Employee Spotlight: Pam Keaton, Safety and HR at Cypress

1 00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:06,680 Imagine waking up in your truck. Taking a look at your trailer and discovering someone else's 2 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:13,200 bumper was attached to it. What do you do? Well, apparently you call Pam 3 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:18,959 Keaton, and after nearly two decades at Cypress, that's probably not even the strangest problem 4 00:00:18,959 --> 00:00:23,400 Pam has been asked to solve. Because here's something I learned during the conversation 5 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:29,760 you're about to hear when you call safety or HR. You might be thinking about an accident. Paperwork 6 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:35,919 benefits your 401 K or some problem you need fixed so that you can get back on the road. 7 00:00:36,480 --> 00:00:42,040 Pam's thinking about something bigger. She's thinking about whether or not you're successful 8 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:48,600 here. And with roughly 500 drivers at Cypress, that means 500 different definitions of 9 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:54,800 success. Maybe it's making more money. Maybe it's getting into a newer truck. Maybe it's getting 10 00:00:54,800 --> 00:01:00,520 home every weekend. Or maybe you're a brand new driver staring at a gate. You're convinced you 11 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:05,519 can't get that truck through, and you just need somebody on the other end of the phone to remind 12 00:01:05,519 --> 00:01:12,480 you you've been trained for this. Slow down. Look at your space. You can do it. And Pam has 13 00:01:12,519 --> 00:01:17,920 actually taken that call. She talked to driver through it. He made it through the gate, and then 14 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:24,519 he called her back just to say thank you. That is the person we're introducing you to today. And 15 00:01:24,519 --> 00:01:30,079 here's the crazy part. We didn't even have to ask management whether drivers appreciate Pam Keaton. 16 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:36,920 A driver told us that before we ever recorded an interview with her. Pam's name has come up 17 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:42,039 multiple times organically on this podcast, because somebody wanted to give her flowers for 18 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:48,080 taking care of the people behind the wheel. And today it's our turn. We're pulling back the 19 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:53,520 curtain on one of the people who's been quietly helping keep Cypress moving for nearly 20 years. 20 00:01:53,560 --> 00:02:00,489 We're talking safety. H.R. Benefits 401 KS. Open enrollment. What you can do to 21 00:02:00,529 --> 00:02:07,369 help Pam. Help you. Why? One driver woke up with a bumper attached to his trailer. And 22 00:02:07,369 --> 00:02:12,449 yes, apparently somebody wants decided a tractor trailer was an acceptable vehicle for doing 23 00:02:12,449 --> 00:02:18,209 donuts in a parking lot. But underneath all of those stories is something bigger. Pam told me 24 00:02:18,210 --> 00:02:24,289 that safety isn't just there to enforce the rules. They're there because they want you to succeed. 25 00:02:24,609 --> 00:02:31,609 And after talking to her for almost an hour, I believe every dang word of it. This is the Cypress 26 00:02:31,609 --> 00:02:34,529 Truck Lines podcast. Let's meet Pam Keaton. 27 00:02:39,490 --> 00:02:44,049 Countdown to the Cypress Truck Lines podcast starts now. 28 00:02:46,410 --> 00:02:53,289 Your number one professional flatbed podcast here to deliver stories, safety updates and company 29 00:02:53,289 --> 00:02:58,049 news directly to your ears. Let's get down to business. 30 00:03:04,369 --> 00:03:09,729 How's the weather out there? Cypress and sun belt. Welcome into another episode of the Cypress Truck 31 00:03:09,729 --> 00:03:15,449 Lions podcast. Thank you so much for being here with me today. Very excited about today's episode. 32 00:03:15,449 --> 00:03:22,089 And of course, gotta remind you about our website podcast.cypresstruck.com. That's our landing page. 33 00:03:22,089 --> 00:03:27,649 It's on the Cypress Truck website. You can go check out all the episodes that we have, who we're 34 00:03:27,649 --> 00:03:32,809 talking to, what we're talking about, and you can send me an email there as well. Podcast.cypresstruck.com 35 00:03:32,809 --> 00:03:38,609 And a little bit of homework today is just the same as it has been. We're still 36 00:03:38,649 --> 00:03:43,969 on this tele friend announcement okay. And after today's episode, I really think you're going to 37 00:03:44,009 --> 00:03:49,449 want to tell a friend, um, maybe it's somebody who's thinking about coming to work for Cypress, 38 00:03:49,450 --> 00:03:54,779 but just hasn't crossed the fence yet, and they're just there. They're on the fence about it. It looks 39 00:03:54,780 --> 00:04:01,260 good, but hey, maybe it's not. Point them at this podcast and specifically this episode, because we 40 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:07,580 are doing an employee spotlight today. As I said in the cold open on Pam Keaton. Now, Pam is a 41 00:04:07,580 --> 00:04:14,259 safety assistant and HR specialist, and she has been with Cypress for nearly 20 years across two 42 00:04:14,259 --> 00:04:21,219 different stints. Uh, Pam knows the job like the back of her hand. She is a problem solver from the 43 00:04:21,219 --> 00:04:27,859 word go, and she understands drivers better than a lot of people I've talked to in the 44 00:04:27,859 --> 00:04:34,459 industry, uh, that do her job. I will say that. And I think Cypress is very unique in that aspect. 45 00:04:34,579 --> 00:04:39,259 I don't know that I've run up and I've worked with a lot of trucking fleets over the past four 46 00:04:39,260 --> 00:04:45,379 years. I do not know that I've run up on a company that has so many people that 47 00:04:45,379 --> 00:04:52,099 fundamentally and intimately understand the truck driver, who this person is, 48 00:04:52,099 --> 00:04:58,619 what their goals are, what their aspirations are, what means success to them. And when you're 49 00:04:58,620 --> 00:05:05,219 talking about 500 ish drivers, that can be a monumental lift. And 50 00:05:05,219 --> 00:05:11,419 Pam, well, she's been lifting it for 20 years with a smile on her face. And I don't want to give too 51 00:05:11,420 --> 00:05:16,459 much of this interview away. We're just going to jump into it here in just a couple of seconds. But 52 00:05:16,459 --> 00:05:21,379 I want you to look for what I took out of this interview. I'm going to give it to you before. 53 00:05:21,379 --> 00:05:26,298 Normally, this is something I would say after the interview. I want to go ahead and reinforce it 54 00:05:26,299 --> 00:05:33,059 before she ever says any of it. Pay attention to how much enthusiasm Pam has, 55 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:39,779 not only for the job, but for helping other people do their job. She wants you to call. 56 00:05:39,820 --> 00:05:46,339 She wants to help you out. She wants to figure out the not only the problem, but the cause behind the 57 00:05:46,339 --> 00:05:53,139 problem and understand working through a solution with you. That is I 58 00:05:53,140 --> 00:05:58,579 mean, that that type of asset to have in your company is amazing when it's just one person. 59 00:05:58,620 --> 00:06:03,660 Knowing we've talked to Sherry enough on this podcast. Sherry to heart, of course. Director of 60 00:06:03,660 --> 00:06:10,139 safety for Cypress and Sun Belt. She's given the podcast so much time. We already had a suspicion 61 00:06:10,140 --> 00:06:16,739 that she had a really good team working beneath her. And what Pam offers here is, is a little bit 62 00:06:16,739 --> 00:06:23,499 of a peek behind that curtain. And wow, what a peek. I mean, I'll tell you right now, this is 63 00:06:23,579 --> 00:06:29,259 and I say this a lot because I get to because I'm the host of the podcast, and you just have to 64 00:06:29,260 --> 00:06:32,819 listen to the things that I'm going to say if you're going to tune in. And that is that this is 65 00:06:32,820 --> 00:06:38,060 another one of those that turned into like a favorite interview for me, a top ten or for sure, 66 00:06:38,099 --> 00:06:44,539 maybe even a top fiver. Uh, this was phenomenal. And I really want you to pay attention to the things 67 00:06:44,540 --> 00:06:50,669 that Pam says and listen to her, because she opened up for this interview. Um, and, and I 68 00:06:50,670 --> 00:06:57,189 couldn't have asked for any better time with Pam Keaton than what I got today. So she's going to be 69 00:06:57,189 --> 00:07:03,350 back on this podcast again, and we'll talk about that in the end of the show. But for now, let's do 70 00:07:03,350 --> 00:07:09,189 our employee spotlight with safety assistant and HR specialist Pam Keaton. 71 00:07:17,349 --> 00:07:22,548 All right. Welcome back into the Cypress Truck Lines podcast. Very excited here. Obviously I told 72 00:07:22,549 --> 00:07:27,629 you in the open it's an employee spotlight episode. So let's get our spotlighted employee in 73 00:07:27,630 --> 00:07:34,309 here. Please welcome to the show safety assistant and also HR professional Pam Keaton. Pam, thank you 74 00:07:34,309 --> 00:07:40,190 so much for being here today. Well, thank you for having me. I'm glad to be here. Well, you came very 75 00:07:40,190 --> 00:07:46,430 highly recommended to us for management. And I'd just like to say, uh, Randomly. I was recording with 76 00:07:46,430 --> 00:07:52,669 some drivers yesterday and you got a shout out from one, uh, Ariel Vanderpool on the show. I didn't 77 00:07:52,709 --> 00:07:58,309 tell him that I was recording with you today. It was just very organic, and I felt like maybe that 78 00:07:58,309 --> 00:08:03,670 would be a great way to start this out. He just gave you guys a shout out, uh, specifically saying 79 00:08:03,670 --> 00:08:08,150 that his pay was always right and it was always there. I don't know if there's a better thing you 80 00:08:08,150 --> 00:08:14,429 can do for a driver, Pam. Not at all. Pay is part of what you need to live. Absolutely. And I will say 81 00:08:14,430 --> 00:08:19,869 this as well. The safety department got a shout out from him as well. So, uh, Dave, I mean, it just 82 00:08:19,870 --> 00:08:24,749 sounds like you're. You're all aces out there, Pam. Yeah, there's, um, I think there's five of us in the 83 00:08:24,749 --> 00:08:29,909 department, and we all kind of work together as a group, which really helps. So we try to do our best 84 00:08:29,910 --> 00:08:35,429 for the drivers and for the company. Well, it seems like you do a great job based on what I've heard. 