had my first solo, but got home when I wanted and back out when I wanted too. They have several different lanes that run through NC. Dispatchers are very accomodating. You shouldn't have a problem getting home (I would think)

 

I agree, that would be a no-brainer for me to. I was just curious. I had a about a 30 minute conversation yesterday (3-3-09) with a recuiter (Mr. S, not sure how to spell his first name). He was real good to talk to. I don't know how much chance I have considering all the experienced drivers that are looking too, but I'm hopeful. The industry I was in is dead around here.

Just wanted to say that your attitude is great and reminds me that life is what you make of it and so is happiness.

Best wishes to you.

 

Yep, life is good.... you just have to look at it in the proper perspective.

For the record, his last name is Swanson, and a better stand-up kind of guy you will never find. Just be persistant. Recruiters aren't gonna beg anyone to come to work right now because of the market. You are going to have to make them "know your name".

Good luck buddy!

 

Most definitely, I will be persistent. It's so hard out there now. Heard earlier today on the trucking channel (XM 171) that the trucking industry turnover rate has dropped from 110% to 65%. Don't know how you can have more than 100% but that's what they said. Anyway, folks realize how hard it is to get another job so they are trying to hang on till things turn around. Also, they said that the trucking schools have had a major increase in students applying for admission. Not surprising, it's all because of the economy. I would imagine that many of the folks applying to the schools are only doing so out of desperation, not because they always wanted to be a trucker. They probably won't stay in trucking if the economy turns around, just my opinion though.

Be safe out there!

 

did i hear ya right? you just came out of orientation as the first group doing paperless logs? ahhh.. this is probaly NOT a good thing.. maybe..just maybe you will get your miles.. but magnum dont have it all that together and hasnt in my time here, but it was tolerable as long as they didnt dink with letting me run when i had to or my home time. pretty much kiss your stop thrus good bye. i been sitting left n right lately which i am fine with understanding the freight is slow. i might be cool with it if i was doing dedicated short runs, but for how bad you get screwed on detention and layover its not worth it, if you are gonna put up with that, not being home, and someone looking over your shoulder with a fine tooth comb, ya might as well go someplace that pays better and honors their detention and layover like transport america did for my friend. i know their safety rating slipped this year cuz of people not behaving themselves or knowing how to do it legal, keep their nose clean, or knowing their limitations and when its ok to tell dispatch no...not that that works either, since a while ago one of them just sent me a load after i was done and spent and looking at scheduled home time. i guess it was just a matter of time...ol skool truckin is a thing of the past. the industry is constantly changin. probaly good for some. i know there would have to be a lot less solar powered drivers and plenty of parking at night if with all these irregular hours things were done the way they should be. already on our outbounds we get way more time than we need sometimes, probaly the only other bonus will be sticking it back to them and playing on the playstation more...my hours might have to be 9 to 8-10.. ya can load or unload or get me rollin in that time...get it together. i been wanting to do this anyways since it is my arse and jail time on the line with a tadle tale already in the truck so maybe i will just live with it for a while since i can easily be replaced, i lived with them turning the trucks back, i understand it isnt my truck, and its the way things are and just needed to stick it out til my next opportunity, with fuel coming down i dont see them going back either. the list of good and whats worth putting up with i think is going to get out of balance for what you sacrafice to run up n down the road, knowing the way this company works for a few years now i really dont think they will be able to keep people happy for long. being a vet with a disability that limits what i can do physically and mentally, its a little frustrating.

