tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68208997260876565302024-02-07T12:55:41.600-05:00Pork Chop Diaries 2015Land Line Magazine, the official publication of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, media team's live blog from the Mid-America Trucking Show, Louisiville, Ky.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-43464807333104361272015-04-02T16:07:00.000-04:002015-04-02T16:17:46.131-04:00The numbers are in - MATS 2015 breaks all-time attendance record81,768.<br />
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That's the number of attendees who made it down to Louisville for this year's Mid-America Trucking Show, the largest in the event's 33-year history. The previous high for attendance was just under 81,000 at the 2012 event.<br />
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The attendees came from all 50 states and 74 countries worldwide. <br />
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The trucking show released its attendance figures via email Thursday, April 2, and several of the <i>Land Line </i>veterans of MATS' past will tell you that number sounds about right. Exhibit halls, lobbies, parking lots and even the highways were jammed-packed the entire time.<br />
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Along with all those people, the 1.2 million square-feet of exhibition space served as a temporary home to 1,064 vendors and exhibitors from 43 states and 14 countries.<br />
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If you weren't able to make it this year (or if you were and want to relive some of the highlights) the folks at the official <a href="http://www.truckingshow.com/" target="_blank">MATS website</a> put together an outstanding video playlist that's worth checking out. See for yourself below.<br />
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If you weren't one of the lucky 81,000 this year, there's plenty of time to make plans to be there for next year's show, which will take place March 31-April 2, 2016.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f4XrTXug-JI?list=PLl_3zhp59iHwz7VTllAti0Qb1hiHnFcQd" width="480"></iframe></div>
Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-13723971310330878992015-03-30T15:20:00.000-04:002015-03-31T16:13:31.414-04:00#FacesOfMats - End of show roundupThe amount of people attending MATS is mind-blowing enough in and of itself, but the number of those people who are also OOIDA members meant it was hard to go from Point A to Point B without having to take a slight detour to chat with (or photograph) people who were rocking their Association apparel.<br />
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The thing about our members in general, is they are some of the kindest, most professional folks you're ever going to meet anywhere. The ones I met, visited with, and in most cases, took pictures of, were all delightful. And nobody gave me a hard time about taking pictures with my tablet, either!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph07hZSoY5QyzlQjD1rO0iEyjSHmQbamZh72BN-hN5ourZs1P17qWxJ1HeEYjgnMW2cojEb2obZlO6J2GrFSwUsm2EJHfXzEtTBcasdygdbXc5ZHt0yDM1zTKIkwMEPgoKOr_bnbrK4U/s1600/Life+Members+Nathan+and+Elizabeth+Ricks+2+BEST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph07hZSoY5QyzlQjD1rO0iEyjSHmQbamZh72BN-hN5ourZs1P17qWxJ1HeEYjgnMW2cojEb2obZlO6J2GrFSwUsm2EJHfXzEtTBcasdygdbXc5ZHt0yDM1zTKIkwMEPgoKOr_bnbrK4U/s1600/Life+Members+Nathan+and+Elizabeth+Ricks+2+BEST.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life members Nathan & Elizabeth Ricks stop by the Land Line Now booth in the North Lobby.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5-U9VjkIUiRqzHhHY5WsiKsKxjsgoT6Ln4Hk2jUeISuIMrzyqtGqSlOvbC48PhB1orOtvDxOO-1HOSBCULZ1aCeTdje9pBZOgjIfPywXypXnbVtUA4fLjcm8fzJEOzDGmv_CWqBOHbg/s1600/Life+Member+Tom+Smith+in+the+West+Wing+of+MATS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5-U9VjkIUiRqzHhHY5WsiKsKxjsgoT6Ln4Hk2jUeISuIMrzyqtGqSlOvbC48PhB1orOtvDxOO-1HOSBCULZ1aCeTdje9pBZOgjIfPywXypXnbVtUA4fLjcm8fzJEOzDGmv_CWqBOHbg/s1600/Life+Member+Tom+Smith+in+the+West+Wing+of+MATS.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life Member Tom Smith taking in some of the sights in the West Wing Exhibition Hall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO2yWPEL28fRouJenj-VqfB4_PCPDLjT3TNcJGe1OvcwOO-5wrJD03CvlMGxDjKloGj1rSQjTO7JOK4ExWQR8H0iCeelxOntVqdRrr0W0wbYnfQsLcFmVGSmjswrGeXh60Hs19nqUGd0/s1600/Members+Gina+and+Brian+Kuhn,+Church+of+the+traveling+steering+wheel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO2yWPEL28fRouJenj-VqfB4_PCPDLjT3TNcJGe1OvcwOO-5wrJD03CvlMGxDjKloGj1rSQjTO7JOK4ExWQR8H0iCeelxOntVqdRrr0W0wbYnfQsLcFmVGSmjswrGeXh60Hs19nqUGd0/s1600/Members+Gina+and+Brian+Kuhn,+Church+of+the+traveling+steering+wheel+2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members Gina and Brian Kuhn, working the booth for Church of the Traveling Steering Wheel, a conference call church service geared for over-the-road truckers who are away from home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgTrF22OG8Y3rA1x-HHSaTCzt15kF1nF2oBVLLQhyPfwSXtNs1upiXZCmXCNsty1HYGrrw3L6T9LCWLInUytp_wKouFZTgISGPGVB_t-RsJOgKMiov4IW1cEUw_j_l24PU95fZF1G8LU/s1600/Members+Debbie+and+John+Newgent+at+WIT+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgTrF22OG8Y3rA1x-HHSaTCzt15kF1nF2oBVLLQhyPfwSXtNs1upiXZCmXCNsty1HYGrrw3L6T9LCWLInUytp_wKouFZTgISGPGVB_t-RsJOgKMiov4IW1cEUw_j_l24PU95fZF1G8LU/s1600/Members+Debbie+and+John+Newgent+at+WIT+2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OOIDA members Debbie and John Newgent at the Women In Trucking Salute on Saturday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVEogHztXpxwsQETRfGu0J_pY9YshxkGnKgFdedy3OzaoEswS1kqGrNn-pLLWWoRGY1LWiqr5EZRg4j-iim_UmhPn2mKDy1CY6wYpmywhxPn-j42gf4DsVwBXAQm3IZwH1FzIwyN4ioI/s1600/Life+Member+Aaron+Stoltzfoos+and+wife+Esther.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVEogHztXpxwsQETRfGu0J_pY9YshxkGnKgFdedy3OzaoEswS1kqGrNn-pLLWWoRGY1LWiqr5EZRg4j-iim_UmhPn2mKDy1CY6wYpmywhxPn-j42gf4DsVwBXAQm3IZwH1FzIwyN4ioI/s1600/Life+Member+Aaron+Stoltzfoos+and+wife+Esther.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life Member Aaron Stoltzfoos and his wife Esther. They've been married for 51 years.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4RcRh8owg8ORm1eCKBIC7-XAzb2sPFKiy71TQa_xljdzJJ3hJ3lO7vkl_5jY-qPp156XbxKzhEEqV37F6tHFvmb2gnhU_HSC_LzHaQT0JDVamdxwSU0QmHNwXZr1S_sRWWn2BMut5HM/s1600/Member+Paul+Bedford,+wife+Ramona,+and+children+Christopher+and+Hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4RcRh8owg8ORm1eCKBIC7-XAzb2sPFKiy71TQa_xljdzJJ3hJ3lO7vkl_5jY-qPp156XbxKzhEEqV37F6tHFvmb2gnhU_HSC_LzHaQT0JDVamdxwSU0QmHNwXZr1S_sRWWn2BMut5HM/s1600/Member+Paul+Bedford,+wife+Ramona,+and+children+Christopher+and+Hannah.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Member Paul Daugherty, his wife Ramona, and their kids Chris and Hannah, take a break from shopping for truck parts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwqfnPJ5bbnPTjxaKQVSYlsz06YRYFxtdhrCVv-d9_-WlqkYfWpa9O82oKZilSi_FWZ5TWZDWFWBoUgmYJg9mWrMCTxx-7zqSUVAYVPmVowBGdf_xiuPyLjcHsdPfji4hrAyvPN6y6BM/s1600/Life+Member+David+Hutchinson+and+son+Blaine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwqfnPJ5bbnPTjxaKQVSYlsz06YRYFxtdhrCVv-d9_-WlqkYfWpa9O82oKZilSi_FWZ5TWZDWFWBoUgmYJg9mWrMCTxx-7zqSUVAYVPmVowBGdf_xiuPyLjcHsdPfji4hrAyvPN6y6BM/s1600/Life+Member+David+Hutchinson+and+son+Blaine.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life Member David Hutchinson, and his son Blaine, age 7, were on the lookout for Peterbilts on Friday.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbI1G7N_-hlC2Z9gbDGm4cyT6V7VbTnuIepEnyO37AiGnw18EdCWmOXht-iNwQUiOJ3dPgudmiQ4o68lZUodEBODOCxbUpW7dypSn7HGg8ppD8rWAEb0CtPgVLru4LGbMAOuaU5Wct4fM/s1600/Life+Member+White+Shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbI1G7N_-hlC2Z9gbDGm4cyT6V7VbTnuIepEnyO37AiGnw18EdCWmOXht-iNwQUiOJ3dPgudmiQ4o68lZUodEBODOCxbUpW7dypSn7HGg8ppD8rWAEb0CtPgVLru4LGbMAOuaU5Wct4fM/s1600/Life+Member+White+Shadow.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life Member Russell Short,aka "White Shadow" in homage to the TV show, said this was the first time in 10 years he'd made it to Louisville for MATS.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-21952410716236150912015-03-30T12:37:00.003-04:002015-03-31T15:48:12.364-04:00Hey, good lookin'It's the opening of the truck show season and what a grand opening it was. More than 80 trucks in competition, and a few more on display. The Paul K Young Memorial Truck Championship was a jam-packed wow from the anticipation to the finish. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVTrGB01K7Cx3ZM4KeVV7DpVTRYexWSPuCUBDqMlzXdbwM1wzylApQkUWdfPuaCueskdJa-tmvnOl7Y4Qp_AW4ew4b4Gg1svfn9wSLoPc2JTOP1hHna5oE-njAllaFXZ-j1mWaNnslAE/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVTrGB01K7Cx3ZM4KeVV7DpVTRYexWSPuCUBDqMlzXdbwM1wzylApQkUWdfPuaCueskdJa-tmvnOl7Y4Qp_AW4ew4b4Gg1svfn9wSLoPc2JTOP1hHna5oE-njAllaFXZ-j1mWaNnslAE/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" height="326" width="400" /></a>Always at the top of his game, Todd Roccapriore and his remake of Disorderly Conduct, a 1999 blue and black Peterbilt 379, was not just the king of the hill. He <u>owned</u> it with six trophies including People's Choice, Best of Show Limited Mileage Bobtail, Best Lights, Best Paint, Best Engine and Best Interior Limited Mileage Bobtail. Roccapriore, who has more than 6,000 hours invested in this truck, explained how he consistently comes out on top. "I put my heart into it. And when I'm done, even though there may be things that I'd do different if I had it to do over, I know I've given it everything I've got. People may be able to put more money into it. I don't think it's all about the money. I know it's all about the heart."<br />
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Best of Show Limited Mileage Combo was awarded to Josh Reed/Lanita Specialized of Pioneer, Ohio,. He made a sizzling standout with his black and burgundy 2015 Kenworth W900L and 2015 Mac curtainside flatbed trailer. No detail left to chance, this truck lit up the parking lot and the eyes of every truck enthusiast.<br />
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A new category this year, Limited Mileage Dump Combo brought a few hot hoppers and haulers to the fore. Best of Show was awarded to Brian Davis/Davis Bros., Owensville, Ind., and the knockout Superfreak black and blue 2005 Peterbilt 379 pulling a 2012 Wilson DHW501. Speakers and sound round out the details as the deckplate rises and the party begins.<br />