85 00:08:35,429 --> 00:08:40,950 So let's dig into it a little bit. How long have you actually been working for Cypress Pam. So I 86 00:08:40,950 --> 00:08:44,789 actually worked. This is my second time working for Cypress. Okay, so the first time I worked for 87 00:08:44,789 --> 00:08:49,069 Cypress, I was here for five years and I left, and then I came back. And this time, I think I've been 88 00:08:49,070 --> 00:08:55,869 here a little over 14 years now. Oh, wow. So we're working on two decades total. Yeah, it's been a 89 00:08:55,870 --> 00:09:02,548 long time. That is amazing. Yeah, well, that's what I hear. And, uh, I wonder, you know, I've had 90 00:09:02,549 --> 00:09:07,510 drivers on here before, Pam. That'll tell me they left Cypress because they, you know, they saw an 91 00:09:07,510 --> 00:09:12,509 advertisement. It was a real grass is greener on the other side of the fence situation. And lo and 92 00:09:12,510 --> 00:09:17,149 behold, after a few years, they're back. And they realized the grass wasn't greener on the other 93 00:09:17,150 --> 00:09:23,630 side. Was that a similar situation for you? Um, yeah, kind of. Sort of. Yes. What happened was when I took 94 00:09:23,630 --> 00:09:28,909 the other job, I thought it was going to be it was more of a sideways move, but I thought it offered 95 00:09:28,909 --> 00:09:34,509 more potential for me to move up. But when I got over there, there was quite a few issues. And then 96 00:09:34,510 --> 00:09:39,069 they ended up closing down the office here in Jacksonville because they were downsizing. Oh, no. 97 00:09:39,070 --> 00:09:43,760 And so then I was kind of like just hanging around for a bit. Trying to find a job. And lo and 98 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:47,999 behold, Carol. They were looking for someone for safety. And Carol remembers me from the first time 99 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:54,119 I was here. Carol is Mr. Penland sister. And so she just called me out of the blue and said, hey, Pam, 100 00:09:54,119 --> 00:09:58,959 guess what? We got a job for you here or something, but I was I was quick to take it. Yes, yes, yes. What 101 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:04,639 do you need me to come back? Yes. I'll be there tomorrow. Today? That's great. So they brought me 102 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:09,759 right back into the safety department. It was really good. Oh. That's awesome. So tell me, I mean, 103 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:15,559 after, you know, 20 total years with Cypress. Uh, what's changed over the years since you very 104 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:20,558 first started all the way to now, aside from maybe your position? Well, actually, you know, when I first 105 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:24,879 started here, I was working in the recruiting. I was actually a temporary employee. Then they hired 106 00:10:24,919 --> 00:10:29,439 me permanently as a recruiter. And then I slowly made my way over to safety. And I don't even 107 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:33,719 remember how that happened. But I know one day I was in recruiting, next day I was in safety. And I 108 00:10:33,719 --> 00:10:40,080 actually really like safety. Safety's busy 24 hours a day and it's a different every day. So it 109 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:45,799 keeps you busy and it keeps you going. And I think you learn as things change or as new 110 00:10:45,799 --> 00:10:50,679 opportunities come up. So that's what I like. I like safety and I like it. And I don't know why. 111 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:58,039 It's just part of. I just enjoy the the daily routine of safety. I love the changes 112 00:10:58,039 --> 00:11:03,639 and the way it's different every day. And I love the crew that I work with. Now, you mentioned Carol 113 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:09,959 in there, and I wonder who was kind of the person who taught you, uh, during your tenure? The, the sort 114 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:15,399 of the Cypress way. You know, we talk about the way that Cypress functions as a company, obviously a 115 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:21,519 very well-oiled machine with this many drivers, this many trailers, you got to have your head on 116 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:26,718 straight to keep everything from falling apart. Pam. So who was kind of your mentor to bring you 117 00:11:26,719 --> 00:11:31,919 along? Because I imagine that shift from recruiting to safety, while it was a positive one 118 00:11:31,919 --> 00:11:36,359 for you and you really liked it, those are two completely different realms. But we're selling 119 00:11:36,359 --> 00:11:41,209 we're selling popsicles in one, and we're making sure they stay frozen in the other one. It's a 120 00:11:41,210 --> 00:11:46,249 little bit different, so talk to me about that. So when I first moved to safety, there was a lady in 121 00:11:46,249 --> 00:11:50,810 here named Miss Viera. She no longer works here, but she's the one who brought me in and taught me 122 00:11:50,810 --> 00:11:56,488 straight from from the very beginning to where I am now. And so for the first five years, first five 123 00:11:56,489 --> 00:12:01,530 years I was here, I worked side by side with Mrs. Viera. And back then we did things a little bit 124 00:12:01,530 --> 00:12:06,009 different. I mean, it was almost 20, 25 years ago. So of course she did things different. And as the 125 00:12:06,010 --> 00:12:10,489 rules and regulations changed throughout the years, you have to grow and accommodate with those 126 00:12:10,490 --> 00:12:15,609 as well. So for the first five years, I was with her and she was kind of like my trainer. Then once 127 00:12:15,610 --> 00:12:20,569 I came back the second time, I came back under Sun Belt first. And I don't know if you know, but 128 00:12:20,570 --> 00:12:25,609 Cypress bought some belt and so I came back under Sun Belt first, and then the person I was working 129 00:12:25,609 --> 00:12:32,090 under was Mat Matthew Penland, and he was my safety director. And then once I integrated into 130 00:12:32,650 --> 00:12:38,169 Sunbelt and Cypress kind of kind of combined, and I was working for both sides. Then I was working 131 00:12:38,169 --> 00:12:42,689 under a couple different safety directors to where I am now, where I'm working under three. 132 00:12:43,570 --> 00:12:48,249 Perfect. So I would say I learned her a few different people along the way. Yeah, I would say 133 00:12:48,250 --> 00:12:54,209 so. You definitely got a roster of people that have been been there for you. And, uh, you know, 134 00:12:54,249 --> 00:13:01,049 Shari and Matt both have given so much time and effort to this show. And I imagine, Pam, that that's 135 00:13:01,050 --> 00:13:06,009 the same way they treat bringing an employee along and making sure that that employee not only 136 00:13:06,010 --> 00:13:11,449 has everything they need and understands the job, but understands it through the lens of Cypress and 137 00:13:11,450 --> 00:13:17,609 Sun Belt. Yeah, that's true. And and I will say this, I, I give Matt and Sherry flowers on this show 138 00:13:17,609 --> 00:13:24,369 anytime, any place. So I'm glad you brought them up because it's it's sort of kind of what I wanted 139 00:13:24,369 --> 00:13:30,129 to get to here is maybe when you started your second tenure, did you know, Pam, that this was 140 00:13:30,130 --> 00:13:35,409 going to be such a big chunk of your career? Did you know that second time with, uh, when you went 141 00:13:35,409 --> 00:13:42,049 back with Sunbelt? I'm staying here this time. And if so, why? You know, I really didn't know, but I 142 00:13:42,049 --> 00:13:46,569 think after you. You know, when I came back the second time, I had younger kids. And so my goal was 143 00:13:46,569 --> 00:13:51,449 to find something that was a little bit more stable. And so Cypress was one of those companies 144 00:13:51,450 --> 00:13:55,089 that were Sun Belt. Cypress was one of those companies that I knew would be around for a long 145 00:13:55,090 --> 00:14:01,009 time. So when I started here, I didn't I didn't make plans to stay here this long. But then, you 146 00:14:01,010 --> 00:14:06,089 know, as you come here and you work day to day, the years go by really, really quickly. You know, I like 147 00:14:06,090 --> 00:14:10,369 the environment in, in. I'm in I like the people that I work with. So I have a tendency just to 148 00:14:10,369 --> 00:14:17,210 stay. I learn new things, you know. Um, and I like what I do, so because I like what I do, I think I'm 149 00:14:17,210 --> 00:14:22,529 going to stay for a long time. I don't have any plans on leaving. Yeah, well, I know that you'd have 150 00:14:22,530 --> 00:14:27,369 some people very sad if you did decide to leave. Just based on how many times your name's been 151 00:14:27,369 --> 00:14:32,899 mentioned before we ever got you here on the podcast. So, you know, um. Yeah, that makes me happy, 152 00:14:32,940 --> 00:14:36,378 Pam, because, you know, I'm gonna come knocking on your door again. I can already tell you. We're only 153 00:14:36,379 --> 00:14:40,859 eight minutes in. This is going great. Uh, you're you're welcome back anytime. I normally wait for 154 00:14:40,859 --> 00:14:45,379 the end of the interview to say that, but I don't care where this one goes. Uh, I'm loving it so much. 155 00:14:45,379 --> 00:14:51,700 You have great energy for somebody working in safety and HR. Pam, is that something that you've 156 00:14:51,700 --> 00:14:56,939 always had inherently? Is that something that you strive to bring to work today? You seem like a 157 00:14:56,940 --> 00:15:03,179 very, uh, friendly and outgoing person. And I'll tell you, in my professional career, I've had both 158 00:15:03,179 --> 00:15:08,179 types of people and by HR department, I've never had a safety department as a podcaster, but I've 159 00:15:08,179 --> 00:15:14,140 been in HR once or twice in my life. And I get I've seen people like yourself that are very 160 00:15:14,140 --> 00:15:18,779 friendly and outgoing and approachable. I've also seen some people that you kind of walk in and 161 00:15:18,780 --> 00:15:23,659 it's like a dark cave, and they never smile and things never seem to be going well. So talk to me 162 00:15:23,659 --> 00:15:28,300 a little bit about just your attitude that you bring every day, Pam, because from my seat it's 163 00:15:28,300 --> 00:15:34,539 phenomenal. You know what I think? I think when a driver calls in and they have an issue and they 164 00:15:34,539 --> 00:15:40,739 get a person on the phone who's friendly. I think they're more likely to talk to you. And so I do 165 00:15:40,819 --> 00:15:45,539 try my best. Don't get me wrong. There are days when you're you can't be fully 247. But I do try 166 00:15:45,580 --> 00:15:50,899 to be friendly with the driver, and I try to listen and hear their side of the story before I 167 00:15:50,900 --> 00:15:55,979 make any opinions or any assumptions. Drivers. You have to hear the whole story from the beginning 168 00:15:56,020 --> 00:16:01,060 to the end, just to figure out exactly what happened or what their needs will be. And then I 169 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:06,859 try to see if I can fulfill whatever they need. It can be anything. It can be minor questions to like, 170 00:16:06,859 --> 00:16:11,538 hey, who's the person in charge of the law department? Something I can easily answer, or it 171 00:16:11,539 --> 00:16:16,778 could be something really complicated. Hey Pam, I signed up for my 401. I don't know what I did 172 00:16:16,779 --> 00:16:21,340 wrong. I'm not getting deductions. I don't know how much money I'm supposed to have. How can you help 173 00:16:21,340 --> 00:16:25,539 me straighten and figure it out? And I think drivers like when people can give them answers. 174 00:16:25,539 --> 00:16:30,469 And if I can't give an answer, I try to get in contact with the person that can give them the 175 00:16:30,469 --> 00:16:36,069 answer or or connect them to that person that can give them an answer. And drivers like that, they 176 00:16:36,069 --> 00:16:40,629 like to have their problem solved and they like to have their questions answered. We do that makes 177 00:16:40,629 --> 00:16:45,830 a happy driver. Yeah, real no nonsense bunch, aren't they? It's it's pretty simple to keep them happy 178 00:16:45,830 --> 00:16:49,709 as long as you can help them out with when they have a problem. They're, uh. They're not gonna make 179 00:16:49,709 --> 00:16:55,149 any, uh, any bones in your day, are they? Yeah. No. And some drivers are. We got, you know, we got over 500 180 00:16:55,149 --> 00:17:00,589 drivers here. And in all the years I've been here, most of the drivers are just really nice people. 