This past weekend (Aug 24-26), the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas took place, due to work and school schedules between Holly and I, we were only able to attend Saturday. As it was our first truck show and not really being industry "professionals", we were dually plussed about being able to go, and going.
After waiting in line and then getting moved to another line because we were pre-registered, we finally made it to the exhibit hall, and the door we used to get in landed us smack dab in the Volve display with their line of trucks, so of course we looked at all the trucks that were on display, as they were all clumped together. Volvo, KW, Peterbilt and Freightliner were all prominent, while Mack and Western Star were a little more reclusive, in as much as it is possible to be reclusive when you're a semi.
After climbing aboard the trucks, we headed down to where the aftermarket companies were, as well as the expedite companies were. Fyda Freightliner was there in Conjuction with FedEx-CC and we got to climb into an example of an expediting truck. Holly was quite excited about the sleeping area, while my focus was on the cab area. I liked that truck there with the push button transmission control, very much like what we have on the buses at Texas State. While in that area we picked up information that was available on Bolt, Tri-State and Nations, as well as Fed-Ex: CC; however the information that Fed-Ex: CC was giving out (read avg revenue sheet) was solely for E units, which is exactly we're not looking to drive, should we pursue expediting; however, I'm deadset on driving after I'm done with school, so I'll drive just about anything.
After visiting the expediting area, such that it was, we headed over to the Pride and Polish display, where all the show trucks were. There were some very fine trucks there, and several older trucks. Our favorite was an orange and white job that reminded us of a Dreamcicle. And there was a green and white one with an interior to match, very cool. But unlike some people, I'm not much into chrome. When I was looking at the Freightliner Columbia, I was thinking how much better the truck would look if the grill matched the body color, but that's me.
After Pride and Polish, we went to the recruiting area, because if Holly decides to stay with her current job, I plan on going OTR with a company, probably flatbedding because I'm crazy like that; although, van and reefer are not out of the question, just lower on the list. Got tons of information over there from the "literature", didn't really talk to too many people, but I'm like that. Picked up info on Arrow, Melton, and Roehl among others.
All in all, we had a very good time at the show, even though we were both exhausted. Holly didn't get to Dallas until 3AM via Greyhound and I had to drive early that morning. So in the interest of getting a little more sleep, we slept in but missed the expediting lecture; but we were happier for it. It'll certainly be interesting to go back once in the industry and appreciate more of the minor things (read: non-truck things) that drivers use as a matter of course, but as non-professional, big shiny trucks are fun to look at and crawl in.
After waiting in line and then getting moved to another line because we were pre-registered, we finally made it to the exhibit hall, and the door we used to get in landed us smack dab in the Volve display with their line of trucks, so of course we looked at all the trucks that were on display, as they were all clumped together. Volvo, KW, Peterbilt and Freightliner were all prominent, while Mack and Western Star were a little more reclusive, in as much as it is possible to be reclusive when you're a semi.
After climbing aboard the trucks, we headed down to where the aftermarket companies were, as well as the expedite companies were. Fyda Freightliner was there in Conjuction with FedEx-CC and we got to climb into an example of an expediting truck. Holly was quite excited about the sleeping area, while my focus was on the cab area. I liked that truck there with the push button transmission control, very much like what we have on the buses at Texas State. While in that area we picked up information that was available on Bolt, Tri-State and Nations, as well as Fed-Ex: CC; however the information that Fed-Ex: CC was giving out (read avg revenue sheet) was solely for E units, which is exactly we're not looking to drive, should we pursue expediting; however, I'm deadset on driving after I'm done with school, so I'll drive just about anything.
After visiting the expediting area, such that it was, we headed over to the Pride and Polish display, where all the show trucks were. There were some very fine trucks there, and several older trucks. Our favorite was an orange and white job that reminded us of a Dreamcicle. And there was a green and white one with an interior to match, very cool. But unlike some people, I'm not much into chrome. When I was looking at the Freightliner Columbia, I was thinking how much better the truck would look if the grill matched the body color, but that's me.
After Pride and Polish, we went to the recruiting area, because if Holly decides to stay with her current job, I plan on going OTR with a company, probably flatbedding because I'm crazy like that; although, van and reefer are not out of the question, just lower on the list. Got tons of information over there from the "literature", didn't really talk to too many people, but I'm like that. Picked up info on Arrow, Melton, and Roehl among others.
All in all, we had a very good time at the show, even though we were both exhausted. Holly didn't get to Dallas until 3AM via Greyhound and I had to drive early that morning. So in the interest of getting a little more sleep, we slept in but missed the expediting lecture; but we were happier for it. It'll certainly be interesting to go back once in the industry and appreciate more of the minor things (read: non-truck things) that drivers use as a matter of course, but as non-professional, big shiny trucks are fun to look at and crawl in.
