2011 MATS: It was work, it was fun … waaaayyy fun

Before the show, our OOIDA staff surveyed our schedules and decided that the theme song for MATS should be “Still Crazy After All These Years.” But after surviving it – my personal designation for official song of the 40th anniversary MATS event/marathon is Pearl Jam’s old song, “I’m Still Alive.”

Staff from Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and OOIDA’s magazine Land Line, and radio show Land Line Now are in the recovery stages from last week’s big Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville. We took a full contingent to the event and we all came back with a heap of stories, piles of photos and hours of video.

For the fifth consecutive year, members of the Land Line Magazine and Land Line Now staff brought the feel and flavor of the show via our blog, “Pork Chop Diaries.” It was a project that took us all over the 1.2 million square feet of expo center plus the parking lots, including the one at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

Since Monday, March 29, OOIDA media has filed blog posts from the show and pushed out show happenings and trucking news via multiple formats on multiple platforms on a multitude of devices. Toby Young, president of Exhibit Management Associates, said this week that the post-show report is in and 76,169 total attendees came to MATS from all 50 states and 81 countries.

While we are talking stats (we love stats), you might be interested to know that there were 1,039 exhibitors from 47 states and 9 countries. The action was covered by the trucking press, which included 214 media correspondents from more than a dozen countries outside North America.

We shared news stories, photos and video on OOIDA’s online Web sites – landlinemag.com and ooida.com -- and OOIDA’s daily satellite radio show, Land Line Now, on Sirius XM Road Dog Channel. We covered this major trucking event via subscriber email and updates on Facebook and Twitter.

It was work. It was fun. We can’t wait until next year, which, by the way, will be March 22-24, 2012.

MATS and April tomfoolery

At the end of this week, we wrap up our Pork Chop Diaries for 2011. But I want to tell you a couple more stories that we’ll be talking about for a while.

As you know, April 1 is a day where the prankster streak in some folks takes over normal sensibilities and they’ll do anything to pull off a really grand joke. This year, that day fell on the Friday of the Mid-America Trucking Show.

While I’d say that the prize for best April fools joke goes to Shell Rotella for the “ten million mile” truck press conference – one of the greatest fake press conferences ever – there were a few others that get the nod.

One that deserves mention is Evan Lockridge’s breaking news on cross border trucking. Broadcasting The Lockridge Report live from MATS, Evan announced that he and Mark Reddig, host of Land Line Now, had been working the phones most of the day to confirm what would be an official announcement from the White House. It was supposedly a press conference that would feature President Obama, DOT Secretary LaHood and the Canadian Prime Minister.

So Evan has everyone’s attention, right? He goes on to interview Mark and together, the satellite scalliwags reveal that they’ve learned that the Obama administration will not go ahead with the long haul cross border program with Mexico but that Canada would be “moving forward.” Evan and Mark tell Sirius XM listeners that the solution would involve building a giant bridge that would directly link Mexico with Canada – called the Fly-Over Bridge. They went so far as to describe the bridge and say that billionaire Matty Moroun (the guy that owns the Ambassador Bridge) would build it and that U.S. Rep. John Boehner wanted to call it the “Richard Nixon” Memorial Bridge.

It was a good ruse and it surely had some folks going.

I’ll have to share one more good bit of tomfoolery that involves Land Line Senior Editor Jami Jones, who came back from MATS with her share of swag and T-shirts given to her by various exhibitors. The day after she got home, she grabbed a black T-shirt out of her suitcase – all others being in the laundry. Pulling on shorts and slipping into the shirt, she was off to pick up the dog and do some other running around town. It was a great day and no jacket was needed. Her two teenage sons accompanied her, trailing behind. Jami didn’t get tipped off that something might be amiss until she got home and the boys said “do you REALLY not know what it says on the back of that T-shirt?”

It was one given to her by Mac Dump trailers. On the back it said “I love a good dump.”

Life on the lot

“Are you truckers?” I asked a pair of showgoers.

“No, but my feller is,” came one gal’s response, pure Kentuckian.

The Mid-America Trucking Show has a large cast of characters. Sure, there are cool exhibits and products, trade-show shwag and announcements – but without the thousands of patrons buzzing around like busy bees, there is no show. To experience the people is to experience the show itself.

My journey through the aisles of products and OEM exhibits would have been OK for purposes of writing the news, but my experience at MATS would not have been complete without a visit to the show truck lot on the Kentucky Exposition Center grounds and later the Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium lot across the way.

Although different, and set up for different purposes, each of these outdoor spaces gives the observer a true sense of trucking community.

From trucker caps to top hats; suits and ties to a plain ol’ gorilla suit; bushy beards or bald heads … a gal in flannel carrying a puppy in a towel; a fitness guru and good ol’ fashioned barbecue; newlyweds making MATS a destination … my list of observations could go on and on.