181 00:17:00,870 --> 00:17:05,469 Yeah. If you talk to them, you say, hey, how's your day going? They'll talk to you back and say, hey, 182 00:17:05,469 --> 00:17:09,029 how's your day going? You know, and they and they like that. They like to have a friendly 183 00:17:09,029 --> 00:17:14,550 conversation. If they're having a bad day and they get a friendly person, it kind of perks them up. Oh, 184 00:17:14,590 --> 00:17:19,229 it totally does. I know that does it for me. And I can feast off of that for the rest of the day, and 185 00:17:19,229 --> 00:17:23,869 I will. Pam, this is a you know, I'm out here on the West Coast, so I'm up a little early for this 186 00:17:23,870 --> 00:17:29,150 interview and I was happy to do it. but your attitude and your energy will literally keep me 187 00:17:29,150 --> 00:17:35,749 going through my Friday. So I totally understand that. I wonder. Um, you know, being here all this 188 00:17:35,750 --> 00:17:41,869 time and working directly with the drivers in the safety department as well as in HR. Uh, what are 189 00:17:41,869 --> 00:17:46,789 some of your strategies for building good relationships with these drivers? Uh, or is it 190 00:17:46,789 --> 00:17:51,228 something that you are out on the lot when you see them out there and you're trying to sort of, 191 00:17:51,269 --> 00:17:55,790 you know, break the ice, or is it something where once they call you, that's kind of where the 192 00:17:55,790 --> 00:18:00,429 relationship building starts? I think it's a combination of both. Like, I'll see people in a lot 193 00:18:00,470 --> 00:18:04,389 and I'll just say, hey, how's it going today? If you need anything, come up and see us. But then it's 194 00:18:04,389 --> 00:18:08,709 also when people call in and say, hey, I need this, or can you help me with that? I think that builds 195 00:18:08,709 --> 00:18:13,029 a relationship as well. So I think it's a combination of both. Drivers come in to the safety 196 00:18:13,029 --> 00:18:16,189 department. Some of them just want to shoot the breeze. And if you're friendly and you shoot the 197 00:18:16,189 --> 00:18:19,989 breeze back with them, they're good to go. Some of them come in to the safety department. They just 198 00:18:19,990 --> 00:18:23,349 want to get their answers, and they want to get out and get on the road and get back to making 199 00:18:23,349 --> 00:18:28,109 money. And so if you give them your answers as quick, concise as you can, then they can get back 200 00:18:28,110 --> 00:18:33,429 on the road very quickly as well. I think I don't know if I have a strategy for that. I just think I 201 00:18:33,430 --> 00:18:40,309 just try my best to give the drivers what they need. I mean, if I can't answer their questions or 202 00:18:40,310 --> 00:18:44,509 if it's a safety issue and I can solve their safety issue, they are happy. And if our drivers 203 00:18:44,510 --> 00:18:50,229 are happy, it makes it. If everybody happy makes the world go round, makes it a better place. Yeah. 204 00:18:50,270 --> 00:18:56,069 Well, one thing I think I can say without, uh, with, without a doubt is that you clearly understand 205 00:18:56,109 --> 00:19:01,749 truck drivers all these years with them. Um, you can just hear, you know, do they, do they have a 206 00:19:01,749 --> 00:19:05,709 problem? Do they want to talk or do they want to get back on the road? Those are simple things that 207 00:19:05,709 --> 00:19:10,949 not everybody understands about, uh, just the psyche of a truck driver and how they make their 208 00:19:10,949 --> 00:19:16,869 money and and what goes on during their day. Uh, with almost 20 years under your belt, you clearly 209 00:19:16,870 --> 00:19:22,119 understand that. In fact, I'd be willing to say, if we put you in a truck out there at CTC, You could 210 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:27,039 probably even back the thing up at this point. Bam! I probably could. You know, tricks are automatic 211 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:33,359 now too. So you keep behind the wheel and keep going. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Yeah, there's a lot, I 212 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:38,759 mean. Yeah. You know, I think there's some old time drivers you get to know and you get to know them 213 00:19:38,759 --> 00:19:42,599 really, really well. I mean, you know, their kids, you know, their wives. And we used to have this annual 214 00:19:42,599 --> 00:19:46,759 Christmas party every year. They would bring their wives and they would bring their kids. So you got 215 00:19:46,759 --> 00:19:50,559 to know the whole family. And those are some old time drivers. You talk to them every time you see 216 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:56,359 them. Then there's a new bunch of drivers that are coming in. And I mean, they are really not just new 217 00:19:56,359 --> 00:20:01,559 to a company, they're new to the industry. So you want to make them feel comfortable. So you try to 218 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:06,400 be friendly with them as well. Hey, you have any problems? Come see us here in safety. Sometimes 219 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:09,559 there's some things we have to give it to somebody else to solve. But, you know, we try our 220 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:13,319 best to help you out as best we can. And I think that's what everybody in our department does. I 221 00:20:13,319 --> 00:20:18,040 think that's why we have such a good safety department. Yeah. And and just a stellar record 222 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:24,479 with the drivers too. They talk. So, uh, just so respectfully and with such adoration of their 223 00:20:24,479 --> 00:20:29,999 safety department because they all understand, Pam, how important the job that you guys, that you do 224 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:35,519 there in the safety department is without the work that you do. And, uh, you know, Sherry and the 225 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:41,239 entire team do, uh, this would be a very different company and a very different conversation, for 226 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:47,239 that matter. So, uh, you know, it's it I really we want to give you your flowers for that, too, 227 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:52,199 because, uh, it's something we hear about from almost every driver that comes on here. We do a 228 00:20:52,199 --> 00:20:57,040 segment we call our Final Thoughts segment here. And you'll get the chance to do this too, which is 229 00:20:57,040 --> 00:21:02,040 just an opportunity to bring up anything that you want to before we wrap the interview and, uh, you 230 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:06,599 know, give shout outs if that's what you want to do. And the drivers are constantly shouting out 231 00:21:06,599 --> 00:21:13,560 safety. Um, and for good reason. And, and again, um, Sherry has given us so much. It's giving us so 232 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:19,718 much here. So you're just another shining example of how awesome the safety department is at Cypress 233 00:21:19,719 --> 00:21:24,799 and the type of people that it really takes to make it move forward. Pam, if everybody came to 234 00:21:24,839 --> 00:21:30,079 work with a with a dark cloud over their head every single day, I think this gets a lot tougher. 235 00:21:30,079 --> 00:21:35,999 And what I constantly see is just a fly on the wall at Cypress is I don't talk to anybody that's 236 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:41,999 upset, anybody that's mad or anybody that's having a bad day. It seems that everybody there, uh, really 237 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:47,879 loves their job. And that is very, very pertinent to running the company as, as efficiently as what 238 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:52,479 you you all do. Yeah. And I think too, though, is part of safety too, is we just don't help the 239 00:21:52,479 --> 00:21:57,479 drivers. There's also people in the background that we help as well. There are the mechanics and 240 00:21:57,519 --> 00:22:01,358 the office people as well that need help. And sometimes if we can help them with the safety 241 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:04,999 department, any issues they have will help those people as well, because that's what we're here for. 242 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:09,999 We represent the whole company, not just the drivers. And I think people appreciate that. Now, uh, 243 00:22:09,999 --> 00:22:13,959 just kind of a funny question here. If somebody gets a bad paper cut or puts a staple through 244 00:22:13,959 --> 00:22:17,769 their finger, or are they coming down to safety to talk to you. Pam, are they handling that one on 245 00:22:17,769 --> 00:22:22,649 their own? I think most people try to handle that one on their own, but if they feel that they need 246 00:22:22,650 --> 00:22:27,129 to come to safety, they come see and talk to us. Yeah. The doors. Are open. Plenty of ways we can 247 00:22:27,129 --> 00:22:30,289 handle that. We can put a Band-Aid on it. We hate. There's Band-Aids in the cabinet. We can get you 248 00:22:30,290 --> 00:22:34,129 set up on a Band-Aid. Or if you need to go seek a professional for that, we'd be more than happy to 249 00:22:34,130 --> 00:22:40,969 send you out for professional review. I love it, I love it. Well. Pam. Tell me 250 00:22:40,969 --> 00:22:45,849 this real quick. Uh, all these drivers you've seen come and go over the years. Uh, what is it that 251 00:22:45,850 --> 00:22:50,368 makes a memorable driver for you? Somebody that even when they're not with the company anymore, 252 00:22:50,369 --> 00:22:55,608 you remember? Hey, that was a fun employee to have on the on the team. Uh, anything like that pop up 253 00:22:55,609 --> 00:23:00,208 in your mind when I asked. You know, we got some. We had some old time drivers. And you know what 254 00:23:00,209 --> 00:23:06,249 sticks with me a lot is, you know, their handle. We had a driver call smiley, I mean, and he was he was 255 00:23:06,250 --> 00:23:12,729 happy all the time. I mean, we had, um. Oh, what's some of the names we had, Sarge? I mean, everybody 256 00:23:12,730 --> 00:23:18,728 has a different, different handle. There's mud fish that's here now. Yep. I bet mud fish. Yeah. I mean, 257 00:23:18,729 --> 00:23:22,489 and so those are the drivers I think, that have been here so long. You stick out, they stick out. 258 00:23:22,489 --> 00:23:27,049 And you just talk to them on a regular. And um, because they're such an old time driver, because 259 00:23:27,050 --> 00:23:31,609 they have a handle, you know, I try to remember their handle and I try to refer to them as their 260 00:23:31,610 --> 00:23:36,329 handles, and they're just great guys. They're just great old timers that just they loved working, too. 261 00:23:36,369 --> 00:23:40,568 And, you know, you a good driver is a driver that just loves working. So I like that too about them. 262 00:23:40,609 --> 00:23:46,089 Yeah. You know, uh, the thing that I love about CB handles, Pam, is that they're bestowed upon you. 263 00:23:46,089 --> 00:23:51,809 They're not necessarily selected by the person that goes by them. True. Um, I will tell you on 264 00:23:51,810 --> 00:23:58,688 another podcast, I had a trucker bestow upon me. Uh, the CB handle never shuts up. Um, 265 00:23:58,689 --> 00:24:04,889 and I think that's probably, you know, I think it's probably a good thing for what I do for a living, 266 00:24:04,890 --> 00:24:10,729 but, uh, at the same time, I did feel just a slight jab in there as a truck driver ever tried to 267 00:24:10,770 --> 00:24:15,660 bestow upon you a C.B. handle, Pam? No, not that I know. If it is, it's been behind my back and no 268 00:24:15,660 --> 00:24:22,179 one's told me about it. Okay. All right. Well, uh, for those of you out there thinking about it, uh, you 269 00:24:22,180 --> 00:24:27,219 should give her a name that is, uh, is in front of her back so that she knows it and make sure that 270 00:24:27,219 --> 00:24:31,939 it's not, uh, you know, derogatory or anything like that. You guys have shouted Pam out a lot on this 271 00:24:31,939 --> 00:24:37,540 podcast. I think she deserves a good, uh, CBA. Yeah, a good CB head. I'll be great. We could call you 272 00:24:37,579 --> 00:24:42,698 Spartan. You got that Michigan State shirt on right now. You could be Spartan. I this is from my 273 00:24:42,699 --> 00:24:47,900 aunt. My aunt was a super big Michigan State fan. I am actually a graduate of Western Michigan 274 00:24:47,900 --> 00:24:54,420 University. Wow. So you had quite the heartbreaker this weekend. Uh, this last weekend. Just so 275 00:24:54,420 --> 00:25:00,899 everybody knows, we're recording this on September 11th. Never forget. Um, but, uh, obviously Western 276 00:25:00,900 --> 00:25:06,379 Michigan. I will take too long to talk football in this, uh, employee spotlight, but. Wow. Uh, you