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.
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.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
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.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
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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.
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.
"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.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
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.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
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.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
