Faces of Magnum:

Sean Randall

As a constant source of joy in the office, driver safety trainer Sean is innovating new ways of helping drivers get out on the road.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’ve been driving for over 25 years, and I’ve worked in the safety industry my entire life. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. I have trained numerous drivers, and I work in the training office at Magnum.

What is your current job title?

Driver Safety Trainer.

How long have you worked at Magnum?

I have worked at Magnum for three years. For 2 ½ years, I drove over-the-road, and now I’ve been in my current role since March.

How long have you had your CDL?

I got my CDL back in 1989, so 32 years.

Why did you decide to become a truck driver?

I wanted to see the country and liked being my own boss and working my own hours. Wherever the truck went, I got to go.

What influenced your decision to switch from OTR to office work?

I didn’t want to be in the truck when I was old and grey. I wanted to pass my knowledge on to new drivers and people coming into the industry, and the driver safety trainer position seemed like a great way to do that.

Why did you choose to work at Magnum?

It’s a great company with a great safety record. They listen to what you have to say. You are not a number – you are an actual person. And we have great equipment.

What does the day-to-day of your job look like?

Each day, I monitor the trainers and the students to see how they are doing, where they are at and how many miles they have driven. I review their log books and handle any fires or incidents that come up.

My job is always evolving. I’m always thinking of new ways to improve our training department to make it a more interesting job that isn’t so mundane and tedious. Sitting in the passenger seat all day makes for a really long day for our trainers. So, my goal right now is to improve our training program.

What is something about your job that might surprise me?

Each day, I monitor the trainers and the students to see how they are doing, where they are at and how many miles they have driven. I review their log books and handle any fires or incidents that come up.

My job is always evolving. I’m always thinking of new ways to improve our training department to make it a more interesting job that isn’t so mundane and tedious. Sitting in the passenger seat all day makes for a really long day for our trainers. So, my goal right now is to improve our training program.

Does being a former driver help you in your current role?

Absolutely – I know what they are doing and how they are doing that. It’s so much easier to help mitigate their situations because I have been there and done that.

What’s the best part of your job?

Not being stuck in an office all day. I’m coming and going all day. It’s a multifaceted job – I could be training one day and then dealing with an accident the next. It’s never the same.

What is the hardest part about your job?

It’s never the same! You never know what the day is going to bring. Some days are slow and quiet, other days just speed by.

What advice would you give to a new driver?

Don’t ever stop learning, and listen to your body. Without your body, you’ll have no job and no life.

What advice would you give to a driver considering becoming a trainer?

Look deep into yourself to see if you have it. It’s not cut out for everybody living in a little box for a month with a total stranger.

What is the coolest thing you hauled while you were a driver?

A 727-jumbo jet. Where I was working at the time, we had a contract with an airline to handle all aircraft crashes. The jet I was hauling had crashed.

Can you share more about your volunteer work with the Coast Guard Auxiliary?

We are a back-up for the mainstream coast guard, so if they are out on deployments, we fill-in for them doing search and rescues, public safety education – a little bit of everything. I’ve been with them for six years now.

I got involved because I enjoy boating and being out on the water. They are a great organization to be a part of. Without volunteers, nothing ever gets done.