Supertrucker

[concretejoe]

Has anyone ever noticed that after a rookie is trained and set loose on the poor laborer that has to drag his piles, it takes about three months typically for them to get into what I call "Supertrucker" phase? This is the point that everyone goes through, in the beginning, where you all of a sudden know everything there is to know about concrete and mixer driving, and you aren't afraid to impart your new found knowledge on everyone including the guy who trained you. Most outgrow this, however some hold onto the phase and eventually it ceases to be cute anymore. Any "Supertruckers" out there?

[Matt]

I know exactly what your talking about. I tell most all the new guys to never assume that they know everything there is to know about the profession. There is always room to learn, and take some pride in what you do. The laborers will come to like you a whole lot more. I hate to see drivers who care about nothing more than emptying out. Put yourself on the other end of the chute a few times and you'll quickly gain an appreciation for finishers and a good driver!

[glow=red,2,300]There is always room to learn![/glow]

[concretejoe]

admin said:

I hate to see drivers who care about nothing more than emptying out.

They need to realize that it is best for everyone to work at the contractors speed. You'll get out of there faster, and build a better relationship with the customer. As a finisher, who would you be more likely to work with on a messed up load? A driver who's only concern has always been to blow the concrete out and go, or a driver who is more concerned with doing a good job for the finisher?

[batchmaster]

you only thought that the contractor was calling you a super trucker, it was actually stupid f*cker. had a guy who became the super trucker on his first load, so he thought, he actually spilled concrete on his way out of the yard, he looked pretty smart, i think he had greater respect to everything that goes into dumping out a load and driving that truck after that...he didn't have a clue.

[cleave70]

Ive got a couple. They always talk about the finishers like they are idiots or complain about how they had to pour. They dont bother me as much as the ones who drive dangerously. Ive got one about to come up the steps who likes to speed. He grinds or slams the truck into gear. Im always on him. Company policy doesnt give me a clear shot at firing him for abuse of the truck. Until now maybe. He dropped 3rd and 7th gear in a 6 month old truck. 10 years and i dont know everything, 10 more and I still wont. Supertruckers make me laugh and usually quit within a year.

[concretejoe]

It's summer and time for our newest batch of drivers. Some have already made it to "SuperTrucker". One guy, is constantly on the radio and knows everything. Let's not mention the fact that he has ran out of fuel (after being warned to check his fuel), tore an awning off a house and backed into someones passenger side window. All in a period of about 2 weeks.

[Slick]

Whoa, out of fuel is auto 3 day vacation at my place. Plus awning and window = fired. We also utilize a 90 day probation period.

[concretejoe]

So do we, but they are hurting for drivers so bad now that they would probably have to kill someone to get fired. We have a 120 calendar day probation period before they are allowed into the union.

[Slick]

Yea, I can understand that, we have 26 trucks now and every seat is filled. Last summer it was only 13-15 drivers and 1000 yd days were rough, now 1300-1500 yd days are the norm. Fortunatly there is only one s.t. the rest seem failrly humble and recognize their place.....

[henry]

Joe it is so funny that you posted this topic. My Batch man and I were talking about the 'supertrucker' phase the other day. We all went through it, until you have that first truly humbling experience on the job...lol I guess I have been a mixer driver now for about 10 years and I can honestly say there are still new things that I pick up on the job. I always tell my trainees that I can only teach them so much and that they should never assume they know it all. I honestly learned to really do the job by watching the veteran guys do it and listening to the contractors.

[concretejoe]

The only way to gain experience is to experience it.

[budman]

well said !! some guys need to be on the other end of chute to really get it. and they should be or at least try it once. hey whats up everybody hope all is well.

[slumpy]

same goes for contractors i wish they would drive a mixer to see what we see and do to go way far and beyond for them and still get no thank you or a TIP seems all the tippers are fadding away.

[BillyCement]

[shadow=red,left,300]Yeah, I know what you mean, Joe. We've got a guy here with about 4 years experience behind the wheel and you'd think he invented concrete. He's a genius....just ask him, he'll tell you.[/shadow]

[Mort]

We've got a few like that too. Annoying as hell. I'm a new guy, and I realize there are guys that have forgotten more about this business than I know to this point. But then there are newer guys that make it through their 2 week training session and, since they had a CDL before (I went through a company-sponsored training program), they know how to drive a mixer, by golly.

