14th February 2024 17th NRFA Conference.

Goodaye all, on my third trip into Melbourne last week, there was a prang on the ringroad before the dipper and traffic qued for miles. They had the right hand lane with the red cross, yet hundreds of cars and trucks kept going up that closed lane and then pushing in at the end. I rang Vicroads and lodged a complaint that they had closed the lane way too far before the crash, making it worse, was told going under the red cross was like driving through a red light and that Police were on site and I said, good, then let then fine the 300 vehicles that went past me. Again, I was told they had to comply with certain rules and I said, all I am asking is that you consider reviewing that then.

All who did the right thing and moved over when the cross was red, then had hundreds of cars go past and then push in. Today I got a call from the Traffic and planning department. I explained the issue from where I sit, then of course went on to explain the debacle with the M1 closure with the lack of signage and a suitable b-double detour Monday night and that I had also rang to be bounced around by Vicroads, then “the Big Build” and then to Citilink, to not get one person to accept responsibility or even consider the problem as serious.

Will this solve things there, who knows but the fellow said he recognised my passion and my concerns and that yes, it did seem to be a lack of communication between agencies made things worse. We will see.

The NRFA Conference went very well, Collette and the team who organized it, did a magnificent job and I can’t even come up with one little thing that was not perfect. Many contributed, before and on the day and it went well. There were a couple of announcements I will detail later, one on rest areas and one on weighbridges and all I have spoken to say it was well run, efficient and effective and I might happily say, the best conference I have attended or been involved with. Well done everyone who helped, supported and or attended.

We did hold an AGM the Friday night before the conference and Glyn Castanelli, the past Vice President was elected as President. I had not planned to step down and Glyn has put in a lot of time in Canberra and at other functions and meetings as the VP in the last year and with his new job, will be able to continue to do that. As an employed driver, I have my employer, Rod Pilon Transport who have supported me now for over 15 years to consider and of course, there are only so many hours in a day and my family have paid for my efforts over the last 25 years and I can’t do it all and perhaps this is an issue for some.

When I was first asked to take the role of President, I said yes, I was happy to give it a shot and would do my best, but that all the stuff I was already doing would not stop and as long as that was understood, I would try my hardest to do my best for the NRFA and many have said they were surprised I had been voted out, including me. But I will remain on the board as past President and continue to do all the other stuff I do. Nothing stays the same and we must all accept that and also that some change is inevitable, but I will keep promoting and participating in the NRFA, as I believe it is the most owner driver/driver focused group, the most grass roots group and the best to achieve anything for those on the road. Till next time, Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.

11th February 2024

Goodaye all, sorry for last week, had a fairly busy Saturday and left after 8 AM Sunday morning so my normal blog window was lost. Got over to load after a two hour trip, but then the truck in front had loaded and the forkie later apologized saying he had not scanned the load and it all had to come off a van and then be scanned and reloaded. Funny how the first day of the week can have such an impact. So out later, into Melbourne to find roadworks, different stories on the UHF about the Burnley tunnel, got there, yes was open, but had a detour at the far end sending trucks off to try and avoid low bridges.

We all pulled up, traffic qued for miles, I directed traffic and got most of the cars around, trucks off to the side and the fellow at the front had spoken with the traffic controller after the first one had no clue and we were told in 15 minutes, we would all be escorted through the one open lane in the roadworks, excellent. That lasted 5 minutes till someone else said no, so all of us had to do a sharp right and go back through tunnel and go off at King Parade and then find our way from there.

A sign at the start of the tunnel saying “Find Alternate Route” when you are already there is not good enough. I simply went out Dandenong Road to Oakleigh and we will come back to that. All the way out I could hear drivers asking how to get here or there and I hope no one got badly lost or stuck. I had looked at my delivery address and it looked like an industrial type area, but when I got there with another loop to avoid a wild b-double unfriendly bit, I found the street had houses down the other side, so no parking there. Ah, a roundabout ahead, MMM this looks a bit tight, made it round with at least 6 inches to spare using the road, the gutter and the footpath a bit, then lucky it was cool enough not to need the Icepack, and to bed to be rocked by speeding cars all night.