There was “Garian’s Dad,” aka Chris Perry or “Stinger” as he is known by handle. He says everyone knows him because his 18-year-old son Garian, nicknamed “Mad Fingers,” plays the guitar like no other and did the national anthem at the Sirius XM booth to open the truck show.



"Garian's Dad," Garian, and "Freewheelin" Co-Host
Chris Tsakis at the Sirius XM booth

“He rocked it, Hendrix-style,” Chris said proudly.

Shortly after meeting them, I ran into an owner-operator, Tyrus, who had his little dog, Ruby, neatly tucked in his coat. Like Tyrus, Ruby was pretty laid-back.

“She looks well-trained to stay there like that,” I observed.



Tyrus Long and "Ruby"

“I don’t know,” Tyrus replied, “It’s the first time I’ve ever had her in there.” She looked comfortable. I gave Tyrus some directions and we went on our way.

Friday evening was gearing up to be a fun one as LL staffers were headed out to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium parking lot – shortened to “Papa John’s” in the trucking community.

Papa John’s was great people-watching, but it was also a great locale to break the ice and meet some of the people that we interact with on the phones at OOIDA headquarters.

I can’t say I was totally surprised to see a top hat and a gorilla suit (Hi, Rusty!), a Cherokee wedding or a live band playing through a rain shower. And I wasn’t at all surprised to taste some of the best food around for the price of a donation to charity. There are some big hearts out at Papa John’s, always quick to throw in a few bucks for someone in need.

The folks in the Papa John’s lot are every bit as fanatical about trucking and the trucking lifestyle as the folks inside the 1 million square-foot Expo Center and accompanying show truck lot.

I met Carl, who was sporting an OOIDA life member jacket. In fact, there were more life member jackets out at Papa John’s on Friday night than I observed during the entire rest of the truck show.

As people were gathering to witness the wedding of Larry and Shorty Strange in a Cherokee ceremony, I could tell the moment was moving for him. Pointing to a gentleman who was carrying some Native American flutes, Carl turned to me with a nostalgic tone in his voice and asked me if I had ever heard a Native American flute before.

“I really hope he plays those. They are beautiful,” he said.

During the ceremony, as people moved around to get pictures and better angles, I would see Carl through the crowd and he would nod at me. I got exactly what he was saying. Carl really wanted to hear the flutes. But the flutes were meant to be gifts, and at least while I was there, the gentleman did not play them.



Yours truly with "America's Trucking Sweetheart"
Marcia Campbell

MATS is a great place to put faces with names. Earlier in the week, I filed a mental note to stop by and see one of my Facebook friends, Marcia Campbell, at one of the booths she was involved with. Marcia is a Nashville radio personality and clogger at the Grand Ol’ Opry. She also has billing as “America’s Trucking Sweetheart.”

I was running a bit late on Saturday afternoon, but I made it just in time to see Marcia before she had to drive back to Nashville. She was square dancing and clogging at the Opry later that night.



Sidney McDonald and Jason Thompson

While out on the show truck lot, I talked to former truck driver Sidney McDonald, who was injured on the job in 2007. I could tell he missed trucking.

“I’m looking to get back into it,” he said.

He then asked me where he could find Hank Good’s “Highway Hilton” on the lot. I’m new to MATS, but not to Highway Hank. I knew exactly where he was and had just taken a picture of the Hilton a few minutes prior. Best of luck to you, Sidney.



Bill Arth and "Helen Wheel"

I ran into Bill Arth and his unmistakable 1973 White-Freightliner cabover dubbed “Helen Wheels.” Definitely a standout in a field of conventional hoods.

Bill and I shared a laugh when I told him the Paul McCartney & Wings song reference was not lost on me. He said some people don’t get it beyond the mere play on words. I do.

Next, I sidled up to a conversation going on between OOIDA Members Marie Sandvik and Shelley Brinker – both multiple award winners at the show.

I learned during the conversation that Shelley is not afraid to get her hands dirty as she and husband Bob work on the show truck. That’s a different strategy than Marie, who tends to let her husband Bill do most of the heavy lifting. Either strategy can be effective, as these familiar names on the truck show circuit demonstrate time and time again.

Hearing them converse about the number of young truck owners and winners at MATS this year (such as OOIDA Member Colin Stuart) reiterated a point that Land Line Managing Editor Sandi Soendker and I had discussed earlier that morning during the Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Championships (aka the trophy dash!).



Pure Kentuckian. Show goers Rachel Howard
and Christy Rousey, Lancaster, KY

They are the future. Rain or shine, it doesn’t matter. The dedicated are out there, doing their thing. The supply of elbow grease wouldn’t fit in People’s Choice winner Jeremy Graves’ Farmers Oil tanker.

The camaraderie, fellowship, and a healthy dose of competition all add flavor to the show.

I’m glad I made MATS 2011 my first trip to Louisville. The people were great, there were no strangers, and the products were top-notch as well. From what I witnessed, trucker spirit is alive and well.

