After being off GN for some 16 months, and deciding to get back to travelling, I quite recently, mistakeingly wrote, "See you at Laidley" This little town is just east of Toowoomba (Qld.) and is the venue for the CMCA SOLOS group. Must be old age catching up with me. Of course, many of the GN SOLOS may not of heard of a group of travellers who, like a lot of us, prefer to travel alone. It must be about 5 years ago that I fronted a cmca SOLOs function in Cobar (NSW). I had been "On the Wallaby" for quite some time, and didn't warm to the idea of being "organised", by anyone. I had also been "prewarned" that many these groups have a "happy hour" and it is/was, almost compulsory to attend. With the solos, one wasn't/ isn't "expected" Having spent many years as an interstate driver, I was asked to give a brief chat, re. heavy transport and two way radios. On the final evening, they/we put on a "cabaret" I quite enjoyed it, and was provided with names and addresses of most of the group. Shortly after that, someone needed an experienced truckie, so I was back to work. I sincerly hope this doesn't offend anyone. Might see you in Laidly.
Regards
Pipes
Happywanderer said
11:58 PM Jul 15, 2012
Sounds like a great trip pipes, Can't work out the mistake though or why it might offend anyone.
Cruising Granny said
01:00 AM Jul 16, 2012
Me either. No offence there Pipes. That chat about UHF radios is a must. It's one of my pet issues on the road. I installed the radio when I set up the tug for travelling full time. Now I'm doing pilot work it's a tool of trade, and I've added a hand-held as well. I encourage, urge, "compel" everyone to have one in their vehicle, tuned to channel 40, so you can monitor what the big trucks around you are doing. They may even call you up to instruct you and what they'd like you to do to avoid the oversize or road train. Because nomads are towing slower than the road trains and heavy vehicles, they have to make adjustments, because of the weight and volume. They do not intend to run you off the road. They do expect you to co-operate to share the road. Heavy transport is an essential service in this country. Please treat is with the respect it deserves. The bad language is a minor problem which only lasts for 3-64 minutes as they pass each other. Then they're out of range.
Dougwe said
02:12 AM Jul 16, 2012
Talking of UHF Radios etc, I had my first encounter with a over size load coming toward me. I heard someone say "one in the pipe" and this repeated for some time. After about 30 mins I found out what it was all about, the pilot vehicle approached so I moved a little to the left and slowed down, as soon as I saw the load I slowed right down and more to the left. I'm not too sure what "one in the pipe" meant though and I didn't want to ask. I thought of you at the time Chrissy.
When I noticed a truck come up from the rear I would say I will move over a little and slow down when you start to go past mate, I nearly always got a thanks when the truck had gone past, a couple didn't say thanks, no probs though.
Happywanderer said
02:14 AM Jul 16, 2012
We will have to wait from CG to come back on and explain that one Doug. she will have the answer.
jetj said
05:13 AM Jul 16, 2012
No offense taken here, I hope you enjoy yourself at Laidley. I have thought about joining the CMCA Solos.
pipes said
05:22 PM Jul 16, 2012
Janette.
When the "reunion" of the solos is over. I will post a full report.
Regards
Pipes
Colls said
03:01 AM Jul 17, 2012
Jeti, I have only just joined CMCA. Im sure Im not the only one although I do feel a little like a traitor. If you do join let me know and maybe if you're in the area we could catch up.
Colls
jetj said
12:59 AM Jul 18, 2012
Hi Pipes, Thank you, I look forward to your report.
Hi Colls, I've been a member of CMCA for a few years, I haven't joined the solo's group yet, but have thought about it. I haven't been to a Rally though.
Cruising Granny said
06:10 AM Jul 18, 2012
"One in the pipe" - or - "One in the chute" means there's a vehicle, usually a car, heading toward the oversize load behind the lead pilot, from the opposite direction. It's a term which drives me insane when I'm working with other pilots. Image travelling 450 kms hearing "One in the chute" every time a car approaches the convoy from the opposite direction. Some of the pilots are becoming very complacent with their terminology and spacing, to warn other motorists there's something big on the road in their vicinity. It does depends in which state they were trained, or not, and how serious they are about getting that very expensive piece of equipment, and the truck driver, safely to the destination. It is not a boring job, even travelling 00 metres behind the load at 80 KPH. There are a lot of anomolies in the procedure of some pilots which needs to be cleaned up around the country, but I'm not sure where to start. Maybe the State's Transport Departments. In this case you had the advantage of listening to your 2-way, and had a little bit of an idea something was heading your way. So there you go boys and girls, "One in the chute" could be you.
Cruising Granny said
06:12 AM Jul 18, 2012
Dougwe wrote:
Talking of UHF Radios etc, I had my first encounter with a over size load coming toward me. I heard someone say "one in the pipe" and this repeated for some time. After about 30 mins I found out what it was all about, the pilot vehicle approached so I moved a little to the left and slowed down, as soon as I saw the load I slowed right down and more to the left. I'm not too sure what "one in the pipe" meant though and I didn't want to ask. I thought of you at the time Chrissy.
When I noticed a truck come up from the rear I would say I will move over a little and slow down when you start to go past mate, I nearly always got a thanks when the truck had gone past, a couple didn't say thanks, no probs though.
Where was the load, and where was it heading?
I hope it wasn't on the Bruce Highway. I'm glad you are safe.
