Magnum ltd - fargo, nd

At 36 CPM as a new driver with a few hazmat loads my first 2 full checks were around 1400 after taxes and that was not running super hard. I would say that is above average for a new driver.

That was with dinging a fender and swapping out trucks with some short loads.

 

I just calculated my next paycheck and It's roughly 850 per week, but that 15 day period includes 4 days Hometime. Assuming I had been on the road, it would be more like 1150 or so per week, which as a company driver is pretty decent. We'll see how it plays out, but it's looking decent. Taking a NEEDED 34 since my recap hours are wonky. Already set up for a three stop run, picks up tommorow eve. Ends Wed am for $560. Figure another 600 for Wed thru Fri driving. Same $ as long as the load is there. About 11ish per week with the occasional short week. You can probably make a bit more, but not a lot unless you're doing specialty as a company driver and there are a LOT wose places to work. And the health ins is HALF what I was paying at last company, plus we can get cheap short term disability ins which is a big deal.

A lot of us have been getting stuck with 2000-mile weeks lately and I know the higher-ups are aware and trying to fix the situation. NO ONE will stick around for $700 weekly paychecks. Corporate knows it, we know it. So far, my complaints have been answered and addressed. We're growing by a lot and what worked before is not working now. I have been assured that some of the issues are being addressed. Magnum pays WAY too much money to recruit new drivers to lose them in 2 months.

SSB, If you're getting $1000 GROSS paychecks for two weeks, I would advise you to call Paul and tell him straight up that if it doesn't get better STAT, that you will leave. That's utterly ridiculous and no, lack of freight doesn't get it. I can work at McDonalds and make $600 a week. $1000 GROSS including whatever deductions you have is another matter. Some folks live in high income-tax states.

There are problems with dispatch and frankly, the arguments you are making in favor of "it's no one's fault" don't hold water if the number you posted is accurate. I've been here month and a half and I wouldn't put up with more than one week at $500 a week gross. There is NO excuse I would buy for that nonsense. Either fix it NOW, or I'm gone.

I was complaining over $700 weeks over the holidays. $500 and I wouldn't have posted a thing except how sucky Magnum was and how glad I was to be at another company. No way in Hell will I live in a truck 4-6 weeks at a shot for $500 a week. Nor for $700 or $800 a week. $1000 is baseline. If I'm not making about that, I'm gone. If I'm ONLY making that, I'm not happy. I'm an experienced driver. I can get $1150 a week with a phone call, as can any experienced driver. I wouldn't want to work at KB,but they DO guarantee $1125 a week. Might mention that to Paul.

 

Really hate hearing a lot of you are having trouble moving. That's one of the reasons I applied with Magnum. Hopefully it picks up when things start to thaw out.

I've got a list of random questions if anyone would be so kind as to answer.

Coming in with a little over 1 year experience, what is the driving test like?

Is there any kind of agility test? If so, what are the tasks?

Is there any kind of written knowledge test?

Are the stereos satellite radio ready?

Does Magnum have a truck wash plan / blue beacon account? (Love a clean whip)

Did I read correct that you fuel exclusively at Flying Peelots?

 

While I've only been with Magnum since the end of November, and it's my first trucking job, I think I can help. The driving test is very easy - 4-5 mile route on secondary streets, on & off interstate, and simple straight back. No agility test. Written tests during orientation, but all the info you need is given beforehand. Stereos are satellite-ready, and they do have an account with Blue Beacon & we get one truck & trailer wash per month. And, yes, we only fuel at Flying J and Pilots.

 

SSN, you had said earlier that you had picked a bad time to switch and with reefer that is doubly so. Jan & Feb are always the slowest months in the industry as retailers are living off the large purchases they made for the holidays. It will pick up, always does. The mega reefer carriers also cut freight costs to the bone to keep their 1000's of tractors moving which hurts the smaller guys. Buy wifey a nice valentines gift and duck as walk through the door to dodge incoming.

 

With respect to the ave miles keep in mind you won't get top miles right away there is a learning process. I average about 10500 per month after being here for 9 mths

 

Well, in my 22 years out here, mostly dry van, January was always my biggest month. And after talking to many Magnum drivers thru last months slow times, most said "after the holidays, hold on to your hat because things get busy here"...if under 10k/month is busy, I won't survive the slow times here.

Jubal, if you consider $525/month for the employee's share of just health insurance cheaper, I would have hated seeing what you paid at your previous employer...J.C. I have never had to cough up more than $100/wk for health insurance.

 

What learning process? I have had very little options offered to me when it comes to freight. It's sit for hours after empty and they finally find you a load, that picks up tomorrow that has 2 extra days on it to deliver, then you sit again waiting for a load...etc...etc....etc. I have tried calling ahead to get set up on something early, only to be repeatedly told "when we get you something, we'll let you know", unless it's Matt, then it seems calling him ahead of time only pizzes him off worse and you get even crappier miles. I will give it 6 months, if things don't average above 10k a month minimum by then, I have to find better, my takehome pay right now is almost as much as a local driver around home makes...and this is before I have to come up with $500+ per month to get health insurance.

 

agreed

 

Do I need to reconsider coming aboard? I don't like the sound of those miles!