OpenLine

December 2024

Leadership Message

Welcome to the November edition of our Openline!

Let’s take a moment to celebrate our Rookie and Driver of the Month! Our Rookie of the Month is Christen and our Driver of the Month is Ricky. Congratulations to both drivers for earning this prestigious title. We are thankful for your work ethic, consistent productivity, and the safety-conscious behaviors you exhibit while driving and working. Thank you for your hard work and for being such an important part of our team!

I’d like to take a little time this month to say thank you for the outstanding results this past quarter with online training. Our completion goal for the year is 85%, and we surpassed that goal in the 3rd quarter with 88%. Nice work! We invest a great deal of effort in the training we provide our drivers, and it is essential that our drivers participate and complete this training to have consistency in how we operate. As a reminder, our training includes all things Safety (securement, injury prevention, logs, CSA, Smith System), as well as important topics from Maintenance and Operations. For further learning opportunities, hop on the Operations Facebook page to see us post about load securement and other important safety-related topics.

Speaking of training, we are launching a new series on securement titled “The Melton Way”. In this series, we are featuring our PHE instructors as they walk through best practices on various loads we haul. We have such a diverse commodity base that it is often challenging to determine the best way to secure. In this training, we are categorizing our commodities with ‘like’ loads and securement, then sharing best practices. With this training, you’ll be able to step away from your load and then identify which category your load falls under and apply those securement techniques. We are excited about this training and feel it will bring some consistency among the fleet and help with some of the load shifts we are seeing.

Many of our loads also require special instructions and part of Carl Bond’s role is to help streamline these instructions with our customers. Carl has been traveling to various customers this year to help our shippers improve their loading practices to make your job easier. We will continue this effort in 2025 as well, so don’t be surprised if you happen to see Carl on occasion at one of our shipper locations!

In the month to be thankful, I want to thank all Melton company employees for their tireless efforts through this challenging freight cycle. It doesn’t take much freight to make a turn for the better and when that happens, we will be ready!

Stay safe and see you next time you are in Tulsa.

Lisa Mason

VP of Safety & HR

Driver & Rookie of the Month

October Driver of the Month

October’s Driver of the Month is Mauricio! Mauricio has been with Melton for ten years, and he chose to drive for us after hearing good things from his previous trucking…see more

October Rookie of the Month

Congratulations to October’s Rookie of the Month, Jesus! Jesus has been with us for six months, and this is his first OTR job. Before Melton, Jesus worked as a supervisor at a…see more

Photos

Every month we receieve lots of amazing photos from our drivers from their time on the road. If you have a photo you’d like to share, send an email to [email protected].

A Sunset in Arizona never looked so pretty- thanks for sharing the view, David!

A little sepia hues to set the mood for this one.

A seaside view to cap off this load, thanks for sharing, Gus!

A postcard worthy scene. Thanks for sharing, Mario!

Raul got to match with Mother Nature on this one.

Time to get lost in the trees. Thanks for sharing the view, Ray!

Quick pit stop, anyone?

It’s a bird, it’s a plane- no, it’s a hot air balloon festival. Thanks for the amazing shot, Tony!

Wellness & Safety Articles

Muscle Mass & Bone Density

Fall is FINALLY here! Did you know that you are more likely to “fall” and get injured if you don’t have…see more

Mastering Recaps

Effectively managing your Hours of Service (HOS) is essential to staying productive while also…see more

Monthly Poll

See last month’s results: What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

Leave us a Review!

We’re always looking for Melton team members to share their opinions with us. If you want to share your experience working for Melton, we encourage you to leave an honest review on your platform of choice. You can visit our Glassdoor page below!

Review Us on Glassdoor

Kudos

Here are some positive messages we receieved about both office staff and drivers for this month! If you’d like to give kudos to a coworker, please send it to [email protected].

This is Cordell calling from truck #15582. I was just calling to give compliments and kudos to Nick, his truck number is 14852. That man is a literal godsend. When I tell you that man helped me with every step of my second load…I didn’t understand what was happening and there were already some straps on it; it was so confusing. He did not have to stay with me, he was almost done with his load and it was almost midnight, but that man helped me every step of the way. He’s a great one and I really appreciated it!

Cordell, Melton Driver

I’d like to say, the folks at OSR have been super professional and extremely courteous. Thank you very much.