Dougwe said
01:51 AM Jul 19, 2012
Hi Chrissy,
I was about 20 mins south of the Calder Highway on the Sunrasia Hwy heading toward Ballarat and they were coming toward me so they were heading North.
I had a feeling that's what it meant and I agree with it getting annoying. I had a copy for about 30 mins in total. So good coverage over all.
Thinking about it now, it might have been "One in the chute". He would sometimes say "One in the chute no lights" as well. it was raining at the time.
Dougwe said
01:52 AM Jul 19, 2012
Oh! Thanks for that Chrissy.
Sorry, I forgot to say thanks. PLEASE forgive me.
Cruising Granny said
04:41 AM Jul 19, 2012
I wasn't expecting "thanks", but it's nice to get it. Not a prob. Any time I can help would be my pleasure. It really is handy to have someone in the "loop" with the inside info on things, whether it be road behaviour, or technical stuff. So glad I could help. Oh, driving with lights on low beam, not parkers, daytime is an asset on the road. The modern car has many advantages and gadgets, but there are still blind spots, so seeing lights in the side mirrors or coming towards me is always helpful for placing myself on the road.
After being off GN for some 16 months, and deciding to get back to travelling, I quite recently, mistakeingly wrote, "See you at Laidley" This little town is just east of Toowoomba (Qld.) and is the venue for the CMCA SOLOS group. Must be old age catching up with me. Of course, many of the GN SOLOS may not of heard of a group of travellers who, like a lot of us, prefer to travel alone. It must be about 5 years ago that I fronted a cmca SOLOs function in Cobar (NSW). I had been "On the Wallaby" for quite some time, and didn't warm to the idea of being "organised", by anyone. I had also been "prewarned" that many these groups have a "happy hour" and it is/was, almost compulsory to attend. With the solos, one wasn't/ isn't "expected" Having spent many years as an interstate driver, I was asked to give a brief chat, re. heavy transport and two way radios. On the final evening, they/we put on a "cabaret" I quite enjoyed it, and was provided with names and addresses of most of the group. Shortly after that, someone needed an experienced truckie, so I was back to work. I sincerly hope this doesn't offend anyone. Might see you in Laidly.
Regards
Pipes
That chat about UHF radios is a must. It's one of my pet issues on the road.
I installed the radio when I set up the tug for travelling full time. Now I'm doing pilot work it's a tool of trade, and I've added a hand-held as well.
I encourage, urge, "compel" everyone to have one in their vehicle, tuned to channel 40, so you can monitor what the big trucks around you are doing. They may even call you up to instruct you and what they'd like you to do to avoid the oversize or road train.
Because nomads are towing slower than the road trains and heavy vehicles, they have to make adjustments, because of the weight and volume. They do not intend to run you off the road. They do expect you to co-operate to share the road.
Heavy transport is an essential service in this country. Please treat is with the respect it deserves.
The bad language is a minor problem which only lasts for 3-64 minutes as they pass each other. Then they're out of range.
Talking of UHF Radios etc, I had my first encounter with a over size load coming toward me. I heard someone say "one in the pipe" and this repeated for some time. After about 30 mins I found out what it was all about, the pilot vehicle approached so I moved a little to the left and slowed down, as soon as I saw the load I slowed right down and more to the left. I'm not too sure what "one in the pipe" meant though and I didn't want to ask. I thought of you at the time Chrissy.
When I noticed a truck come up from the rear I would say I will move over a little and slow down when you start to go past mate, I nearly always got a thanks when the truck had gone past, a couple didn't say thanks, no probs though.
Janette.
When the "reunion" of the solos is over. I will post a full report.
Regards
Pipes
Colls
Thank you, I look forward to your report.
Hi Colls,
I've been a member of CMCA for a few years, I haven't joined the solo's group yet, but have thought about it. I haven't been to a Rally though.
It's a term which drives me insane when I'm working with other pilots. Image travelling 450 kms hearing "One in the chute" every time a car approaches the convoy from the opposite direction.
Some of the pilots are becoming very complacent with their terminology and spacing, to warn other motorists there's something big on the road in their vicinity. It does depends in which state they were trained, or not, and how serious they are about getting that very expensive piece of equipment, and the truck driver, safely to the destination.
It is not a boring job, even travelling 00 metres behind the load at 80 KPH.
There are a lot of anomolies in the procedure of some pilots which needs to be cleaned up around the country, but I'm not sure where to start.
Maybe the State's Transport Departments.
In this case you had the advantage of listening to your 2-way, and had a little bit of an idea something was heading your way.
So there you go boys and girls, "One in the chute" could be you.
Where was the load, and where was it heading?
I hope it wasn't on the Bruce Highway. I'm glad you are safe.
Hi Chrissy,
I was about 20 mins south of the Calder Highway on the Sunrasia Hwy heading toward Ballarat and they were coming toward me so they were heading North.
I had a feeling that's what it meant and I agree with it getting annoying. I had a copy for about 30 mins in total. So good coverage over all.
Thinking about it now, it might have been "One in the chute". He would sometimes say "One in the chute no lights" as well. it was raining at the time.
Sorry, I forgot to say thanks. PLEASE forgive me.
Any time I can help would be my pleasure. It really is handy to have someone in the "loop" with the inside info on things, whether it be road behaviour, or technical stuff. So glad I could help.
Oh, driving with lights on low beam, not parkers, daytime is an asset on the road. The modern car has many advantages and gadgets, but there are still blind spots, so seeing lights in the side mirrors or coming towards me is always helpful for placing myself on the road.