OpenLine

October 2024

Leadership Message

Hello and welcome to the October edition of the OpenLine!

I want to start off by congratulating a couple of you who have performed exceptionally well and joined the ranks of Driver and Rookie of the Month. Our latest Driver of the Month is Matthew, and our Rookie of the Month is Michael. Thank you both for your hard work and dedication to being safe while being productive.

With the winter months upon us, it is an excellent time to talk about winter driving. If you determine that local weather or road conditions have become such that continuing a trip would be hazardous, please park your truck in a safe location and do not continue until road conditions have improved.

It is required for commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs. to carry traction devices, but it is Melton’s policy to avoid using chains. Please always factor in weather advisories and changing road conditions and stop before chain use is necessary.

Winter Driving Tips:

Be Proactive: Know weather conditions before you arrive in an area. Detailed trip planning is key.
Remain Aware: Keep an eye out for signs of winter weather along your route – ice on mirrors, accidents, etc.
Double Your Following Distance: Try to maintain at least 16 seconds.
Slow down!

Winter Survival Tips:

Keep Several Layers of Clothing Available: Always wear dry, warm clothing. Switch out socks, gloves, etc. if wet.
Be Prepared: Keep extra food and water on the truck just in case you get stopped somewhere unexpected.

I want to give a shout-out to our Melton Road Trainers who are guiding the next generation of drivers and to our Melton Mentors that answer calls after hours and on the weekend to help support our fleet. Please always call our Mentor hotline if you have questions and cannot reach the safety team. That number is 866-938-1319!

I’ll close with a HUGE thank you to all of the great people who make Melton Truck Lines a success and a quick reminder to wear your PPE.

I look forward to seeing you next time you’re at the Tulsa Terminal!

Melissa Stephan

Director of Safety

Driver & Rookie of the Month

July Driver of the Month

Congratulations to our newest Driver of the Month, Matthew! Matthew has been driving for Melton for 21 years, but has been driving trucks for over 30 years total. He is originally…see more

July Rookie of the Month

Please congratulate this month’s Rookie of the Month, Michael! Michael started with us last December, with Melton being his first OTR job after graduating CDL school. …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 little natural spotlight to start the day- thanks for sharing the view, Austin!

Jeffe shared a little meet up that happened in Utah- what a beautiful backdrop for this run!

Post-card worthy shots from Jorge’s run. Thanks for sharing, Jorge!

An absolutely STUNNING view from Mario’s morning in the heartland.

The mountains are calling- they gave Mya an amazing backdrop for this pitstop.

A beautiful view for miles on end. Thanks for sharing, Patrick!

Double rainbows mean double the luck, so Robert is all set!

Rain or shine, even late at night, we’ll keep rolling. Thanks for sharing the view, Tim!

Wellness & Safety Articles

Schedule Your Mammogram!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts..see more

Winter Driving Tips

October is here, and it’s a reminder that winter is just around the corner. As icy roads and snowy…see more

Monthly Poll

See last month’s results: Which seasaon is your favorite?

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].

A big thank you to Jonathan for being a stand-up dude and a great example of what it looks like to be an awesome coworker. As soon as I got parked with my inbound load in Laredo this afternoon, Jonathan appeared out of nowhere and immediately began helping me remove 12 chains and binders, remove and roll up my tarp, and assisted me in getting my coil racks and dunnage swapped out at the equipment shed 5 minutes before it closed for the day.

His assistance allowed me to have enough time to get under my new “get home” load and make it a hundred miles closer to the house than I would have otherwise. Thanks man, you are the bomb diggity my friend!

Steve, Melton Driver

Nothing like meeting a good driver at a shipper going to the same place you are. Decided to run convoy, and he ended up helping me install a CB, went half and half with me on steaks, and cooked them for us on a beautiful cool day in California. Been one hell of a fun trip and made one hell of a good friend. Most importantly, he showed me by far the most beautiful way to tarp suicide coils. David is a cool dude with wisdom for decades!! I’ve learned a lot from this driver.

Tim, Melton Driver

Well, that was fun! Thanks to all the drivers that came through for a truck wash (I am going to be sore tomorrow). Matt, Angie, Dustin, and I all got our workout today. Rebecca, the DM for Fleet 31, was there too, but she had wheel duty so you can’t see her in the picture!! I did more than take pictures I promise!

Jac, Fuel Conservation Advisor

My DM, Rory, is a real professional. He’s always eager to help, even when you can tell he’s got a full plate. Outside of work, he’s also a pal. I told him about my wife having a heart attack. He could sense I was bothered, and after talking with him, I felt better, and he was adamant on making sure I was able to get home. And on the flip side, we talked about his back, and I gave him some pointers on how I beat my sciatica with push-ups. I can’t say anything bad about him; he has a great attitude, which is important. I’m glad to be a member of Fleet 25.