guys 277 00:25:06,379 --> 00:25:10,819 got robbed last week, Pam. That's what they're saying. That's what everyone's saying. yes, yes, yes. 278 00:25:11,020 --> 00:25:17,818 We have a guy here. His name's Cecil. He hit me up last week and got all on me about how he lost. And 279 00:25:17,859 --> 00:25:23,299 I mean, what can you do? I think we were Matt champions last season was the last season. I think 280 00:25:23,300 --> 00:25:28,259 we were the Mac champions last season. So, you know, we can get robbed. We can. We can get robbed. We can 281 00:25:28,259 --> 00:25:33,259 come back. I'm feeling positive about that. Good, good. And is that Cecil Clarke that you're talking 282 00:25:33,259 --> 00:25:38,819 about. Yes yes. Yes okay. No fellow. Yes. He's a clerk. Yes, he's a clerk I was yes. Yeah. So unless he's a 283 00:25:38,819 --> 00:25:45,618 barrel, he's a clerk. Yeah. Fellow, uh, fellow Western Michigan grad. Huh? No I am yes. Cecil's not. 284 00:25:45,699 --> 00:25:51,419 Oh, he's not okay. He was just talking. He was just, uh, feeling for your team. I see, I get it. Nico is a 285 00:25:51,420 --> 00:25:56,379 big, uh, sports fan, so I think he likes all sports. Do you ever had that person that watches 286 00:25:56,379 --> 00:26:01,179 everything from fishing to tennis to football to baseball? I think the Cecil is one of those guy. He 287 00:26:01,180 --> 00:26:05,499 really likes sports, so it's good. It's good to chit chat with him. He's a good guy, I like him. Oh, 288 00:26:05,500 --> 00:26:08,739 he's he's knowledge. He's a really knowledgeable as a driver. There's another thing I like about 289 00:26:08,739 --> 00:26:14,299 them. If I have a question about how to tie down a load that I don't know about, I'll call up Cecil 290 00:26:14,300 --> 00:26:20,060 or Randy is another good guy to seesaw Randy. And I'm like, hey, can you help me with this one? You 291 00:26:20,060 --> 00:26:23,619 know, it's a new product. It's a new item we haven't tied down before, and so I need help, how 292 00:26:23,619 --> 00:26:28,779 to figure it out, and I love that I got people I can call up and get answers from. Absolutely. And 293 00:26:28,780 --> 00:26:32,979 I'll tell you, we've only been fortunate enough to have Cecil on here once. He was a little bit 294 00:26:32,979 --> 00:26:38,739 nervous, but he did a great job. And so I've got I've got him I've got him pegged for an episode 295 00:26:38,739 --> 00:26:43,819 in the future. We'll see if we can get back to him. But we've had Randy on the show a couple of times. 296 00:26:43,900 --> 00:26:50,179 Another name that all shout out is Ken over there at CTC. Oh yeah. The the knowledge base between 297 00:26:50,180 --> 00:26:54,619 just those three guys alone, they've probably forgotten more about trucking than most of us 298 00:26:54,619 --> 00:26:58,979 will ever know. Yeah. You know, it's one of those people that have been around and Randy and Cecil 299 00:26:58,979 --> 00:27:03,899 have been here forever. I mean, they were both here, I think, when I was here the first time. I think 300 00:27:03,900 --> 00:27:09,629 they were here. So, I mean, they've been here just as long as I have. Yeah. Probably driving. Maybe. 301 00:27:09,630 --> 00:27:14,149 Both of them were still driving. Randy, I don't think Randy was driving then. I think Cecil was, 302 00:27:14,149 --> 00:27:20,669 though. Cecil was a driver when I first came in, but Randy, I think was still. I don't think he was 303 00:27:20,670 --> 00:27:24,549 driving the first time I came. For some reason, I remember Randy still kind of being the all around 304 00:27:24,550 --> 00:27:28,749 guy. Randy is like the all around guy. You can ask him for anything. And Randy, I'll get you some 305 00:27:28,749 --> 00:27:32,630 answers if you need a truck. Randy is going to get you a truck. You need a hat. Randy is going to get 306 00:27:32,630 --> 00:27:39,629 you a hat. You need. You need something. Randy's got ya. You need a ride somewhere? Randy's got you. Yeah. 307 00:27:39,670 --> 00:27:45,389 He's got he's a good guy. He's great. He's great. And, uh, and and, like you said, so knowledgeable. And 308 00:27:45,389 --> 00:27:51,469 I think that really is sort of a peek behind the curtain. Pam, you guys there at Cypress and Sunbelt? 309 00:27:51,469 --> 00:27:58,270 Both. Um, you you very much honor the people that have put in the time. And, uh, guys like Cecil and 310 00:27:58,270 --> 00:28:03,869 Randy, who they know this company like the back of their hand because they've been with it for so 311 00:28:03,870 --> 00:28:10,188 long. And you you don't. Uh, it's it's not like you put those guys up on a pedestal, but it seems like 312 00:28:10,189 --> 00:28:16,990 everybody at the company understands who those few people are within the company. And, uh, I 313 00:28:16,990 --> 00:28:23,709 just having such a big company, 500 drivers is is no small, uh, fleet. And 314 00:28:23,710 --> 00:28:28,829 having such a big company and everybody still getting along so well is kind of constantly 315 00:28:28,830 --> 00:28:34,389 baffled me. I don't understand how you do it. Until I got to Jacksonville and started meeting people 316 00:28:34,390 --> 00:28:39,430 and started having conversations, and then it was like, well, I could work here. I mean, these people 317 00:28:39,430 --> 00:28:45,510 are great, and it really is. I, I feel like, um, do you feel as somebody that's been there for 20 318 00:28:45,510 --> 00:28:50,789 years, like yourself? You're you're sort of in that same group of people, like you've been here long 319 00:28:50,789 --> 00:28:56,149 enough, you know, this, like the back of your hand. Um, do you take a lot of pride in, in bringing the 320 00:28:56,150 --> 00:29:02,920 next crop of Cypress employees along in that culture? Pam I guess I 321 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:07,639 do. I mean, yeah, I guess you could say we do. We take pride in our drivers and even the office 322 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:12,199 people that we bring in a new crew. It's always good to teach them, right. So they'll do a good job 323 00:29:12,199 --> 00:29:17,519 and do it this way. And I think we do. I think we all take pride if we're in that, if we work with 324 00:29:17,520 --> 00:29:23,519 that person, we all take pride of making sure that person adjusts to the job and like the job and 325 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:30,080 want to remain here. And I think we all take pride in doing that. We just want to make we want that. 326 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:35,080 We want them to like Cypress the way we like Cypress. Right? Right. So you can't force that. You 327 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:39,959 do? Yeah. So the best thing you can do is teach them. And because some people, if you don't teach 328 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:43,799 them right, they'll feel lost in the beginning. So you want to make sure they have all the knowledge 329 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:47,919 that they need to be able to do their job correctly. If you give them all that knowledge, 330 00:29:47,959 --> 00:29:51,639 they'll do their job correctly and they'll become stellar drivers or stellar office people. And 331 00:29:51,639 --> 00:29:57,399 that's what we like. Well put, well put. I want to dig in a little bit to the day to day. You talked 332 00:29:57,399 --> 00:30:03,319 about kind of the challenge everything being different in safety and HR alike. Is there 333 00:30:03,319 --> 00:30:10,079 anything that you would consider a typical day, like a typical Monday? Or is this is it just when 334 00:30:10,079 --> 00:30:14,159 you show up, whatever's waiting for you is going to be different than it was the day before, 335 00:30:14,159 --> 00:30:19,680 because that's sort of the nature of the job, Pam. Uh, how would you quantify that? Well, there are 336 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:24,159 some things you're going to have to do every day, like I'm the Der, which is, um, the designated 337 00:30:24,159 --> 00:30:30,279 employee rep for drug screens. So for our drug program here, that's a daily thing. That's what I'm 338 00:30:30,279 --> 00:30:34,119 going to I'm going to do that daily. I'm going to make sure we're doing our randoms. I'm going to 339 00:30:34,119 --> 00:30:37,800 make sure everybody gets the results they need. And I'm going to make sure everybody goes for 340 00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:44,199 their drug screens. That's part of my daily job. Um, there are some things that I have to do weekly. I 341 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:48,599 terminate all the employees out. That's something I do every week. And so there are some things that 342 00:30:48,599 --> 00:30:51,599 are daily and there are some things are weekly. And then there's a lot of things to just bring up 343 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:56,559 on you every day. Accidents come in. You never know when the accidents or incidents going to come in. 344 00:30:56,560 --> 00:31:00,639 So you just got to be prepared for that. So you always take that into account of your day. You 345 00:31:00,639 --> 00:31:04,879 never know where you're going to get that oddball request for something. I'm like, I've never done 346 00:31:04,879 --> 00:31:10,519 that before. Let me find out how I can get that for you. So you get those calls from a driver, a 347 00:31:10,520 --> 00:31:15,520 new driver, generally, and you go, oh, I've never done that. But you figure it out and you get it 348 00:31:15,520 --> 00:31:22,399 done for the driver and he's happy. I mean, it has this repetition in some points of it, you know, 349 00:31:22,439 --> 00:31:26,359 and then every day is different because of the accidents, because of the people that come in, 350 00:31:26,359 --> 00:31:30,760 because of the new people that come in. I mean, you just never know what's going to happen. So it 351 00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:35,079 keeps it, it keeps it active and it keeps it interesting. Right? Right. And that's what I like 352 00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:39,839 about the job. That's kind of what I wanted to get back to is that's what you told me earlier. And, 353 00:31:39,839 --> 00:31:45,039 and that's you can tell that that's something that keeps you exhilarated. It's got to be tough. 354 00:31:45,079 --> 00:31:50,039 You know, I, I look at people, I have a friend that does data entry, and that poor woman shows up at 355 00:31:50,039 --> 00:31:56,529 the computer every day and punches in numbers for eight hours and clocks off, and it's right for her. 356 00:31:56,570 --> 00:32:03,009 She's really good at it and it's good for her. But it would drive me insane. And I need something 357 00:32:03,009 --> 00:32:06,488 like you. You know, these interviews are always different. I've never done the same interview 358 00:32:06,489 --> 00:32:12,969 twice, even when I've lost one and had to rerecord one. It's always different. And, uh, that's that's an 359 00:32:12,969 --> 00:32:17,969 aspect of your job that I wanted to drill into a little bit, and, and you did a great job 360 00:32:17,969 --> 00:32:24,410 representing it there. Pam, I appreciate that. Um, how about this? I kind of want to, uh, look at at 361 00:32:24,410 --> 00:32:30,050 your job and sort of you working with drivers and, and let the drivers peek behind the curtain a 362 00:32:30,050 --> 00:32:34,888 little bit, because we talk a lot about how you can help their day, and you can make their day 363 00:32:34,889 --> 00:32:39,049 easier when they call with an issue and you get it solved, you get them back out on the road. 364 00:32:39,050 --> 00:32:45,450 Whatever the case may be, that's really big in a driver's day. Um, but tell me, what are some of the 365 00:32:45,450 --> 00:32:52,289 most common things that you hear from drivers about? Is it mostly safety? Mostly HR stuff? What 366 00:32:52,289 --> 00:32:57,209 is the call that you're getting the most frequently right now. Pam, I think, um, because I'm 367 00:32:57,210 --> 00:33:03,409 the benefits rep, I think I get a lot of call on benefits benefits. And for one of our daily calls 368 00:33:03,409 --> 00:33:10,409 that I receive because I think even though we send