Getting Ready to Hit the Road with Magnum

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by ScooterDawg, Feb 10, 2009.

  1. ScooterDawg

    ScooterDawg <strong>"The Blue Tick Lab"</strong>

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    Oh yeah.... I almost forgot to mention.....

    For you folks that want to get into the business.....

    Because of the unbelievably overwhelming email and PM requests (and yes, I am quite humbled) I have decided to put together a collection of information that is going to be designed to help provide information to the new truck driver. In school you will learn how to drive a truck. During your company training, you learn how to do it the way the company wants you to do your job. What I am working on is something that will hopefully give you some insight on what you will be facing when "the apron strings are cut" and you are on your own.

    This is going to be basically my take on what I have observed, learned, and been told. Certainly not all of the answers, but at least some stuff you will want to know like truck stop etiquette, eating on the road, backing tips, inexpensive hygiene, trip planning, where to go / where to avoid, and a whole bunch more. And it will be a work in progress, I can promise.

    Anyway, it's coming. And for those of you wondering.... I ain't charging a penny for it..... The way I see it, we're (Big Truck Truck Drivers) all in this together.... it's time we start helping each other and quit ######## so much about other drivers and how some are so much better than others.

    Tighten up! And quit being so dadumb resistant to helping the new generation of drivers. After all.... we're here to stay!

    ARF!
     
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  3. Red Fox

    Red Fox Road Train Member

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    Hey Scoot, you popped up some memories that may not be useful in this new age of controlled driving, but here ya go:
    Back when I ran for Prime, I had an overloaded shipper and wanted to get going. I helped stack (for free) product to get the load on the wagon mostly because I didn't want to spend the night in the NE. Next, I'm MT in Ohio, and my dispatcher asks me "where do you wanna go?" ...HUH??? HOME man! Evidently someone said something.
    Had a trick I invented that may not work on the new suspensions:
    I got a full load on each axle (took several trys sliding to scale it up) and hung some small chain (for lamp hanging I think) around the frame and cut it off just where it touched the axle. Every time the load was too high on an axle, the chain would brush or lay on it, and I'd know to slide 'em. That even worked with the early air systems, but I think they have height compensators now; I'm not sure.
    Actually, I thought most of the trucks had an air weighing system on the cabs now? Evidently not, since so many guys seem to be having scale problems.
     
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  4. ScooterDawg

    ScooterDawg <strong>"The Blue Tick Lab"</strong>

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    Man, what a PHENOMENAL idea. Never heard of that before. I would think that could save someone a bunch of time. Wouldn't do me a lot of good though because I swap trailers several times a month, but then again, I could do it to EVERY trailer Magnum has as it comes through my life, huh? hehehehehe With my luck, the trailer shop would look at it and say, "What's this?" and then it would be gone. But if and when I get my own trailer, you can bet I am gonna do that.

    Thanks Bud!

    (still trying to get back that way....)
     
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  5. ScooterDawg

    ScooterDawg <strong>"The Blue Tick Lab"</strong>

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    I realize that everyone has already been talking about this, but I just wanted to take a moment to say goodbye.

    Like myself, Farrah Fawcett touched the lives (.......) of many guys of my generation. We all watched Charlie's Angels, we all remember that signature smile, and we all (or depending on upbringing, most) had the red swimsuit poster.

    We watched her come in and out of our lives many times through the years. And then we all quietly watched as she exposed her sufferage recently on TV. We smiled when we heard that Ryan O'Neal proposed to her and she accepted. And we hung our heads when we heard of her passing, finally succumbing to her illness.

    May you Rest In Peace Farrah, and never be the object of crazed scrutiny. You will be missed......



    Oh yeah, Michael Jackson died too..... see ya.....
     

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  6. cpassey

    cpassey Light Load Member

    No great loss about losing M.J.

    When I heard about Farrah... I was truly bummed out...:biggrin_2552:
    And yeah those posters that my mom hated so much...:yes2557:
     
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  7. cpassey

    cpassey Light Load Member

    Hey Scooter, when you put that collection together for new drivers you might have a section about Truck Stops, kinda like what we talked about in a previous email...:biggrin_25525:

    Example: It may not be the best idea to try backing into a tight parking spot at a Pilot that already has a parking lot that is way too small in the first place...:biggrin_25512:

    I've seen way too many new drivers get very frustrated with the tight parking at some truck stops...Including myself backing a spread axle flatbed...:biggrin_2551::biggrin_25516:
     
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  8. _ton bundle

    _ton bundle Road Train Member

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    Elevator Bay, Minnesota
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    If its under 10,000 lbs and going to Rogers, I usually assume its going to Reynolds, but wherever its going, its nice to get some feathers once in a while!

