MAILSHOT
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NEW TERMINALS AND METROCABS
   On Wednesday 15th November I had the new radio terminal fitted to my cab and very good it is too, but I would like to offer a caution to drivers of MK III Metrocabs about the equipment. If you have a Taxitronic Meter, you could have a problem. Apparently the sighting of the roof aerial is important. If it is too near the meter, the signals conflict with the meter circuitry and your meter will not function properly. This happened to me and I had to have the meter changed to a Lucas Meter at Richmond Road, as they are not affected by the signals. This of course then means that dreaded trip to the yard to have the new meter sealed. As my cab was only two days out of overhaul, I was not too concerned, but I'm sure that this the last thing a driver would want if they were several months or more into the plate.
   Eugene at Richmond Road said that he would recommend fitting the aerial six inches further back on the roof and that this should stop the problem. To this advice I can only add one other suggestion: Have a morning fitting so that if there is a problem, you have got the afternoon to go to Richmond Road to get it sorted out.
Eddie Lambert (V27)
Peter Thurston replies:
In reply to Eddie Lambert, if you look at the roof 'For Hire' sign, you will notice that it has a flat spot on it provided by the manufacturer of the taxi to facilitate the mounting of an aerial. The reason for this is that beneath the fibreglass is a metal ground plate to enable the transmitted messages to be reflected away from the cab.
We are unable to remove the inner head lining to fit a ground plan of aprox 4ft square, as the head lining is fixed into position in the front and rear cabins on the Series Three and TTT type vehicles. Hence the aerial has to be fitted on the 'For Hire' sign. We have tried moving the aerial as far back as we possibly can, but still end up with problem that V27 has.

WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER NOW FOR 40 YEARS...
   I have now been on Dial-a-Cab for more than 40 years without a break. Before I joined DaC (as ODRTS), I spent two months on Radio Taxis (Southern) - better known as Mountview and our only real competitor at the time. But I had trouble with the radio set from the start and in those days they had a rather eccentric radio repairer who used to meet you at Mill Hill Football Club. After turning up twice and waiting and phoning etc, no one turned up. In the end, feeling rather frustrated, I decided to leave Mountview. When I went to give in my radio equipment and settle any paper work, I spoke to the then-Chairman who happened to be in the office at the same time. I asked him if he would like to know why I was pulling off? His reply? "No, not really!" I always remembered that because I assumed that any Chairman of an organisation like that would want to know of any driver's grievances and rectify them.
As I said at the beginning of the letter, I have had a long time on Dial-a-Cab. Although I do not know the Chairman or BoM personally, when the rule about drivers of over thirty years service not paying subscriptions was passed several years ago, the Chairman at the time phoned me up and congratulated me.
   More recently, I had the misfortune last October of suffering a haemorrhage in my eye. When I came out of hospital, I phoned Dial-a-Cab to explain why I would not be working for a while. A few days later I received a get-well card followed by a beautiful bouquet of flowers.   When you are feeling low, this type of lovely gesture is appreciated. After seeing  Dial-a-Cab grow from around 50 men in the beginning to the multi-million pound organisation we have today, I still feel that I am a valued subscriber and not just a number. Maybe that's why we have always been known as the Gentleman's Circuit. Keep up the good work...
Alan Lewis (A44)
Nice to hear from you, Alan. I hope that your eye problem is much improved ...Ed

POWER PLUS
   In reply to John Able (M31) regarding Power Plus in the November Call Sign: On 26 September 2000, I had the Power Plus fitted to my 'S' reg Metro Series III at the Long Lane Cab Centre.
   The cost was £240 and not the £140 that was advertised due to different fittings being needed on the Series III. The time required was also much longer, from the 20 minutes as advertised to just over 2 hours.
   Prior to fitting, I checked my fuel consumption and was getting an average of 28 mpg, although this admittedly, was in August when the traffic was relatively light. I also had the fuel pump stripped and serviced by Goods Diesel of Homerton.
Since September 26th I have been achieving around 26 mpg - not over-encouraging for such an outlay! As for improved emissions, the jury is still out on that one.
G.R.Bassam (F13)