Up, walk in, no you could have come in earlier, thanks a lot, wait and unload and back to Altona. On the way, rang Vicroads, the roadworks, insufficient signage and detours not suitable for large trucks was a problem, “Not us, that is the “Big Dig” roadworks, I will pass you on, thanks. No, not us, that is Vicroads, no they said it is you, no then it is Citylink and I’ll pass you on and they would not even answer the phone. I did ask the first two to follow up either way and of course, have not heard back. I then rang the VTA to see if they were aware and they too were to follow up.

Weights and roads there were another issue I will ignore here for now, but did detail to Vicroads too. Loaded and out, made it back to Tomingley for radio and had Sal Petrocitto, the CEO of the NHVR on the radio taking calls for an hour and a half, did a little longer myself, then to bed and later back to Dubbo where I was due to load later that night for Sydney.

Another driver went AWOL and they ended up loading me back to Melbourne, but now on a mission, thankfully roadworks done at tunnel and nearly made it to Dandy only three minutes overtime and found only one spot left in a road filled with trucks and trailers, all local it seems as they were gone in the morn. Again, paperwork had said delivery after 9 and that suited my arrival time, drove in then and they said, no open at 6, so maybe next time.

Back to Altona for another drop and load to again as had a plan to be in Shepparton for the NRFA AGM Friday night and conference Saturday, so on a mission now. Load again, for Dubbo, out and made it back to Tomingley again, but only two minutes overtime this morning. Got a shower there, sleep and into Dubbo, unload and fuel and out again to reload where I started Sunday. Happy forkie there, loves my truck as I load it different to others (not) then “That’s another of your drivers, he doesn’t have a clue”. Sorry, not one of ours, we don’t have any Volvos. Loaded, grab paperwork after an exchange with the stop go man out the front, then the dispatcher says, “That bloke, first trip, does not know what weight he can carry, then wanted to argue he had to take 34 pallets and would not listen or understand, they would not load it and let him out overweight”. Yes he was an overseas gent and how can anyone be sent out to load without a clue. I did think back to the first time I ever loaded there, told the forkie it was my first time there, but knew what weight I could load and gross etc. What a world we live in now. OK so getting tired now and much to do and tell, so will do a midweek update just to keep you all in suspense about the conference. Till then, Safe travelling, Rod Hannifey.

28th January 2024

Goodaye all, short and sweet this week, had a bugger of a week with some mechanical issues. What started as a simple we will get to it soon problem, thought it was fixed during service Saturday morning, but became a bigger one affecting something else. Suffice to say, two days lost and finally the problem came from fixing the first problem. Ended up a short week, late out Monday, then after another go Wednesday, eventually going into Sydney as a single, loaded out Thursday evening, had a reasonable run in the traffic, slept just out of Mudgee, some good (not) bumps, and holes and defects on that road, back into Dubbo Friday morn, unhook to head home, then a call back from Trangie, yes we can unload you if you come out. So hook up again, out to deliver and home after lunch Friday.

Been working on the garden and the lawn inbetween in and out of the heat, watched a movie or two, tidy the garage and shed and took it easy. Back on the road tomorrow. Safe Travelling, Rod.

21st January 2024

Goodaye all, a visit back to Dubbo where I was missed by all or not. On the road, northbound to Mackay last week, an idiot who nearly committed suicide by overtaking when he could not see the road, had I not been already moving over, there would not have been enough room to get back in, a mate called up on my way back through Rocky and said ”Have you seen the lousy job (he was more savage) they did on the rest area opposite the Ampol in Rocky,” they have spent hundreds of thousands and halved the capacity, no wonder we struggle to find places to park. I had rang and put in a complaint about that and every red light through Rocky on my way north, but when stopping there on the way south, find they have stuffed up that side as well. None out of three TMR.

Then coming home in the rain through the one roundabout on a major highway (yes looking forward to the Gympie bypass and wonder what truck parking they included, oh sorry, silly me) had some fool in the requisite dark clothing, no lights and pushing his pushbike on the roadside, scarred the crap out of me when I saw him emerge from the dark.

Home Friday afternoon after a drive tyre rotation and fill the Groeneveld autogreaser, meet the new boss at Inland Trucks Dubbo, out for a service Saturday morning, do some little jobs, then home to catch  up on the yard since have been away for a bit. All done, near caught up, only ten more things to do this week, load in the morn for Brissie, add some audiobooks and Copy Southbound bits to the thumb drive and away again tomorrow. Till next time, Safe Travelling, Rod.