Kevin, Melton Driver

Our shop guys do not get enough credit for the support we get from them. I picked up a trailer headed to Canada, and I noticed it had a couple of bad tires and a leaking axle seal. I called OSR and told them I was rerouting east to avoid the storm and would be passing Laredo to get the stuff fixed. En route, the axel got worse, and I limped into the terminal.

Of course, we didn’t have the part. I explained I was headed northbound, and the shop sent someone for the part and put 3 guys on the repairs. They started working on the trailer at 2:30; at 8:20, I was fully fixed and pulling out the shop.

Thank you didn’t feel like enough for the work they put in. Luckily as I was leaving, Victor made a joke about me getting him a new hat when I was in Tulsa, and I just happened to have 3 unworn Melton hats in the truck. It made me feel good to be able to hand them to the guys before I pulled out!

Dicky, Melton Driver

I want to shout out my DM Austin for Fleet 14 and OSR. Had my truck throw up an error code with both check engine lights on and had to take it to a shop here in MO. Both OSR and my DM made sure I was taken care of. Now I just wait while sitting comfortably in a hotel. These guys do the best to take care of us, and I just wanted to give props.

Austin, Melton Driver

I have recently onboarded a new team member who previously worked at a company with inadequate standards. It has been a rewarding experience to introduce them to our training program, which focuses on Melton’s expectations and breaking any poor habits they may have formed. Our communication methods, including the Smith system, have been particularly eye-opening for my trainee. I am thrilled to be working with someone who truly values the attention to detail in our training department and am excited to see their continued progress.

Ashley, Melton Driver

My trainer Ramone has far exceeded my expectations as a trainee. I couldn’t be happier to have him as a mentor and learn from a Melton veteran such as himself.

Anonymous WorkHound

I had a rock fly into my AC condenser leaving me with no AC besides losing the load since I have to take the truck to the dealer. OSR team did an amazing job getting me into a hotel with truck parking so that I don’t have to worry about it while sitting at a truck stop overnight. OSR killed it for me and I’m greatly appreciative of them!

Anonymous WorkHound

My trainer Charles has been excellent throughout my whole training. Very helpful with lots of tips!

Anonymous WorkHound

I stayed the weekend at the Tulsa terminal for the first time since I started with Melton 6 months ago. I’d just like to say that each and every office & shop personnel were extremely friendly and professional. Their remarks and actions seemed very genuine and not portrayed as an act. The safety guys rock too. Funny one liners & convos with other drivers were a blast. Out of my last 2 companies, by far Melton is the most professional and fun place to drive for. Thank you all!

Kevin, Melton Driver

I want to thank Alex, the Outside Repair team, my Fleet 19 DMs, and the Melton fam for the support while I was broken down. Y’all are what make Melton Truck Lines the greatest flatbed company in the game today!!

Montae, Melton Driver

Today is a great day at the Birmingham terminal as new drivers receive their trucks. Mr. Daniel, the terminal manager, is exceptional. He excels at welcoming new drivers, boosting their confidence, and road preparation. He even provided Thanksgiving food for employees and drivers. Thank you, Mr. Daniel; we’re super proud of you!

Elisa, Melton Driver

Giant kudos to Jess and Matt and Mr. D. Got my truck in, got it fixed in record time so I could make my pickup in time. The lounge area is always clean with good showers, and I even had time for laundry. Keep up the good job guys. BIRMINGHAM ROCKS! Y’all are the best, thanks again.

Anonymous WorkHound

Get Involved

We’re excited to share all of the activities that have been happening at Melton during the month!

See what's happening

Anniversaries

Be sure to congratulate these staff members who have hit tenure milestones with Melton!

Let's Celebrate

New Hires & Movement

Congratulations to all of the new hires and movement this month! Meet the newest members of the team here.

say hello

October Driver of the Month: Mauricio

October’s Driver of the Month is Mauricio! Mauricio has been with Melton for ten years, and he chose to drive for us after hearing good things from his previous trucking job. His favorite place to drive through is Montana and Washington because of the mountains and snow, and the most memorable load he’s hauled was a load of oversized tires from the Carolinas. Mauricio’s best tips for new drivers is to always pre-plan your trips to avoid any unexpected circumstances that could lead to mistakes.

Mauricio’s DM, Josh, wanted to comment: “Mauricio is as reliable as they come. He never complains and does his job well every day.” Congratulations, Mauricio!