out a packet and I think it's written well, 369 00:33:10,449 --> 00:33:15,689 I think sometimes drivers just don't understand it. Mhm. And so when they call in I really I take 370 00:33:15,689 --> 00:33:19,929 the time and I explain it to them so that they understand what they're signing up for. Because 371 00:33:19,929 --> 00:33:23,529 health insurance can be a scary subject, especially some of the young people that have 372 00:33:23,529 --> 00:33:30,089 never had it before. Yeah. Health benefits can be a scary subject. And then there's wives and children 373 00:33:30,089 --> 00:33:34,448 that are involved in that. And so I will speak to husbands and wives and, you know, especially if the 374 00:33:34,449 --> 00:33:38,889 husband gives me, um, authority, I'll speak to their wife as well, and I'll explain the whole process 375 00:33:38,889 --> 00:33:43,010 to them and try to get them to make sure they sign up for what they want. Because if you sign up 376 00:33:43,010 --> 00:33:47,569 for the health and benefits, you're stuck with it until open enrollment, which is in December. So you 377 00:33:47,569 --> 00:33:52,009 want to make sure you sign up for the first to the plan you want first. So because you can't make 378 00:33:52,010 --> 00:33:58,539 any changes. Then I think I get a call about 401 K on a regular, and I think 401 is super 379 00:33:58,540 --> 00:34:03,140 confusing to people. Yep. I mean, it's pretty simple, but but I've been doing it for so long, so it's 380 00:34:03,140 --> 00:34:08,340 simple to me. But as a young person who's never done it before, as a new driver or even an old 381 00:34:08,379 --> 00:34:13,979 time driver who's been here ten years and has never taken the time to sign up for it, it's just 382 00:34:13,979 --> 00:34:18,699 still a mouthful to try to explain it all to him. They don't understand the matching. They don't 383 00:34:18,699 --> 00:34:22,939 understand. Well, how is this? How long do I have to leave that money in there? Or how much money am I 384 00:34:22,979 --> 00:34:28,299 going to make? And it's just a big process to explain it to them. But I think once I explain it 385 00:34:28,299 --> 00:34:31,379 to them, I think they understand it pretty well. And I always tell the driver, hey, if you don't 386 00:34:31,379 --> 00:34:35,060 understand it or you have problems with it, give me a call back and we can we can walk through the 387 00:34:35,060 --> 00:34:41,059 steps again. We can go from there. I'm really glad that you touched on open enrollment there, because 388 00:34:41,060 --> 00:34:46,459 I know that sometimes when you're just listening to me out there, all the listeners, all the drivers, 389 00:34:46,460 --> 00:34:51,100 whoever it is that's listening, you probably listen to me and think, that guy seems a little 390 00:34:51,139 --> 00:34:56,300 bit scatterbrained and I would totally understand that. But there is a reason that we decided to 391 00:34:56,300 --> 00:35:01,179 have this episode at this point in time. That's because we wanted to introduce the audience to 392 00:35:01,219 --> 00:35:07,339 Pam on the podcast, so that she can come back during open enrollment and talk about some of the 393 00:35:07,340 --> 00:35:13,060 things that you guys need to know. Uh, because, Pam, that open enrollment time, I'm sure is one of the 394 00:35:13,060 --> 00:35:19,059 craziest times for you. Uh, everybody's coming in with their their changes or wanting to stay the 395 00:35:19,060 --> 00:35:24,779 same or calling you and saying, hey, do I even need to do anything this year? I mean, yeah, walk me 396 00:35:24,779 --> 00:35:29,499 through open enrollment a little bit. Just, uh, of course we're gonna do a segment on the show, but 397 00:35:29,499 --> 00:35:35,419 how crazy is that? Time for you in your position, Pam. It is a busy time, so open enrollment usually 398 00:35:35,419 --> 00:35:39,259 starts at the beginning of December, and we give them a whole month, and then it takes effect on 399 00:35:39,260 --> 00:35:44,419 January 1st. So open enrollment is a busy product. It's one of the busiest parts is making sure 400 00:35:44,419 --> 00:35:48,979 everybody gets the information they need. So we got to make sure we get packets out to over 800 401 00:35:48,979 --> 00:35:52,019 people because it not only does open a room and affect the drivers, it affects everybody in the 402 00:35:52,019 --> 00:35:57,019 office. Everybody has a chance to enroll or make any type of changes during open enrollment. So 403 00:35:57,019 --> 00:36:03,059 everybody has to get a packet. So we email I mean, we send them to Mall of Terminals. I got printed 404 00:36:03,060 --> 00:36:08,259 copies. I mean there's anything you need. I mean, I can I can drop you one in the mail if you don't 405 00:36:08,459 --> 00:36:12,620 want to do it on the email or online or anything. I could drop an old school in the mail for you. 406 00:36:12,620 --> 00:36:17,739 And then another thing is we want to make sure we get them back in time. So you want to try to get 407 00:36:17,739 --> 00:36:22,099 them back before the end of December. And so that's where I think it comes into a problem with 408 00:36:22,100 --> 00:36:28,259 the driver because they go, oh, I'm never home. I don't do this. I don't do that. Oh I forgot, you 409 00:36:28,259 --> 00:36:33,619 know. So I think that's part of the craziness as well. And then just making sure they understand 410 00:36:33,620 --> 00:36:38,139 what the benefits are. Sure you have to understand what you're rolling in. And so we get a lot of 411 00:36:38,139 --> 00:36:44,059 calls because we offer four plans to drivers. And so it just takes a lot of explaining those 412 00:36:44,060 --> 00:36:47,908 different core plans for drivers to understand. And so I think that's one of our busiest points 413 00:36:47,909 --> 00:36:52,469 in open enrollment, is just explaining it over and over and over again. Hey, this is what we offer. 414 00:36:52,510 --> 00:36:57,469 This is what I needed back. And this is when it takes effect. And I have to stress to them that 415 00:36:57,469 --> 00:37:04,109 once you take that and make that selection, you can't change it for a year. Right. And so I try to 416 00:37:04,110 --> 00:37:09,589 really, really stress that. And so we offer basic like health, dental, vision and life insurance. But 417 00:37:09,590 --> 00:37:14,029 then we also have a counter company called People Lease who offers long term disability and flex 418 00:37:14,030 --> 00:37:18,989 spending. So you have to explain those as well so they know the difference between what our HSA is 419 00:37:18,989 --> 00:37:24,549 and what our FSA is. So it takes a little bit of explanation, but it's good. Yeah. The the first time 420 00:37:24,550 --> 00:37:30,509 somebody tried to explain a flex spending account to me, uh, Pam, I got a headache and I took a nap. I 421 00:37:30,509 --> 00:37:37,229 didn't even I got out of it because. Yeah, we have drivers, a sign up for FSA thinking it's the HSA, 422 00:37:37,230 --> 00:37:42,509 and then you got to go, oh, no, that's not the same thing. Yeah. So you gotta try to get get the 423 00:37:42,509 --> 00:37:49,429 paperwork and rework it all. So Yeah. Yeah. Well, having somebody is as experienced as yourself 424 00:37:49,429 --> 00:37:55,790 is a huge asset, Pam. And, uh, I can tell that you are dedicated and you want the drivers to 425 00:37:55,790 --> 00:37:59,509 understand this. This isn't something you do because you have to. It's something that you do 426 00:37:59,510 --> 00:38:05,350 because you want to, and you want the drivers to have the best coverage and everything. Um, so the 427 00:38:05,350 --> 00:38:12,349 next kind of segment here that I want to get to is I titled it Help Pam help you. Uh, now 428 00:38:12,550 --> 00:38:17,949 I want to set this up by saying, I'm not asking Pam to air her grievances here. What we want to do 429 00:38:17,950 --> 00:38:23,589 is try to save everybody some time with this next bank of questions. And, Pam, basically, if I'm a 430 00:38:23,589 --> 00:38:29,869 Cypress driver and I need something from you, what can I do that makes it easier to get the answer 431 00:38:29,870 --> 00:38:36,188 that I need? What's the number one thing a driver can have ready to go before they call you? 432 00:38:36,629 --> 00:38:43,549 I would say that a driver needs to have. First of all, they need to figure out what they're 433 00:38:43,550 --> 00:38:48,750 really asking. They'll come in and they'll ask for one thing, but they really want something else. So 434 00:38:48,750 --> 00:38:53,949 try to figure out what you're really asking for. And then second, have all the information 435 00:38:53,949 --> 00:39:00,709 available. If you are signing up for health insurance and you have four kids and a wife 436 00:39:00,709 --> 00:39:05,109 and you don't have all the information, it's hard to get you signed up, right to have all your 437 00:39:05,110 --> 00:39:09,988 information. Make sure everything's filled out and make sure everything's signed and dated, because, 438 00:39:09,989 --> 00:39:15,709 you know, you have to have signatures to get people enrolled. And I think sometimes drivers. I 439 00:39:15,709 --> 00:39:19,549 try my best to work with it. Hey, I got this. I'll take it over the phone, but I need you to come see 440 00:39:19,590 --> 00:39:25,229 me next week. I need you to sign and date it to verify that this is what you said. Okay. So, I mean, 441 00:39:25,230 --> 00:39:31,989 so having everything all your ducks in a row as best you can before you call would be 442 00:39:31,989 --> 00:39:36,229 great. Or before you show up would be great. But even if you don't have them in a row, we'll do our 443 00:39:36,229 --> 00:39:42,279 best to help you get them in a row once you get here. Right? That's how we can. Do You talk about 444 00:39:42,280 --> 00:39:46,519 how sometimes they're asking for one thing and asking for something else. Is that kind of like 445 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:50,839 when I really. I'm asking my wife where she wants to go to dinner, and I'm trying to steer her 446 00:39:50,840 --> 00:39:55,959 towards pizza without her knowing it. You know, like I'm saying no to everything. I'm just waiting 447 00:39:55,959 --> 00:40:00,639 for her to mention a pizza parlor. Uh, you don't want to do that. That's not the right approach. 448 00:40:00,639 --> 00:40:05,560 Take the direct approach. Give. Give you the information up front. Let you know what it is 449 00:40:05,560 --> 00:40:10,399 exactly that they're looking for. And that makes the job a lot easier on your end is kind of what 450 00:40:10,399 --> 00:40:16,958 I'm hearing here. Yeah, exactly. Because sometimes I have to ask 15 questions to draw out what you're 451 00:40:16,959 --> 00:40:20,879 asking for. So if you kind of, you know, if you already know where you're asking for it to be 452 00:40:20,879 --> 00:40:27,080 helpful, but once again, if you don't, we can work through it and look at you. All set. For sure. Uh, 453 00:40:27,080 --> 00:40:31,839 something that kind of touches the open enrollment part here, uh, a little bit. And I know 454 00:40:31,840 --> 00:40:35,959 it's very important that we let you guys know this isn't until December. It's not open 455 00:40:35,960 --> 00:40:40,799 enrollment right now. I don't want to create a flood of phone calls and emails for Pam after she 456 00:40:40,800 --> 00:40:46,918 was so gracious with her time here. Uh, but there are these things that they call a life changing 457 00:40:46,919 --> 00:40:52,678 events, right? Uh, or qualifying events? Yes. So if something changes in a driver's life, like their 458 00:40:52,679 --> 00:40:59,519 address, a family situation, beneficiary's insurance information, or whatever applies. Pam, 459 00:40:59,520 --> 00:41:05,840 what does HR need to need the driver to communicate to them, uh, so that they can take the 460 00:41:05,840 --> 00:41:09,959 appropriate steps and make the changes that might be needed? Well, first of all, our driver has to 461 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:14,679 realize that you only have 30 days to make those changes if you have a life changing event. I think 462 00:41:14,679 --> 00:41:19,519 a lot of drivers don't know that, because they'll call me four months later and say, hey, my wife 463 00:41:19,519 --> 00:41:24,399 lost her coverage four months ago, can I add her to my plan? And unfortunately, I can't add you 464 00:41:24,399 --> 00:41:28,359 after four months. You have to make that change within 30 days and then you have to have the 465 00:41:28,360 --> 00:41:33,599 information, the proper information. If your wife lost coverage and you want to add her, I need the 466 00:41:33,600 --> 00:41:38,090 paperwork that shows when she lost coverage. So you have to get that information from a previous 467 00:41:38,090 --> 00:41:42,849 company or from a previous insurance company. And if you get married, I need a copy of the marriage 468 00:41:42,850 --> 00:41:48,009 certificate. If you have a birth, I need a copy of the birth certificate. Just paperwork that shows 469 00:41:48,010 --> 00:41:53,209 that the life change did actually happen, and I'll get you all set and get you into our system. It's 470 00:41:53,209 --> 00:41:58,649 pretty simple, right? Once you have all of the correct documentation, I can get you all set. And I, 471 00:41:58,689 --> 00:42:03,089 you know, you have 30 days to get it done. So as soon as you know, you need to make that change. 