[cfconcrete]

I was a supertrucker.
Till one day in July 1980, I was just turning 20, I blew a red light (on purpose) and T-boned a city street sweeper. Blood on my hands, I'll never forget it. I told them I didn't see the red light cause of the dust from the street sweeper, And I'm for damn sure I'm gonna pay dearly for that lie when I'm at the big gates......
That's why I say,
Drive safe men....
JD

[BillyCement]

CF.....if there is an afterlife I'm sure our Maker will taken into consideration our immaturity at the time of some of our transgressions.

[gant]

alot of our drivers were over the road.. one of ours drove over the road for 15 years and went to driving a mixer.. well hes been doing it about 5 years now and is still unsure of everything.. he gets nervous all the time and messes up...

[bj3976]

We have a couple of guys that are like that, you would think that it's there first week. I think I skipped my Supertrucker status, I got my CDL right when I turned 21, I'm a firefighter so the dept. payed for the licence and the training. I have taken all the defensive driving classes for high speed vehicle operaton prior to driving the mixer, I learned right away to respect the truck, When driving fire apparatus it's not jut you in the truck your also responsible for the lives of the crew in the back seat! not to mention others on the road. So when I started driving the mixer it carried over. I'm kind of lucky all the guys at my plant are older and have been driving mixers for over 20 years. So we skip all that BS. I'm the baby in the company at age 27. next oldest guys are 34 & 40. All of our "supertruckers" are in there 40's and just received there CDL's a year ago or so when there prior carears ended due to outsourcing. All you can do is walk away, and shake your head. I may have my stupid moments but I always keep in the back of mind what the truck can do, and can't do!

[gant]

I'm the youngest at our plant at 23.. most of our drivers are 35+ all the way to 73 but hes a bulker driver..

[Mort]

You're only 23? I didn't know that.

I'm 26, and I'm either the youngest driver or the 2nd youngest. Most of our drivers are between 35-55, with a few either way.

[bj3976]

I know they kept a close eye on me where I was young. I think I was one of the youngest they have ever hired. If you think it's a huge liability for a company to hire someone new with not alot of experiance. I work for a family owned company, one stupid mistake by a driver could put them out of buisness fast. Even more today now that every one is quick to slap you with a lawsuit!

[gant]

yep just turned 23 in oct actually.. im a youngin but I catch on quick...my company is pretty good about leavin people alone.. when we have concrete to haul we run our asses off, but if were slow or got time between loads its laid back.. do whatever you want..wash your truck sit in the drivers room.. sit in the batch office and BS its laid back and I love it.. everyone likes to play around and get along great

[vikingmixer]

I`m still just 22 years old, but there`s actually two guys younger than me at my plant. (The youngest guy is only nineteen.) I also started out when I was nineteen, and have almost driven a mixer truck for four years now. I was born and raised in my fathers mixer truck, and I guess thats why I`ll never EVER become a supertrucker... :-) I remember how the experienced guys used to make fun of the supertruckers when I was just a little boy sitting in the drivers room between loads.... That beeing said, I totally agree with you guys saying that you learn something new allmost every day, no matter how long you have been driving. I`m still "the new guy", and proud of it!

[LEAD DOG]

MY HIGH SCHOOL BUDDY TRAINED ME 15 YEARS AGO. WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF SIDE SPLITING LAUGHS ABOUT SOME OF MY FIASCOS ;D, THEY WERE REAL TOP KNOTCH CLASSIC F*** UP's I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY KEPT ME AROUND (neither can they I bet ). THE RICHEST THING IS, I'M TRAINING NEWBIES NOW !.........sigh .....MY TWO OLDEST SONS (22 & 24 yrs. old) WORK HERE TOO & MY BUDDY TRAINED THEM JUST SO HE COULD TELL THEM ALL HIS LIES ABOUT ME WHEN HE TRAINED ME ;D! I TELL YA GUYS, I HAVE NO PEACE ANYMORE !

[concretejoe]

I'm 21. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it)

[chads]

I am 30 and went through my supertrucker phase at 18 yrs old. Had my cdl since 18. Picked up trash, drove roll-off, lugger, HONEY WAGON Dump truck and now Front discharge ready mix. This and dump truck is the physically easiest job I have ever had. But requiers the most common sense out of all of them. You are more of an operator that a driver.

[gant]

^^^ I Drove a roll off for 2 years.. it could be a pain in the ass at times.. especially when people wanted the dumpster set off in a tight spot but didnt think about me needing to get out from under it and get back in front of it lol.. other than that it wasnt bad..