The Veteran’s View: By Dennis Mitchell Spring break is finally here, and we are now preparing for a warm summer laternextmonth. Everyonesurvived MATS again this year and, as usual, there was much to see, both inside and out. Muchwillbewrittenaboutthe many innovations on the inside displays by people more knowledgeable than myself. Personally,Iwenttoseethe outside show – the truck beauty contest. That, along with all the folks from 10-4 Magazine, our readers, and the staff who make each publication possible. Over the past few months, many of us have been watching some of the potential competitors build their dream trucksonline. Wehaveagonizedthrough their trials and cheered at the successes encouragingthemalltheway. The anticipation was well worth the waiting. I would not have wanted to be a judge this year given the level of complexity and innovation I witnessed at MATS. Many of us were rooting for the west coast favorites since we don’t often get a close up chance to see one of them in person (single drive axle applications withdoubletrailers). Yes,weseethem in this publication, but to the crowd east of the Mississippi it is rare to find one atourshows. Manyfreightcompanies still run doubles, but they are not tricked out with big power and low wagons. Their trucks tend to be more of the “vanilla colored” Rubbermaid variety, and the drivers wouldn’t know a gear shifter from a Johnston bar (probably because their trucks have neither). With fuel at a premium price it was amazing to have a couple of them “west coasters” make the cross country trip justfortheshow. Abigcongratulations to Dandee Dairy, Mr. Jason Flores, and all his crew (along with the guys from PickettCustomTrucks). Theytruly represented the “other coast” well and turned heads with their hay wagons. For our west coast readers, here on the east side, we tend to move hay on flatbeds, step decks, and double drop trailers. Mostofour“bailedhay”is done as large round bails and shipped oversize as most of the buyers are small local feeders or private growers for tableuse. Thedaysofthelargefeedlots have passed here and only a few dairies areleft. Theytoogrowtheirownfeed onsite or close enough to grind and ship in feed wagons locally. With the “Big Show” now in our rearview mirror, it’s time to start looking forward to another summer of showing offandshowingout. Iwanttoaddress some of the positive side effects of these events, including how we represent not only our companies, but our industry, aswell. Theeducationsystemisfinally starting to recognize the trades as a real and viable alternative to the overpriced college and university experience. There are many job applications available within the trucking world. Take a few minutes and name as many different job titles as you can without sayingtruckdriver. Therearemany,but very few that can do the task without a truckdriverbeinginvolved. Whether it’s in the supply system for pickup and delivery, or the financial contributions fornewinnovations. Let’sfaceit–truck drivers move not just America, but the entireworld! Butyouknewthat!! I was recently going through an old handwritten notebook from years ago and stumbled on a poem written by ayoungperson. I’mguessinghewas around 8th grade or maybe 13 years old, but he was already thinking about his life’spath. Notonlyhis,butthepath some of his friends would also take. They were all children of families with trucks that were involved in the building of “working show trucks” and so much more. Itreallyisafamilyaffair. They were introduced to this industry from the foundationup. Ridinginthejumpseat, listening to adults talk, calculating miles against revenue, and fixing breakdowns onthesideofanemptyroadway. These repairs were done by everyday Joes, drivers with responsibilities, not just the big names they hear on the weekend or the solid winners they see at the shows, but the not so solid “outlaws” as well. 46 10-4 Magazine / May 2026 INSPIRING THE YOUNG GUNS
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