Pork Chop Diaries '09

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79591339010307646282011-05-09T14:51:55.040-05:00Pork Chop Diaries '09Can't make it to the Mid-America Trucking Show? Never fear, the Land Line and Land Line Now team will bring you bring it to life in the Pork Chop Diaries blog. Check back every day during the show for updates.Jami Jonesnoreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-68217980376354608392009-03-23T20:03:00.004-05:002009-03-24T10:08:39.363-05:00MATS: Fade to Black, It's a Wrap

After my two-year absence from the carpeted halls of the Mid-America Trucking Show and some anticipation, I can say that I was pleasantly surprised. With the ever-constant news of the down economy, the terrible trucking conditions of low rates, scarce freight and an overall mood of sour business, what I came away with was far different.What I saw was a large crowd of people, truckers and families

Dave Sweetmannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-78621391831072888412009-03-22T23:00:00.000-05:002009-03-23T16:15:49.667-05:00Hugs, gears and tears

I am a lot of things, but one thing I'm not is sappy. Anyone who knows me will vouch for that.At least I'm not usually very sappy. But the end of the Mid-America Trucking Show every year turns me into the sentimental sort.I've spent the past four days cramming my head full of information on EGR and SCR along with the grand debate swirling around the two 2010 emission-standard technologies. It's

Jami Jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-38137866364617598992009-03-22T09:28:00.004-05:002009-03-22T09:37:54.718-05:00Shining Off

The sun has set and the last wisps of barbecue smoke have risen as an offering to the gods of grilling. As Sunday dawns, the reserved parking lots around the Kentucky Expo Center begin to empty as exhibitors and vendors load up their RVs and move out. Over the next couple of days, the Center's halls will echo with the sound of hammers, forklift motors and backup warning beeps as the exhibits

Bill Hudginsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-64589734235800353362009-03-21T21:30:00.000-05:002009-03-23T16:16:58.192-05:00There Were No Losers Here

Doggone it. I should have posted this before I left the building. But no, after the Awards Ceremony for the Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Beauty Championship and Mid-America Big Rig Build Off, I had to race back out to the parking lot to take just a few more pix and grab a few more hugs before heading home. Only to find my Internet connection was down. So please accept my apologies. You shouldn't

Suzanne Stempinskinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-51314972344230545202009-03-21T11:16:00.002-05:002009-03-21T12:45:39.137-05:00Papa John’s

There are really two truck shows in Louisville in March. One is the Mid-America Trucking Show, the official production at the Kentucky state fair grounds – where gleaming new trucks and endless booths of vendors are housed inside huge exhibition halls.It’s flashy, fun and very commercial.The other is “Papa John’s” – a parking lot at the nearby Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium sports complex where

Reed Blacknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-28162881923298628732009-03-21T07:50:00.006-05:002009-03-21T23:25:14.171-05:00Forced dispatch

One of the best parts of the Mid-America Trucking Show is seeing the families in attendance - families who bring the kids.It always brings a smile to your face to see some 4- or 5-year-old boy standing next to Dad eyeballing the new trucks. As Dad talks business with the sales reps about the latest offerings for the model of interest, little man puts on his serious face, arms bearing the "Born to

Jami Jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-12099193347504011932009-03-21T07:49:00.003-05:002009-03-21T09:32:43.669-05:00Tough times for Trucker Buddy

Yesterday, Trucker Buddy International folks gathered here in Louisville to honor the Trucker Buddies of the Month and talk some business. Like they do every year. It's part of MATS.This year was different than the past few years. Fewer Trucker Buddies were on hand to be introduced and honored for their efforts. In fact, Paul Abelson, our senior tech editor and a guy with a long time involvement

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-29215718096337927042009-03-21T06:57:00.002-05:002009-03-21T09:28:05.719-05:00Family Reunion, Part II