October Rookie of the Month: Jesus

Congratulations to October’s Rookie of the Month, Jesus! Jesus has been with us for six months, and this is his first OTR job. Before Melton, Jesus worked as a supervisor at a power sports dealership. He chose Melton because he wanted to see the country, and enjoys having the freedom to manage his own time. His favorite memory while driving is getting to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls while waiting for his truck to be fixed. When he’s not driving, Jesus likes to visit the shooting range and ride motorcycles. He also would like to give a shoutout to his trainer, Ramon.

Jesus’ DM, Becky, had this to say: “Congratulations…Jesus is a hard worker, always communicates – he is a good asset to Melton.” Keep up the great work, Jesus!

A Message from Our Wellness Manager

Fall is FINALLY here! Did you know that you are more likely to “fall” and get injured if you don’t have adequate muscle mass, especially in your lower body?

Another impact of underdeveloped skeletal muscle mass is the decline in bone density. Did you know that you can start losing bone density by the time you hit your 30s? What’s more, you can further accelerate this natural process of bone density loss if you have under-developed skeletal muscle mass. A majority of recent studies have shown that the health of your muscles and bones are tightly linked.

If I have not convinced you to pay more attention to your leg muscle mass after listing down the perils, the following benefits will likely nudge you to see squats, lunges, hamstring curls, and even brisk walking in a whole new light:

Skeletal muscle is a secretory organ. Instead of the usual fears that physical activity can aggravate inflammation, it turns out that regular exercise such as strength training can potentially disrupt the vicious cycle of inflammation. This typically happens in chronic diseases such as rheumatic disease.
Improved balance and increased stability, aka functional strength
Improved range of motion (which translates to more efficiency in performing daily tasks).
Boost in self-confidence

Don’t Wait for the Problems to Start: Prevent Them!

You aren’t likely to see many 30- or 40-year-olds suffering hip injuries from falls and brittle bones, but by the same token, you’re not likely to see many 70- or 80-year-olds doing something about preventing it in the squat cage. For them, some of the best exercises to build and maintain leg muscle may now be practically beyond them.

If you start early and monitor your changes in body composition throughout your whole body, including your legs, you can lessen the chances of having problems later in life by being proactive about it now. See this example of what the InBody can bring to light early on so you can get a jump on improving your muscle mass, your bone density and risk of injury – especially as you get older!

And for more immediate benefits, paying more attention to your legs means you’ll equally look good and be more powerful — whether it’s at the gym, outdoors, or simply when you’re hauling those big bags of groceries! Reach out and schedule your InBody today – [email protected] or 918-270-9611.

Have a great November!

Bret Bringham

Wellness Manager

A Message from Our safety department

Effectively managing your Hours of Service (HOS) is essential to staying productive while also staying compliant. Under FMCSA rules, drivers are allowed to work a maximum of 70 hours within an 8-day period. If a driver gets low on hours on his 70-hour clock, a 34-hour reset is required to refill those hours. Navigating how to balance this 70-hour clock can take time, but one tool that all drivers can use to maximize their HOS is recaps.

What Are Recaps?
Recaps allow drivers to get back the hours they worked 8 days ago and use them today. For example, if a driver worked 8 hours 8 days ago, he will “recap” those 8 hours today. This feature is especially useful to those who want the ability to continuously roll without being required to take a 34-hour reset—allowing them to run every day & make more money.

Tips for Using Recaps
This calendar paints a picture of how recaps work—however many hours you drove and were on-duty 8 days ago, you will recap today. On Monday the 1st, this driver worked a total of 9 hours; this means 8 days later on the 9th, he will recap those 9 hours. On the following days, he worked close to 8-9 hours each day, leaving him with a consistent number of available hours to recap later.

On the other hand, if a driver regularly pushes and works more than 8-9 hours every day, then he will run down his 70-hour clock much quicker & be left with only a few hours to work at the end of the week. Doing so will also affect his ability to recap a steady amount of hours & will leave him with an inconsistent schedule. Therefore, the goal when running recaps is to stick near 8-9 hours a day!

Need Help? Call Safety!
Overall, understanding how to efficiently use recaps as part of your HOS management helps you stay compliant and makes you available to run more miles. Stay alert, pace yourself, and do not hesitate to reach out if you need help or have questions regarding Hours of Service. Our Safety team is here to help—call 800-656-2167 or email [email protected].