Tying the knot, Cherokee style

I wonder how you say “now that was neat” in Tsalagi (Say-la-gee), the Cherokee language?

It was a cold, rainy Friday night in Louisville, and that didn’t stop the Native American wedding that married truckers Larry Strange and Golanda Endora Bray. More than 150 truckers joined in the festivities in the parking lot at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

Larry and Endora (Bray) Strange

We know Larry and Endora as "Tazz and Shorty." Tazz is an OOIDA Life Member from Conway, AR.

Tazz told me he has Cherokee blood and his wife Shorty is Cherokee with some Chippewa. He and Shorty wanted a Native American wedding and what could be better than to share the moment with their trucking family?

Officiating was a well-known spiritual elder in the Kituwah (Cherokee) tribe, Lee Standing Bear Moore. Bear has a long career of conducting Native American Indian wedding ceremonies across the country, but performing the union between Tazz and Shorty was his first trucker wedding.



Elder Standing Bear and groom Larry Strange

It was my honor to participate in the ceremony of “bringing of the bride” in song and prayer. The bride was given in marriage by radio personality Eric “Bubba Bo” Boulanger. It was much like regular vows in many respects. However, at the end of the ceremony, Standing Bear stepped up to Larry and gave him a convincing piece of advice, Native American style.

“I nearly died when he put this big knife in my face and told me there was no divorce in Cherokee, “says Larry, “or he would be coming to me in my dreams.”

Small acts of kindness

Trucker Buddy Steve Dyer (right) and some of his friends.

The mainstream media tend to fixate on acts of heroism, unbelievable sports feats, and generally the spectacular things in life. They play fast and loose with terms like “hero,” “mentor” and “role model.”

What really matters in life seldom grabs the attention it deserves – except at the Mid-America Trucking Show, a place known for celebrating all things great about truckers. The Trucker Buddy press conference was no exception.

The group honored 12 special people who make it their mission in life to share what may be small things from the road with children tucked away in classrooms all over the country.

The following were honored as Trucker Buddies of the Month at MATS:

• Mike Schultz – January 2010
• Sheila Logan – February 2010
• Jacob Person – March 2010
• Allen Button – April 2010
• Carl Ziehlke - May 2010
• Herbert Wells – June 2010
• Richard and Linda Thomas – July 2010
• Chuck Lobsiger – August 2010
• Mike and Kristy Seastrom – September 2010
• Chris Winkler – October 2010
• Chris Sawyer – November 2010
• Steve Dyer – December 2010

 They share funny stories, send souvenirs, and update the class on cool places they have been. They give of themselves, and they give of their time.

Those small acts of kindness mean the world to children. They will grow up and tell the stories of this “cool trucker” who sent us stuff. Maybe they’ll even tell that story while on a road trip with their own children.

What Trucker Buddies do has a more profound impact on life than just opening the eyes of children. It’s carving out a better understanding of the industry in future generations who will share the road with truckers.

If you don’t believe me, here’s what one student told Steve Dyer:

“You are awesome. … I hope to be a Trucker Buddy some day, too!”

Back on the Road

David Acosta considers himself one of the luckiest men alive. After almost 20 years of marriage, he’s still head over heels in love with his wife, he has two beautiful daughters, and he’s been given a chance to rebuild his life as the winner of the Arrow Truck Back On The Road 2011 campaign.

David and Angie Acosta with daughters Shequina & Amanda.

A Navy veteran living in Florida, Acosta dreamed of having his own truck while he worked in construction, drove for food service companies, and took care of his family. Acosta eventually bought a used truck. He worked hard and loved it. His wife, Angie, stayed home to take care of daughters Shequina and Amanda. Amanda, now turning 17, has suffered from a kidney disorder since the age of 4.

“When it rains, it pours,” explained Acosta.

In a short period of time, a series of breakdowns and lost revenue left him behind on his payments, while high medical bills piled on top to take him to the brink of financial disaster.

“Through good times and bad times, the glue that’s held us together has been our faith in God. God has been the one who has watched our steps for us,” he said.

Even though Acosta had to give up his truck, he refused to give up his dreams. He got back behind the wheel as a driver and kept on going in order to take care of his family. They’ve always come first. When Acosta talks about his wife, his eyes light up.

"Ange, she’s amazing. Everyone loves her. She has that ability -- when you talk to her -- you feel better when you’re done. She has a tremendous heart,” he said.

His family feels the same way about him. David’s wife nominated him for Arrow Truck Sales Back On The Road competition to show her appreciation for his always putting their family first.

Acosta will be back in the driver’s seat of a 2007 Volvo VNL 780 with a one-year work agreement with Heartland Express and a lot of other support, including insurance provided by OOIDA.

So what comes next? “I’m glad to be able to help other people and be a productive member once again. That’s pretty neat. I feel very fortunate.”