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Mike Horst of Bethel, Pa., leaped onto center stage with his slick and shiny white and red 2006 Peterbilt 379, earning Best of Show Working Bobtail, the Jake Eilen Pride in Your Ride Award, and three other awards. His white with red accented theme carried from front to back, inside and out with a diamond tufted interior that absolutely stopped traffic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_b3jivJ3cDo3tK4zOxvgMTkL8nxIWZ45wP4Z2YoDepXnzNg29Ff4uRNdTx7nDjlEtj2snbipY8L95UVzRFwpgpV1Mi0qu65Q9vZ43gH_fkaxfweWnXDGmfGqOQKFRZfzxkwlhVX5gnR0/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_b3jivJ3cDo3tK4zOxvgMTkL8nxIWZ45wP4Z2YoDepXnzNg29Ff4uRNdTx7nDjlEtj2snbipY8L95UVzRFwpgpV1Mi0qu65Q9vZ43gH_fkaxfweWnXDGmfGqOQKFRZfzxkwlhVX5gnR0/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />
Best of Show Working Combo and an armload of trophies went to Brad Caton/Eilen & Sons Trucking, Hampton, Minn., with their latest entry, a white black and blue 2014 Peterbilt 389 pulling a 2013 Mac tri-axle dump trailer painted to match.<br />
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While these trucks were the Best Of Show winners, every participant offered something special and every truck was someone's favorite. Suzanne Stempinski aka Red the Happy Hamsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01595493915552555915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-51739840825248835102015-03-29T22:30:00.000-04:002015-04-01T16:05:10.390-04:00At Papa John’s Lot, it’s live music, good eats and plenty of giving back<span style="font-family: inherit;">Depending on your perspective, the highlight of any MATS
show may be the spectacular product reveals, or perhaps the glitzy, glittering
show trucks, or the miles and miles of free “swag” exhibitors give away in
hopes of catching the attention of passersby at one of the hundreds of booths
or displays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But for a hardcore group of drivers, the highlights start
and end with whatever’s going on at the Papa John’s Lot before and after the
Kentucky Expo Center opens or shuts down each day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Papa John’s Stadium parking lot is where truckers can
park their rigs and get shuttle service to and from the venue, but it’s also a
hub of all sorts of activities, many of which are geared around one of truckers’
favorite pastimes – charitable giving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Concerts included a Saturday night performance by OOIDA
member Tony Justice, sponsored by OOIDA. Singer-songwriter and OOIDA member
Joey Holiday also performed on both Thursday and Friday nights from his custom
trailer/traveling stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite unseasonably cold temperatures on Thursday, Trucking
Solutions Group hosted its annual Driver Health Walk, with TSG member and OOIDA
director of regulatory affairs Scott Grenerth leading a procession of about 30
truckers on a 2.2-mile walk to Churchill Downs and back. TSG also hosted a
roundtable discussion to promote Cooking In The Cab. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Several trucker charities hosted events for Thursday, Friday
and Saturday. Groups involved include Jacob Russell Boulanger Memorial (JRBM)
Fund and Truckers United for Charities, and the Just Because group (JBC).
Trucker Charity and Operation Roger also participated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">An impromptu fundraiser was held during the Mid-America Trucking Show
for the OOIDA Mary-Johnston Scholarship Fund. Spirit Captain Jon Osburn found some glow sticks from a previous show and members took off selling them on the lot. Looks like they did quite
well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The total amounts raised for various groups are still being
tabulated, but early returns include more than $4,800 total raised for groups including
St. Christopher Fund, the Last Ride Home, OOIDA’s Truckers for Troops, and Camp
Quality Kentuckiana, which provides year-round programs and services for
children with cancer and their families. Non-perishable food items were also
donated to local food banks in Louisville.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-39282864966013758182015-03-29T19:30:00.000-04:002015-04-14T14:52:46.855-04:00Women In Trucking debut new "Image Team"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Women In Trucking Association’s annual Salute To Women
Behind the Wheel featured the debut of the first-ever Women In Trucking Image
Team.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The team, made up of five drivers, were chosen from a field
of 25 nominees, all of whom exemplify leadership and other qualities in line
with the organization’s mission, which is to promote both the employment and
accomplishments of women in trucking as well as minimizing obstacles preventing
them from participating in the industry.</div>
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The members of the 2015 Image Team are:</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Ingrid Brown, a 35-year veteran with over 3
million safe miles. She is an OOIDA member and owner-operator who is also
involved in Trucker Buddy, Special Olympics and the Pediatric Cancer Institute
among other causes.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Allyson Hay, a 17-year veteran, including 12
years at Walmart, logging over 1 million safe miles. She is a past member of the
Walmart Road Team.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Wyzeena Heeny, a 14-year veteran, with over 1.2
million safe miles for Covenant where she is a master driver trainer. She was
also 2013 member of Tennessee’s Road Team.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Stephanie Klang, a 35-year veteran of trucking
with over 3 million safe miles at Conway Truckload. Klang is also a former
America’s Road Team captain.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Carol Nixon, a 24-year veteran, who also drives
for Walmart. She has received numerous safe driving awards and is involved in
Trucker Buddy and other community services.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Image Team will also participate in ride-alongs with
legislators, as well as speak at conferences, trade shows and other events.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Saturday’s event featured several announcements, including a
fundraiser for the group’s scholarship fund, a keynote address from Marcia
Taylor, CEO of Bennett International, and the “WIT Index” – an effort to
measure and track the number of female drivers and women in management in
private fleets, as well as the number of women who serve on the boards of
publicly traded carriers. </div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMqGdX7tWR_yS6Kb3lIQjWoGf1hW-caGTuE-0dKqW6sAs7QMXsHurX0edkpqo2HUB6FVgdo2ugjqcChOjg67WxEKHHwubzvr-FjfgGtoVbMZ8uaK3i8ZruF-URyc4Xac3bYXiX2FnPL4/s1600/WIT+Image+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMqGdX7tWR_yS6Kb3lIQjWoGf1hW-caGTuE-0dKqW6sAs7QMXsHurX0edkpqo2HUB6FVgdo2ugjqcChOjg67WxEKHHwubzvr-FjfgGtoVbMZ8uaK3i8ZruF-URyc4Xac3bYXiX2FnPL4/s1600/WIT+Image+Team.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2015 Women In Trucking Image Team. From left: OOIDA member Ingrid Brown, Allyson Hay, Wyzeena Heeny, Stephanie Klang, and Carol Nixon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-82976555274069397942015-03-29T18:06:00.000-04:002015-03-31T15:48:26.790-04:00MATS then and now<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My most vivid
memory of the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2004 is a gigantic pair of woman's
underpants. The bloated, billowing bloomers flew like a banner above a vendor
stall in the North Wing Lobby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No bloomers in
2015. I assume they were banned by management who realized just how tasteless,
politically incorrect, and socially insensitive those bloomers were. I was glad I
bought a pair in '04 when I had the chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Other things were
different this year, too. There was more rush hour traffic outside in
Louisville. Somebody built a Ferris wheel next door, and they added on to the
exhibit halls. In 2004 the displays of flashy, bad-ass trucks and components
seemed to go on forever. In 2015 they actually did go on forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The chrome was
shinier this year. Door panels, saddle tanks and bumpers -- crystalline
mirrors you could almost walk through -- projected the passing crowds back at
themselves. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGYct51AwhTeUA0viTH5w2hXKSPrYam6G_zJYqgCgURxRAAs33RY_fPJXf51Q1cT3gBNsryW8OeEWIZ_YquOgzvFrTVaKWidHIZIj2jtHPq1laGLJlHKwrBuAHvy0EcEV0ViE_lRvu8vH/s1600/chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGYct51AwhTeUA0viTH5w2hXKSPrYam6G_zJYqgCgURxRAAs33RY_fPJXf51Q1cT3gBNsryW8OeEWIZ_YquOgzvFrTVaKWidHIZIj2jtHPq1laGLJlHKwrBuAHvy0EcEV0ViE_lRvu8vH/s1600/chrome.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrome on a Kenworth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of numbers
at MATS were higher in 2015, like the fuel you were going to save and the
return-on-investment you were going to enjoy. Buy this and your driver
retention will go up. Other numbers were lower, like your driver turnover and
how long it would take to realize that terrific ROI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a lot
more automation than there was in 2004. In 2015 they're not replacing drivers
so much as driver functions. Computerized drive trains adjust speed for hills,
and lift axles pull themselves up automatically to maximize fuel consumption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in 2004, so-called
collision avoidance systems warned drivers of an imminent crash. Buzzers
buzzed, flashers flashed, dash screens ran horror film trailers, and maybe a
little pink hammer descended from overhead to bonk the driver on the head. But
that was pretty much it. Actual avoidance was still the driver's job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 2015 systems
manage almost the entire emergency. Sure, warnings keep the driver in the loop
(or at least scare the hell out of him or her). But it's all pro forma. The
systems are fully prepared to slow or stop the truck. They'll do everything but
steer, and they'll do that as soon as the market will bear the cost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in 2004 they
called them collision "avoidance" systems. In 2015 they're collision
"mitigation" systems. Diminished expectations? Turning hellish
catastrophes into mere disasters? You decide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some things at
MATS haven’t changed at all <span style="font-size: 12pt;">–</span>the social composition, for example. The big boys
pour cash on their spacious South Wing displays, and neatly clad sales people rule
the aisles and carpeted plazas. Bearded drivers in denim coveralls come to
check things out, of course, and the sales guys would be happy to sell them a
truck. But let's face it, the suits are really on the lookout for fleet buyers,
engineers who do the spec'ing, and vice presidents who make the million dollar decisions.