November Anniversaries

24 Jennifer Moore

24 Keith Stanley

24 Robert Ragan

22 Jack Schroeder

21 Dwayne Cotton

21 Joe Zuniga

19 Mike Pauley

18 Bret Bringham

17 Joseph Rego

17 Karl Hoglund

16 Joe Lopez

14 Gary Thurman

14 Jacob Mayo

13 Mark Wagler

13 Victor Hinojosa

12 Tyler Brown

11 Kenneth Helms

11 Manuel Dailey

10 Ernest Aragon

10 Kelly Burton

10 Richard Noel

10 William Cox

9 Ashley Herd

9 Jeffrey Goodman

9 Michelle Stringel

8 Daniel Shonebarger

8 Peter Hans

7 Melton Cockrell

7 William Park

6 Jennifer Collado

6 Randall Smith

6 Tracy Collins

5 Adam Austin

5 Bobby Sanders

5 David Mensch

5 Morris Lynch

5 Steven Wilson

5 William Yonkers

4 Ashley Chopane

4 Augustine Corona

4 Bryce Consedine

4 David Patterson

4 Eddie Jones

4 Francis Henderson

4 Gretchen Meade

4 Carlos Rodriguez

4 Joshua Bright

4 Najee Bright

4 Oskar Tarnowski

4 Richard Heppes

4 Shane Patterson

3 Charles Browning

3 Chris Ehmen

3 Collin Werning

3 Daniel Colbart

3 David Regalado

3 Eduardo Gonzalez

3 John Brown

3 John Horn

3 Karl Lyles

3 Lizbeth Lopez

3 Luis Perez

3 Maxwell Mccane

3 Steven Elliott

2 Alexander Ramirez

2 Angelo Bravo

2 Christopher Bryce

2 Christopher Howard

2 Dieune Frederic

2 Elizabeth Buttery

2 Estee Hanvey

2 Israel Robles

2 Jacob Ortiz

2 Ja’kobe Thompson

2 James Russell

2 Jamine Clarke

2 Joel Molina

2 Jorge Ramirez

2 Joshua Lemons

2 Juvenal Chapa

2 Mark Barley

2 Melissa Berrios

2 Nicholas Pelaquin

2 Rickey Russell

2 Stanley Gufnay

2 Tony Andrews

2 Trevor Johnson

2 Tyler Thompson

2 Walter Heath

1 Diego Gomez

1 Esau Kiprotich

1 Everett Williams

1 Jeremy Sterling

1 Joseph Bernard

1 Joshua Cochran

1 Kyle Chighizola

1 Luis Ochoa

1 Madison Lauck

1 Marcus Hughes

1 Michael Caldwell

1 Michael Winters

1 Pedro Ramos

1 Rinalds Jansons

1 Royal Reed

1 Shawn Crowell

1 Wayne Stewart

Monthly Celebration: We’re Thankful for You!

Each month, we gather in our Tulsa headquarters atrium to have our monthly celebration to celebrate anniversaries, new hires, promotions, and birthdays. To give thanks to our wonderful Melton employees this month, we also offered a traditional Thanksgiving lunch after the celebration.

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United Way Agency Fair

After the monthly celebration, we also held our first United Way Agency Fair. Melton has partnered with the United Way for several years, and the fair gave our employees the opportunity to meet and learn more about the many agencies that their United Way donations can support.

For those who pledged a portion of their paycheck going into 2025, we also held a raffle for a 10 in. tablet! Congratulations to our winner, Vicki Jenkins, and thank you to everyone who pledged to donate to these United Way agencies.

Toys for Tots: Don’t Forget to Donate!

From now until December 3rd, we’re collecting gifts for children in need in partnership with Toys for Tots. Donation bins are set up throughout the building, and we’re accepting gifts for all ages, from infant to teenager. All donations must be new and unwrapped. For pre-teens/teens, consider bringing items like books, sporting equipment, cosmetics, hairstyling tools, hand-held electronics, and watch/wallet sets.

If you’re unable to shop, David Harper and Lisa Glenn are accepting monetary donations – they’ll visit your department the morning of December 3rd, or you can send in an electronic donation through the methods below. Happy shopping!

Cashapp: $HarpDog22

Venmo: @Harpdog22

PayPal: [email protected]

Follow Us on Social Media!

March Top Fleets

Each month, we have our best fleets in MPG and fuel compliance. Below you will see the top three fleets in each category. Congratulations to each fleet. Keep up the great work.