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Million-milers celebrated at Frito-Lay
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| Staff photo by Hillary Wundrow From left; Frito-Lay drivers Allen Dezeeuw and Richard Teed stand by a truck outside the traffic center. Teed just reached 3 million miles on the road and Dezeeuw reached 1 million miles. |
By Hillary Wundrow
Daily News staff writer
Truck driving isn't what it used to be. With people jabbering on cell phones, typing on laptops, applying make-up and even reading books behind the wheel, drivers say they have to be extra alert at all times.
“Nowadays the drivers are a lot more aggressive and there are a lot more of them on the road,” said Frito-Lay driver Richard Teed.
Teed believes that truck drivers are born and not made. And he should know. Teed just reached 3 million miles on the road without an accident.
“I do great, like I do at everything,” joked Teed.
For National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Aug. 27 to 31, the Frito-Lay North America Fleet Team is recognizing more than 80 over-the-road drivers who this year will reach the career milestone of more than 1 million, 2 million or 3 million miles driven accident-free.
Five of these honored "Million Milers" are based at Frito-Lay's Beloit facility - Mike Dobson, Allen Dezeeuw, Clarence Shoemaker, and Donald Stewart reached 1 million miles. Teed is this year's only 3 million mile inductee.
Teed joined Frito-Lay back in 1973. After being let go from another employer, Teed wanted to find secure work. He figured he would always have secure employment as a truck driver. With good pay and benefits at Frito-Lay, Teed has remained a loyal and safe driver.
“I think the Lord did it,” Teed said.
Teed, who loves listening to gospel music and conservative radio shows, takes driving seriously. He also doesn't talk on a cell phone while on the road.
“You get some people with a cell phone and they forget they are in the middle of the road,” Teed said.
Driver Dezeeuw doesn't believe in abusing the cell phone either. Although he enjoys listening to the satellite radio in his truck, he only calls his wife, Darlene, when he is parked.
“She's a good trucker's wife,” Dezeeuw said. “If there's a crisis at home, she won't call me at work.”
In addition to a supportive and understanding wife, Teed said truckers need a mind of their own. In addition to driving and unloading, Teed said truckers have to be loners and act like attorneys when making decisions out on the road.
“If you need someone to tell you what to do, this isn't the job for you,” Teed said.
Although Teed and Dezeeuw are proud of their millions of miles, they say any trucker driving around Chicago needs to be commended.
Teed noted that traffic is up 20 to 30 percent from when he started.
Although there used to be quiet times on the road, Dezeeuw said he sees vehicles out all day. They both agree, the price of gas hasn't deterred people from traveling.
“Now there is traffic 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” Dezeeuw said.
Although the men don't use their cell phones in the truck, they do give a little honk of the horn to those who make the honking gesture.
“It's not just kids. It's adults too,” Teed said. “It's just part of the job. I did it when I was a kid. Now I have control over that.”
“If you hold up a bag of Frito chips, I'll give a toot,” said Frito-Lay truck driver Allen Dezeeuw added.
Frito-Lay in Beloit has 87 drivers, according to Corey Ball, traffic manager.
Ball said the company is looking for more drivers with experience. Frito-Lay is having an open house Thursday, Sept. 6 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Janesville.
Truck drivers will be available to discuss the details of driving for Frito-Lay.
On average it takes a Frito-Lay over-the-road driver about 10 years to reach the 1 million mile mark, and Frito-Lay's 1,700 Fleet associates travel a combined 105 million miles a year.
Through the "Million Milers" program, and the company's extensive safety efforts, Frito-Lay has seen a 64 percent decline in collisions over the past 10 years.
“Nowadays the drivers are a lot more aggressive and there are a lot more of them on the road,” said Frito-Lay driver Richard Teed.
Teed believes that truck drivers are born and not made. And he should know. Teed just reached 3 million miles on the road without an accident.
“I do great, like I do at everything,” joked Teed.
For National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Aug. 27 to 31, the Frito-Lay North America Fleet Team is recognizing more than 80 over-the-road drivers who this year will reach the career milestone of more than 1 million, 2 million or 3 million miles driven accident-free.
Five of these honored "Million Milers" are based at Frito-Lay's Beloit facility - Mike Dobson, Allen Dezeeuw, Clarence Shoemaker, and Donald Stewart reached 1 million miles. Teed is this year's only 3 million mile inductee.
Teed joined Frito-Lay back in 1973. After being let go from another employer, Teed wanted to find secure work. He figured he would always have secure employment as a truck driver. With good pay and benefits at Frito-Lay, Teed has remained a loyal and safe driver.
“I think the Lord did it,” Teed said.
Teed, who loves listening to gospel music and conservative radio shows, takes driving seriously. He also doesn't talk on a cell phone while on the road.
“You get some people with a cell phone and they forget they are in the middle of the road,” Teed said.
Driver Dezeeuw doesn't believe in abusing the cell phone either. Although he enjoys listening to the satellite radio in his truck, he only calls his wife, Darlene, when he is parked.
“She's a good trucker's wife,” Dezeeuw said. “If there's a crisis at home, she won't call me at work.”
In addition to a supportive and understanding wife, Teed said truckers need a mind of their own. In addition to driving and unloading, Teed said truckers have to be loners and act like attorneys when making decisions out on the road.
“If you need someone to tell you what to do, this isn't the job for you,” Teed said.
Although Teed and Dezeeuw are proud of their millions of miles, they say any trucker driving around Chicago needs to be commended.
Teed noted that traffic is up 20 to 30 percent from when he started.
Although there used to be quiet times on the road, Dezeeuw said he sees vehicles out all day. They both agree, the price of gas hasn't deterred people from traveling.
“Now there is traffic 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” Dezeeuw said.
Although the men don't use their cell phones in the truck, they do give a little honk of the horn to those who make the honking gesture.
“It's not just kids. It's adults too,” Teed said. “It's just part of the job. I did it when I was a kid. Now I have control over that.”
“If you hold up a bag of Frito chips, I'll give a toot,” said Frito-Lay truck driver Allen Dezeeuw added.
Frito-Lay in Beloit has 87 drivers, according to Corey Ball, traffic manager.
Ball said the company is looking for more drivers with experience. Frito-Lay is having an open house Thursday, Sept. 6 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Janesville.
Truck drivers will be available to discuss the details of driving for Frito-Lay.
On average it takes a Frito-Lay over-the-road driver about 10 years to reach the 1 million mile mark, and Frito-Lay's 1,700 Fleet associates travel a combined 105 million miles a year.
Through the "Million Milers" program, and the company's extensive safety efforts, Frito-Lay has seen a 64 percent decline in collisions over the past 10 years.
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