Sure, driver, help yourself to a piece of candy and a brochure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the West Wing,
where the ceilings are lower and smaller displays tumble over one another, the
crowded aisles are more democratic. It's great to take the kids through the big
halls and ogle the new trucks, but the West Wing is a different kind of
adventure. Look over there, a China Pavilion, stall after stall of small
manufacturers, very proper people in business attire. And look at the young
women at the Hooters display! Oops. Sorry, Mama; look away, Little Buddy.</span><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak-yHbNsP8x8TezXqohZP-jDwducrjos_zEKfvhNcDHFZ1mFS3PZzSmQDHhjx8XP8nhu4a_2LPauOOhCDENEAYaA77bIr0oipwzNGoFKsZwStdYYwBcpNHTbENUr018yj6tGalGYmj-qH/s1600/_DSC9135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak-yHbNsP8x8TezXqohZP-jDwducrjos_zEKfvhNcDHFZ1mFS3PZzSmQDHhjx8XP8nhu4a_2LPauOOhCDENEAYaA77bIr0oipwzNGoFKsZwStdYYwBcpNHTbENUr018yj6tGalGYmj-qH/s1600/_DSC9135.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Far East in the West Wing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Something else
between 2004 and 2015 was unchanged, at least in essence -- the shortage of
drivers willing to work for fleets that ask too much and pay too little. It was
front and center in 2004. It was front and center again in 2015. Every media
event staged by every major manufacturer included a prominent reference to the
"driver shortage." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kenworth General
Manager Preston Feight put a kind of smiley face on it when he told his
audience that the current driver turnover rate of 80 percent could be considered
"normalized" because it had been much higher. "It's not a crisis
at all," he said. "It's OK right now."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's OK that a
1,000 driver fleet has 800 drivers leave each year either for greener pastures
or to get out of the industry? It's OK the fleet has to hire 800 new drivers
just to stay in place? Or has our industry's chronic, untreated disease grown
so familiar we regard the pain as normal? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In any case,
drivers had to feel wanted at MATS in 2015, especially in the West Wing.
Celadon, NFI, Prime, Schneider, J.B. Hunt and more were all there recruiting
drivers. We want you, Mr. Road Man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One affable
recruiter told me All State Express was signing up owner-operators. When I said
I wasn't an owner operator, he said their lease purchase program could make me
one. When I said I didn't have a CDL, he said they would help get me one <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> and
then make me an owner operator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Straight from
unlicensed newbie to owner-operator without ever having experienced truckload
life on the road? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sure, he said, actually smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Clearly since
2004 the "shortage" that troubles our industry hasn't changed at all.
Sadly, neither have some of the terrible ideas for dealing with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10945040702676038576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-80213810218988075082015-03-28T12:14:00.002-04:002015-03-30T11:17:33.873-04:00Who's 'King of the road' when it comes to model trucks?<a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/ElGrizo/status/581833052990484480/photos"></a>This is Scott and Linda Levine's 13th MATS. The Levines, of Long Island, N.Y., operate a booth offering miniature and collectible model trucks, part of their shop called Toy Truck City.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Located in the West Wing at Booth 60080, the shop has a veritable smorgasbord of truck and heavy equipment models, from economically priced children's toys in the $10 range, to items in the $200 range for the serious collector or hobbyist.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So what's the most popular truck model in among the model truck community? Scott says the answer varies depending on the region.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"It's Peterbilt and Kenworth here," he said. "At the East Coast shows, they want Macks."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBq-DJto6P3av5by-RpBv2R4BKVAzFbBLiSuCeB5IUCmBLL1LWOQntz8F-K1p8z4C4AEfiDIdReRhsrvrgEIgml2z7YAzdjpYiQ1q50DJG1jDCM4RVBiItokVvAzLtE4T1sYIV9PlQCA/s1600/20150327_155821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBq-DJto6P3av5by-RpBv2R4BKVAzFbBLiSuCeB5IUCmBLL1LWOQntz8F-K1p8z4C4AEfiDIdReRhsrvrgEIgml2z7YAzdjpYiQ1q50DJG1jDCM4RVBiItokVvAzLtE4T1sYIV9PlQCA/s1600/20150327_155821.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-28043447619035616522015-03-27T18:12:00.000-04:002015-03-30T11:54:32.439-04:00Because wily truckers know their tires<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a lot more than walking around to the kick the product.
All major tire manufacturers are at MATS, and the aisles are full of tire users
(in the truck world, isn’t that everybody?). Of course, we know you are on a
crusade for high mileage and optimum fuel economy, but there’s more to knowing
your tires. Especially in Louisville.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re a tire connoisseur, you have to have a picture
taken with the<b> </b>world’s oldest trademark, “spot the retread,” and maybe
even participate in a buffalo wing-eating contest. First of all, you must scout out the new stuff from the vendors. Here's just a few examples of what serious tire users are paying attention to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJpnxKaGR8m5ultLfY3KjLieVYDXt_kEks588QCfH_u0_Ak09EDtWJMd0DixrFklOSWDacxtw1OAjSHlhErG-J3DtH-5iyHwZNTf1LpyTOFDFIMOxh0gXCScFv_OHJxjlzcaSzHs-qBWh/s1600/Dave+and+Bibendum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJpnxKaGR8m5ultLfY3KjLieVYDXt_kEks588QCfH_u0_Ak09EDtWJMd0DixrFklOSWDacxtw1OAjSHlhErG-J3DtH-5iyHwZNTf1LpyTOFDFIMOxh0gXCScFv_OHJxjlzcaSzHs-qBWh/s1600/Dave+and+Bibendum.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LL's Senior Editor Dave Tanner with you-know-who ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space">At Peterbilt’s booth, there were the two Pete Model 359 Epiq trucks and
pssstt, they were wearing <b>Goodyear</b>’s new Fuel Max LHD G505D and Fuel Max
LHS long-haul tires. You can bet that did not go unnoticed by truck tire
aficionados. Goodyear makes no bones about saying that, together the Fuel Max
LHD G505D and the Fuel Max LHS make up the most fuel-efficient long-haul tire
combination in North America. Peterbilt obviously agrees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space">In celebration of 100
years of” innovation, experience and reliability,” <b>General Tire</b> launched
three new highway truck tires at MATS, which has the truck tire whizzes
scribbling down details. The General HS is a new long-haul steer tire featuring
an enhanced tread design, fuel-efficient compounding, and an upgraded casing
platform. The General HD, long-haul drive tire, features a deep 32/32nd
closed shoulder tread design. The General HT, long-haul trailer, tire delivers
optimal removal mileage and flexibility through an improved tread
pattern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><b>Yokohama</b> Tire
Corp.’s low-rolling-resistance tires were on display at MATS. The
eagle-eyed trucker tire specialists sauntering the aisle will notice that
Yokohama’s line includes ultra-wide base (UWB), drive, trailer and
steer/all-position tires. And yes, they are SmartWay-verified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><b>Bridgestone Commercial</b>
officially launched its newly refreshed <b>Dayton commercial truck tires</b>
brand at MATS. The brand refresh coincides with a new marketing campaign
entitled Tires for Truckers. A new website and the introduction of eight new
Dayton patterns, which doubled the product coverage of the former lineup,
launched in January. Matt Loos, Director of Truck & Bus Marketing,
Bridgestone Commercial says the campaign, Tires for Truckers, “gets to the
heart of what we provide to these hard-working individuals – affordable tires
that keep them moving.” MATS attendees found the campaign to get some attention, a buffalo wing
eating contest at the show Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space">A set of 10 Dayton
commercial truck tires were awarded to the winner, a trucker named Roger Errett of Mount Pleasant, Pa. A consolation bag of prizes
valued at more than $700, including a $500 truck stop gift card and $275
Speedco gift card, were awarded to each of the runners-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space">Truckers love contests to test their professional know-how. The <b>Tire
Retread Information Bureau</b> at booth(No. 13036) is hosting a "Spot
The Retreads" contest to try to correctly identify a range of new and
retreaded tires. You have to correctly identify all the tires to be entered
into daily drawings for sets of eight commercial truck tires to be retreaded on
the participants own casings. With seven sets of retreaded tires to be won,
that’s over $10,000. Yikes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Tires and tire technology,
tire monitoring system, retread technology – it is everywhere at this show. And
heads up, manufacturers – those wily trucking tire experts are taking notes on
everything.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-39435480585616391962015-03-27T15:51:00.001-04:002015-03-30T15:04:11.974-04:00Four OOIDA members among five honorees for 2015 TA/Petro "Citizen Driver" award Respect. Leadership. Integrity. Community involvement. These are just some of the values that TravelCenters of America is looking for in its "Citizen Drivers." And four of OOIDA's membership are among the five finalists honored at a luncheon Friday, March 27, during the Mid-America Trucking Show. The winners will have a TA or Petro stopping center of their choice named after them.<br />
<br />
The winners and the locations of their renamed truck stops are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>OOIDA Life Member Richard Ash, - TA, Commerce City, Co.. - "Richard Ash Travel Center"</li>
<li>OOIDA Senior Life Member Sandy Long - TA, Oak Grove, Mo. - "Sandy Long Travel Center"</li>
<li>OOIDA Member Micheal Sheeds - Petro, San Antonio, Texas - "Micheal Sheeds Stopping Center"</li>
<li>Gary Buchs - TA, Bloomington, Ill.. - "Gary Buchs Travel Center"</li>
<li>OOIDA Member Robert Fernald - TA, Willington, Conn.. - "Robert Fernald Travel Center"</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZze0tNbuwUJ3fYnGvsA24dJjcFnvE9XRkpMyG6gUERakuFe4SjX_xMJn9dOj5YYoC8-rGJXm2Nw20MGj40KoYdw7jb1OYFpmoaRj-AVe-yJJ5dTKdKRQU-TSGMBlo1FafuiEc269GHxA/s1600/citizendrivers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZze0tNbuwUJ3fYnGvsA24dJjcFnvE9XRkpMyG6gUERakuFe4SjX_xMJn9dOj5YYoC8-rGJXm2Nw20MGj40KoYdw7jb1OYFpmoaRj-AVe-yJJ5dTKdKRQU-TSGMBlo1FafuiEc269GHxA/s1600/citizendrivers.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OOIDA Member Micheal Sheeds, Senior Life Member Sandy Long, Life Member Rick Ash. Not pictured: Member Rob Fernald</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A total of 19 finalists were named from a pool of 72 nominees from 25 states and Canada, with over 1,386 years of combined trucking experience, more than 100 million combined accident-free miles, and included 10 nominees who have saved others lives. The nominees all have exemplary safety records, are involved in their communities, and serve in leadership capacities in the industry and in their personal lives.<br />
<br />