Convoy fundraising: Joe gets 'sold' for a good cause

OOIDA's Joe Rajkovacz

OOIDA Director of Regulatory Affairs Joe Rajkovacz was bragging Monday morning that he had been “auctioned off” Saturday night at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. So much for “what goes on in Louisville stays in Louisville.”



However, it seems that it’s all true and it all had to do with a fundraising convoy event for Special Olympics Kentucky instituted by Cpl. Norm Schneiderhan and a group of volunteers known as “Highway Angels.” Norm says every single one of the 20 angels working the event were OOIDA members.

On Saturday night, 46 trucks convoyed to raise more than $2,700.

As official Grand Marshal of the second annual convoy, OOIDA’s Rajkovacz was “sold” for $150 and rode with Bill Rode, Eagle, ID, in the OOIDA tour truck. MATS show manager Toby Young was also a Grand Marshal.

Truckers paid a $100 registration fee to participate in a drive around the Louisville area. Entrance fees support Special Olympics Kentucky. Norm told me afterwards that a taxi driver from Louisville came out and paid $50 to ride in a truck. “He always wanted to ride in a big truck,” said Norm, “and he wanted to donate to Special Olympics Kentucky.”

Seven Special Olympians got a large charge from riding in the large car convoy. The line of nearly 50 eighteen-wheelers left Papa John’s Cardinal stadium about sundown and gave Louisville – and "the kids" – a glimpse of a real live convoy. They rolled around the city of Louisville, then circled back to Papa John’s stadium. One of the athletes rode with Rode and Rajkovacz.

The Spirit of the American Trucker, with Rode at the wheel, was the second truck in the convoy. The honor of being the lead truck belonged to Fikes Trucking, who outbid everyone else.

Convoy honor guard

 In addition to the participation in the convoy, Fikes Truck Line and its sister company, FTL Logistics donated a van trailer to Schneiderhan and his group of volunteer truckers. The trailer will be used to transport cooking equipment for benefit meals, including the lunch hosted during MATS. Fikes and FTL are also covering expenses for the brats and soft drinks so that lunch donations can directly support two charitable causes focused on drivers' health.

For such a great cause – and because we heard the food was top-notch – we had to make a donation and experience the charcoal-grilled burgers with apple blossom BBQ sauce. Kentucky Pork Producers won’t like this, but I actually liked it more than their famous pork chop sammich.

This year’s proceeds of the Fikes/FTL food wagon will benefit the St. Christopher’s Fund (http://www.truckersfund.com/) and the Medical Resource Vehicle (MeRV), a mobile health education and screening unit (www.safetyfirstsleepsolutions.com/themerv.htm).

The next generation

Pulling out of the parking lot at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center on Saturday, April 2, after the Mid-America Trucking Show closed, I asked my travel companions what their favorite parts of the show were.

What they shared didn’t surprise me as much as the fact they didn't ask me what I really enjoyed. Then after I thought about it, I realized it’s because for two days it was pretty much all I talked about.

I had the chance to meet Logan Mahalek, the 2010 OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship Fund winner. But I didn’t just meet Logan, his younger brother Mason, and his grandparents Dean and Lucille Wills. I was able to hang out with Logan and Mason for the better part of Friday afternoon.

Logan is a diesel technology major and an official truck junkie. Mason isn’t far behind. They are both truck owners with Logan holding the title to a 1953 Peterbilt and Mason a 1950 Kenworth. Both are in the process of restoring the trucks. They promised me pictures when they are done.

Logan and Mason with Todd and Beth Roccapriore

I knew full well the first stop on our MATS tour needed to be the “back lot” as it’s known at the show, but officially as the Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Competition staging area.

I introduced Logan to OOIDA Members Todd and Beth Roccapriore. They own one of the tallest show trucks around, “Widow Maker.” Todd does all of the work himself, everything from fabricating the metal to even painting it. Amazing what can be done in a one-bay shop.

Logan and Todd had lots to talk about, and Mason was never far behind, soaking all of Todd’s knowledge up too. Beth gave both the boys T-shirts and we moved along on our way.

Logan and Mason get a tour from Justin Harkness.

Next stop was “Extra Credit,” the truck put together by the Clarion County Career Center by a high school shop class. Logan told instructor Donnie Doverspike that he wished his high school had such a program.

Logan was given a tour of the truck by Justin Harkness, a student in the program and quite the enterprising youngster. He presented me with his business card that identified him as a “Future Employee For Your Company.” He had a resume too if I wanted it.

Mason collects some shwag, and a little love.

Finally, we headed inside the show and picked up a fair amount of shwag. Mason, who is the same age as my daughter, was in hog heaven. We were able to find posters, bouncy balls, pens, paper, stickers and hat pins. His bag was pretty full by the time we wrapped up our afternoon.

