Magnum ltd - fargo, nd

Just finishing Red Notice. Fascinating true story about Russian corruption.

 

Mmmhhh looks interesting

 

I just finished The Kind Worth Killing. Very good suspense novel. I couldn't put it down. Audio book, The Good Nurse about a psychopath, alcoholic, suicidal nurse that killed over 300 people. It's a true story.

 

Loaded yesterday in Napoleon going to Hopkins for Friday. Called MN outbound immediately to see if I could drop in CR. Got approval only had 6 hours left to drive. Picked up in Gaylord going to Ankeny. That's only load they had. I guess nobody wants a short loads but worked perfect for me. Got to drop load and use all my hours for the day.

 

Brent weeks night angel trilogy is a must read along with the wheel of time series is great too

 

Short loads are great if you have short hours. It's the times you have a fresh 70 or a whole week of 10 hours recap that they kill you. And let's face it, better short loads than sitting.

 

Hey all, been very negative here with my last major post. Talked to Paul and to Nick, and I got a very good response.

The first month was just awful, for various reasons. This week Nick found me a load out of Washington for a 2100 mile run and actually worked out my pickup time so I wouldn't t have to miss out on a whole day of my scheduled 4-days home time, which I really appreciated.

I get the impression that everyone know there are some problems and people are moving to address those. Something that's nice to ear as a new employee complaining, rather than "Suck it up new guy."

Still hoping Magnum shapes up to everything I think it can be for me. The response I got to my concerns was outstanding. Felt like I was being listened to and my concerns were acknowledged and addressed.

Thanks everyone here for the encouragement. My life has been pretty rough for the last three months, purely aside from work. the work situation had me about over the edge. Very nice to get a professional, respectful and helpful response rather than being told to like it or lump it. And you guys were all great bucking me up in a rough time. THANKS!

 

Not that it really impacts my decision but I am guessing all the trucks are 10 speeds and no automatics?

 

10-speeds with automatics going to the most experienced drivers only. This is per Mark in safety/orientation.

According to him, he doesn't want anyone on an auto that doesn't already have manual chops. autos give better fuel mileage but less experience that they want.

Makes sense to me. You need to learn on a manual and that takes 6 months plus or you don't really have a clue.

Frankly I wouldn't take an auto if they offered it. I'm in a '15 with "progressive shifting" meaning you can't rev over 1600 even when downshifting from 10th to 9th and I HATE it.

Makes taking serious mountains SUCK. (25-30 MPH up a 10 mile pass).
autos might be all that on the flats in the midwest/northeast, but get out west and frankly I want to be able to CHOOSE what gear I want to go down a hill on, especially in winter with all the ice. Sometimes 40 is as fast as you want to go. Down 4th of July or Lookout or Cabbage, you'll be burning brakes to maintain that speed even in 8th with the jakes on.

The one and only complaint I have about equipment so far is downshifting from 10th to 9th at more than 1175 RPM results in a shimmy/shake that's downright terrifying. Thrown against the seatbelt, feels like the whole rig is locking up on you.

Peterbilt with no hills and no load says I'm crazy, but I can do it every time on a hill under weight. Like a really hard shift, but add X10. I gave up. I just shift at 1125 RPM so I don't wind up in a ditch. Costs me miles and time, but better than the alternative, since no one at the shop seems to grasp that real hills with 44k pounds aren't the same as the midwest flats bobtail. I had another magnum driver on the phone when I made it happen and he heard it over the PHONE. But apparently I'm making it up, because I'd much rather be in the shop than making money. And WTF, I only LEARNED how to drive over the rockies, cascades, Siskyous and Canadian rockies, so I clearly don't know how to shift on hills on a Paccar, on which I learned how to drive...

Yep, a little bit bitter over being treated like an idiot over this issue. It's getting less as i drive the truck more, which is making me think this is a misadjusted tranny that's getting worn in. Pete had no codes on it, so I don't know what else it could be but maybe a bad u-joint, which I haven't been able to find.

I love the truck other than that one issue. But that one is a big deal and I have no idea how to get anyone to take me seriously on it.

 

Do drivers get paid to unload trailers? And if so what is the rate?