Anonymous WorkHound

My DM Josh of Fleet 39 has been a great help, especially with sending Macros like fuel solutions, repowers, or ETA updates. Anytime I call he’s always very respectful and listens to any concerns I may have, as well as any issues I may encounter on the road. I really appreciate his hard work and dedication to help me as a new Melton driver.

Anonymous WorkHound

Tiffany is my DM on Fleet 17. She is amazing, I couldn’t wish for a better DM than the one I have. I’m a new driver and she has been amazing and patient, especially when I make mistakes. I hope to be able to meet her in person someday and be able to thank her in person for what she does.

Anonymous WorkHound

My husband and I are both drivers, and we noticed something wonderful and rare today; I wanted to bring it to your attention! James in truck 15918 seems to be a trainer and has his trainee practicing backing in a parking lot with other trucks around. However, he’s not just sitting in the passenger seat observing; he is out walking around the truck as the student backs and has the student getting out and looking. He talks to him and has him observe everything he’s doing. He is teaching him the simple things that some drivers nowadays forget, like being courteous to other drivers as they back in, giving them space, watching out for walking traffic and giving them the right of way.

I know these things seem small and irrelevant, but it is refreshing to see a trainer take the time to teach the parts of trucking that so many of us quickly forget!

Anonymous

The cons for a load called in and wanted to give kudos to David. He said when David came to unload, he was very professional. He said his day wasn’t going the best and when our driver showed up, he was like a ray of light. Very polite, professional, and very kind. He said whoever trained him did an amazing job. He had nothing but good things to say about this driver. I wanted to make sure to get this email out, so he gets the kudos he deserves!

Valerie, Extended Coverage

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

July Driver of the Month: Matthew

Congratulations to our newest Driver of the Month, Matthew! Matthew has been driving for Melton for 21 years, but has been driving trucks for over 30 years total. He is originally from Morgan City, Louisiana and wants to recognize his wife and kids for supporting him, as well as his parents for instilling discipline in him from a young age. Matthew is a Road Trainer, and loves to watch his students travel to new places and experience new things during the training process. His best tip for new drivers starting their OTR career is that discipline is the key to success.

Katrina, Matthew’s DM, stated that his DOM title was “well deserved.” Keep up the great work, Matthew!

July Rookie of the Month: Michael

Please congratulate this month’s Rookie of the Month, Michael! Michael started with us last December, with Melton being his first OTR job after graduating CDL school. Before Melton, Michael was driving a news van as well as driving for Uber and Lyft. He also has a pilot’s license, and when he’s not driving, Michael’s favorite thing to do is travel. His best tips for new drivers are to always look ahead while driving, do your research before jumping into a trucking career, and to find hobbies you can enjoy when you’re not on the road.

We asked Michael’s DM, Carolyn, for a few words: “Michael has an excellent service record and has a great attitude. He sets a good example to follow.” Congratulations, and keep up the great work!

A Message from Our Wellness Manager

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Melton to host mobile mammography services on October 31st

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2024 are:

About 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
About 56,500 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.
About 42,250 women will die from breast cancer.

Breast cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. This means half of the women who developed breast cancer are 62 years of age or younger when they are diagnosed.

Who Should Get a Mammogram? Women 40 and over should start screening with a mammogram every year.

Melton Onsite Mammogram Scheduling Information:

When: October 31st
Where: Tulsa Terminal
Time: 7am – 4pm (call 405.755.2273 Ext. 49760 or 49761 to schedule your appt.)
Please bring your photo ID, photocopy of your benefits card & your physicians name, address and phone #

If you have specific questions, please contact the Breast Health Network at: 405.755.2273.

Have a great October!

Bret Bringham

Wellness Manager

A Message from Our safety department

October is here and it’s a reminder that winter is just around the corner. As icy roads and snowy streets can make delivering freight on time more challenging, a key component to having a successful winter season is to start planning now. How can you best prepare for winter trucking and set yourself up for success?