Before the show, I was able to tell Bryan “Boss Man” Martin with the Chrome Shop Mafia and 4 State Trucks about Logan.

“He sounds a lot like me when I was his age,” Bryan told me. “Be sure to bring him by the booth; I want to meet him.” So, of course I did.

Brian Martin with Mason and Logan.

Bryan and Logan swapped information, and Bryan wants Logan to keep in touch and let him know how school is going and where he winds up after school. Makes me wonder if a job offer could be lurking out there for Logan. We might have to work on his nickname if he’s going to work with the like of Boss Man and Ryno.

We made tracks around the show, meeting everyone I could squeeze in during the two or so hours and two plus miles of shoe leather we wore out. I really wish we had had more time.

There’s no way I can describe how I feel about Logan and Mason – two very fine young men – other than to tell you how Reed Black summed it up:

“Jami, I’m glad that Logan and Mason aren’t up for adoption. You’d have us figuring out a way to get them back to Grain Valley.”

He’s probably right.

Nevertheless, I can promise you that with the help of the scholarship fund, Logan is going to do fantastic things in this industry. If you don’t believe me, ask Reed, Todd, Beth, Brian ….

Yeah, he’s that cool of a kid.

Picking On Cowpoke

About 10 years ago, I was fortunate to be able to recognize some individuals on the truck show competition circuit with an award called "Diesel Dave's Pick of the Litter." My criteria has always been that the individual would be a good mentor to new competitors, someone who exemplifies a true professional driver on all levels, as well as being a seasoned show truck competitor. One of the most important things is the friends we make along the way. Friendships that many on the competition circuit can tell you will last a lifetime.

Dave Sweetman and Jason Alt

At this year's edition of the Paul K. Young, I was able to once again award my "Pick" to a guy I have known for nearly 20 years. He's the owner of a red Peterbilt 359 that is one of the world's most famous trucks for many reasons.

Did you ever meet someone who is just COOL? Not James Dean or Fonzie cool, like Hollywood wants us to see, but real life, good guy cool."Cowpoke," the shiny red Peterbilt with the cartoon character of the cowboy on a rocking horse has been a mirror of the class and professionalism of its owner, Bob Martin, for as long as I can remember. See, Bob is kinda like a Will Rogers character, full of great stories, experiences and opinions. His sense of humor and ability to tell tales has also opened new doors, as he has been writing those tales for Land Line Magazine.

Recently, with the tragic earthquakes in Japan, Bob was very concerned with the welfare of his Japanese friend, Mr. Kato, also a Peterbilt owner and "Oval head." You can read more about that in the Land Line blogs. But my point is, it shows even further that Bob's class and his friendships know no bounds or limits. He's a good egg (but slightly cracked), and I am pleased that my Diesel Dave's Pick of the Litter Award goes to our friend "Cowpoke" Bob Martin.

NTSB Chairman to WIT: 'Flex your muscle!'

Women in Trucking did their second annual Salute to Women Behind the Wheel this afternoon at MATS. The group kept its reputation of featuring a high-profile woman keynote speaker. Last year, women heard remarks from FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. This year, it was Deborah Hersman, chairman of the National Transportion Safety Board.

NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman

Chairman Hersman got the attention of the audience right off when they gave her a red T-shirt and the collective call was "put it on!" She smiled and obliged, beginning to unbutton her dark blue suit top. She then hesitated, stepped behind the stage curtain, calling over her shoulder "this is like my sleeper berth!"

A minute later, she stepped back out wearing the red T-shirt. The crowd loved it.

Hersman explained that she wanted to travel to Louisville via truck. She has her CDL and long wanted the experience. WIT President Ellen Voie made that happen, and Hersman spent 632 miles with five different drivers -- four women and one male driver.

"I will take everything I learned back to Washington, DC, with me, " she promised the crowd -- and then quipped, "And the most important thing I can do for the trucking industry is never to drive a truck!"

She drew a roar of approval from the audience when she said the foggy conditions were so bad and she "couldn't believe how rude car drivers could be."

The other comment that provoked big applause and even some whooping was that the trip made her see how bad the safe parking situation was for truckers, and how that complicates a trucker's job. She told the women to "make themselves noticed" and to "flex their muscle" like Rosie the Riveter.

The event honored 1 million, 2 million, 3 million and two 4 million mile female drivers. Last year drew an impressive 290 women. Although this year failed to exceed that, the event still came in with a respectable 201 -- all wearing red T-shirts.

All the Comforts of Home

OOIDA Life Member Colin Stuart of Harvard, IL, was hauling on the Alleghany Route in New York last summer when he was flagged for a DOT inspection. When Colin opened the side box and the inspector saw a propane bottle, he said "That's hazmat! You can't have that!" Colin told him that if he couldn't have a propane bottle, then the DOT better start pulling over every RV.