472 00:42:03,129 --> 00:42:07,529 Give me a call. Call me right away. Even if you don't have all the documentation, you may have 473 00:42:07,529 --> 00:42:14,169 some questions about it. And I can direct you into what I need to make that change for you. It's it 474 00:42:14,209 --> 00:42:18,569 that's so interesting. I mean, I can say that I've learned something on every single episode of the 475 00:42:18,570 --> 00:42:23,209 Cypress Truck Lines podcast. And today, what I learned is that you only have 30 days for a 476 00:42:23,209 --> 00:42:29,569 qualifying event. I had no idea. Fortunately, I've never had one that didn't sort of align with an 477 00:42:29,570 --> 00:42:34,529 open enrollment, so I was able to make the change. It was very easy, but wow, that's a really 478 00:42:34,610 --> 00:42:40,049 important part of it, because it's the only time that you can make changes during the year is if 479 00:42:40,049 --> 00:42:45,089 one of these qualifying events happen, and even then you've only got a month to get it done. So 480 00:42:45,090 --> 00:42:51,689 you kind of got to be Johnny on the spot with this stuff. Correct? Correct. Wow. So okay. Yeah. Good 481 00:42:51,689 --> 00:42:57,209 to know. That's great stuff. Juicy stuff. Drivers, if you're not sinking your teeth into this one yet, I 482 00:42:57,209 --> 00:43:01,648 don't know what to give you other than a nice fresh T-Bone steak. I mean, we've got great info 483 00:43:01,649 --> 00:43:07,409 from Pam here already today. Um, let me ask you this sort of a general question. What makes a 484 00:43:07,409 --> 00:43:12,969 driver really good to work with from your side of the building? What might have Cherie or somebody 485 00:43:12,969 --> 00:43:18,569 else coming up to you and saying, man, that guy or that gal, they're just great. Um, is there anything 486 00:43:18,569 --> 00:43:24,329 like that that comes to mind when I ask? I think a great driver on our end is just somebody who 487 00:43:24,329 --> 00:43:29,329 follows the rules. I mean, there's rules for everything. There's fmcsa rules you have to follow. 488 00:43:29,370 --> 00:43:34,529 Then there's company rules you have to follow. I think a great driver follows the rules and is 489 00:43:34,530 --> 00:43:39,089 still able to make his deliveries. Because we give you that, we follow rules. We have rules, but you 490 00:43:39,090 --> 00:43:43,569 still should be able to make all your deliveries. You still should be able to get your truck and 491 00:43:43,570 --> 00:43:48,449 get out and get home on the weekend. I think that's a great driver. I think a great driver is a 492 00:43:48,449 --> 00:43:54,929 driver who has an issue and calls safety and doesn't let it fester for 2 to 3 months and then 493 00:43:54,929 --> 00:43:59,489 cause safety, because sometimes if you call us six months later, I don't know if I can help you for 494 00:43:59,490 --> 00:44:03,729 something that happened six months ago. I mean, I can try my best to get it solved, but it happened 495 00:44:03,730 --> 00:44:08,729 six months ago. So if you have an issue, call us right away and let us know. I mean, we'll do our 496 00:44:08,730 --> 00:44:13,569 best to work with you and try to get the situation solved. But I mean, just being a great 497 00:44:13,570 --> 00:44:19,409 driver. Follow the rules. Get to know your truck, get to know your routes, get to know your driver 498 00:44:19,409 --> 00:44:25,929 manager and get to know the company. And you'll do just fine. Yeah, you can tell, uh, you know, just 499 00:44:25,929 --> 00:44:30,809 recording yesterday I had, uh, like I said, I had Ariel Vanderpool on with his trainer, Michael 500 00:44:30,820 --> 00:44:37,699 Shealy and his mentor Chris Sandifer. Oh, and it was such a I was such an 501 00:44:37,699 --> 00:44:43,579 amazing conversation, Pam, because they're they're talking about this, this guy that's already turned 502 00:44:43,580 --> 00:44:49,019 what they taught him into a very successful career at Cypress, and the way they talked about 503 00:44:49,020 --> 00:44:53,299 each other and the way that they you could tell that they just helped one another and they were 504 00:44:53,300 --> 00:44:59,379 jabbing one another. It was so cool to see that sort of culture and and knowing that you guys 505 00:44:59,379 --> 00:45:05,019 have that inside the terminal as well. Like, what if you could boil this entire conversation down 506 00:45:05,020 --> 00:45:10,819 to one thing? I think I might say that you want the drivers to call, you want to help. That's the 507 00:45:10,820 --> 00:45:17,779 simplest way we can summarize this whole this whole conversation. Be it safety, be it HR. You are. 508 00:45:17,779 --> 00:45:22,059 Saying. You have to call dispatch, call your dispatcher. Right? Call to call the department, call 509 00:45:22,060 --> 00:45:26,339 the shop. You have flat tire. Call the shop. Call the correct department. That's going to be able to 510 00:45:26,339 --> 00:45:33,059 help you, and you'll get certain you'll get things done faster. Absolutely. Now, in almost 20 years. 511 00:45:33,060 --> 00:45:38,459 Here. Pam, I know that you've taken more phone calls than anyone can shake a stick at, but I 512 00:45:38,460 --> 00:45:45,019 wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask you. Over those 20 years, what's the craziest call you've 513 00:45:45,020 --> 00:45:51,179 ever received? Pam, what's something that came so far out of left field? Maybe it was funny. Uh, maybe 514 00:45:51,179 --> 00:45:55,898 it was. It was something you'd never seen before, and it was very serious. It doesn't have to be. Uh. 515 00:45:55,899 --> 00:46:00,779 I'm not looking for anything specific. I just want to know the one that stands out in your head is 516 00:46:00,779 --> 00:46:05,418 kind of the craziest call that you've ever received. You know, we've got so many. The only 517 00:46:05,459 --> 00:46:10,620 thing that comes to my mind, this happened. Like my first tenure, I was here, I had a driver call me, 518 00:46:10,620 --> 00:46:16,899 and this was an incident. He said, I woke up and there's a bumper stuck to the back of my trailer. 519 00:46:16,899 --> 00:46:23,099 And I was like, say what? Like you woke up and you're still rolling down the road, or you woke up 520 00:46:23,100 --> 00:46:26,899 from a stop there driver, give me the details. And I'm just like, what. Do you mean? There's a bumper 521 00:46:26,899 --> 00:46:32,029 on the back of your trailer, and I guess he had had like an incident where somebody had ran into 522 00:46:32,030 --> 00:46:36,829 the back of the night before or whatever, and he didn't call to report it, which was his fault. He 523 00:46:36,830 --> 00:46:40,429 didn't call to report it. But when he woke up the next morning, the bumper was still stuck to the 524 00:46:40,429 --> 00:46:47,428 back of his trailer. Oh. Craziest thing I ever heard. So then you go, whoa, what do I do now? Try to 525 00:46:47,429 --> 00:46:52,469 run around the world fast enough to go back to last night when you should have called, right? Yeah. 526 00:46:52,709 --> 00:46:56,669 I mean, you got a bumper, so you worked it out. You know, we we got with the safety director and 527 00:46:56,669 --> 00:47:00,629 everything, and we solved the problem. But, I mean, there was no way to find out what driver that was 528 00:47:00,669 --> 00:47:05,869 unless he called it in himself. But sometimes when other drivers are at fault and they hit trucks, 529 00:47:05,870 --> 00:47:11,829 they don't want to call it in, so they'll just leave the scene. So man can't have that. That's 530 00:47:11,830 --> 00:47:17,229 that's a bad situation from start to finish right there. Yeah. I can't think of anything else. I mean, 531 00:47:17,229 --> 00:47:21,509 we've had some crazy things I had I had a driver one time doing donuts in the parking lot, at 532 00:47:21,510 --> 00:47:27,829 another at a other job over there, which I thought was Crazy. Yeah, but. Hey. 533 00:47:28,350 --> 00:47:32,869 Fast and the furious was really popular for a for a long time there. You never know what they're 534 00:47:32,870 --> 00:47:39,669 into. You know, I mean, he was. Doing donuts in a tractor trailer. I'm like, is he all right? Oh, 535 00:47:39,710 --> 00:47:45,749 man. Yeah, we had some crazy stuff, but no, that's good. That's funny. You know, a lot of the drivers 536 00:47:45,750 --> 00:47:50,949 are just nice and they're funny. I like almost all of our drivers. I truly like they're nice people. 537 00:47:51,149 --> 00:47:55,509 Yeah, they really are. That's that's been my experience too. And and of course, just a sliver 538 00:47:55,509 --> 00:48:00,389 compared to your experience here. But, uh, I've never had anybody come on this show or even the 539 00:48:00,389 --> 00:48:05,870 guys that one thing I've noticed about Cypress is, you know, I'm a I'm a random dude from Oregon 540 00:48:05,870 --> 00:48:10,589 that's going to call you on a Wednesday and ask you to come on a podcast. I understand that it's 541 00:48:10,590 --> 00:48:15,909 not exactly necessarily the most comfortable setup, and some drivers just don't want to do it. 542 00:48:15,950 --> 00:48:20,069 And maybe it's not for them. Maybe they're not comfortable with public speaking. Maybe they'd 543 00:48:20,069 --> 00:48:26,148 just rather listen than take part. And even when those guys say no to me, like, I've been doing this 544 00:48:26,149 --> 00:48:31,229 job for four years, I've talked to thousands of truck drivers across multiple fleets, and I have 545 00:48:31,229 --> 00:48:37,509 had people say some of the rudest stuff to me when they just want to say no. Never once happened 546 00:48:37,509 --> 00:48:43,189 at Cypress. The guys that say no to me at Cypress feel bad, and I don't want you to feel bad, but I 547 00:48:43,189 --> 00:48:49,549 can tell they do just because it's such a helpful culture. It's the culture of if my man needs a 548 00:48:49,550 --> 00:48:55,589 hand, I'm going to give that hand if I have a hand to give. And, um, you're right when you say, I mean, 549 00:48:55,590 --> 00:48:59,909 you're you're the authority here on it. You talk to all of them. I only get just a, uh, just a 550 00:48:59,909 --> 00:49:05,429 sprinkling out of them. So. Yeah, but you can tell Pam, just just like I said earlier, from my fly on 551 00:49:05,429 --> 00:49:11,708 the wall perspective, no doubt that this is a phenomenal group of drivers. And to have 500 of 552 00:49:11,709 --> 00:49:18,469 them. What a feat. I mean, can we just stop for a second and acknowledge the fact that 500 and you 553 00:49:18,469 --> 00:49:23,678 like to work with all of them? I mean, wow, that's amazing. I can't think of any drivers that I've 554 00:49:23,679 --> 00:49:28,120 really disliked over the years. I mean, almost every single one of them have been nice. Not every 555 00:49:28,120 --> 00:49:32,559 driver has their quirk. You know, you just know what their quirk is. And you kind of go over that 556 00:49:32,559 --> 00:49:37,119 quirk and get to the point. But most of the drivers are just really nice. They're nice people. 557 00:49:37,159 --> 00:49:42,079 They like the job they do. And so that just helps make the, uh, make us have a great environment when 558 00:49:42,080 --> 00:49:47,119 everybody likes what they do. It just makes for a great environment. Do you ever get calls, Pam? Where? 