I am officially a MATS veteran. And it feels good.On my first day in Louisville, I ran into old friends. Of course, Diesel Dave Sweetman and Suzanne Stempinski (Red the Happy Hamster for the CB set) joined all of us from OOIDA home office. Both are longtime members, lifelong truckers, and writers for the magazine, but we really don’t see them much.Suzanne is based out of Illinois, Dave out of

Mark H. Reddignoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-60359267246827874732009-03-20T15:06:00.005-05:002009-03-20T16:29:15.578-05:00Goodyear Highway Heroes

The word “hero” gets bandied about as if it were a feat of magic to play ball or pretend to be the savior of the universe on the silver screen. Mainstream media pushes overpaid athletes to the forefront as though they make a difference in our lives. None of them are what I would call a hero.Today, I met five real heroes. Quiet, shy and humble men who saw terrible life-threatening situations and,

Dave Sweetmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-68934762824300684602009-03-20T14:04:00.003-05:002009-03-20T15:50:38.392-05:00Feets Don't Fail Me Now

I've been sprinting from one side of the MATS grounds to the other. Press conferences on one side, vendors & exhibitors in the middle, snazzy show trucks front and back. Forgot my pedometer this time. It's a great cardiac workout, blood pumping, revved up, all cylinders firing.The mood and tone this year are dramatically different from this time last year. Although every one acknowledges that

Suzanne Stempinskinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-50228996101419421342009-03-20T11:45:00.009-05:002009-03-21T13:27:20.978-05:00Tipping our hats to the Super Scribe

I joined Land Line Magazine in 1987 from mainstream and knew nothing about trucks or the trucking industry. I figured I better get up to speed so I began reading other magazines. I learned pretty quick that some of the best reads came from a truck writer named Tom Berg.Tom is currently the Senior Equipment Editor for Heavy Duty Trucking. He's former editor of Road King and American Trucker.I met

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-70162147647606865252009-03-20T08:39:00.005-05:002009-03-20T10:43:30.661-05:00Game day

The mere mortals who attend the Mid-America Trucking Show are getting ready for the official second day of the show.Not us.Having been on the ground since late Tuesday night, lugging briefcases and laptops to press conference after press conference, we're on day three. It's a lot like the second half of a championship game.A huddle over breakfast -- Sandi assigned the game strategy for the day,

Jami Jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-22642687840626538872009-03-20T07:58:00.004-05:002009-03-20T09:30:11.377-05:00NAST Shoot-out

The National Association of Show Trucks (NAST) held its 11th Truck-Lite Trophy Shootout at Mid-America this week. Four of the six finalists for the award were able to make it to the show. Two others had to make the tremendously difficult and disappointing decision to stay out on the road.Winning the trophy was Bobby Lindamood Demolition out of Texas, with a 2007 Pete 376. Runner-up for the top

Bill Hudginsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-4027941535631042562009-03-20T07:02:00.003-05:002009-03-20T08:51:34.239-05:00Breaker, breaker: We have a winner

Thursday night was the 6th annual Truck Writers of North America (TWNA, pronounced "tuna") awards for trucking journalism. I'm proud to tell all OOIDA members - and if you aren't, why not? - that Land Line Magazine took home the top award for magazines for its March-April issue (big cover story asks "When does the truck start driving you?"). The magazine team took home a slew of other awards

Bill Hudginsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-37426553328094979692009-03-20T06:22:00.003-05:002009-03-20T08:41:00.653-05:00Forces, natural and otherwise

I got a later than desired start for MATS, missing the preshow press day and much of Thursday. Motoring up the familiar and usually boring stretch of I-65 between home and Louisville, I saw stark evidence of the massive ice storm that shut down much of the Bluegrass State earlier this year. The storm left tens of thousands of people without power for days and weeks, prompting the first-ever

Bill Hudginsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-73229577149987515812009-03-19T15:35:00.005-05:002009-03-19T17:13:01.072-05:00Walking the North Wing

As press events slow down, I took off this afternoon to walk the show some and trudged off first to the OOIDA booth that's located in the depths of the big North Wing. I could hear the ringing of our bell before I saw the booth. The crew at the booth rings that bell each time one more trucker signs up for life membership. As they say, the joint was jumpin'. Todd Spencer was engaged in a hot

