Negating the Magnetic Timeline

I'm sure a lot of people have figured this out already, but I figured I'd post this incase there's someone out there that this could help.

I create a lot of pieces for linear that must be exactly 2 minutes, while I love the magnetic timeline, it causes an issue here. I figured out that if you insert a gap clip into the primary storyline for the duration you piece needs to be (for me 2 minutes) you can then append your clips and audio throughout your pieces and move them freely as if you had tracks in legacy FCP versions.

I never have to worry about my TRT changing and I find helpful when needing my durations to be exact. I hope I explained myself well enough.

I guess it depends on editorial style. I don't see any major issue cutting to time because the timeline defaults to ripple mode.

P key allows you to Place clips freely and drops in gaps when clips don't abut. This is non ripple somewhat similar to other NLE default function.
D key performs overwrite edits.
Connected clips have no impact on the Primary Storyline beyond potentially overhanging the targeted duration.

If you look at the bottom bar of the storyline in the center, (index and project library buttons on the left, zoom magnifier on the right), you can see the total running time of the storyline.

When I cut to time I edit my piece and go back and trim which, for me at least, is similar to how I worked in FCP legacy and Avid.

I use this approach for cutting commercials. Inside of 30 seconds I don't really need the horizontal movement of the magnetic timeline. If I'm cutting long form I prefer to use the primary storyline etc. as it normally works.

It's always good to hear how other people edit. I do like that the timeline is defaulted in Ripple Mode, this is just how I found to be the fasted way for me to edited pieces that need to be exact times.

I agree, I actually really like the magnetic timeline, especially when I'm cutting pieces that don't have time restraints.