14th January 2024

Goodaye all, cool now, had tea, found the rubbed wire on front lights, bit of a flicker last night, did a quick fix but needs a tidier solution later, moved the hose crossmember after I pulled the toolbox apart to get the sockets and then it rained, just after, so that was OK. Been warm and muggy here in Mackay, but the Icepack has kept me cool and comfortable, even had a kip waiting for the sun to go away and do those jobs.

Starting in Melbourne, was thinking might end up a short week, went via Dubbo for a service, only due an A, had thought B so expected some time there, but sticker marked wrong, all good. Started on the front diff weep and play, nearly done and broke a bolt and start again, then still had to do two trailer relines, so thanks Dave for being there later than you planned and I got away late and made it to Gundi pads.

Into Toowoomba to unload, into Brissie to load and back out to Gundi again. Had the wrong phone number on the paperwork, lucky had the right one on the other bit and had a plan for the morning. Had a magnificent lightning show on the way out, had been pretty good on the way up from home and that led to an early call in the morning. I had been due to deliver to a farm, they had rain and whilst they reckon I would have got in and out, it could have left a mess if I managed not to get bogged, so unload in town.

Started running then, when empty back into Warwick for a pick up, into depot in Brissie and unload and remove my mezz floors as trying to fit a big load. Off to load bulk DG headed for Sydney and try to reload Friday by 2 for Mackay. Got the weights right first go, a bloody miracle, even had enough room for adblue and a bit of fuel, only 100kg to spare on back tri and off. Told Sydney depot in by noon, please check loading time.

Made it past Taree, to bed, rang in the morning, have told load point you will be there between 3 and 4 and no kick back, so should be OK. Lets hope I thought and off again. Into the depot, delivery points not suited to doubles and no time to deliver either, two forks and three yardies ripped it off, fuel and running to Newcastle and got there 2.40, load and off again. Nice tea at Moorlands and then made it using my EWD allowed extra few minutes to Coomera and to bed.

A less stressed sleep, think I have enough time from here, visited family near Rocky and into Mackay after marking a green reflector bay at an old servo site 104 k south of Sarina. Made it in with a few litres to spare, check emails shower and bed. Do paperwork this morn, more emails and stuff, lunch read and kip and the jobs above and now this and audiobooks, then bed and unload in the morning.

As per photo, you will see why mine are bent, but I want a reasonable one to cut up and when the new trailers come this year, will replace these two if I can, so if you have one laying around, please give me a call. So the week turned out Ok for k’s, not so good for home, hopefully next week-end. Need to do couple more jobs, so till next week, Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.

7th January 2024 a week-end in Melbourne.

Goodaye all. A TRUCKING good new year to you all and I hope you had a good Christmas. Yes I mostly worked through, was back on the road Boxing Day and again New Years Day, did take a bit of a break from this and trucks for a few days each time, enjoyed the change of pace and time with family and watched the local fireworks from the top of the hill with some family and then the Sydney fireworks by myself.

I am now stuck in Melbourne for the week-end. Loaded from Dubbo Thursday with no confirmed load out, thinking positive, then had a plan, but it fell through and now should load Monday, but two trucks in front of me, one of the drivers here keeping me company and fed, (Thanks Rick). Friday afternoon with no calls for a load, we picked up some parts from Kenworth for Dubbo, chased some bits for my radar which had gone missing and they will now be in for pickup Monday I hope. Bought a broom to wash the truck, (then heard the weather forecast for rain Monday onwards, so that lost its gloss a bit, might do just the inside) checked out the parked trucks for ideas, then did some shopping for tea and the week-end.

Our local driver had already invited Rick for tea Saturday as he was likely to stay over and then added me in, Thanks Dave. Have done my column for Owner Driver, caught up on social media, caught up with my Audiobooks for the road page and had a shower ready for the evening.

Listening to the news, they were saying immigration has been one of the biggest factors for the year and RPT like so many other companies have some overseas drivers, mostly from India, but one or two from elsewhere as well. Dave picked us up and we went and visited his younger brother who has one truck working local, then the oldest brother who has 5 on local in regional Victoria, not far from Melbourne.