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-71591428442450885602009-03-19T14:44:00.003-05:002009-03-19T15:26:24.702-05:00Ding Dong Merrily on High … come on, sing along, you know the words

By now, anyone who knows me knows I love Christmas.Not I like Christmas. Love. And not a little. A bunch.Last year, by my count, I exceeded 10,000 lights on my house and in my yard. It is my life’s goal to signal airplanes, to have astronauts say “Houston, the shuttle will be able to navigate home, for we have seen a light to guide us,” and to know the light is my house.I want to see the

Mark H. Reddignoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-61743984568136475142009-03-19T12:01:00.001-05:002009-03-19T12:07:07.363-05:00The Iceman Cometh to MATS … Again

Sometimes I feel like a newly adopted child at a huge family reunion.This is my fourth pilgrimage to “Louahvulle” with my Land Line Now family. I guess I shouldn't be surprised when I pick up my step as I recognize a friend from 15 or 20 feet away. These are people, friends and acquaintances that I truly enjoy hanging out with and listening to their stories. What a colorful profession I have

Barry Spillmannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-34184985064866993102009-03-19T11:53:00.007-05:002009-03-19T12:37:54.031-05:00Back of the bus … I mean, truck

Every year at Mid-America is a new experience. And this year is no different.But when you’re trying to do a radio show, sometimes, the differences turn into challenges. The challenges turn into tasks. And the tasks turn into … well, sometimes, comedy.This year, we decided not to record in public view. The idea was simple. What we really enjoy from the show, and what people coming to the OOIDA

Mark H. Reddignoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-23250536772378803602009-03-19T10:25:00.006-05:002009-03-19T11:53:11.116-05:00Steve, is that really you?

It's sure fun gabbing with old friends. Some of these OOIDA members I have not seen in a while, others I have known for years and NEVER seen face-to-face. Sometimes it's just fun to see their kids and how much they've grown.Last night I was hanging out on the front sidewalk down here, watching press people gathering to head over to the International event at Freedom Hall -- see Jami's post for

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-35660943131076693532009-03-19T10:10:00.007-05:002009-03-19T12:12:47.280-05:00Abelson reports: Cummins in the SCR camp

At this very moment, Senior Technical Editor Paul Abelson is at the Navistar one-on-one press conference, so he asked us if someone was dashing by the press room, would we post this blog with the Cummins report from MATS. I was headed that way. Here's Paul:It doesn’t seem that long ago that Cummins introduced the ISX. It was to be the engine to take Cummins through the increasingly stringent EPA

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-4494513832468280422009-03-19T09:14:00.005-05:002009-03-19T09:27:21.542-05:00Hog wild

There is a certain connect between the truckers and motorcycles. And, the gap between the two was closed up even more last night when International unveiled its new Harley Davidson package for the LoneStar.It was an event that anyone in attendance won't forget soon.Here, check out the show ...And here's the truck.Yeah, it was that cool.

Jami Jonesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-3637142625390987102009-03-18T20:59:00.001-05:002009-03-19T08:52:34.268-05:00So far, so good

I was worried about this year’s big truck show. Really, really worried.Let’s face it. The economy is lousy. You don’t need me to tell you that. So I wondered if, frankly, anyone would show up in Louisville.I know there are truckers out there who are making a go of it, even as things are. But I worried that they’d be out hauling loads (I know some who would normally be here who are doing just that

Mark H. Reddignoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-18961549569857314452009-03-18T14:15:00.002-05:002009-03-18T23:48:33.215-05:00The calm before the storm

One of the big perks to being media at the Mid-America Trucking Show is the seemingly all-access preview to the show.Sure, you have to navigate your way around boxes being unloaded into booths. You become a bit noise numb from the dull roar of banging hammers and pallets hitting the floor.But, it’s all worth it. You see it all come together. You get the lay of the land before the mob hits. You

