The totally off-topic thread

[Pushka]

So sad. An 8 year old girl fell (or sounds like she was flung) from a Show ride in Adelaide today and has died.

 

[SeatBackForward]

What's an arrester bed?

 

[TomVexille]

But they are killing people! Innocent people. One of the women killed the other week by the runaway was a 42 year old woman who worked with people unable to care for themselves in their homes. She was on her way from one person to another. She was stationary at the lights!

It's ridiculous really. Unfortunately I think it's up to both the government and the trucking companies to create a culture of change to where the drivers do use them when required.

 

[TheEmu]

What's an arrester bed?

That's the cot in the police cells.

 

[TomVexille]

That's the cot in the police cells.

Cot? What swanky police station do you end up in:?::!:

 

[Pushka]

Guilty of culpable homicide. Now for the sentence. Has to serve time in gaol. 18 months I'd say.

 

[robd]

Guilty of culpable homicide. Now for the sentence. Has to serve time in gaol. 18 months I'd say.

Did they say he got 5 years, or that is just the maximum possible for this conviction?

 

[Pushka]

5 years is the maximum I think. I haven't heard the sentence.

In the post above I should have said "SURELY has to spend time in gaol".

 

[DrA]

5 years is the maximum I think. I haven't heard the sentence.

In the post above I should have said "SURELY has to spend time in gaol".

15 years is the maximum according to everything I'm reading. They're saying the decision on sentencing may take another couple of weeks, as there's more arguments to be made.

 

[Pushka]

Yes. It seems 15 years is maximum but no minimum. Let's hope the prosecution has presented the evidence for those charges sufficiently.

 

[Pushka]

Although CNN reports it at 10 years maximum. Gotta love the accuracy of the media.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Tonight I am heading back to Perth it was an interesting 12 days in Brisbane, it was good to spend some time with the parents. It was funny that a few AFFers that I had spent time with we're no longer in Brisbane or away on holidays.

I was originally flying to Brisbane to compete in the bridge to Brisbane but was extended to 12 days when one of the Brisbane staff members was away. It was funny to be back in the office you had spent the last 13 years at, some things had changed but most had stayed the same, some processes are still being done the same way.

This was my fifth run in the Bridge to Brisbane finishing the event in 63 minutes and 5 seconds, seems like a few less competitors than last few years but still a good crowd.

One thing I brought to Brisbane was my $16 Woolworths clock radio, I always use the radio to wake me up in the morning plus the phone alarm in case of a overnight power outage, it was interesting to hear the same radio announcers on the radio so it seems not much has changed.

One thing that surprised was the 973FM morning crew were the same but then on the second day one of the announcers was away and later found out that her husband had killed himself, what a shock even after the Robin Williams taking his life, seems like when people get in a bad way it's hard to pull themselves out of a bad place, not sure how a family will properly recover from that shock. During the week was the RU OK day which will hope and I hope none of my friends are ever in a situation like that but if they were hopefully they can get some help.
A few years ago a work colleague who was reasonably happy got himself into a bit of negative thinking and spent a few months off work spent some time in a hospital and then with different drugs and now 20 years later back to their normal annoying personality.

Tomorrow off to the game to watch Fremantle beat Port in the AFL

It will be nice to sleep in my own bed.

Go Freo and Geelong for that matter.

I hope you all have a good weekend except for Port fans.

 

[docjames]

Yes, both times I've been to Cape Town I've had someone meet me. When I was on holidays, my ex's sister met me at the airport and played tour guide for me for a few days. When I was there for work, the people hosting the meeting had arranged for a private airport pickup with a positive ID required. However, I did wander around town on my own during the day. Walked from my hotel, to the meeting location, down to the waterfront. No more hassle than I get in London or NYC. Kept to the hotel, or with colleagues during the evenings though.

Same for me. Private car to/from airport.

CBD during day nil issues. To/from/around convention centre no worries.

Waterfront no worries.

 

[serfty]

League score 0 - 40 with a ¼ to go - bunnies have been running rampant ...

 

[serfty]

League score 0 - 40 with a ¼ to go - bunnies have been running rampant ...

... had been rampant - they've gorn to sleep ...

 

[medhead]

The arrestor beds are a lot further up the hill. Plenty of time passed them for the brakes to over heat and fail.

Also the drivers would have been protesting about the stupid long hours they have to work. When your half asleep the brain doesn't always kick in. Instead of ego, how about tired and not thinking straight. Much more plausible explanation.

Sometimes issues are much more complex that a superficial review would suggest.

 

[TomVexille]

... had been rampant - they've gorn to sleep ...

I reckon they were far enough in front...

 

[Pushka]

The truck passed the arrester bed after the police noticed the smoking brakes and high speed and were watching when he passed it. It's been widely reported he should and could have pulled into the last one but he said the truck was under control.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...freeway-incident/story-fni6uo1m-1227054603528

Police radio transcript:

“I think we’ve located it ... it’s about to pass the last arrester bed, it’s still going with very badly smoking brakes,” they told the Transport Department communications centre.

I drive down this freeway several times a month.

 

[moa999]

What an upset for the Kangas.. Despite a late comeback

 

[medhead]

The truck passed the arrester bed after the police noticed the smoking brakes and high speed and were watching when he passed it. It's been widely reported he should and could have pulled into the last one but he said the truck was under control.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...freeway-incident/story-fni6uo1m-1227054603528

Police radio transcript:

“I think we’ve located it ... it’s about to pass the last arrester bed, it’s still going with very badly smoking brakes,” they told the Transport Department communications centre.

I drive down this freeway several times a month.

Yet he thought it was under control, so why would someone with that thought drive into an arrestor bed? Because you have decided they should with the benefit of hindsight? As for why they guy might think the trick was under control - refer back to the comments about long hours and fatigue. The fact is truck drivers have to work excessive hours to even just make a living.

So much for hard work being rewarded.