Brad's Beat: Reddy Ice Men
By: Brad Douglas
Updated: June 29, 2012
JOPLIN, MO.--- Talk about a cool job. Ray Trotter and his partner Evid Pinedt work for Reddy Ice in Joplin. On the hottest day of the year, they spend much of their time in the back of the cab, which is set at 14 degrees.
"It feels great. One you go out that's where it feels like going to reality," says Pinedt. The men start their day at 7am and they make more than 20 stops filling up the different coolers with ice. They
have a set route, but every now and then they get an emergency detour. Which is like a 911 call for ice. "Yeah they get a little upset when people are wanting their ice and they don't have any."
The men have been partners for a month now. Evid has worked in ice biz for a couple of years and he says you don't always get along with the person you get teamed up with.
"Gotta be friends. It's tough with this heat. Peoples emotions tend to stir. Especially the heat does crazy effects to you," says Ray Trotter
"You definitely have to be friends with the guy beside you. That way he doesn't throw the ice and hit you in the head," says Evid Pinedt.