The 19 finalists were submitted to a group of eight judges, including OOIDA president Jim Johnston; ATA president and CEO Bill Graves; Women In Trucking president Ellen Voie; Target Media Partners publisher Micah Jackson; Heavy Duty Trucking magazine editor Deborah Lockridge; and radio personalities Eric Harley of Red Eye Radio; Dave Nemo of Road Dog Radio; and Steve Sommers of America's Truckin' Network, who selected the final five honorees.<br />
<br />
All 19 finalists and their guests were treated to a banquet hosted by executives for TravelCenters, including Tom O'Brien, president and CEO.<br />
<br />
O'Brien said the award will hopefully serve as a foundation for restoring respect for the trucking industry.<br />
<br />
"The overall success, the image improvement, rests on all drivers, the men and women behind the wheel," he said. "It's on their shoulders that the real image of trucking is based."<br />
<br />
What began at last year's MATS as a means of honoring truckers and restoring the "Knights of the Road" image to truckers is becoming an annual tradition. Nominations for the 2016 Citizen Driver Awards open in May. Sheeds was a finalist last year before winning this year.Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-3662124237353106842015-03-27T15:45:00.000-04:002015-04-01T11:12:02.775-04:00OOIDA Member Matt Slovack named Trucker Buddy ambassador of the year<div class="MsoNormal">
An OOIDA member who helped expand the Trucker Buddy program
beyond the classroom has been named the organization’s ambassador of the year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matt Slovack of Colona, Ill., was named the Darrell Hicks Memorial
Ambassador of the Year on Friday, March 27, during the Mid-America Trucking
Show.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a huge blessing beyond my belief,” Slovack said in an
interview with “Land Line Now” Host Mark Reddig, who is a member of the
Trucker Buddy Board of Directors.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The biggest reward is seeing the kids smile and learn stuff
about our industry and see us in a positive light instead of the negative light
that some people see us in,” Slovack said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slovack, who drives for Don Hummer Trucking, reached out to
the Boy Scouts of America to expand the Trucker Buddy mission of educating
students about trucks and safety. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEF2GTxcitTfRBZF1bTFdqEtXycdm5btNINDkIbXJ-03knkfhRBP_M1C_sBmM9xjYQMNX6-QE3Ls3JY0UKX4JWiGCspYjDqJiQ_bovjSNmWVFZNISGaDUqZNQTDsRQsX9v6ZD5PuBetqc/s1600/TruckerBuddy_submitted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEF2GTxcitTfRBZF1bTFdqEtXycdm5btNINDkIbXJ-03knkfhRBP_M1C_sBmM9xjYQMNX6-QE3Ls3JY0UKX4JWiGCspYjDqJiQ_bovjSNmWVFZNISGaDUqZNQTDsRQsX9v6ZD5PuBetqc/s1600/TruckerBuddy_submitted.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">OOIDA Member Matt Slovack, center, is Trucker Buddy's </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Darrell </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hicks Memorial Ambassador of the Year. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pictured with </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Trucker Buddy Executive Director Randy Schwartzenburg, left, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and Trucker Buddy President KC Brau, right. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Submitted photo)</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
Slovak got involved with Boy Scouts as a youth. Later, when
he became a truck driver and discovered the Scouts had a Truck Transportation
merit badge, he decided to become a merit badge counselor. He has brought local
Scout troops to truck shows to work on getting their merit badges.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We got the word out to the local Boy Scout councils, and
the first class I ever did was about 75 Boy Scouts. They checked out the
museum, the truck stop, got educated on the industry itself. It was a great
time, and we’ve been doing it ever since,” Slovack said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To get the badge, Scouts must complete a long list and understand
how trucking “works,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Trucker Buddy International Executive Director Randy
Schwartzenburg says the goal of getting the Boy Scouts involved is to help
improve the image of trucking among the general public.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Getting the Boy Scouts in here to get their Truck
Transportation merit badge and their Traffic Safety merit badge is really
important to the industry,” Schwartzenburg said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Darrell Hicks Memorial Ambassador of the Year Award is
named after “Uncle Darrell” Hicks, a very well-known personality among truckers
and the Trucker Buddy program. He was a lifetime member of OOIDA who began his 50-year career in trucking as a driver. When he retired in 2007, he was involved in the business side of the industry, traveling for years as an employee of Penray. Uncle Darrell passed away in July 2012.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Darrell Hicks was an awesome, awesome person,”
Schwartzenburg said. “We wanted to honor his work with Trucker Buddy so we
named our Ambassador of the Year Award after him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Trucker Buddy continues to reach out in new ways to expand
its mission.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I think we can continue to encourage our individual trucker
buddies to go to the local scouting councils in their hometowns and say, ‘I
have a truck; use me,’ ” he said. “So the trucker doesn’t have to teach the merit
badge. A scout leader can do that, but they can use his truck and him to help
teach that award. Same with traffic safety and other awards.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-34378101274713744292015-03-27T14:51:00.000-04:002015-03-27T16:30:33.079-04:00Bestpass expands coverage, offers new transponder<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bestpass Inc. has introduced the new Horizon toll transponder that works with almost all of the non-E-ZPass highway toll authorities in the United States. Now Bestpass users can access most of the toll highways in the U.S. with no more than two transponders -- one for E-ZPass in the Northeast and the new Horizon transponder for the rest. At the same time, Bestpass announced that toll authorities in Kansas and Florida have become part of the Bestpass system. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bestpass, which was launched in 2003 and is still owned by the New York Motor Truck Association, provides one-stop shopping for toll payers, offering a single source for billing and customer service, and toll discounts across many diverse authorities. The company is based in Albany, NY.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to John Andrews, President and CEO of Bestpass, the addition of the Kansas Turnpike and Florida’s Turnpike, including the range of all other SunPass tolled facilities in Florida, will result in a significant increase in toll coverage for Bestpass customers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLoijppn-V9jxW24rOeRU5R-jgCdkzfX4dMU91WGbKH5RCMoeaaAH7Bbgh3HV68SvPFKw1kdJhPkg9SuFUiNHx4eLG_UVun-yNUNOx42QyBYfkU83J86l5jGLHo4I6ICN93fVA73ebT0d/s1600/BESTPASS_full.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLoijppn-V9jxW24rOeRU5R-jgCdkzfX4dMU91WGbKH5RCMoeaaAH7Bbgh3HV68SvPFKw1kdJhPkg9SuFUiNHx4eLG_UVun-yNUNOx42QyBYfkU83J86l5jGLHo4I6ICN93fVA73ebT0d/s1600/BESTPASS_full.png" height="187" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bestpass solution includes E-ZPass coverage for the group’s 26 toll agencies in 15 states and the new Horizon transponder for the bulk of the authorities outside of the E-ZPass electronic toll collection network. Bestpass also works with toll authorities that use license plate reader systems. Maximizing benefits in those states, Bestpass can provide customers with toll discounts for plate reads that are generally not otherwise available.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to Andrews, Bestpass is treated like a customer fleet by individual toll authorities, many of which offer volume discounts. For Bestpass, those discounts are easily triggered by the large volume of Bestpass users -- each of whom receives the benefit of a volume discount. That’s the case even for one-truck Bestpass users like OOIDA member John Wieczorek of Perry, Mo. John and his wife Carol run for Mercer Transportation and have been Bestpass customers since 2003.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John was a guest of Bestpass at the press conference announcing the new Horizon transponder.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We found that the other toll authorities are just out of reach for us. They want you to post a bond or something that just costs too much. Bestpass doesn’t do that,” John said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John said that besides tolls, Bestpass costs him $4.50 per month, which consists of a $1 service charge plus $3.50 per truck. Toll discounts help offset the cost of the Bestpass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Andrews explained that a new customer must also open a Bestpass account for a minimum $250 that tolls will be drawn from. But he pointed out that if a customer’s toll account is close to depletion or depleted, Bestpass will contact the customer first before simply shutting down the account -- as often happens with other toll authorities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the press conference, Andrews explained Bestpass plans to have toll discount and management programs in place with 99 percent of all U.S. tolled miles, excluding only a few bridges and HOV lanes (most of which prohibit trucks in any case). Bestpass, he said, is working to bring its services to Oklahoma and Texas before the end of 2015, and anticipates adding coast-to-coast toll coverage in Canada sometime in 2016.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10945040702676038576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-81479973054423363942015-03-27T14:40:00.000-04:002015-03-30T16:05:46.144-04:00Highway Hero winner 'got a brother out of the deal'...<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxH4XmnS8ZRoj2gnVQCmR_Uz9OwQHhHT02WtpVHkrUFWXI7-5wtELeOFiTbWIKUyoWdo139ktIwhJuJDUyIi1xt2xL5JPwZ8fCKQCSXMC5KdH1ZRGLZPp8ich1zLgMBoqn-Z-QTeRFdzs/s1600/2015+Highway+Hero1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxH4XmnS8ZRoj2gnVQCmR_Uz9OwQHhHT02WtpVHkrUFWXI7-5wtELeOFiTbWIKUyoWdo139ktIwhJuJDUyIi1xt2xL5JPwZ8fCKQCSXMC5KdH1ZRGLZPp8ich1zLgMBoqn-Z-QTeRFdzs/s1600/2015+Highway+Hero1.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darrell Herndon and Clinton Blackburn (Goodyear photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No matter what would have happened on Thursday, Darrell Herndon said trucker Clinton Blackburn was already a hero in his book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
As it turns out, the folks behind Goodyear's Highway Hero award felt the same way, naming Blackburn the 32nd recipient of the prestigious award at a ceremony on Thursday, March 26 at MATS. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Herndon, a Spencer County Sheriff's Deputy, was in attendance for the award and shared a few brief remarks on stage with his friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