Jami Jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-61649577954051689072009-03-18T13:33:00.008-05:002009-03-18T15:13:02.976-05:00Family reunion

Here's Nicole and Amy at the welcome desk in the press room. Who are Nicole and Amy? They are part of the history of this truck show and part of the family that puts on this show.Mark Reddig was asking me for a quick history of this truck show, as I have been coming here since other LL staffers were in junior high. OK, here it is.The first MATS show was held in 1972, and I understand there were

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-14144643938396075482009-03-18T10:25:00.005-05:002009-03-18T13:28:30.381-05:00It's great to be back

Here's what I love about Looavull ... everything! The drive down I-65 was sunny and beautiful. Spring is in the air. It's about renewal. The cycles of nature, the cyclical natures of business and our industry. From a frostbit winter of frustration and challenges, I'm beginning to see an emergence. The grass is greening, flowers are budding. I believe in recovery.My car took me on autopilot to the

Suzanne Stempinskinoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-672280193841260942009-03-18T10:24:00.005-05:002009-03-18T11:22:34.166-05:00OK, I admit I'm impressed

It's not often that the jaded journalist in me can honestly admit to being impressed at a press conference. Interested, yes. But not knock-your-socks-off impressed.Grote lights just managed to not only get me to raise an eyebrow in interest, they honestly had me saying "wow."They unveiled LightForm, their next generation of LED lights. The strips are only slightly thicker than a piece of

Jami Jonesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-29914348525985859322009-03-18T09:29:00.008-05:002009-03-18T11:06:55.998-05:00Press Day: Band on the run

We're here in Louisville this morning and the weather is perfect. Trees in blossom everywhere. The first wave of OOIDA folks, including Land Line and Land Line Now crew, drove across Missouri yesterday, through Illinois, Indiana and into Kentucky.On the way, we passed by Mount Vernon, IL, and cruised by those sprawling truck stops located along I-57 and I-64. There's a Pilot Travel Center, a

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-58131754766445281182009-03-16T23:59:00.004-05:002009-03-17T09:04:39.754-05:00Cruising on in

I have left behind mid-70s Florida weather. I also parked my Kenworth, instead opting to drive my car (although not the midlife crisis Corvette I was thinking about buying). Suffice it to say that a twin-turbo BMW convertable is slightly quicker than the '65 Corvair Monza of my youth. If I hear one person utter the words "Spoiled Brat," I'm coming after you with a Tony Soprano attitude (just

Dave Sweetmannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-71410491199071452042009-03-16T17:50:00.004-05:002009-03-17T08:39:50.873-05:00Goin' to the MATS

For a long while in my life, I was lucky enough to have a day job that included going to truck shows. Heck, they paid me to go - probably because with all the free eats the exhibitors threw at us truckin' scribes, my expenses bill was very low. That was back in the good ol' days of the 90s when $10 and the tube off your old recappable tire would get you into a brand-new diesel dreamboat (and a

Bill Hudginsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-21404781127762955682009-03-16T12:45:00.005-05:002009-03-17T08:34:18.701-05:00492.61 miles to Louisville

With Dave Sweetman's first blog, Pork Chop Diaries 2009 have officially begun.As you read this, it's Monday and the Land Line, Land Line Now and our OOIDA crew is hattin’ up to converge on Louisville, KY, for MATS. The weather looks promising, so most of us – like you – are driving.I’ve got a couple of e-mails today from members wanting to know how we will be covering MATS and who from Land Line

Sandi Soendkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959133901030764628.post-32619425819788324512009-03-16T11:14:00.003-05:002009-03-17T10:20:06.299-05:00Jonesin' for som poke chops

Ok, Kids.Time to get my feet wet. After changing passwords, challenging the mind-set of the online Poke Chop Diary security watchdogs, I am here.I am here to spread mirth, chortles and chuckles.Few who know me would have a clue as to how long I have waited to use such a silly and useless phrase grouping. And, to the editors and wordful watchdogs out there in Land Line Land, I promise to be

Dave Sweetmannoreply@blogger.com3