"What do you have that for?" the inspector asked. Colin opened the door to his 120-inch sleeper berth and showed the inspector his working fireplace that's fueled by the propane. Colin told the Smokey, "It's my answer to your no-idling laws." The inspector laughed and said, "Get the heck out of here."

I met Colin here at the Mid-America Trucking Show right after he won four first-place awards and one second-place award for his blue and white 1984 Peterbilt 359 working show truck. He did all the work himself -- rebuilding it from the frame rail up. Over a five-year period he built the oak cabinets for the sleeper, put in the Corian countertop, installed the fireplace, added chrome and lights and hand-painted the white horses that are running through the surf on the sides of the sleeper.

It's a working truck, and Colin uses the fireplace to stay warm on cold nights. He says you have to put it on its lowest setting or it will blast you right out of the sleeper. The truck's a beauty. It's featured on the cover of one of Leland Martin's CDs. I don't know which of the truck's features impressed the judges the most. But I suspect that, like the trooper in New York, the judges had to love that working fireplace.

Reed and Barry's Bose Ride adventure

It's Saturday afternoon at MATS, getting a little late, but time for one more feat from our media crew.

Land Line Now's Reed Black and Barry "Ice Man" Spillman decided to see how good their teeth were. No, it has nothing to do with German Roasted Nuts left over from last year.

They just tried out the Bose Ride electromagnetic suspension system. Winner of the Truck Writers of North America Technical Achievement Award for this year, the Bose Ride replaces the conventional truck seat with a seat that works by using a high-powered linear electromagnetic actuator and some other super-technical stuff to detect the vibration and compensate for it.

Reed and Barry first sat in a regular seat, sans Bose, on this simulator that jounced their bones (up to 4 inches in up-and-down) enough to chatter a driver's teeth and make a person half cross-eyed. Then they tried the same torturous jounce only with Bose Ride.

I ran into Reed in the MATS press room AFTER the test and he described the experience as amazing. I'd tell you more, but I'd be spilling the beans on his plan to do a story on it for next week's Land Line Now show on Sirius XM satellite radio.

As a hint, however, his comment to me sounded a lot like one I hear from truckers all the time: "You are not going to believe this, but ..."

April fool

I honestly didn't know what to expect walking into the show yesterday. Here it was April Fool's Day and I was going to be surrounded by 70-some-odd-thousand truckers. I knew I'd better have my guard up.

Innocently enough, I headed off to my first event for the day, Shell Rotella's unveiling of a 10 million-mile truck. I will admit that I was doing the math and trying to figure out how on earth a truck could get 10 million miles on it. I was rationalizing the heck out of it.

It must be a multi-generational truck. It had to have had some rebuilds, but not knowing Shell's rules, I couldn't be sure what they had allowed.

So, here I sat front row center, ready to see the modern marvel, and wound up hoodwinked.

Eric Harley with the Midnight Trucking Network emceed the event and was interviewing the truck's owner. Finally, they dropped the curtain to reveal the truck.

It will just be easier to show you what we saw...

What does Jazzy have in common with Johnny Depp?

Jazzy Jordan and her mom met up with Dr. John McElligott Friday at the TA/Petro and St. Christopher Fund booth at MATS. A foot injury got a checkup, and plenty of Jazzy fans got hugs.

She is the daughter of two OOIDA members -- Paulette Jordan and Lee Jordan.

So what is up with the girl who ran from California to New York to raise awareness of trucker health issues and the work of the St. Christopher Fund? After her historic run, Jasmine returned to Dalton, MN, and went back to school. She graduates from high school on June 12. She told us yesterday she was not sure what she wanted to do next, but would like to go to school in the South -- no surprise with the kind of Minnesota winter she just went through.

Jazzy was surprised last night by a special award presented by LL Senior Editor Jami Jones on behalf of an OOIDA member from Louisville, Darwin Bratcher. Darwin didn't think Jazzy's run got enough national attention and wanted to do something about it. He worked with the Kentucky governor's office to secure Kentucky Colonel status for Jazzy and her parents.

Other notable Colonels are Muhammad Ali, John Glenn, Betty White and get this -- Johnny Depp.

Life is good for OOIDA Member Don Turkelson

OOIDA Member Don Turkelson, the 2008 "Back On The Road" winner has been making the most of his second chance. We were happy to see Don at this year's event, which puts a deserving trucker back on the road with a truck and a job.

Just a week ago, Don and his fiancee,Gabriella Fernandez, tied the knot. They were all aglow, but when I asked if the truck show was their honeymoon, they said "not quite." Gaby told me they hope to go to Spain sometime this year.

Nine years ago, Don was shot during a drop-off and was forced to give up his trucking job. But things turned around for the retired Army chaplain at MATS 2009 when he was awarded the 2008 "Back On The Road" prize from Arrow Truck Sales. The grand prize included a truck, a job, insurance (from OOIDA) and all the trimmings. It was a true second chance, and Don is grateful.