559 00:49:47,120 --> 00:49:52,639 Maybe a couple minutes in. What you realize is, hey, this isn't really an action problem that needs 560 00:49:52,679 --> 00:49:59,159 jumping right now. This is a driver that just needs an ear. Yeah, all the time. All the time. 561 00:49:59,160 --> 00:50:05,000 Just wants to vent whatever is making him mad at that moment. And sometimes it's personal issues. 562 00:50:05,000 --> 00:50:10,000 And so you take that as you know that's a, that's a different way to handle a personal issue versus 563 00:50:10,000 --> 00:50:16,079 a job issue. Because you have to take into account is that personal issue going to affect his job. So 564 00:50:16,080 --> 00:50:20,359 you talk to the driver, try to figure out what his personal issue is, is there someone you can help 565 00:50:20,360 --> 00:50:25,759 them with that issue? And then maybe, you know, all he needs is just a break. Maybe he's just worn out, 566 00:50:25,760 --> 00:50:30,759 he's stressed and he just needs a break. So you give him that break next time you see him. He's 567 00:50:30,760 --> 00:50:37,319 good as new. That's great. And and how often would you say that happens when a driver calls just to 568 00:50:37,319 --> 00:50:41,519 vent a little bit because, you know, we we've talked about it. Everybody knows about trucking. 569 00:50:41,520 --> 00:50:47,799 This is kind of a solitary, isolated career. And a lot of these guys spend hours upon hours by 570 00:50:47,800 --> 00:50:53,959 themselves. So I would imagine that that vent call probably comes through, uh, you know, more often 571 00:50:53,959 --> 00:50:59,439 than it would in another gig. How often do you get those panels? Oh, I don't know. I, I don't keep track. 572 00:50:59,440 --> 00:51:03,759 I would say, you know, because there's like five of us in the department. So they'll call and talk to 573 00:51:03,800 --> 00:51:08,199 each different person. And we have a tendency to share stories in there. If you know, it's something 574 00:51:08,199 --> 00:51:15,199 that's going to affect all of us. So maybe a real event, maybe once every other week. Not too often. I 575 00:51:15,200 --> 00:51:19,359 mean, some people just need to vent about where they're parking or or what's going on on this 576 00:51:19,360 --> 00:51:22,999 yard. And that's just something we just need to correct. I'm not sure if that's a vet or if 577 00:51:23,000 --> 00:51:27,519 they're just giving us information. So, hey, this is happening on this yard and I'm letting safety 578 00:51:27,519 --> 00:51:31,560 know so we can jump in and try to correct that issue. I mean, that's I don't know if that's event 579 00:51:31,560 --> 00:51:34,999 or they're just trying to be helpful to us. We have some drivers that call and help us out that 580 00:51:35,000 --> 00:51:41,799 way. So maybe could be both. Could be look, I want to help you out here, but this is also under my 581 00:51:41,800 --> 00:51:46,959 skin. So I would like to. Tell you about. It. Right. Yeah. I don't, you know, the personal vents, those 582 00:51:46,959 --> 00:51:52,600 are are far more far in between. We don't get those every week. Personal events. People have 583 00:51:52,600 --> 00:51:56,879 personal issues. And you know, a lot of our drivers get home every weekend so they, you know, they can 584 00:51:56,879 --> 00:52:01,239 go home and talk to their spouse or somebody in their family. And maybe the OTR driver needs to 585 00:52:01,240 --> 00:52:08,239 give us a call every now and then. And you call, talk to me, I'll listen. I'll see what I can do. I 586 00:52:08,239 --> 00:52:13,399 would say. So I just based on this conversation, I would think it's a great conversation every time 587 00:52:13,399 --> 00:52:17,609 you get in touch with Pam. Listen, you. Know, I had some drive. I had to tell you what I had. One time 588 00:52:17,610 --> 00:52:24,329 I had a driver who called me, and he was so upset because he was trying to park or 589 00:52:24,330 --> 00:52:30,889 something, and he was so worried that he would not be able to get up the hill and get 590 00:52:30,889 --> 00:52:36,889 into the gate without hitting the gate, and he hadn't even tried yet, is what it was. He was just 591 00:52:36,889 --> 00:52:42,089 so I mean, he was truly worried that he was going to hit that gate. And, you know, you just talk him 592 00:52:42,090 --> 00:52:48,169 off the bridge. Hey, take your time space and check the space on the bridge. Take the space on your 593 00:52:48,169 --> 00:52:53,169 truck, see what kind of turn you have to make and give it a try. You know what? He made it. He called 594 00:52:53,169 --> 00:52:58,449 me to thank me after he finished. He was good to go. That's awesome. And and remember your training, 595 00:52:58,449 --> 00:53:03,689 right? Because these guys all get such great training that they have the skills to do this. 596 00:53:03,730 --> 00:53:07,849 It's just sometimes it's a bit intimidating. That's understandable. And he was a newer driver 597 00:53:07,850 --> 00:53:12,489 too. So sometimes you have to just talk him off the ledge. And and once he got in there I mean he 598 00:53:12,489 --> 00:53:17,649 was just thrilled. Totally thrilled. So, you know, it kind of makes your day like, hey, I got him through 599 00:53:17,649 --> 00:53:23,928 that. That's good. I can. Tell. I know you all can't see the smile that I just saw from Miss Pam here, 600 00:53:23,929 --> 00:53:28,610 but that was a big smile. I can tell that you take some pride in helping those guys out like that. 601 00:53:28,649 --> 00:53:33,889 Yeah. That's awesome. Well, well, Pam, as we start to wrap this up here, uh, once again, I know you're 602 00:53:33,889 --> 00:53:38,369 busy, and I really appreciate the time that you've given us here today, but there is one kind of 603 00:53:38,409 --> 00:53:43,610 looming question that I want to ask you. Uh, because you've got almost 20 years under your 604 00:53:43,610 --> 00:53:49,810 belt at this company. Tell me and tell everybody listening what Cypress has done to earn that type 605 00:53:49,810 --> 00:53:56,369 of loyalty from you. Hmm. I think Cypress, you know, it's a family owned 606 00:53:56,370 --> 00:54:01,969 company. And I think what some of the things I like about some of the things that I really like 607 00:54:02,010 --> 00:54:08,049 about Cypress is I like that, first of all, like my job, obviously, I think that's one of the first 608 00:54:08,049 --> 00:54:11,820 things is I like my job, but the second thing I like is because it's a family owned company, 609 00:54:11,820 --> 00:54:16,259 there's a little bit of flexibility in some of the things that you can do or you can get. And I 610 00:54:16,259 --> 00:54:21,259 don't think that would happen in a corporate environment. Right. That flexibility. I like the 611 00:54:21,259 --> 00:54:28,139 fact that I can come in every day, and I have a set list of things I want to do, and I can get 612 00:54:28,139 --> 00:54:33,859 those done and not be bothered so much sometimes. Does that make sense? I don't always have to. I can 613 00:54:33,860 --> 00:54:37,779 come in, I can sit down. I can get to work. I mean, don't get me wrong, you're going to have phone 614 00:54:37,779 --> 00:54:41,060 calls. You're going to have to have to talk to people to come in, but they leave me alone enough 615 00:54:41,060 --> 00:54:44,859 where I can come in and get all of that done. I don't have somebody looking over my shoulder all 616 00:54:44,860 --> 00:54:50,259 day, every day. Right. And trust you? Yeah. We've all been here so long, we kind of know what needs to 617 00:54:50,260 --> 00:54:54,819 be done every day, how the process works and what we need to turn in and what to do by what's date. 618 00:54:54,899 --> 00:54:59,699 Um, Sherry will jump in, though, if some things are due by a certain date or, you know, because she's 619 00:54:59,699 --> 00:55:03,299 the department leader. I mean, she's the, um, safety director, so of course she's going to jump in and 620 00:55:03,300 --> 00:55:07,979 tell us, hey, we need these by these dates, or we need to do this, or we need to change that. And so 621 00:55:07,979 --> 00:55:14,620 you listen to that. You adapt that into your daily routine. Mhm. And so I like that we have that 622 00:55:14,620 --> 00:55:21,139 flexibility to do that. And I like that. You know when um there's a special projects that come up 623 00:55:21,139 --> 00:55:27,779 sometimes like we needed to scan up uh folders or anything. I was able to come in on a 624 00:55:27,780 --> 00:55:33,539 weekend and work a little bit extra and help them get those, um, folders scanned up. And so that's a 625 00:55:33,540 --> 00:55:37,740 little special project, and I like that I, that I was able to do that special project. I mean, so I, 626 00:55:37,740 --> 00:55:40,779 I've had those a few times that I've been here and I like that, I like that I had that 627 00:55:40,779 --> 00:55:46,419 flexibility to do that. Yeah for sure. Those are all great things, great positive aspects about a 628 00:55:46,419 --> 00:55:52,659 workplace, I love it. Um, can you get to your final thoughts here in just a second? But, uh, there was 629 00:55:52,659 --> 00:55:57,419 one more here. Ah, this is a great one for you. Before we let the drivers get back to what 630 00:55:57,419 --> 00:56:02,259 they're doing. And before we let you get back to what you're doing. What is something that you hope 631 00:56:02,259 --> 00:56:08,899 drivers understand about the people behind the desks that are supporting them, like yourself. Um, I 632 00:56:09,260 --> 00:56:13,859 this is an opportunity to really go anywhere you want with it. But if there was something that you 633 00:56:13,860 --> 00:56:18,379 hope the drivers know about, the staff that you work with and yourself, what do you think that 634 00:56:18,379 --> 00:56:24,340 would be, Pam? I think that what we want the drivers to know is that we're all here, especially 635 00:56:24,340 --> 00:56:28,139 in our safety department, and it's just not the safest holding the whole company that we want to 636 00:56:28,179 --> 00:56:34,939 make drivers successful. And I think each driver has a different idea of what their 637 00:56:34,939 --> 00:56:41,698 success is. And so we try to, you know, hey, this is what we're doing and we hope that what we're 638 00:56:41,699 --> 00:56:47,219 doing and help you reach what your idea of success is. So if your idea of success is you need 639 00:56:47,219 --> 00:56:51,259 to make more money, maybe we can get you hooked up with dispatch and maybe get you some different 640 00:56:51,260 --> 00:56:57,340 routes. If your idea of success is, hey, I want to get a new truck. Hey, maybe we'll get you hooked up 641 00:56:57,340 --> 00:57:02,379 with somebody and we can get you in one of the newer trucks when they come out. If your idea of 642 00:57:02,379 --> 00:57:07,269 success is I want to be home every weekend because this is the type of company I work for. We 643 00:57:07,270 --> 00:57:11,469 need to get with you and make sure that you get in the home on the weekends. If your idea of 644 00:57:11,469 --> 00:57:16,668 success is I just want to be happy with the job I'm doing. Feel free to give us a call and maybe 645 00:57:16,669 --> 00:57:21,109 we can work through. If you have any issues. Does not make you happy. You want everybody be happy. I 646 00:57:21,229 --> 00:57:24,470 personally want everybody in the world to be happy, because it would be a great place if 647 00:57:24,470 --> 00:57:30,990 everybody was happy. Amen to that, man. Amen to that. And, uh, I think maybe you just you you gave us a 648 00:57:30,990 --> 00:57:37,350 little peek there of, of the lift that you guys actually perform at both safety and HR. You got 649 00:57:37,350 --> 00:57:44,189 500 drivers, which means 500 different ideas of what success is. And you work every day to try to 650 00:57:44,230 --> 00:57:50,149 understand all of them, Pam. And that is a that is a monumental lift and something that, hey, I think 651 00:57:50,150 --> 00:57:54,469 you should pat yourself on the back for it and everybody in your department because, uh, that 652 00:57:54,470 --> 00:57:59,589 sounds daunting, but you guys are up for the challenge and you clearly enjoy, uh, that aspect of 653 00:57:59,590 --> 00:58:06,109 the job. Yeah, I do. I like when drivers are successful or you here? I