just talked to someone in safety...was told "they are testing it", they already did that months ago. one of the driver trainers who used to work here did it and it just didnt work. had flags all over the place. judging by the amount of secrecy, its a comin, just a matter of when. as a newbie might be something ya just deal with, as a experienced driver something to consider if looking for employment. overall i really do like it here, usually out n backs with a stop thru, most the people are nice and the equipment is typically good, just things to think about. i like my pete, other than the proheat crashing all the time and finding a lot more dead refers lately. i been in a few occasions where the refer was acting up or dead and got a lack of response from the higher ups. once i had one dieing in texas in the recievers yard who was being a dick about unloading it early since i ran it there the few extra hours to save the load, and just recently they willingly loaded a dead refer with beverages to the frozen north, i communicated plenty to avoid that situation, and was even nice on several occasions to get out the jumper cables, or put belts back on, unhook alternators from a over charging situation, plugged leaking dump valves to not be the guy driving down the road with no air in the trailer bags, all stuff above n beyond the call duty and not typically dealt with by a novice or someone who knows better. been a tough winter but i see them phasing out a lot of the old equipment which is good.

only other thing to think about, someone in safety has a habit of putting every little thing on the dac reports, had friends who got rock chips in their windshield n needed them replaced and even normal wear and tear and maintenance like tires or road hazards, a gator taking out lines at night, blowouts, etc. i know its kept a few drivers from better employment since all they look at is # of incidents and not the incident itself or if it was you who caused it, since i been backed into a few times. you can be the best driver and never hit another vehicle and they will make you look bad on paper to keep you down. i know i had one a long time ago i was rather pissed about but its a story for another thread, but trust me it was completely stupid.

 

I have to say that is the first negative post I have seen about Magnum, even though its not completely negative. Thanks for your honesty!

 

I've been with Magnum for a little while now, and haven't seen good miles yet. I'm not sure what you all consider "good" miles, but I want 3,000/week to offset the low per mile pay with Magnum. I'm still trying to figure out if I like the company or not. Some aspects seem great, while others kind of eat at me all the time. There are a couple good dispatchers, but the majority don't seem to really understand what the real world is all about...they're just too young. Also, I'm a bit concerned about their safety rating. In two months I've been pulled over 4 times just to have my paperwork checked, and pulled around back at the scales twice for inspections. Luckily I log legal so this hasn't hampered me at all other than the time rolling lost, which adds up over time. It's kind of a bummer to sweat every weigh station wondering if they'll pull you around back just because you're driving for a company with an apparent reputation. I sure do like my truck though...lot nicer than what I was driving before, and most of the folks in the offices seem genuinely nice and sincere. I guess my biggest beefs are the per mile pay, no pay for EACH stop. and the lack of miles and sitting idle which hopefully will pick up as summer nears?

 

Well, I haven't been with Magnum as long as ya'll, and that might make a difference, but I am getting great miles, little sit time, and almost always have my next load long before I deliver.

Paperless logs? Granted, I am a newbie, but currently doing paper logs, but not opposed at all to going paperless. Personally, it might very well make things a little safer out there. I realize that making miles is making money, but it is sort of hard to spend a paycheck from a casket now, isn't it?

Plus, if you think about it, the dispatchers might come to realize that there are somethings that just can't be done within the time constraints given for a delivery. From a logisitics standpoint, it makes perfect sense and certainly could streamline certain aspects of the operation.

Some people just don't get it (not pointing at Ground Pounder or Swiffer). There is much more to making a company efficient and effective than just a thing here or there. And in times like this, the companies that do become more effective will survive. The ones that don't will fold and all of the employees will be sitting home watching the Price is Right.

Change can be a good thing. I do know that they did try the paperless before and it didn't "fit". But I also heard it was coming. I don't really have a preference. I am however surprised that the DOT hadn't mandated already or put it in place with the HOS rules.

It's coming folks.... and eventually EVERYONE will most likely be doing it.

Overall, when it comes to Magnum, I couldn't have found a better company. All of the people I have interacted with are really nice and seem to be committed to making things work for you. The dispatchers are young, and my understanding is that there are only a couple of them that have driven truck. But they are doing fine by me and I have no complaints. Company is a great fit for me.

Just my $.02.

 

This is in response to the driver who wasn't worried, or at least to me, wasn't worried about a company's safety rating... You should be. A LOT of shippers will not use a carrier who does not have a good safety rating. The big shippers use that when they are making carrier selections. So, it's important to have a satisfactory rating. Just an FYI.

 

Does Magnum have a good safety rating?