Archive for the ‘Decker News’ Category

2022 Truck Driver Championships

Posted by deckerAdmin

Iowa and Montana State Competitions

Altoona, Iowa – Six professional drivers represented Decker Truck Line in the Iowa Truck Driver Championships on Friday, June 10, 2022. Mike Graf, Mike Mertz, Felix Perez, and Tom Melton all competed in the Flatbed division. Mike Graf, Mike Mertz, and Felix Perez were all first-time participants at the TDC.

Iowa: Professional Drivers Todd Ouverson, Mike Graf, Felix Perez, Mike Mertz, Dean Filmer, and Tom Melton. Pictured with Safety Department Team Maggie Strait and Patrice Fourtina.

Dean Filmer competed in the 5-axle competition and Todd Ouverson represented Decker in the Sleeper Berth division. This was Dean’s 19th year competing and his 2nd championship title. He won Sleeper Berth back in 2016.

Dean earned 1st place in 5-axle and Tom Melton placed 3rd in Flatbed for the 2022 Iowa Truck Driver Championships.

Helena, Montana – Five professional drivers represented Decker Truck Line in the Montana Truck Driver Championships on a wet Saturday, June 11, 2022. Art Clubb and Ron Buck competed in the 5-Axle division. Lyle Turville and Roy Middlestead both competed in the Sleeper Berth division, and Donald Nealey represented Decker Truck Line in the Flatbed division for the Montana State Truck Driver Championships. Ron, Donald, and Roy were all first-time participants at the TDC. All 3 Rookie competitors placed in the state competitions. Ron Buck placed 2nd in 5-Axle, Roy Middlestead placed 3rd in Sleeper Berth, and Donald Nealey placed 3rd in Flatbed.

Lyle Turville brought home his second 1st place title. He won the 5-Axle in 2019 and the Sleeper Berth in 2022.

Montana: Professional Drivers Art Clubb, Ron Buck, Donald Nealey, and Lyle Turville (not pictured is Roy Middlestead). Pictured with Operations Team Greg Kreta, Steven Hatten, Jason Sorlien, and Matt Nicholls. 

Indianapolis, Indiana – Lyle and Dean will be going on to Nationals taking place in Indianapolis from August 16th-19th. Stay tuned as we continue to support our professional drivers on their way to the National Truck Driver Championships.

Tom Melton and Dean Filmer
Art Clubb, Ron Buck, Lyle Turville, Donald Nealey
Roy Middlestead

Congrats to ALL the professional drivers at Decker Truck Line for earning the Zero Accidents in Montana for the category of 1,500,001 to 2,500,000 miles and Outstanding Achievement for Zero Accidents in Montana awards presented to Decker Truck Line by the Montana Trucking Association during the Montana Truck Driving Expo on Saturday.

Lifting Wall Board Tarps

Posted by deckerAdmin

When a driver arrives at a consignee with a load of wall board, the driver
unstraps the load, removes the bungees and pulls the wall board tarp onto the ground and folds it up. Because of the fall hazard, drivers are not allowed to get on top of their load and fold the tarp on the load and then roll it off the load onto the trailer deck. With each load of wall board we haul, a situation arises in which our driver needs to get his two folded wall board tarps from the ground onto the trailer.

The average weight of a wall board tarp is 115.5 pounds. More if it is old and wet, less if it is brand
new and dry. Since 1-1-19 we have had eight drivers (2 in 2019 and 6 in 2020) sustain injuries lifting their wall board tarps from the ground on to their trailer. Body parts affected are (lower) backs and shoulders. Cost of claims for those injuries range from Report Only to more than $50K. In an effort to eliminate these injuries we are implementing the following practice for getting those tarps back on the trailer.


The following is a hierarchy of methods for our drivers to get their tarps back on the trailer while minimizing the possibility of injury.

  1. When possible, ask the forklift operator to lift the tarps onto the trailer.
  1. The second choice for putting tarps on the trailer is to team lift the tarps onto the trailer. Ask another driver to assist in getting the tarps on the trailer. Decker drivers should volunteer to assist other Decker drivers in lifting their tarps onto the trailer.
  1. In the event that numbers 1 and 2 above are not possible, the driver should drag each tarp over to the deck plate steps on the tractor, roll the tarp end-over-end up the steps onto the deck plate and then roll the tarp end-over-end from the deck plate onto the trailer. Repeat for the second wallboard tarp.

Under no circumstances is a driver to lift his/her wallboard tarp from the ground onto the trailer without help. To do so would risk significant injury and be considered a company policy violation and subject the driver to the appropriate discipline.

improper way to lift a wall board tarp

Inside the Triangle Episode 19

Posted by deckerAdmin

Driver Spotlight – Crystal Haun

Professional Driver Crystal Haun joins host Darin Ladlie this week to chat about why she took the leap to join the trucking industry; and who inspired her to pursue a career as a Professional Driver after having a desk job her entire life. She also shares how SmartDrive, Transflo, and her Driver Manager Drew Cardy have all helped her to reach her goals and in turn become a successful Driver. Crystal enjoys sharing her story, she has some great tips for Drivers who are new in the industry.
Listen Here

Professional Driver Crystal Haun joins host Darin Ladlie this week to chat about why she took the leap to join the trucking industry; and who inspired her to pursue a career as a Professional Driver after having a desk job her entire life.  She also shares how SmartDrive, Transflo, and her Driver Manager Drew Cardy have all helped her to reach her goals and in turn become a successful Driver.  Crystal enjoys sharing her story, she has some great tips for Drivers who are new in the industry.