"I tell the story everywhere," he said. "Everywhere I go, people see the truck."

Best of luck to you, Don and Gaby.

OOIDA Member Tilden Curl honored as 2010 Goodyear Highway Hero

Leslie and Tilden Curl

“I remember looking at the oncoming train through the windshield,” said trucker Tilden Curl, who was honored in Louisville Thursday night for helping save the lives of two people in a car that had come to a stop on railroad tracks as a train came rushing down on it. Curl said, “You don’t realize how big a train is until you see it from that perspective.”

From among four finalists, Curl accepted the 2010 Goodyear North America Highway Hero award at the Truck Writers of North America awards event during the Mid-America Trucking Show Thursday night. He was awarded a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond during the Mid-America Trucking Show.

OOIDA member Curl, an independent trucker from Olympia, WA, relaxed Friday morning, ready to enjoy MATS. Goodyear started the day with a tour of the Louisville Slugger bat factory and museum for Curl, the other three finalists and their families. Each took time to talk to OOIDA media about the incidents for which they were honored in the 28th annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero program.

As for Curl, he was glad to have been able to save a life – but primarily, it’s meaningful to him that his wife, Leslie, his children – and in the future, his grandchildren – will have something by which to proudly remember him.

Curl recounted his story. Just after noon on Oct. 27, 2010, Curl was driving southbound on Highway 99 near Tulare, CA, when a vehicle appeared to lose control and cross traffic, leaving the highway and finally coming to a stop with its front wheels lodged over the railroad tracks that run parallel to the highway. While getting his truck stopped to check on the car, Curl noticed a train was coming. An elderly woman, obviously disoriented, got out of the passenger side of the car, and Curl yelled for her to get clear of the tracks. The engineer of the train was blowing on the horn.

“He knew he was going to hit the car,” said Curl, “because it was obvious that was going to happen.”

Curl ran without hesitation to the driver’s side of the car. And then he did what he called “the next right thing.”

“The driver was unresponsive and trapped inside,” said Curl. “At first, I couldn’t get the door open because of the automatic locks but he had a bit of the window down and I was able to get my arm in there and unlock it. I was able to unfasten the guy's seat belt and drag him out of the car and away from the area.”

He watched in shock as the train collided with the stranded vehicle.

Of the three other truck drivers selected as finalists, Curl says “each one was every bit as deserving as me. Today, I really am walking among heroes.”

Friday’s tour of the bat factory was also a fun family event for the other three finalists, including a driver from Nebraska, one from Texas, and one owner-operator from Florida.

Bill Howard, of Litchfield, NE, is an OOIDA member. He was driving at the time for Howard Transportation. As Howard drove on Highway 2 near Ravenna, NE, on May 22, 2010, a car crossed the center line and struck his rig that included a grain trailer.

“The female driver appeared to have fallen asleep. The car was drifting into the truck's drive wheels, then underneath the trailer before coming to rest alongside the road.”

Howard stopped his truck and jumped out to find a badly injured driver.

“Her arm was nearly severed, she had two broken legs, and injuries to her face and head,” he said. Keeping his cool, Howard was able to call for emergency assistance and her life was saved.

Howard said he actually met the woman earlier this week.

“She is amazing. She is 30 years old, married and has kids,” he said, “I admire someone like her who was so badly injured and has come back from it.”

Jaime “Tony” Avitia, of El Paso, TX, is a driver for Stagecoach Cartage. Early in the morning of Aug. 31, 2010, Avitia was driving on I-10 on his way to a company facility in Laredo, TX. Beneath I-10 at this point is Highway 17 and a dead-end service road.

“I noticed a pickup truck driving at high speed and then it suddenly left the roadway, hit a concrete drainage culvert nose-first, flipped into the air and landed upright,” said Avitia.

He quickly stopped his truck, grabbed a flashlight and first-aid kit, and scrambled down the embankment toward the truck. He opened the front door, but couldn’t find anyone inside. He then realized the driver – not wearing a seat belt – had been thrown into the back seat of the crew cab. Unable to find a pulse, Avitia was able to kneel on the front seat, squeeze between the arm rests and administer CPR on the man.

“I told my wife Terry, in the films on CPR, everyone is laid out flat and you have plenty of working space. That was not the way it was. But after four chest compressions, he finally coughed and began to breathe.”

Another trucker had approached the wrecked pickup and Avitia told him to call 911. Until paramedics arrived, Avitia found a towel in the vehicle and used it to control bleeding.

David Nelson, of Orlando, FL, is an owner-operator leased to Werner Enterprises out of Omaha. On Feb. 2, 2010, while driving on I-20 near Birmingham, AL, Nelson was flagged down by a woman who had just lost control of her vehicle and hit a road sign.

“I pulled over,” he said. “It seemed that no one else was willing to help. She was saying ‘my daughter is dead!’”

