cement truck or semi?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by john b, Apr 10, 2012.

  1. john b

    john b Light Load Member

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    Dec 23, 2011
    midwest
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    looking for your thoughts.just got my cdl class a couple weeks ago and have a chance to go regional if i get through orientation and trainer and just got a chance to drive redimix concrete truck.heres the problem though,if i go concrete and get laid off in the winter i might have a harder time getting another job driveing a semi.what i am worried about is not makeing it through orientation and workin with a trainer due to my backing skills suck.just lookin for advice here.i have no idea if a starter company will give you the extra help you may need or just kick you to the curb.
     
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  3. john b

    john b Light Load Member

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    Dec 23, 2011
    midwest
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    cmon crusty butts
     
  4. Squirel

    Squirel Crusty Critter

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    Feb 8, 2012
    San Fernando,CA
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    Well, redi-mix trucks usually pay really well. Yes out of work usually in winter, but then you can jump into snow removal for winter with dump trucks.
    But if you got school with prospects to go to company as noob with trainer for OTR ~ GO FOR IT!
    Redi-mix will be there next summer :)
     
  5. Bob The Dinosaur

    Bob The Dinosaur Light Load Member

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    Sep 1, 2011
    holdenville oklahoma
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    Hmmm well I think most of them have sense in thier heads to not be awake at this ungodly hour , but yes thats the ridk with seasonal work, ask a farmer same way with trucks sometimes a long shot bring home the bacon my freind, others take a stalking approach, for the most secure of rifle shots is earned only through sweat of ones brow, his sacrifice for the goal he has set for himself, is culminated in the final circumstances for which he prepared for....
     
  6. PayCheck

    PayCheck Medium Load Member

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    Jan 21, 2012
    ca
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    I would take the cement job. A trainer isn't going to be able to teach you to back up in 2 weeks anyhow, by the time they're finished you won't be any better at it then when you passed your cdl.

    With the cement job you will get a better feel of who the good companies are in your area. Come winter your going to be in a better position to move into a local or otr job, plus your getting tanker experience. You might be able to move to a milk hauling job in the winter.
     
  7. dude6710

    dude6710 Road Train Member

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    Mar 26, 2010
    MN
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    go be a cement driver elsewhere.
     
  8. PayCheck

    PayCheck Medium Load Member

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    Jan 21, 2012
    ca
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    Ya your going to be an experienced cdl driver, you will find a job in the winter.
     
  9. Crusty

    Crusty <b>Just Plain Crusty</b>

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    May 29, 2010
    Canton, GA
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    Mixer driver: the good- it's close to home (usually). The bad-No air conditioning; around here the mechanics disable it. 95 degrees outside 135 in the cab. The soil dust. the cement dust filled with many chemical compounds that will waste your lungs and skin. NO schedule what so ever. If the finishers want it; they get it. You could be working from 5 am to 9 pm in that unholy environment. Can't plan a weekend at the lake. You won't know if you are working Saturday until you punch out friday. Oh yeah, NOW you need to know Spanish because most of the other drivers can't speak English. Your choice. Good luck.
     
  10. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Apr 8, 2012
    Orion's Belt
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    Most concrete plants have trailers hauling
    Material in to them. Cement ,sand and stone
    Maybe you could drive both mixer and
    Trailer at the same job. I did!
     
  11. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
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    you must remember 6 months from now the OTR companies will want u to take a refresher course but the cement turns on and on.Search yourself which you would rather do and go for it maybe ur just skeered. Truthfully I saw a lot of people in class that couldn't back up well but they passed
     
    Cat sdp Thanks this.
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