Getting Ready to Hit the Road with Magnum

hehehehehe yeah, me too hehehehehehe

 

Still learning to walk..... but hopefully get to that level before too long.... hehehehehhe

Oh, count on it..... ya'll, this is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on (ehehehehe yeah i know, but I am enjoying it)

 

Fantastic - see you out there!

 

OK..... whew..... made it..... and didn't even run over anything other than a lot of asphalt!

I am here at the Flying J just east of Buffalo NY, kicking back after a great 5 days. Had a load going from Minneapolis to 3 stops around NY state, and had a BLAST! Some of you might be wondering how that is possible.... well, I just make the best of what I am doing, and enjoy it to the fullest. The rest comes naturally.

I met with my trainer Friday morning about 5 am and we went to Blaine to pick up the truck. Shot over to Gaylord and did a drop and hook. Then we "shuffled off to Buffalo".... literally. He drove us out to Gaylord, and then I pretty much took over from there. What a nice truck! Drives like a dream. Very comfortable too.

My trainer, Kurt, is really good when it comes to relating what he wants, and does not "get in your face" if things get hairy. He has opened his truck (home) to me and made me feel very welcome the whole time. He actually let me drive most of the time and spent his time 2nd seat, giving me tips and tricks about driving. And let me tell you, there has been more than one time where he was working just as hard as me. For instance, when we came over the hill and without warning we saw a sign about 300 feet in front of an overpass that said "Low Clearance - 12'11"". And there were a few other moments of "high impact instruction"!

But you couldn't ask for better! Through this whole ordeal, he has been nothing but supportive, whimsical, and above all, instructive. In my wildest dreams, I could not have better hoped for someone who could teach me the way he has. If you ever meet a Magnum driver named Kurt, ask him if he is a trainer. If he answers "Yes", buy him a cup of coffee and send me the bill.

So, with that said, we made it through Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, and then bounced all over New York State. Total miles driven on my "first out" was 1630 miles. Got some "mini-mountains" in NY along with some snow. And 3 drops, two in the dark, and I hit the docks with a little, but not much trouble. Kurt said there were a couple places where it looked like I might have some trouble but I recovered well. Hey, as long as he thinks I did ok, I feel it was a good thing.

So now we are waiting for that "call" for the next load. We are figuring we will get it this afternoon. Until then, things are well..... bigger adventures ahead. See ya soon!

ARF!

 

Hey Ya'll....

Just got into Joplin and we are leaving early tomorrow to drop and then pick up a load in Jefferson City. Then we are going to Fargo. From the sounds of it, when we get there, i will be getting my truck and going out on my own. I can't tell you how excited I am.

Not a lot of time, and my trainer is already in bed, so I don't want to be typing long, so I will be brief.

First off... thanks to everyone.... I appreciate the warm wishes.

Yes, Magnum pays lumpers. they hire you to drive the truck.... not load and unload.

No problems getting freight out of Buffalo. Many facets to this company, and many resources. Actually picked up two loads out of Buffalo.

Credit for the referral? I'm not worried about that. If they ask, tell them Mark from North Carolina sent you. But I am more interested in seeing ya'll get a good job.... and if Magnum is a good fit for you, I am tickled that I told you about it. But moreso, it is important that ya'll are happy.

Big hug to you Susan!

Should be back in Carolina by the middle of next week. Probably won't be back on line until Saturday night. See you then!

And a big ARF to YA!!!!!!