A bit of a barbie, a couple more Indian friends dropped over, then out to an Indian restaurant for tea. So two Aussies with five Indians and it was a completely new experience for me. I have spoken with individuals, both our drivers and others on the road and we all know that there has been some angst with how some overseas drivers get their licenses in the past. There has been serious changes to the loopholes that allowed people to “buy” a license and we now have the start of an apprenticeship scheme for new drivers, even if it is only in two states so far. I was just reading of the same issues in Canada, where they started a program which cost $10,000 to get a truck license and whilst it was a good plan, there have been failures to properly police it. There is always someone keen to find a way round things unfortunately.

I asked some questions of the group, each had a different story, all agreed they came here to have a better life for themselves, some still have family at home in India and will bring them once they complete their requirements to allow them to bring family. The one thing I have said all along, is I don’t care where people come from, as long as they are properly and correctly trained to our standards for licensing (and that is under review now as well) rather than simply given a license. I believe some still do retain and use an international license, and if not tested in any way, I see that as a problem for all.

The other part and the oldest brother says his son has told him, being born here, he is an Australian and speaks Punjab, but does not write it, is when anyone comes here to what they believe will be a better place for them and their families to live, they become a part of the country, instead of a separate group within and that can be hard for them to do at times and hard for some of us to support it seems. I hope to keep in touch and learn more from them all and have wished them well in this beautiful place in which we all live.

I have just got a call, have a load for tomorrow, but maybe in the afternoon and looking and listening to the rain, maybe then I won’t get soaked loading if I’m lucky. Till next time, Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.    

24th December 2023

Goodaye all, Merry Christmas and a TRUCKING Good New Year to all. If you are still on the road, I hope you get some time off with family and loved ones, if not, stay safe out there and watch out for all the lunatics in cars. Thanks for the well wishes and comments from all and I look forward to continuiug to do what I can to see the roads safer next year. In that vein, yes I did my submission to the NTC, but they have a survey out for those who don’t want to read all the extras.

We are currently preparing a short, five-minute survey to help supplement responses to our C-RIS.

The survey is particularly targeted at heavy vehicle operators but includes questions that are directly relevant to drivers also.

In particular, survey responses will be sought to help inform further analysis on the relative costs and benefits of options in the next Decision Regulatory Impact Statement (D-RIS).

The first part of this survey asks some general questions about the responders’ organisation.

The second part of this survey comprises six questions about assumptions made in the C-RIS, including those relating to time spent completing the written and electronic work diary.

It also canvases views on the detailed options set out in the C-RIS, with an optional free text field for further comments.

To participate please click on the link below.

which will not transfer to here and I can’t copy it, please try the NTC website, thanks Rod.

https://forms.office.com/r/ny7XUz98vV

So you can’t say I don’t keep trying, please consider this, because if we have five drivers respond and every police department and road authority says different, who will they listen to? I will be on the road Boxing day, call out and say goodaye. Till next year, Safe Travelling, Rod.

20th December 2023 Merry Christmas and a TRUCKING Good New Year.

Goodaye all, last week started late due to getting the front diff seal done, so I loaded Tuesday for Brissie, got held up getting away so I could take another driver up with me and then I was running all week to keep up. A few glitches and issues, mostly outside my control, brought a b-triple back southbound, and was then to take one north, but the drops planned and the time was a bit keen, so back up as a double and do some drops down the Gold Coast, get loaded and then decided to stay Friday afternoon and attend Brisbane depot Xmas dinner, thanks all for an interesting evening.

Back to the yard for a kip and off early Saturday morning, but had still not heard back from farmer I was delivering to. Rang again from Gundy, found the farm was out of town a bit, but he knew I was coming and was waiting for me. Got there at noon, unloaded and headed back to Dubbo, had tried to ring the depot for plans for that afternoon to load and go again Sunday evening, but got back to the yard, no paperwork, no freight and no answer on the phone, so went home.