"All I can say is whether he'd won this or not, he's my hero," Herndon said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Blackburn, an OOIDA member from Winchester, Ky., was driving on the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Ky., just over a year ago on March 12, 2014, when he found himself in a situation that would change not only his life, but the lives of Herndon and his family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Herndon was transporting a juvenile prisoner, who escaped from his handcuffs and began strangling Herndon. Blackburn observed the situation from his cab, pulled over, and rushed to help him. During the struggle, the escaping prisoner managed to grab Herndon's service weapon and point it at the two men, but Blackburn continued to fight and eventually got the gun. The two men then subdued the prisoner together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Since that time, both Blackburn and Herndon say they have gone on to forge a friendship together, spending time deer-hunting and with each others' families. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
"We've got to be pretty good friends," Herndon said. "If it hadn't been for him and the Good Lord, I wouldn't be here. That's a fact."</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i6uNfZylrBs?list=UUEU0JBPEADjT1vwZOWJ9o4g" style="font-family: inherit;" width="480"></iframe><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During his acceptance speech, Blackburn said he "didn't expect to win" the award, adding that he'd already received something much more valuable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
"I ended up with Darrell out of the deal," he said. "I call him Brother Darrell, because that's pretty much how it feels for me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Blackburn was one of three finalists nominated for the award. The other two drivers nominated were David Fredericksen, of Windemere, Fla., and Mack Guffey, of Gainesboro, Tenn. Fredericksen was also one of 19 finalists for TA/Petro's Citizen Driver Award. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Fredericksen was one of several people to assist in the rescue of a woman and her granddaughter following an Aug. 11, 2014, crash in Gulfport, Miss.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> After witnessing a car crash, he stopped his truck, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">grabbed his fire extinguisher and ran to the car. Fredericksen repelled the flames enough to reach the car’s passenger side door. By this time, several spectators and his co-driver had joined him. They helped him remove the woman – who had suffered a broken leg – and her year-old grandchild from the blazing car.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">By the time firefighters reached the scene, the vehicle’s passenger area was completely engulfed in flames. The incident was captured by Fredericksen’s dashboard camera.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Guffey was driving near New York City when an SUV passed his truck and slammed into a guard rail, causing the front of the vehicle to burst into flames. Guffey stopped his truck, grabbed his fire extinguisher, and ran over to the SUV to fight the fire.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> Using his extinguisher, he smashed the SUV’s side window, grabbed the driver and carried him to safety. Fearing that other people were trapped inside the SUV, Guffey ran back to the now flame-engulfed vehicle, only to discover that nobody else was inside. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Guffey’s clothes had caught fire during the rescue. He suffered several cuts and burns due to his efforts, but stayed with the vehicle’s driver until help arrived.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The Highway Hero winner receives a special ring, a $5,000 award, and a congratulatory crystal. Each of the other finalists also receives a cash prize and other items.</span></span><br />
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Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-14219523174310587632015-03-27T11:56:00.000-04:002015-03-27T14:53:18.271-04:00More #FacesOfMATS<div class="MsoNormal">
We're
back with another round of pictures of folks who are either working or hanging
out here in Louisville.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiqZp6fKo6rTnIyuAL2NopdbYth9wB7doTYpx2b9n_rEU7Gp5tBg9V4AW89Wmvj1vyldl2I60NCyYC2d-RNs1CL9Sf9sUbqTr3G59uW3f8uJ0hOYZrYl6619-xZmqQI70Q0dqfnWBIas/s1600/Duane+Donner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiqZp6fKo6rTnIyuAL2NopdbYth9wB7doTYpx2b9n_rEU7Gp5tBg9V4AW89Wmvj1vyldl2I60NCyYC2d-RNs1CL9Sf9sUbqTr3G59uW3f8uJ0hOYZrYl6619-xZmqQI70Q0dqfnWBIas/s1600/Duane+Donner.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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Duane
Donner, an OOIDA senior member from Buckeye, Ariz., drives for the Walmart Road
Team. This is his third MATS overall, and second here as a member of the Road
Team.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ocj7_yhCp2NCiMdfHhJpuDSRGvbvkaICwVZ_PGAq-TCkyRvbtDMdskgGPAdFStXfVZe1CB519GXTBo3m32AOpiDsrTbNT8xpb2zrDRPqgh-YPT27CdKyNTIWSA9-w2SGqADx-8iB-vE/s1600/Sandy+Long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ocj7_yhCp2NCiMdfHhJpuDSRGvbvkaICwVZ_PGAq-TCkyRvbtDMdskgGPAdFStXfVZe1CB519GXTBo3m32AOpiDsrTbNT8xpb2zrDRPqgh-YPT27CdKyNTIWSA9-w2SGqADx-8iB-vE/s1600/Sandy+Long.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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We
ran into Life Member Sandy Long, an owner-operator from Marceline, Mo. This is
her first time at the Big Show. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcoQxYBvktDPGCqVZ4yPm2BGHJ0l7Y6xt5q0Rs4DFhSTkgCRr5MJNrnPgizM4BDJKu3XpR9anIxrYEPdXMigklUmR7OxH7MnTVsxN8YgvUU73NNoeOSVSHKBmX5fcqV8D4fLiqSsSYec/s1600/Charles+and+Karen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcoQxYBvktDPGCqVZ4yPm2BGHJ0l7Y6xt5q0Rs4DFhSTkgCRr5MJNrnPgizM4BDJKu3XpR9anIxrYEPdXMigklUmR7OxH7MnTVsxN8YgvUU73NNoeOSVSHKBmX5fcqV8D4fLiqSsSYec/s1600/Charles+and+Karen.jpg" height="640" width="355" /></a></div>
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Another
OOIDA Life Member, Charles Clendaniel and Karen Brown, both of Lewes, Del.,
were walking around the West Wing. A 40-year trucking industry veteran, Charles
said his favorite trucks are Peterbilts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-69091235746618450052015-03-27T11:30:00.000-04:002016-01-26T11:40:04.344-05:00'We can't do this unless we do it right'<div class="MsoNormal">
MATS is a wonderland of opportunity for us as the trucking media.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
As I prepared to take a seat and visit for a moment with Mark Reddig
at the “Land Line Now” booth, a young gentleman in an OOIDA cap walked up and
looked like he wanted to talk on the radio microphone set up for interviews.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His parents, Garry and Teresa England, politely smiled at us
said something to the effect of “Come on, Alex, I’m sure these people are very
busy.” </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnzyEVoyrqkNUiI9QwiWmrsmAZGxLaFJQubX5zZrtBWsVwuJ4gpi8cpWSagDoBBEHLVpZT6nPRXtAYglUuVa_6ZLZs7UimECI6GV8-VT4Ey4VN-oAWES3tY1as1mDZG7nO3_eWjCouWtN/s1600/AlexEngland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnzyEVoyrqkNUiI9QwiWmrsmAZGxLaFJQubX5zZrtBWsVwuJ4gpi8cpWSagDoBBEHLVpZT6nPRXtAYglUuVa_6ZLZs7UimECI6GV8-VT4Ey4VN-oAWES3tY1as1mDZG7nO3_eWjCouWtN/s1600/AlexEngland.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alex England, 9, does his best Mark Reddig impersonation </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">at
the “Land Line Now” booth at MATS. Alex is the son of new </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">OOIDA Member Garry England and wife
Teresa of Cullman, Ala.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo by David Tanner)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They were wearing OOIDA caps as well. Hello, opportunity.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s OK,” I assured, and invited them to stick around and check out the radio booth. I asked if Alex would like to pull up a chair and talk on the mic. "Sure," he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark seized his opportunity without hesitation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now, we can’t do this unless we do it right,” he said, extending a set of radio
headphones to the young man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Within seconds flat, Alex was styling, "testing, 1, 2, 3" on the mic. It was one of those fun MATS moments, and an opportunity to show what OOIDA and its media are all about – our members.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, Garry had signed up as a new OOIDA member just minutes
before his son spotted the mic.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to that interaction, we got to meet another fantastic trucking family, and who knows? We may have discovered a future on-air talent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-11253770381770806722015-03-27T11:23:00.000-04:002015-03-27T16:31:38.484-04:00Cobra Electronics debuts new power inverter line at 2015 MATS<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cobra Electronics showed the world a new line of inverters for truckers at MATS on Thursday. The AC to CD converters, all handsomely designed, range from the Cobra CPI 190 that provides 130 watts to the CPI 2590 that serves up 2,500 watts, enough to run a household or small business, never mind a sleeper cab. Of course, inverters are the the convenient gizmos that turn the DC power in your truck into the AC power that runs almost everything else. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFcSE_xTbaiTYJ-PNh24Kl1mokvCyuvrmBeknPL6E_iNY1QlySC-pJAMP3-QvA0s1Hb2BvixVomRgSV0ANm8c3GCrFO0vmdJ6JVZ4DHpuJQglYCE_ScIwB50tcfqOHRlZ9jRCMIynZi7e/s1600/CPI2590_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFcSE_xTbaiTYJ-PNh24Kl1mokvCyuvrmBeknPL6E_iNY1QlySC-pJAMP3-QvA0s1Hb2BvixVomRgSV0ANm8c3GCrFO0vmdJ6JVZ4DHpuJQglYCE_ScIwB50tcfqOHRlZ9jRCMIynZi7e/s1600/CPI2590_L.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2999992370605px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The CPI 2590 serves up 2,500 watts and lists for $299.95.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-b7fc99b5-5bc9-5ce5-e445-15bc87fd955c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.62; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I could watch television, make supper in the microwave, and vacuum the sleeper at the same time,” said a trucker who stopped just long enough to comment, then moved back into the crowd.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.62; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s right,” said Ramon Sandoval, Cobra’s Ramon Sandoval.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.62; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course the new line of Cobra inverters run the gamut between those two extremes. The two smallest inverters plug into your dashboard DC power source <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">–</span> or cigarette lighter if you prefer. The CPI 190 plugs in on one end and offers a three-prong outlet at the other. The next plug-in model up the line is the CPI 290CH, which resembles a coffee cup and is designed to sit on a coffee cup holder in your truck. It connects to the DC power through a wire and the three prong plug opening is on the top.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.62; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cobra calls those two products its “recreational models.” The 130 watt CPI 190 lists for $39.95; the coffee-cup model, 200 watt CPI 290CH , lists for $49.95.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDpk_bUN-YaBfl2D2ZW58ZdA-iuzq6DwoY30HPx8ipM1HEaicg6FXpTzFfo4tU_9ZVntSmUZkFVDXeZU7qfwK3-DGPBO8NJes8EHp4LxQTCTgBg-FTkajyKFTZF6Q5lXQwfxZvo1V6bj5/s1600/CPI290CH_F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDpk_bUN-YaBfl2D2ZW58ZdA-iuzq6DwoY30HPx8ipM1HEaicg6FXpTzFfo4tU_9ZVntSmUZkFVDXeZU7qfwK3-DGPBO8NJes8EHp4LxQTCTgBg-FTkajyKFTZF6Q5lXQwfxZvo1V6bj5/s1600/CPI290CH_F.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2999992370605px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The 200 watt CPI 290CH coffee-cup model goes for $49.95.
