[Cluggy619]

Well, I started out in a mixer over 6 years ago, and drove until I got my class A. Not sure what plant your working out of, but i did work for Redi-Mix long ago.

I wouldn't waste my time. None of it will count as experience when you go to apply for a class A position.

And don't fall for the "We can get you in a rock truck after you have proved yourself." Most concrete companies use that to get drivers to start driving, then you find out that the waiting list is over 2 years long for that position.

However, if you need a job, and running low on funds, you would be starting during the busy season. You will be getting up at 12:00 am to work for 14 hours, just to do it all over again. Just remember, things slow way down for the winter, so while your making that cash, put some away.

Good luck.

P.S. I do miss playing poker with the guys during rain days.

[kips41]

I drove a mixer for a couple of months last fall when I needed to be off the road for awhile. Drove for Transit Mix and I must say it sucked and I hated it.

From starting work at different times of the day each day to working every saturday to keeping the damn truck clean. All for $12 an hour !!
If I had not needed to be home I would have dragged up the first day.

Then the second week I was there a pretty new guy rolled his mixer and was killed...left a wife and a couple of kids...was a OTR guy who took the job to be home more.

If you are going to pay your dues do it in the LTL business, you will be a hell of alot better off in the long run......well in the short run too. Seriously, I would find something else to do other than drive a mixer.

[inmate1577]

Take the mixer job. If you can be home every night and have a guaranteed salary , go for it. And driving experience counts when you apply for a job being a mixer is considered heavy equipment.

But if anyone things a mixer is boring, I'd like to know what they find so downright exciting about OTR? Cuz OTR has all the challenge of opening paper bag but just not as exciting.

[Mr. Ford95]

The only boring part that our drivers find is when they are delivering to my company's curb machine. One bad load will screw the whole day up. With the machine, you sit in the truck and watch the mirror, if the truck is slow unloading, it can take an hour. We try to unload in 20 minutes or less, have done some in 7-8 minutes. When delivering for slabs, you back up to a pump usually, hop out, flip the chute and hit the unload switch. 5 minutes later your washing out and rolling back to the plant.