Rang again Sunday morning, first no answer, then rang other partner in crime and was told, “No the freight never got unloaded, you are loading tomorrow morning” which was OK, more time to finish the yard etc, but I did wonder whether it would lead to another week like the last. It didn’t, but by Sunday evening, I was musing and thinking, bugger, the blog will have to wait, with a plan for Monday evening, but it was then near midnight when I got into Melbourne after finding and visiting a place I had never heard of to do a delivery and managing to pick up something just before they went home, only to have to back 500m back up the dead end street, but all good fun.

Did some local loads in Melbourne Tuesday morning for over the break for other drivers to pick up, then loaded for Sydney and got in this morning to split trailers and go and get wet doing the deliveries. They weren’t happy to see me either, the yard was about to be shut for their Christmas party, but got the “A” trailer unloaded and made a plan for them to ring me when ready for the B. Done and back to the yard to clean all the turntables and skidplates, doing the b-triple meant I had to grease the back skidplate which then dirtied the turntable and in pissing rain in the yard today, I had to move the B ASAP for another driver to get his load, so could only give it a scrape off.

Onto plan D or E, not sure now, but loading tomorrow morn and then home and off Boxing Day to central Qld and all ready have to reload out of Brissie, head back to Dubbo and then deliver on the 2^nd and load in Melbourne on the 3^rd, so it is all planned. We will see what happens next.

Trip up the Hume in the rain last night, heard little on the UHF except abuse of someone doing the wrong thing. From where I sit, it was mostly bravado and bullshit. None of the “Mate, that wasn’t the best choice” or such, it was abuse form the start and I can’t help but feel it only helps the abuser think they have made things better. I doubt they have and if anyone else would agree with them.

So in the spirit of the season, I have been doing my own, “Ring a mate for Christmas” campaign as I have done for many years. But we have got the NRFA involved and should have something out this afternoon. So if you have a mate you haven’t heard from or spoken to in a while, give them a call and check how they are going and wish them all the best for Chrissy and a TRUCKING Good New Year. Some I have spoken to have been very thankful for the thought and the call and of course, I have also spoken to most of the TIV supporters as well.

Certainly had some idiots in Sydney in the rain, all within a few minutes, no one can wait or will look first it seems. Yes we are all in a hurry, but it is too late after the event when you have messed up.

I will see what happens Saturday evening, may do a blog, but if not, may I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a TRUCKING Good New Year. Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.

9th December 2023 The one thing wrong with EWDs.

I will say “hello” instead of the usual Goodaye as I am sitting in our Sydney depot because I went to a truckshow 2 weeks ago. We all lived with a 7 day period in the logbook since its inception, till the fatigue experts got involved and decided we had to have night rests and then also brought in the 14 day period for two consecutive and two other night rest in the 14. Anyone who has worked shift work (and I am told this is the only research available re shifts and fatigue) knows and will understand the issue of changing shifts and most agree as does the research, that if you change shifts, it takes your body at least two days to acclimatise.

So in the past we worked 7 days, had our 24 and maybe even slept at home in a bed and then shook ourselves and went back to work on the road and in the truck. Those who did overnight, had their day and or home time set, aircon, dark curtains, dad’s asleep routine and coped well and I believe were then safer in some ways, than someone who worked different hours every day and trip. But the fatigue “experts” knew better, they wanted to make sure we now break our shift twice, yes we can work nights, but there is also the “night hours “ penalty, and we can break shift and have their required two nights rest, then break shift again to go back to night work, so they are setting us up to fail, because they know better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry this is long and winded and I have submitted it, explained it, detailed it to all and sundry, but as you all know, none of them have to do it, none of them live on the road or god forbid, in a truck. None of them really care about whether you can pay your bills, if you know what day it is because you are forced to change shifts twice a week and none of them ever will. But they all know better than us and not enough of you ever took the time to try and explain it to them, so it was me and a couple of others over the last 20 years and that was not enough.

Hence this leads me to here. Having left the truckshow 2 weeks ago on Saturday afternoon after a 26 hour break, then never using my 14 in one day, having breaks and then a 32 hour break in Mackay last week, I went into Sydney Friday morning after a 7 hours break Thursday in Dubbo, then another 7 at Bathurst, then into Sydney to swap trailers, load and back home. Going well with the traffic and everything else, got loaded and thought and rang work, I will stop and sleep on the way home, this load only for Monday? Yes that’s fine. Only to log back in after loading and be warned I had 47 minutes till a 24 hour break required.