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.62; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The balance of the line, the “professional models,” are built to be installed and linked to the battery. They range from the 400 Watt CPI 490 to that 2,500 watt CPI 2590 with three models in between offering 800, 1,000, and 1,500 watts of AC power respectively. They range in price from $49.95 to $299.95. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.62; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All the models are neatly designed and will look good installed even as they provide maximum convenience in the cab and sleeper.</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10945040702676038576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-87055166522117470472015-03-27T10:02:00.000-04:002015-03-30T17:26:27.562-04:00Wreaths Across America say 'Thank You' to truckers at MATS<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The folks from Wreaths Across America came to MATS, they say, to thank the trucking industry for its support of their popular program to remember and honor America’s war dead by laying wreaths on the second Saturday in December wherever those heroes have been laid to rest.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-18dc5929-5b76-1ae3-3493-93a44b56eed0" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We want to thank the trucking companies that have helped over the years to bring wreaths to resting places across the country,” said Karen Worcester (pronounced like wooster), Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUfyYwkfGrj47cPO6iuk9s7vT1H9Wuy_x-pG9w4JipRCNflfOKeqOMaKZ3L9ZwRsc6_ak8bidJSQwM_sEuk9bgcznJw2V-ulr46r1gzpLINZ_rUEUDH_WQiWzWAM8Q8GeX6lSgnXGVO6U/s1600/winter_at_arlington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUfyYwkfGrj47cPO6iuk9s7vT1H9Wuy_x-pG9w4JipRCNflfOKeqOMaKZ3L9ZwRsc6_ak8bidJSQwM_sEuk9bgcznJw2V-ulr46r1gzpLINZ_rUEUDH_WQiWzWAM8Q8GeX6lSgnXGVO6U/s1600/winter_at_arlington.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2005 photograph that brought WAA to national attention.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re also distributing cards to drivers,” said her son, Rob, Transportation & Logistics Coordinator for the group. The cards urge drivers to “join our rolling ambassadors” and haul a “truckload of respect.” Pictured on the card is the group’s annual convoy from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia where, last year, the group’s volunteers laid wreaths at all 227,000 graves there. Drivers are urged to sign up at </span><a href="http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/" style="line-height: 1.38;">the
website</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or by calling 877-385-9504. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The annual convoy is perhaps the most visible element of the Wreaths Across America’s 23-year-old project to honor our war dead. The official convoy consists of 12 trucks <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> as many as authorities will allow <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> and many escorts, including police cruisers from jurisdictions along the route. Two Maine State Police cruisers are part of the escort as are the motorcycles of the Patriot Guard, an organization that promotes “dignity and respect” at memorial services for fallen military and first responders, among other patriotic activities. The official convoy takes a winding route, stopping off to visit schools, veterans groups and civic organizations along the way. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meanwhile, an unofficial convoy of 70 trucks carries the bulk of the wreaths that it takes to include all of the 227,000 fallen. Those truckers and many others are part of the Wreaths Across America story, according to Karen Worcester. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That story began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester, Karen’s husband and owner of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Me., found himself with many more Christmas wreaths than he would be able to sell and it occurred to him to donate them to the national cemetery at Arlington. With the help of then-Senator Olympia Snow of Maine, he received permission to place the wreaths on graves in an older, less-frequently visited part of the vast cemetery. Somehow,he had to get the fresh wreaths from Maine to Virginia, and that’s when trucking got involved.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">James Prout, owner of a local carrier, volunteered to carry the wreaths, and thus launched what would become a tradition. According to Karen Worcester, the people who went on that first wreath-laying were deeply moved by the markers they encountered in the fields of Arlington.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When you stand at the grave of a young man, only 19, who died in Korea, you have to think about that life,” she said. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It took only two hours to lay the wreaths we had that year,” Karen recalled. But what began as a local tribute to national heroes grew year by year as more and more people asked to join the effort. The growth took a leap in 2005 when an Air Force photographer took pictures of the wreath ceremony at Arlington. They appeared in a Pentagon publication, said Karen, “and one of those pictures went viral.” </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The resulting media attention brought inquiries from around the country. “People wanted to help recognize those who were buried, not at Arlington but at other cemeteries in all kinds of places,” Karen explained. The Worcesters responded by sending seven wreaths to each state, one for each branch of the military and the seventh for those who went missing. In 2006 simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were held at 150 locations. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rob Worcester explained that by 2007 Wreaths Across America, now established as a nonprofit organization, was sending 17,000 wreaths to locations around the country. Volunteer trucking was an increasingly important part of the effort. While James Prout had been delivering wreaths to Arlington every year, a truly national program was beyond his reach. WAA approached Barry Pottle, owner of Pottle’s Transportation, a carrier based in Hermon, Maine. Barry put WAA in touch with many other carriers. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lSMZUSU_Mm48Kr3Ap-YjFEXskPsVGkUTdf0bzb-s-wKoFmj0vGORVkZIiQwy8ecJI2djFJAqWMZavp7xwu_YYHw2TbczFTdjIgLp2GcUId323_ot0-mcnMAnKlO34Uw097-B8hv-kZ0P/s1600/_DSC8980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lSMZUSU_Mm48Kr3Ap-YjFEXskPsVGkUTdf0bzb-s-wKoFmj0vGORVkZIiQwy8ecJI2djFJAqWMZavp7xwu_YYHw2TbczFTdjIgLp2GcUId323_ot0-mcnMAnKlO34Uw097-B8hv-kZ0P/s1600/_DSC8980.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">From left, WAA founder Morrill Worcester; Karen Worcester, Executive Director; Rob Worcester, Transportation & Logistics Coordinator; Wayne Hanson, Chairman of the Board; Ann Hanson, Board Member; and Tobin Slaven, Social Media Coordinator <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2014 those carriers numbered more than 150 and included some of the biggest in the nation. Their more than 260 trucks helped distribute on a volunteer basis what has become a virtual ocean of memorial wreaths to be laid on the graves of the fallen every 2nd Saturday in December. Most of the loads are multi-stop trips undertaken by volunteer drivers who cover the country. Wreaths are now laid by more than 600,000 WAA volunteers at more than 1,000 locations in 50 U.S. states, including all national cemeteries. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It could not happen without the vital transportation donated by America’s carriers and drivers, said Karen Worcester.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re here at MATS to say thank you,” her son Rob said.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10945040702676038576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-20603079801588571632015-03-26T20:00:00.000-04:002015-03-31T16:24:04.362-04:00Shell enters aerodynamics arena to sponsor the AirFlow ‘Starship’<div class="MsoNormal">
Being at the cutting edge of aerodynamic truck design has
been a passion for Bob Sliwa and his AirFlow Truck Company for more than three
decades. Conceiving his first prototype cabover in 1983, Sliwa has poured his
own money into a pair of prototypes that get approximately twice as many miles
to the gallon as average industry standards. It’s all about the chase.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With sponsorship and backing from Shell Lubricants, Sliwa is
on the chase again, vowing to bring his third prototype hyper miler into the
public arena. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBaao9zyBvSk7DcJmRFDYm3obMRRzg28huiFZuMZtF9p9LAZgnYU2Cj3JYxd4KIE-LXc9xP5voSTLpCCwel10qQkGtnTZzUlkRLGTcfdewohCaS2s6CezZIwgqMYrxPUGZjxiqz97xgLw/s1600/Airflow+StarShip+Concept-low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBaao9zyBvSk7DcJmRFDYm3obMRRzg28huiFZuMZtF9p9LAZgnYU2Cj3JYxd4KIE-LXc9xP5voSTLpCCwel10qQkGtnTZzUlkRLGTcfdewohCaS2s6CezZIwgqMYrxPUGZjxiqz97xgLw/s1600/Airflow+StarShip+Concept-low.jpg" height="129" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next generation AirFlow prototype truck, the Starship, <br />
will debut in 2017 thanks to Shell sponsorship.<br />
(Submitted image)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the Mid-America Trucking Show on Thursday, March 26, Sliwa and Shell North American Marketing Manager Dave Waterman announced their partnership to develop the AirFlow “Starship” and
show the world what it can do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They hope to debut the Starship in 2017 with the aim of
breaking current fuel efficiency records.</div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is an exciting project for Shell that allows us to
remain at the leading edge of technology development, energy efficiency and
sustainability,” said Selda Gunsel, vice-president of technology for Shell
Global Solutions. “The transportation industry is dynamic and we intend to stay
at the forefront of innovation – collaborating with companies like AirFlow to
develop creative solutions that will benefit the industry for years to come.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having Shell behind him as a sponsor has energized Sliwa, a
self-described tinkerer. And like his fellow racing enthusiasts, he recognizes
that there are a lot of tinkerers out there who do amazing mods in their
garages but do not hit the limelight because they don’t have the backing to get
their machines out of the garage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is a pleasure to work with a technology leader like the
team at Shell Lubricants who also believe that there is lot that can be gained
for the trucking industry with the development of more advanced and efficient
trucks,” Sliwa said. “Building an efficient truck that could possibly be used by
truckers across America is an exciting challenge.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sliwa has already proved that his trucks can haul freight.