The woman’s 7-year-old daughter had been injured and was not breathing. To make matters more intense, he learned the child had a previous heart condition. A certified EMT for 25 years, Nelson placed the girl on the ground and performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived.

Nelson reports that the girl is alive and healthy, and he has become an acquaintance of the family, who texts him frequently.

Founded by Goodyear in 1983, the Highway Hero program recognizes professional truck drivers and the often unnoticed, life-saving rescues and roadside assistance.

Curl said on Friday that he had also been nominated for a Carnegie Award for Heroism – an award that is given to heroes who have risked their own lives to save the life of another.

Highway Heroes...Truly

I think the word 'hero' is way overused. But in the case of the four Goodyear Highway Hero finalists at the Mid America Trucking Show, it's a fit.

Two of them gave CPR to accident victims who'd suffered serious injuries and called 911 to get help. One of them took care of a young woman until the ambulance came. Her arm had been almost completely severed from her body. He talked to her. He kept her warm. He told her she would make it, and she did.

And one of them-- this year's winner-- pulled an elderly man from a car that was on a railroad track as a train bore down on them. He fought an automatic locking door as the train got closer. He undid the seat belt as the train got closer. He pulled the man out with seconds to spare and then watched the train crush the car.

The winner-- OOIDA member Tilden Curl of Olympia, Washington-- says he is proud to be associated with the other three finalists. They feel a bond. They are part of a very small fraternity that only admits people who have saved another person's life. And while they don't call themselves heroes, they truly are.

Videos from the octopus' garden

Somebody forgot to tell me to bring an octopus to MATS. No, it wouldn't be for some strange vendor over in the back corner; it would be to help me manage the "must haves" that a reporter carries to cover the events, announcements and products at trucking's flagship event. I wish I had eight arms.

We in the press pool have our notebooks, cameras, press kits, swag bags, water bottles and backpacks to name a few. But we're OK with it as long as we can get an arm free for a handshake or hug. We are remarkably efficient, actually.

With camera in hand, I ventured out into MATS world the past couple of days to capture some flavor. During a limited amount of free time, I've been able to upload a few vids. Here's a bit about what I have been able to capture so far.

Arrow Truck Sales announced their Back On The Road winner, a very deserving David Acosta of Orlando, FL. From the emotion displayed at the big reveal (it was a total surprise to David), the Acosta family is going to make the most of this second chance. Click here to watch the video.

All aboard for "Extra Credit." The students from Clarion County Career Center brought their show-quality truck, Extra Credit, and it's a beauty. In this video, a group of students and instructor Don Doverspike pose for a photo by Land Line Magazine Field Editor Suzanne Stempinski. Way to go guys. You deserve all of the extra credit you are getting.

We were treated to a Mack attack the morning of March 31. Mack Trucks raised some eyebrows by announcing they've improved fuel economy by 12.5 percent. Here's video of the announcement.

Speaking of fuel savings, aerodynamics is playing the biggest role it's ever played in trucking. Volvo's Frank Bio explains in this video some of the company's enhancements in that area.

How about a little wow factor? Here's a 20-second clip of an International LoneStar by Navistar. Love the color.

We can always use some more show trucks. Here's a quick walk-through of the past Big Rig Build Off winners in the show lot. I'm looking forward to a lot more time out in the lot later today.

Keep an eye out for more videos on Land Line Magazine's Youtube channel.

Well, there's seven links. This octopus still has one arm to spare for a hearty handshake out in the lot.

Shell Rotella Million Mile Haul of Fame

Jerry Kissinger is no stranger to the trucking community. He grew up in a trucking family, and his 1991 Mack Superliner is a familiar sight both on the road and at truck shows. Big on safety and strong in his loyalties, he's always used Shell Rotella oil in his trucks.

With more than a million miles of safe driving, Shell Rotella chose Kissinger, an OOIDA member, to be the Inaugural Member of the U.S. Shell Rotella Haul of Fame. Kissinger has more than 1 million miles on his truck, all while using Shell Rotella T heavy-duty oil in his engine.

Back Story

I grabbed some time this afternoon to visit the show truck lot with my friend and ace gearjammer, Rufus Sideswipe, who had been bitterly disappointed that the Paul K. Young beauty show didn't have a "Most Duct Tape" category this year.

Rufus pointed out something that I had never given a lot of thought to. "What shiny-side part of a rig do most people never see, or at least, don't see much of?" he asked. "The top of the cab?" I said.

Rufus looked sour and said, "Besides that." I was stuck though the answer was staring me in the face as we walked behind the cab of an outrageously gorgeous rig.

"The back," he said.

Huh, he's right, thinks I. As most of the crowd in the parking lot clustered and jostled along in front of the gleaming rigs, we walked behind them. From funny or provocative slogans to murals to custom polished storage boxes, most of these beautiful working rigs included back-of cab-decoration.

Here are just a few of the several dozen worth checking out from front to back.