MMMM. Checked all my hours, yes enough hours to get home, but not too many hours, but that 14 day period. Now with a normal logbook, I would not have known and realistically, neither would many others. I could have got home, had two days off and all good, but no, these experts who have more say than anyone doing the job, disagree. With the tracking, cameras and bridges, no way I could do it, the EWD would show a breach and that was that. Of course work then rang and asked when I would be in with the load, the customer now wanted it today, Saturday and I said, sorry, I rang and checked and then told of 24, so not till tomorrow night. They sorted that and another fellow will deliver tomorrow morning.

I have asked now for a warning for approaching maximum hours and there is an update I haven’t got that warns you of the upcoming 24, but what a waste of my time, yes I know, no one else cares. I don’t want to work 17 hours a day, 7 days a week all year, yes we must have rules or some will be pushed, but why must the rules punish you and affect your life even more by “making” you safe.

I got a call from a friend now involved in all this law stuff, he was returning my Christmas call and I explained some of this and he said, “I do understand and recognize what you are saying and you would think common sense would have some sway, but now being involved with the bureaucracy that is involved in getting any change through, I can see and have empathy for your frustration, but it all takes so long and is so hard, you wonder how anything gets fixed and improved.” So what hope have we got?

Nice and warm here in Sydney, just had lunch, now a cuppa, done this, emails, audiobooks, Facebook friend requests, Owner Driver column, might have a kip, then clean the truck and visit home. Take care all, Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.  

3rd December 2023 Muggy Mackay

Goodaye all, been a busy week, 5700 k, nearly filled the page of loading and unloading activities and got my NTC HVNL RIS reply in, did our last Truckie Tuesday till next year and now in muggy Mackay. Had an issue with a broken U bolt, noticed strange tyre wear and thought, do I really want to look underneath, did and found it broken. None in next village Gunnedah, none in Narrabri, finally found one in Moree, only could not get anyone to fit it through the normal channels. Rang a fellow I knew of and he and his crew went out of the way to help and the 5 minute job to replace it took much longer as it always does. Thanks very much Steve and helpers.

There are three of us here to unload in the morning and I have already asked to go first. I got here last, the U bolt certainly didn’t help, I loaded second, but the other two trucks are going the other way to me and I explained and they said, ‘You go first then”. There is a good reason for this as if I don’t, I won’t get loaded tomorrow. What good mates.

A driver just walking out said, “Are you still on that thing, you have spent half your break on it” meaning my laptop in the drivers lounge. Of course, that is how I at least try to keep up. Some of the stuff you see, or hear about, much of it you don’t. Yes I did my “Audiobooks for the road” update, answered some friend requests, responded to some emails, read up on some other stuff, replied to NRFA emails and then wrote one of complaint to BP about the bowsers and the fact they won’t lock on and I have complained for the last three trips up here.

I had planned to drop the trailers and straighten the chassis plate, had to turn into a bugger of a driveway, round and up a steep slope and the piece which has the reflector, mounted below the clearance light, hit the plate and bent it down. The leading edge of the trailers have skidded across it before, but I have got a grinder here and there and the reflector bit is now gone and I will have to cut two reflectors down and fit them to the coaming rail. Another little job still to do. And it was warm and muggy and I was trying to catch up after a busy week.

Downloaded some new audiobooks earlier as I had finished all I have with me as discs or on a thumb drive, just got a text to say we can unload a bit earlier in the morning, so that is looking good. Texted the other driver who has gone to his truck and he will tell the third. Cooling down now, ready for a shower and bed. Just had a call from my niece, had left her a Christmas message and we chatted for a bit and she has asked me to visit and now I know where, will have to try and drop in. Spoke with most of my children during the day and will get back to my “D’s” tomorrow ringing those I know and wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Trucking Good new Year.

One fellow had a go at me last week saying I was a bit early, but lots of people to ring and catch up with. How many mates do you have, that you have not spoken to in months. They may well be ok, but as with some I have got to starting with the “As”, they have said they really appreciated the call. Ring a mate, particularly if you have not spoken for a while and wish them all the best. Let me know how it goes. Hope to be in Melbourne Wednesday and might even get to visit Dubbo for a bit after that. Till next week, Safe travelling, Rod Hannifey.