His 2012 prototype, the AirFlow Bullet Truck, achieved 13.4 mpg while grossing
65,000 pounds on a coast-to-coast run that included multiple freight drops,
headwinds and mountain grades.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To achieve new levels with the Starship beyond side skirts and boat tails, Sliwa has built a mechanism that closes the gap between truck and trailer when the vehicle reaches a speed of 35 mph.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When asked if the prototype would perhaps forgo EPA emissions regulations to achieve higher fuel mileage, Sliwa and Waterman said absolutely not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"This truck will be 100 percent certified to run," Waterman said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As sponsor, Shell announced it will provide technical
consultation on engine and drivetrain components as well as lubricant needs.
Part of that will feature the next generation of motor oils that are
categorized as PC-11 and will be ready to hit the market as early as 2017.
Shell answers the question “What is PC-11?” on a website, <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.whatispc-11.com/">www.whatispc-11.com</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shell’s OEM Technical Manager Dan Arcy calls the prospect of
lending AirFlow a hand exciting. “The ability to test some of our newest PC-11
engine oils in a cutting-edge vehicle will provide us with some valuable
information as we work to create lower viscosity engine oils without
sacrificing performance,” Arcy said.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-65792359201963183962015-03-26T19:00:00.000-04:002015-03-30T13:06:20.553-04:00Highway angels among us<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of our favorite things to cover in the industry is trucker heroes. These are the men and women who, often with no regard for their own safety, put their lives on the line for other motorists on the highways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday night, the Truck Writers of North America were proud to host the Truckload Carriers Association's Highway Angel of the Year Presentation. TWNA's event, sponsored by Shell Rotella, offered a chance for the trucking media to celebrate t<span style="line-height: 14.4pt;">he 2014 recipient, who is
David Ragland of Cotopaxi, Colo. </span><span style="line-height: 14.4pt;">Ragland drives for Kelle’s Transport Service of West Valley City, Utah.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTCFQbhyphenhyphenW5YuELSrr-4-4qdZdCb66AF06jgY6u2LdZki6jCq8kSJGG3zsOlDZ9wzHUnnneJUIw6_MrH_ZwZFPMA-FIoQde1Dfzc6lEXTt_eNtjp_38nU0s7kwtRiTFHbi_6Z2Wo_gsCW8/s1600/_DSC3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTCFQbhyphenhyphenW5YuELSrr-4-4qdZdCb66AF06jgY6u2LdZki6jCq8kSJGG3zsOlDZ9wzHUnnneJUIw6_MrH_ZwZFPMA-FIoQde1Dfzc6lEXTt_eNtjp_38nU0s7kwtRiTFHbi_6Z2Wo_gsCW8/s1600/_DSC3299.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kyle Hale, VP of
sales for EpicVue, Dennis Ford, <br />Brad Bentley and Lindsay Lawler, Highway Angel
spokesperson</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ragland played
a key role in saving two children’s lives after the car they were in swerved
off the road, crumpled in half, turned upside down, and caught on
fire. Ragland emptied his own fire extinguisher trying to smother the
flames and then used another provided by someone else on the scene.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He then
assisted another motorist by holding back tree branches so a baby </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> still alive
and strapped to his car seat </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> could be extracted. Eventually, fire and rescue
personnel were able to rescue a second child, although tragically both
parents and an 8-year-old half-sister had perished.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After the
August 2013 incident, Ragland kept quiet about what happened until
about a year later, when his company offered a $100 prize for a Good Samaritan
contest. When his story was chosen as the winner, Ragland decided not
only to donate the money to the surviving children, but also to add to it with
money from his own pocket. Before long, Kelle’s Transport office staff and
management began to make donations – until the amount grew to $5,000 ($2,500
per child).</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the
“EpicAngel,” Ragland, a veteran of the U.S. Army, received a trophy saluting his willingness
to stop and help that day. He will also receive a complimentary EpicVue
satellite TV package that includes a 24-inch flat screen TV, a DVR, and a
one-year subscription to over 100 channels of DIRECTV programming, including
premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and the NFL Sunday Ticket.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 14.4pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ragland was ill and was unable to accept the 2014 TCA Highway Angel award at the TWNA event. TCA President Brad Bently and EpicVue Vice President of Sales Kyle Hale and TCA Highway Angel spokesperson and recording artist Lindsay Lawler presented the award to Dennis Ford of Kelle's Transport, who accepted the trophy on Ragland's behalf.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-67816435197360394382015-03-26T15:15:00.000-04:002015-03-26T16:59:35.180-04:00OOIDA and Western Star partner again for new "Spirit" tour truckOOIDA will have a new tour truck on the road in the summer of 2015: a Western Star 5700XE.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfMB5JYd_TuKLQFpujofpBYvJFQ0ZRRGONaU4DsV5Q1oOShOgEPT7MgAdCKq2HuF4M4OGTF6q-IcrlMcu3hzuvhyphenhyphen21KZ4t2JB0h_MUolfWETM1IR0-z1QTP9csMQ2uGX-e7nQar7wHyNK/s1600/cq5dam.thumbnail.1050.1050.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfMB5JYd_TuKLQFpujofpBYvJFQ0ZRRGONaU4DsV5Q1oOShOgEPT7MgAdCKq2HuF4M4OGTF6q-IcrlMcu3hzuvhyphenhyphen21KZ4t2JB0h_MUolfWETM1IR0-z1QTP9csMQ2uGX-e7nQar7wHyNK/s1600/cq5dam.thumbnail.1050.1050.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new "Spirit of the American Trucker" will be this blue<br />
Western Star 5700XE. OOIDA will take official possession <br />
of the truck in summer 2015. (Submitted photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Association members and Western Star representatives got together for the official announcement on Thursday during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.<br />
<br />
Western Star Marketing Segment Manager Guy Lemieux presented the keys to the new truck to OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer and "Spirit of the American Trucker" driver and OOIDA Senior Member Jon Osburn at the Western Star exhibit.<br />
<br />
The model being leased to OOIDA features a powerful but efficient Detroit DD15 engine and Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission along with Western Star's patented steel cab and sleeper design.<br />
<br />
"There's not a gadget missing on this thing," Osburn said, speaking of the high-tech but "very traditional" look and function of the dash.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rWR-NBwDGtdETfOXpoMOGcEpmjYouP0uzB2Zs4H7fYjiMhIo0TbL5PoPw9VOstxoCiuZLig-xifp_nitSGSNtM_vpSLrj6UBSTSuN-CeTgXNaWpp9f4RwRF5fUYXdIiAhOkCVgJo-rkA/s1600/IMG_8888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rWR-NBwDGtdETfOXpoMOGcEpmjYouP0uzB2Zs4H7fYjiMhIo0TbL5PoPw9VOstxoCiuZLig-xifp_nitSGSNtM_vpSLrj6UBSTSuN-CeTgXNaWpp9f4RwRF5fUYXdIiAhOkCVgJo-rkA/s1600/IMG_8888.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left, OOIDA Executive VP Todd Spencer, Western Star<br />
Marketing Segment Manager Guy Lemieux, and OOIDA <br />
Senior Member Jon Osburn, who drives OOIDA's tour truck.<br />
(Photo by David Tanner, <i>Land Line Magazine</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OOIDA will officially take possession of the new tour truck in the summer. In the meantime, Osburn will continue to pilot the current "Spirit," the eye-catching and one-of-a-kind Western Star designed by fans of the iconic truck maker.<br />
<br />
"We're proud to be associated with owner-operators," Lemieux told us after the key hand-off. "We developed the 5700XE for the owner-operators. It's not something that looks like every other truck. We knew we had a winner."<br />
<br />
Spencer spoke about the value of Western Star to the owner-operator.<br />
<br />
"Western Star has always made durable trucks, and their trucks have made lots and lots of money for owner-operators," he said. "It looks like they just keep getting better."<br />
<br />
Here's a video of the Western Star presentation to OOIDA:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AXY0J74UXGY" width="459"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-36268866016092027392015-03-26T11:42:00.002-04:002015-03-30T17:05:47.808-04:00Alcoa goes Hollywood, and it is gloriousThis is in no way meant to disparage any of the other cool things we're seeing at MATS 2015, but the folks at Alcoa Wheels have earned the right to be called champions of the 20-minute press conference.<br />
<br />
Dynamic, to the point, and with production values that would make Hollywood proud, Alcoa unveiled its newest Dura-Bright EVO wheel in proper style.<br />
<br />
Proper style meant showing a full-on "Imagine a world ..." video production followed by company VP/GM Victor Marquez proclaiming, "Obviously we have some Star Wars geeks on our staff."<br />
<br />
Check out the video goodness.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8gqGbqm0rxk" width="480"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
"Imagine a world where your wheels are always protected," it begins. The video proceeds to call the Dura-Bright EVO the most durable and easiest-to-maintain wheel in company history. It's resistant to many chemicals and you can wash it with soap and water.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sClFgrH7mB37FNxZ_Y3XLh6GpvTzryleQPRW-3r5ewEESJz62OqacG2mPPoj_tTJ4w9Wuj87IjROHM5gTR8s7t1UHbglZ22KYj6Tfdc-zN_cFvc20Tw0iybEDA44QNewFEn6ut7XESTt/s1600/IMG_8880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sClFgrH7mB37FNxZ_Y3XLh6GpvTzryleQPRW-3r5ewEESJz62OqacG2mPPoj_tTJ4w9Wuj87IjROHM5gTR8s7t1UHbglZ22KYj6Tfdc-zN_cFvc20Tw0iybEDA44QNewFEn6ut7XESTt/s1600/IMG_8880.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcoa VP Victor Marquez introduces the Dura-Bright EVO <br />
in proper style. Photo by David Tanner, Land Line Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, they called an epic press conference to make those proclamations, interspersed with slogans and statements about how the company continues to "reinvent the wheel."<br />
<br />
Full credit where it's due: Alcoa did invent the forged aluminum wheel in 1948 and has been at the cutting edge of alloys as well.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the Star Wars geeks could have gone an extra step and dubbed the latest one the "Aluminum Falcon."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Proper style at the event also meant live-streaming the press event to the world. Technology abounded.<br />
<br />
Marquez went on to discuss how using aluminum to manufacture truck components and framing can help save hundreds of pounds in weight, and that was certainly worthy of our attention.<br />