think I listen to one of 654 00:58:06,110 --> 00:58:11,549 your iPods. Earlier in, a driver had shot out my name because of his 401 and how it had become so 655 00:58:11,550 --> 00:58:17,628 successful. I was like, oh, that is really good. I'm glad that he called my wife, because. You know, what 656 00:58:17,629 --> 00:58:22,668 I've learned is that sometimes when drivers leave or they go to retire, I find that some drivers 657 00:58:22,669 --> 00:58:28,749 cannot retire because they don't have the funds. And, you know, a four one K the only put $10 a week 658 00:58:28,749 --> 00:58:32,990 in. You'll be amazed how much money you'll have when it comes time for you to retire. Yeah. So I 659 00:58:32,990 --> 00:58:38,309 try to tell them, hey, start off small, have that grow over time and you'll be amazed when it comes 660 00:58:38,309 --> 00:58:43,749 to retirement. So yeah, it's good to sit back and have somebody shout you out. That's pretty. Cool. 661 00:58:43,790 --> 00:58:49,269 Yeah. It's amazing. And and hey, we'll take a minute to shed a light on how amazing it is. You give up 662 00:58:49,270 --> 00:58:54,989 one Big Mac a week and throw that in your 401 K and look back at it ten years later. You'd be 663 00:58:54,990 --> 00:59:00,148 amazed how much money you'd be sitting on. So. Exactly, exactly. I try to stress that to the 664 00:59:00,149 --> 00:59:04,999 drivers. So all right. Well we're going to make sure and bring you back for open enrollment. So 665 00:59:04,999 --> 00:59:10,119 you can really hammer down on those types of things. And I just want to say once again, thank 666 00:59:10,119 --> 00:59:15,560 you so much for the time today, Pam. This has been phenomenal. I already can't wait to have you back 667 00:59:15,560 --> 00:59:20,599 on the show. Uh, you're very good on the air as I don't. I know you've been doing this for 20 years, 668 00:59:20,599 --> 00:59:27,279 but did you ever consider a career in broadcasting? Never. Well, you have done 669 00:59:27,280 --> 00:59:32,320 phenomenal today, and I will gladly welcome you on as an honorary co-host whenever you want. Some 670 00:59:32,320 --> 00:59:37,199 time on the show, Pam. But, uh, let's get to your final thoughts here. As I told you just a little 671 00:59:37,239 --> 00:59:41,800 bit earlier, uh, Final Thoughts segment is anything that we didn't bring up that you want to bring up, 672 00:59:41,800 --> 00:59:47,040 any shoutouts that you want to give? The the point is, the floor is yours. Thank you so much, Pam 673 00:59:47,040 --> 00:59:52,079 Keaton, for the time today. Uh, we we always appreciate getting in touch with the safety and 674 00:59:52,080 --> 00:59:57,239 the HR staff. It's a very important part of what's going on here at Cypress. So give us your final 675 00:59:57,239 --> 01:00:04,039 thoughts before we let you go today. Ooh. That's hard. Final thoughts. Let me see. Well, I'm just 676 01:00:04,040 --> 01:00:10,718 thinking that, you know, I want drivers to understand there are safety rules and regulations 677 01:00:10,719 --> 01:00:16,839 that you have to abide by in order to be a driver, but we still want you to be. And I think I said 678 01:00:16,840 --> 01:00:23,679 this earlier, we still want you to be a happy driver, a person that's happy to be here, a person 679 01:00:23,680 --> 01:00:29,199 that's happy with their job. A person that's happy with their life in general. And if we can help you 680 01:00:29,199 --> 01:00:34,080 in the safety department, that's within our means. We can we will do our best to try to help you get 681 01:00:34,080 --> 01:00:39,319 to that point. That I think that's my final thought. And not just people as a driver, but 682 01:00:39,320 --> 01:00:46,080 people in the office and people who are mechanics or, um, trailer shop employees or loaders. We have 683 01:00:46,080 --> 01:00:51,719 loaders too. I mean, we have a variety of people that sometimes just need a little bit of help. And 684 01:00:51,719 --> 01:00:56,159 I hope we can get you to your happy space, is what I would like everybody to be in their happy space. 685 01:00:56,280 --> 01:01:00,840 Oh, I love that. It's a good Happy Gilmore reference right there. Get to your happy place. Get 686 01:01:00,840 --> 01:01:07,840 to your happy place and everything goes right. Uh, Pam, this you've been phenomenal today. Uh, safety 687 01:01:07,840 --> 01:01:13,760 assistant and HR specialist Pam Keaton. Again. You're welcome back. Anytime. You just get in touch 688 01:01:13,760 --> 01:01:17,919 with me. If you want to come in here and deliver a message to the drivers, I will make space for you, 689 01:01:17,920 --> 01:01:22,958 okay? Okay. All right. Thank you for having me. Thank you. Pam. All righty. Bye bye. 690 01:01:30,960 --> 01:01:37,359 I cannot thank Pam enough for that interview. She spent almost an hour with us as a very 691 01:01:37,360 --> 01:01:44,319 busy employee at Cypress Truck Lines. And wow, what a conversation that was. If you don't have a good 692 01:01:44,320 --> 01:01:49,040 feel about who you're going to call, uh, when something goes wrong, you don't have to dial one 693 01:01:49,079 --> 01:01:54,399 800 Ghostbusters. Pam Keaton's waiting for the call, just like Sherry and the rest of the safety 694 01:01:54,439 --> 01:01:59,729 staff. And, uh, if it's from an HR standpoint, guess what? Pam's waiting for the call as well. And she 695 01:01:59,729 --> 01:02:06,689 has almost 20 years worth of experience of answering the tough questions. Um, look, as I 696 01:02:06,689 --> 01:02:13,649 said before in the intro, we wanted to do this, this employee spotlight now so that 697 01:02:13,649 --> 01:02:17,809 we could get a good feel for Pam, get her introduce to the audience, just in case there's 698 01:02:17,810 --> 01:02:23,409 some of you out there that hadn't met her yet, and really find out what it is that that Pam's day to 699 01:02:23,409 --> 01:02:30,168 day involves. And now that we know all that stuff, we're going to bring her back during open 700 01:02:30,169 --> 01:02:36,129 enrollment so that we can get a really good feel for any adjustments, any changes you need to make. 701 01:02:36,129 --> 01:02:41,729 Because I'll tell you right now, Pam is the lady. She's the one you got to get in touch with. She's 702 01:02:41,729 --> 01:02:46,649 the one that's got all this experience and she can help you solve your problems. Especially if 703 01:02:46,650 --> 01:02:52,648 they, uh, surround benefits and things like that. She's very well versed in that. And, uh, I, I'm 704 01:02:52,649 --> 01:02:57,369 already looking forward to that open enrollment episode. Once again. Just to reiterate, open 705 01:02:57,370 --> 01:03:02,889 enrollment is in December and so look forward for that episode sometime in the first couple weeks 706 01:03:02,889 --> 01:03:08,729 of December, so that we get it to you in time, uh, to handle all of your open enrollment needs now. 707 01:03:08,770 --> 01:03:14,889 Pam's a perfect example of how much work happens behind the scenes at Cypress. Drivers see the 708 01:03:14,889 --> 01:03:20,409 truck, of course. The load dispatch the road. They see all that stuff. But there are people like Pam 709 01:03:20,410 --> 01:03:26,409 and Safety and HR constantly solving problems throughout the day, handling benefits, keeping 710 01:03:26,409 --> 01:03:32,808 paperwork straight, and helping drivers stay moving. And today's episode is a shining example 711 01:03:32,809 --> 01:03:39,290 of how strong this team is. You know, back during our football episode, um, there was something 712 01:03:39,290 --> 01:03:44,969 that, uh, it was said it might have not been our football episode. It might have been one episode 713 01:03:44,970 --> 01:03:51,489 after our football episode, but I remember having a conversation about everybody playing their role 714 01:03:51,490 --> 01:03:56,929 and, sort of equating it to a football team like that. If you're going to be a successful football 715 01:03:56,930 --> 01:04:03,889 team, you're not going to make it without all 11 people doing their job, their role, whatever it is, 716 01:04:03,889 --> 01:04:10,330 you don't need your offensive tackle to drop back and throw the football. You need your offensive 717 01:04:10,370 --> 01:04:16,849 tackle to stand in the way of the giant human beings that are trying to, uh, swarm your 718 01:04:16,850 --> 01:04:23,249 quarterback, right? You're running back. Doesn't need to, uh, run the most perfect route on the 719 01:04:23,250 --> 01:04:28,249 outside. But if he can't handle a little bit of pass protection in between carrying the ball, 720 01:04:28,289 --> 01:04:33,849 toting the rock in between the tackles, well, we might have a problem here. And what Cypress has 721 01:04:33,850 --> 01:04:40,610 shown me throughout 37 episodes now is that every single person knows their 722 01:04:40,610 --> 01:04:47,529 role. They're confident in their role. They're trusted by management to fulfill that role. 723 01:04:47,529 --> 01:04:54,379 And what you get on the other side of it is somebody like Pam who is your. I mean, Hall of Fame 724 01:04:54,379 --> 01:05:01,379 level left tackle. Right? She's handling problems that nobody ever sees. Um, and again, 725 01:05:01,379 --> 01:05:06,019 I just can't thank her enough for the time today because that was a phenomenal interview that she 726 01:05:06,020 --> 01:05:11,899 just delivered. Her biggest message was simple to call sooner, not later. Whether it's a safety 727 01:05:11,899 --> 01:05:18,419 concern, benefits question, a qualifying life event or something that just doesn't feel right. Pam 728 01:05:18,419 --> 01:05:23,459 would rather hear from a driver early. While there's still plenty of time to help if you let 729 01:05:23,460 --> 01:05:29,859 these things fester, if you let them sit, they will become bigger problems. And, uh, Pam's ability to 730 01:05:29,860 --> 01:05:36,139 help you solve said problems gets less and less the longer we let things sit and fester. Uh, she 731 01:05:36,140 --> 01:05:41,019 genuinely understands drivers. That's another thing that I wrote down in my notes, like, you 732 01:05:41,020 --> 01:05:45,859 gotta you gotta hit this in the outro. After nearly 20 years around the fleet, she knows 733 01:05:45,860 --> 01:05:51,619 sometimes the driver needs an answer. Sometimes they need a problem solved and sometimes they 734 01:05:51,620 --> 01:05:56,899 just need somebody to listen for five minutes. It's a solitary job. You're out there isolated a 735 01:05:56,899 --> 01:06:02,779 lot. Um, and the level of understanding only comes with time and the relationships that she's built 736 01:06:02,780 --> 01:06:09,779 over these last, uh, 19 plus years. And the respect clearly goes both ways. Drivers have 737 01:06:09,780 --> 01:06:15,939 shouted Pam and the safety team out without being prompted multiple times on this podcast, and Pam 738 01:06:15,940 --> 01:06:20,579 spent the interview talking about how much she likes and respects the drivers. And I think that 739 01:06:20,580 --> 01:06:27,379 says a lot about the culture here at Cypress. And the big takeaway here. Cypress wants drivers to 740 01:06:27,379 --> 01:06:34,059 succeed, but success looks different for everybody. More money, better home time, a newer truck getting 741 01:06:34,059 --> 01:06:39,219 retirement squared away or simply enjoying the job. Pam made it clear that the people behind the 742 01:06:39,220 --> 01:06:45,740 desks are there to help drivers reach whatever their version of success looks like, 743 01:06:45,830 --> 01:06:51,510 and that's a fantastic place to end it. If we can't drive anything else home today, take that 744 01:06:51,510 --> 01:06:58,069 last one to the bank with your next paycheck, which will be on time because Pam and everybody 745 01:06:58,069 --> 01:07:03,830 else in HR are really good at their jobs. Thank you so much for tuning into this episode of the 746 01:07:03,830 --> 01:07:10,708 Cypress Truck Lines podcast. One more time. The website is podcast.cypresstruck.com. Head on over there to 747 01:07:10,749 --> 01:07:15,309 check out all the episodes. And don't forget to tell a friend about the Cypress Truck Lines 748 01:07:15,309 --> 01:07:21,150 podcast. We'll see you next Wednesday, 5 a.m. local time for another hour of content from the Cypress 749 01:07:21,150 --> 01:07:25,030 Truck Lines podcast. Be safe out there, drivers. We'll see you next week.