Trucking Podcast – Inside the Triangle

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you have topic suggestions or questions you want answered on the podcast, you can email them to podcast@deckermail.com. Or you can create a voice memo on your smartphone and email it to podcast@deckermail.com

Driver Spotlight: Jerry Arthur

Posted by deckerAdmin

Inside the Triangle, A Decker Truck Line Podcast episode 16

https://anchor.fm/deckertruckline

Our latest episode of Inside the Triangle is out now! Professional Driver Jerry Arthur joins host Darin Ladlie to chat about what it was like in 2006 when Jerry first started at Decker compared to now! Jerry and Darin also talk about transitioning to a Lease Purchase Driver and how to overcome any obstacles that may come your way.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you have topic suggestions or questions you want answered on the podcast, you can email them to podcast@deckermail.com. Or you can create a voice memo on your smartphone and email it to podcast@deckermail.com

Decker Truck Line recognizes Professional Drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2020

Posted by deckerAdmin

Every year the nation recognizes our men and women on the road delivering our goods safely, securely, and on-time. This year, more than ever, we would like to encourage everyone to #ThankATrucker for not only continuing to deliver our needed goods but also remember how crucial of a role professional truck drivers have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have kept our highways safe and as essential workers continued to provide our much-needed supplies. Thank you!

Every year the nation recognizes our men and women on the road delivering our goods safely, securely, and on-time. This year, more than ever, we would like to encourage everyone to #ThankATrucker for not only continuing to deliver our needed goods but also remember how crucial of a role professional truck drivers have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have kept our highways safe and as essential workers continued to provide our much-needed supplies. Thank you! #thankyou #DeckerTruckLine #deckerproud #Drive#deckerproud #DAW2020 #NTDAW2020 #driverappreciation #DriverAppreciationWeek


National Truck Driver Appreciation Week runs from September 12th- 18th, 2020. Don’t let the dates stop you from recognizing the dedication they have for us year-round.

#thankyou #DeckerTruckLine #deckerproud #Drive#deckerproud #DAW2020 #NTDAW2020 #driverappreciation #DriverAppreciationWeek

Podcast – Night Operations

Posted by deckerAdmin

Inside the Triangle Podcast Episode 8

Night Operations interview, Episode 8 of Inside the Triangle Podcast

Director of Night Operations, Willie Edgerton and Juan Rodriguez, 2nd Shift Night Operations, join host Darin Ladlie to talk about what goes on behind the scenes after hours here at Decker Truck Line.  Darin gets the inside scoop on the routine of the Night Ops crew, they share their favorite memories of DTL and of some pretty special Drivers and they also give some great tips for new and seasoned Professional Drivers.  Don’t miss out – – listen to the podcast today!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!  If you have any topic suggestions or questions you want answered or discussed on an upcoming podcast, e-mail them to podcast@deckermail.com.  Or, you can create a voice memo on your smart phone and e-mail it to podcast@deckermail.com

HOW TO LISTEN: 

Upgrading ELDs to Transflo/GeoTab

Posted by deckerAdmin

What is GeoTab and Transflo?

GeoTab has partnered with Transflo to provide us with a
great new communication and logging device for all Decker
Professional Drivers. These new tablets will replace the
Omnitracs units that are currently in your trucks.

July 28th, 2020 YouTube LIVE

What can GeoTab do?

GeoTab flier

Future functionality includes:

Learn more about Hours of Service logging, click now. https://youtu.be/Msw0XCKriXI

When can I get my new tablet?

Helpful Links

CSR Spotlight – AC Cook

Posted by deckerAdmin

Customer Service Representative from Bessemer, Alabama, AC Cook, joins host Darin Ladlie over the phone as our special guest this week.  Listen in as they chat about why he got started in the trucking industry, what his work life is like on a daily basis and AC offers some pretty uplifting advice for our Professional Drivers.  AC also gives some great insight of Decker’s Alabama location and shares why he loves working at Decker in Bessemer.  

Episode 4

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have topic suggestions or questions you want answered on the podcast, you can email them to podcast@deckermail.com. Or you can create a voice memo on your smartphone and email it to podcast@deckermail.com.

Decker Podcast

Posted by deckerAdmin

We are excited to announce that our new Decker Podcast “Inside the Triangle” is here!  Click HERE to listen.

What is a podcast?  Simply put, a podcast is an audio program, just like Talk Radio, but you subscribe to it on your smartphone, iPod, computer, etc. and can listen to it whenever you would like.  Podcasts are often distributed in “episodes” meaning new episodes are typically made available on a regular basis.  So, please join us each week as our host, Darin Ladlie and special guests, will discuss and explore everything from trucking industry news and DTL updates, to more personal Professional Driver and employee interviews.

HOW TO LISTEN:  Search for “Inside the Triangle” on your favorite podcast smart phone app or on your computer’s web browser.   Once you find it, don’t forget to subscribe so you always know when we release new episodes!  You can also go to our Decker Truck Line website (www.deckertruckline.com) and click on Podcast in the menu bar at the top of the page and you will be able to choose the episode that you would like to listen to from there. 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!  If you have questions or topics you want answered or discussed on the podcast, the best way to submit them is to create a voice memo on your smart phone!  E-mail your message to:  podcast@deckermail.com

Go-To Slow Cooker Meals

Posted by deckerAdmin

We thought we would make it easy for you and provide some quick, healthy crockpot recipes that you can prepare in your truck.

Slow cooker meals - Corned Beef and Cabbage, Corn and Scalloped tomatoes and pork chops
Chicken and Rice, Chicken Spaghetti and Pot Roast Slow cooker recipes

Eat healthy! Consider using food delivery services such as: DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats or CDLMEALS.com

Call
Quick Apply