<br />
Alcoa may not have invented or reinvented the press conference, but they are really good at it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
One couldn't help but marvel, grin, and nod a "touche" to them when it was all said and done.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-45455503346791355942015-03-26T11:27:00.003-04:002015-03-26T17:00:55.231-04:00The faces of MATS<div class="MsoNormal">
All
due respect to the amazing displays set up by the vendors here (and they are
Capital-A Amazing), but the best thing about the show is the people you meet,
either in the EXPO Center or at the Papa John's Lot before or after. Here are
just a few of the folks we've run into, the "Faces of MATS"...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqhWZvYMrctXqpG8exqfLIX-C7e8NXsig5WDwyS8z-rpPjA7b_ZtHhHdSJyF-jsHdKcx1lA0_BQFJdxYQ1ny71Ow9QPglcix29z4rJATXZ3VAIunxNirkk1c5xcRoUrLDZTbjoBpXg2g/s1600/Tomio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqhWZvYMrctXqpG8exqfLIX-C7e8NXsig5WDwyS8z-rpPjA7b_ZtHhHdSJyF-jsHdKcx1lA0_BQFJdxYQ1ny71Ow9QPglcix29z4rJATXZ3VAIunxNirkk1c5xcRoUrLDZTbjoBpXg2g/s1600/Tomio.jpg" height="635" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomio
Watanabe is a trucker and OOIDA member from Las Vegas. Born in Japan, he came
to America to be a pilot but found his way into trucking instead. For the past five
years, he's been covering MATS as a freelance journalist for <i>FullLoad</i>, a Japanese trucking magazine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpSFpE_Cak9kjCitc1YU3U4JcWyVkzQJx6MIdK-mbw2duXIV8MUWweE10dxZnRabxvXn3Hp2kGoRHbInc0ArJmXqCpnH-AE_CB7iVonEAKuumqvOGMdAIFv274UA0YoW0RhphrpVcV6A/s1600/Shawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpSFpE_Cak9kjCitc1YU3U4JcWyVkzQJx6MIdK-mbw2duXIV8MUWweE10dxZnRabxvXn3Hp2kGoRHbInc0ArJmXqCpnH-AE_CB7iVonEAKuumqvOGMdAIFv274UA0YoW0RhphrpVcV6A/s1600/Shawn.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shawn
Moore, Sr., better known as "Big Sexy," is an OOIDA life member from
New Madison, Ohio. The Patriots logo on the side of his truck is to honor his
kids' school, the Tri-Valley Patriots. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrK94b2mFyaoOSjRh7H7ggu7L-jzN4ap7RM_7Zx1oMWQgsAEKhg6LXMuwu_qJHOOAJm69-wCViloEJfiqy_2yUtic_byIGSV6lyK-v-ukpcaRfNY5aYTS7tB5UbuIdiijoeFGTaYA_RA/s1600/Candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrK94b2mFyaoOSjRh7H7ggu7L-jzN4ap7RM_7Zx1oMWQgsAEKhg6LXMuwu_qJHOOAJm69-wCViloEJfiqy_2yUtic_byIGSV6lyK-v-ukpcaRfNY5aYTS7tB5UbuIdiijoeFGTaYA_RA/s1600/Candy.jpg" height="640" width="354" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Candy
Bass, aka "Grandma Candy" is an OOIDA life member with over 41 years of
trucking experience. She can be found holding court in the Papa John's Lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
Greg Grisolanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270704353727892685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-48696799691379608292015-03-26T10:57:00.000-04:002015-03-27T16:29:21.997-04:00Hot off the grille<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQNhYM7g0O4ouIy1CQAwjpLKkUNLXzHUA55g1EmUBmEDfife_kzLCun_3KFOIsgcig7MNKg4oEuotH14YZ63ox6HawSbUn3wHhL-9Qp2EG_eocoYR4XVcUES5O6-qC_0p3Sn_0Tgvqvs/s1600/SuperTrk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQNhYM7g0O4ouIy1CQAwjpLKkUNLXzHUA55g1EmUBmEDfife_kzLCun_3KFOIsgcig7MNKg4oEuotH14YZ63ox6HawSbUn3wHhL-9Qp2EG_eocoYR4XVcUES5O6-qC_0p3Sn_0Tgvqvs/s1600/SuperTrk.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>The folks at Daimler always have plenty to talk about. They're No. 1 in market share in Class 8 trucks with almost 40 percent of the market. They've earned that spot by consistently meeting or exceeding their goals to improve the customer experience.<br />
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They've also spent $80 million over a 5-year period to design a Super Truck: $40 million from the Department of Energy and $40 million out of their own coffers to design a truck that is the most freight-efficient truck ever. <br />
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According to Diane Hames, General Manager Marketing & Strategy, it has been a long-term project based on innovation through global collaboration. With an integrated Detroit powertrain and some incredible aerodynamics, including an articulating grille to manage the need for under the hood heating and cooling, this truck achieved 115 percent freight-efficiency improvement.<br />
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So what is freight efficiency? It is a combination of fuel economy (they achieved 12.2 mpg) and reduced weight of the truck and trailer, allowing for a greater payload in the box. <br />
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Many of the features are already making their way onto trucks currently in production. The Freightliner Cascadia Evolution is their current standout, with consistently improving performance numbers <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> gaining another 5 percent fuel economy improvement. Suzanne Stempinski aka Red the Happy Hamsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01595493915552555915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-81010746202573332672015-03-25T21:08:00.001-04:002015-03-27T16:29:42.207-04:00Epiq styling<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Model 579 EPIQ is revolutionizing the industry with its
aerodynamic efficiency, optimized powertrain, and innovative fuel-saving
technologies,” said Darrin Siver, Peterbilt General Manager and Paccar vice
president.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkupYj2OtMp1PuAb8u-q8N0angVFXDx7VUWL5Hlw6U3uOIAW7c2xiKLVy8EMi0Iaoudrj9oe5zp3fzn1wGP8IKfyx1LYFhLhhFnNDvNgEG-od65vUvkjkpuA3d8jQ7lNcPc-2eXm6VlyQ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkupYj2OtMp1PuAb8u-q8N0angVFXDx7VUWL5Hlw6U3uOIAW7c2xiKLVy8EMi0Iaoudrj9oe5zp3fzn1wGP8IKfyx1LYFhLhhFnNDvNgEG-od65vUvkjkpuA3d8jQ7lNcPc-2eXm6VlyQ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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With up to 14 percent improved fuel economy over its
predecessor and a host of features that were originally developed for the Super
Truck project, this truck demonstrates that Peterbilt is offering more than
just good looks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With operating features like Predictive Cruise Control
(anticipates terrain), Smart Nav (infotainment system) and Smart Linq (remote
diagnostics), your truck is getting smarter by the minute. So you can work
smarter; not just harder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Suzanne Stempinski aka Red the Happy Hamsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01595493915552555915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-7602926228889218632015-03-25T16:32:00.002-04:002015-03-26T10:17:18.974-04:00Thermo King Offers Dealership Yards for Truck Parking and Two Smart Phone AppsThermo King,the temperature control people, announced two new smartphone apps at MATS on Wednesday. One of those apps provides location and contact information for Thermo King dealers with drop lots where drivers may be able to pull off the road and park. Thermo King personnel said they could not be specific regarding possible charges, but said use of the drop yard service could involve a "nominal fee."<br />
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According to Gayatri Abbott, Director of Smart Products & Telematics for Thermo King, the service called Dealer Locator and Drop Yard Referral System provides alternatives for drivers who may be running short on hours and in need of a place to stop, for example. The system might also serve a driver looking for an overnight stop close to an AM delivery location. In any case, the sheer number of dealer locations <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> 2,250 in all <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> provides possibilities to drivers, particularly in the densely populated East and Midwest.<br />
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Individual dealers are free to charge what Abbott called a "nominal fee" for the Drop Yard service, and not all facilities offer driver services, say food and showers, like those at a truck stop. However, she noted, it's something some dealers are working on. Considering that the system is new and that space at any one dealership might be limited, Abbott agreed it is best to call or text the dealership before showing up. To use the system, a driver must first download and install the Dealer Locator app from the Apple Store or from Google Play.<br />
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The second app announced Wednesday enables smartphone access to data sent from Thermo King's TracKing Telematics system that is available on the web. A driver need only download and install the app on his or her smartphone that will then be able to display critical information from a Thermo King unit on their truck. The driver who can be inside a truck stop or virtually anywhere remains able to monitor product temperature and other indicators.<br />
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To download either app, Abbott said, simply enter Thermo King in an Apple Store or Google Play search window to see a selection of Thermo King apps.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10945040702676038576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6820899726087656530.post-58730835854771827302015-03-25T15:38:00.000-04:002015-03-27T16:30:34.249-04:00More than 50 years of big hood lookin' good <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALKBmcabvUvCCqZe7obTR4Hk9GIBV38XNQlqsgv-0mN0o29LWTewawQbsCaRGmAJCYUW__ejxyWiWDmdIvPG6Ff_H-5UPkNiyO7PbznKfbZoKDIt8lc14l9A8YmGFPR9G1965vYrhUsg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALKBmcabvUvCCqZe7obTR4Hk9GIBV38XNQlqsgv-0mN0o29LWTewawQbsCaRGmAJCYUW__ejxyWiWDmdIvPG6Ff_H-5UPkNiyO7PbznKfbZoKDIt8lc14l9A8YmGFPR9G1965vYrhUsg/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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My eyes lit up, and my heart beat a little faster. There's a
new Limited Edition Kenworth going into production; it's called the Icon 900.
And, yes, it is a special edition of the traditional big hood W900L. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It will be individually numbered and badged, and have all the features you've
come to love, along with a few special something extras. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A stainless and
chrome package with all the "bugs" (Kenworth emblems) in shiny
silver, with LED lighting almost everywhere except the headlights. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It has great-looking down-lighting, an 86-inch studio sleeper, and some special
enhancements to the VIT diamond tuck interior.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The styling harks
back to the early 1960s. But the look is all today -- big, bold, and ready to get
down the road in style.<o:p></o:p></div>
Suzanne Stempinski aka Red the Happy Hamsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01595493915552555915noreply@blogger.com1