Preparing for the Winter Season:

Stock Your Truck with Winter Essentials:
Equip your truck with a winter safety kit that includes extra warm clothing, gloves, blankets, food, and water. Winter storms can force you to shut down for a few hours to a few days, so make sure you are always stocked up!
Check the Weather and Trip Plan:
During winter, a necessary step in the trip planning process includes checking the weather throughout your route. Communicate any foreseeable delays to your Driver Manager and allow for extra time as you drive at slower speeds. Be sure to have a plan for each of your required breaks, fuel stops, and a backup plan if those do not work out.
Thorough Pre-Trips, Post-Trips, and Load Check Tire Checks:
Before starting each trip, thoroughly inspect your truck. Pay extra attention to your tires, brakes, lights, and windshield wipers. If you find anything that is not up to par, communicate that with your Driver Manager and Outside Repair as soon as possible to get it taken care of before it becomes a problem or a violation.
Utilize the Five Keys of the Smith System and Slow Down:
Using the Smith System is key in all weather conditions. Give yourself more time to react to any unexpected changes on the road. Increase your following distance, especially in snow or ice, and drive cautiously through curves, over bridges, and overpasses.
Use Chains Only to Reach Safety:
While we discourage using tire chains regularly, our policy is clear: Tire chains should only be used to reach a safe haven when absolutely necessary. If you find yourself in conditions where tire chains are needed, you may put on the chains to get to a safe haven and wait until conditions improve. However, we do not make deliveries using tire chains!
Communicate and Stay Informed:
Keep in close contact with your Driver Manager and other drivers to stay informed of road conditions ahead. If you encounter dangerous weather or roads, don’t hesitate to find a safe haven and wait it out. Safety comes first, and no load is worth risking your life.

Although winter driving can be unpredictable, you are not alone. If you have any questions or need help with navigating winter trucking, do not hesitate to reach out to our Safety team at 800-656-2167. Stay alert, stay prepared, and let’s all commit to having another safe winter season on the road!

October Anniversaries

30 Ricky Green

28 Harold Reaves

27 Renita Powell

26 Lisa Mason

21 Christopher Sampson

17 James Malone

17 Eric Boyles

16 Clyde Alexander

16 James Johnson

14 Daniel Thomas

14 David Simons

14 Ron Hembree

13 Jeffrey Granat

13 Leslie Brown

13 Michael Potter

13 Pax Rolfe

11 James Lane

11 Rose Gonzales

10 Brock Eubanks

9 Daniel Sieczkarski

9 Jeffrey Barrick

9 Jose Ramos

8 Andrew Corse

8 Isaiah Davis

8 Walter Shields

7 Jacob Bratton

6 Sara Stepchinski

6 Kyle Race

6 Scot Sasnett

6 Carl Bond

5 Bradley Beasey

5 Felipe Morales

5 Freddie Alexander

5 Jesse Vanish

5 Ronald Samuels

5 Ray Smith

5 Justin Waller

5 Louis Medeiros

4 Jeffrey Jordan

4 Cody Collins

4 James Herron

4 Kenneth Finch

4 Kyle Garrett

4 Travis Ward

4 Brianne Gulinson

4 Cynthia Johnston

4 Tiffany Medlock

3 Hugo La Garza

3 Rafael Carlin

3 Miguel Esparza

3 Terence Carey

3 Thomas Germain

3 Jeffrey Tolbert

3 Mckenzie Nord

2 Dalton Schubert

2 Casey Flanigan

2 Djemsley Deus

2 Evalery Morgan

2 Jesus Trevino

2 Justin Cross

2 Kenneth Harris

2 Lapatrick Daniels

2 Manuel Sanders

2 Marques Jones

2 Nicholas Adkins

2 Ryan Sayre

2 Steadman Washington

2 Tamas Keller

2 Kathrine Riley

2 Lucina Diaz

2 Mary Stout

2 Olivia Lung

1 Briana Sigala

1 Diego Ugalde Hernandez

1 Christopher Richardson

1 David Burns

1 Duke Durham

1 Hermann Thompson

1 Jawara Bridges

1 Jesus Soliz

1 Joseph Williams

1 Oliver Diaz Quintero

1 Randall Moore

1 Raymond Rainwater

1 Rene Garza

1 Robert Collins

1 Sergio Rosado

1 Mallory Rial

1 Marche’ Summers

1 Sofia Hernandez

Monthly Celebration

Each month, we gather in our Tulsa headquarters atrium to have our monthly celebration to celebrate anniversaries, new hires, promotions, and birthdays. This month, we also held a game show to see who knew their coworkers the best. Thank you to everyone who participated and attended!

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Happy Driver Appreciation Week: Our Drivers Are All-Stars!

Every September, we celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week at all of our terminals as well as online. This year, we held contests for TVs, tablets, and more, held our annual office truck wash, as well as provided free breakfast and lunch to drivers at the Tulsa terminal. We are so thankful for all of the hard work our drivers do to position Melton as one of the best flatbed carriers in the country. Keep up the great work!

Tulsa SPCA Visit

Last week, the Tulsa SPCA came by for their monthly adoption visit! As always, we had a great time meeting the dogs and cats that needed homes. If you missed them this time, be sure to keep an eye on your email for the next visit date!

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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.