    Did you figure out where I'm at? If you did, just don't tell Susan, I'm having fun trying to make her guess! She's getting warmer, too!! :biggrin_25511:

    I'm always watching for you, but I see so many blue 'Scooter clones' up here, its hard to know when its the original. Just PM me when you want to talk or when you're coming through. I can always make time.

    Good luck looking at that Kenny, just try not to fall in love. Truck dealers and trucking companies use our love of trucks and driving against us all of the time. You're a businessman though, so you already know its nothing more than a means to an end...

    It sounds like Magnum has some pretty good triangle routes set up for you.

    I'm close to getting a MPLS to Chicago (suburbs) daily dedicated set up. I have both legs in place, but I just need to get the timing fine tuned (two different customers). If done right, two rotating drivers could average 600mi a day and be home everyday too (just not every night). The bad news is that I lost my pickles again. I told you I would only hold onto them suckers until produce slows down!! :biggrin_25510:

    Also, FYI , we just got the notice from IDOT that starting July 1, Illinois is going to start the photocop in construction zones, $375 for 1 mph over on 1st offense and $1000 on 2nd offense. I don't believe them that it will be that strict, but that's going to make that Rockford contruction zone a real slog. http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r062409.html

    Thanks for the updates. Glad to hear things are going well and DON'T FALL IN LOVE!!
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2009
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  9. ScooterDawg

    ScooterDawg <strong>"The Blue Tick Lab"</strong>

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    Hey there CP -

    Yup, Truck Stops is definately one of the topics on the list. I have actually begun putting together a list of topics and it is coming together nicely. Once I have about 10 or so, I am going to get rolling on it. Who knows where it might end up going......

    I would certainly enjoy "contributing authors". Interested?
     
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  10. ScooterDawg

    ScooterDawg <strong>"The Blue Tick Lab"</strong>

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    Yep, and Tater had a BLAST with that load! Right now I am under a 33k load which won't be so bad going to Sturtevant. Certainly more than 3K, but still a lot lighter than usual. Easy run too.... Wed AM delivery.

    Oh Yeah, I know exactly where you are at. You told me one time when we talked on the phone, remember? OH, so you don't want me to tell Susan, huh? hmmmmm we can probably work out an arrangement to ensure my silence.... hehehehehehe

    Tell you what, next time I am going through there, I'll give you a 12 hr heads up. How's that sound? Maybe we can hook up.

    Not really worried about falling in love, however it is a really nice truck from what I have seen and with the exception of not having an APU, it is pretty much what I am looking for. But it is not a dealership. It is a private owner. And he and I have talked in great length about a lot of things besides the truck. He is indeed a "good 'ol boy" like me and we hit it off like peas and carrots. But right now, it is a "lemme see your truck" thing. Might develop into more later down the road another month or so. (see Picture Below)

    Well, I think I got a pretty good thing going. Could always use more money, but that will come (actually should be getting another 2 cents / mile raise here in another month). I have some dispatchers that look out for me and although they don't show favoritism (which I am glad of), when I tell them where I am going to be and when, they usually make sure they can get me out in a reasonable amount of time. And I am fine with that.

    Thanks for the Heads Up on the Illinois Work Zones. I go through there frequently, so that was good to find out.

    Talk to you soon
     

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  11. _ton bundle

    _ton bundle Road Train Member

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    Elevator Bay, Minnesota
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    That is a very nice looking truck, just be sure to look into at least five or ten more before you jump in. Take your time, you are the one who is in control and is holding all of the cards in this economy.

    I like your dispatchers a lot. I know that they will run their drivers out of an area for a loss to Magnum to keep you going to better profit areas (that's not the reason why I like them). They are pretty organized and professional. I know they take it personally when a driver had to lay over away from home. You probably never talk to him, but your backhaul coordinator is one of the best that I have run into.

    Anytime you are coming by the TA at exit 4 and have an hour or two to spare, let me know. I know I told you where to find me, but there are a few trucking companies that sit along that stretch of highway.

    Take care and drive safely. I figured that you went through Rockford a lot. Take extra care right now, this is the time in a lot of drivers careers when they are really getting comfortable and things can go wrong in a hurry. You're smarter than the average bear though!!
     
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