RAIN JACKETS
   May I say how much I enjoyed reading the November Call Sign.  I was interested in reading about the Christmas gift to drivers of a rain jacket, which was so expertly modelled by Allen Togwell. It is certainly a further step in the right direction.
As for my health, I know there have been drivers asking how I am following my recent illness and I'm delighted to say that I am feeling much better and my doctors are pleased with the speed of my recovery. At the age of 91, things tend to work that bit slower, but generally speaking, I am feeling much better.
   My best wishes to everyone at Dial-a-Cab for a very happy new year.
Bonnie Martyn
DaC Founder Chairman
Edgware

IDENTITY CRISIS
   Sometimes I start my day at around 7.30am, other days I might start at 9.30am or 10.00am. One of my mates on Dial-a-Cab starts at 5.00am, that's far too early for me, but then he is on his way home by mid-afternoon. It's not unusual on occasions to see me heading off to work at lunchtime or even when my mate is on his way home. This is one of the reasons that I did the knowledge, to have the freedom to work my own hours. I have also noticed that whenever I do start work, I'm never the only Dial-a-Cab beginning their day.    Unfortunately, because of all the debate about Code 3 of late, I have developed an identity crisis. So could somebody please tell me, am I a 'nightman' or a 'dayman' and should I be for or against code 77? I'm so confused. All I know for sure is that I love it when I do get a job going my way after a hard days work.
   A very Happy New Year to everyone...
Bill Kibble (K86)
I give up, Bill, what are you? ...Ed

PREJUDICED EDITOR?
   In the last three editions of Call Sign, you have used your Editorial to berate the Petition re the LTB. I feel once was enough to make your views be known, twice was pushing your point to the extreme, three times is abusing your position as Editor. Call Sign has improved immeasurably since you took over, and I have said so more than once to you, yet on the subject of the petition you are destroying all the previous good work and will you have deservedly built up.
   You obviously have a problem with the LCDC; this manifested itself at the DaC AGM when you lambasted Cecil Selwyn who was standing for election to the Board. You accused him of being a front man for the LCDC and stated that DaC was becoming in danger of being taken over by the LCDC. That was a few years ago and it never happened, yet you still have this phobia regarding them. You also say that amongst the signatures are many duplicates, if you had cared to ask anyone involved you would have discovered that all signatures are being collated onto a computer that automatically throws out any doubles. This allegation you have made on two occasions in Call Sign.You have also asked the question as to why the meter is still only £1.40, maybe it is something to do with the imput of JRTA, after all any increase would affect the run-ins and minimums. I can only assume this as we, the trade, never ever see any minutes of the JRTA meetings, something you yourself could have rectified through the pages of Call Sign a long time ago. One has to wonder why you are so determined to undermine the petition, are you being pressured by anyone?
   Alan, as someone who has submitted a fairly major Rule Change for the members to consider, either at the AGM or prior via ballot, are you going to allow me to have published in Call Sign my reasons for doing so. I assume the Board will oppose the change and use the ballot forms to say why, in which case I should have the very same opportunity if all is to be equal.
Peter Murphy (A35)
I'm sorry if your praise of Call Sign is dependent upon whether I talk about the LCDC or not Peter, because that isn't how I operate. We all want to be loved but should that be at the expense of the freedom to give my point of view? I don't think so. I withdraw nothing of what I have said in the three issues you speak of because rightly or wrongly, they were my views. However, I certainly don't agree with your assessment of what they contain. I have no problem with the LCDC other than the overly aggressive attitude they display against anything they disagree with. Neither do I have any problem with them organising a petition against the LTB. But that doesn't mean that I have to agree with them or their petition and I fail to see why I shouldn't say so. After all, when was the last time an issue of The Badge came out that didn't attack the London Taxi Board? Substantially more than the last three issues, I'd say. They constantly attack the PCO - I don't remember you criticising them for that either in print or on the Internet!
   As for Cecil Selwyn, I believe that your memory is being rather selective to enhance your points. You are referring to the 1994 AGM when Cecil was standing for the Board. I stood up as a subscriber and said that I thought Cecil had done more for this trade than anyone I could think of in his battle against minicabs. I don't call that lambasting. I went on to add that as Cecil was on the committee of the LCDC, I didn't think that it would be a good idea if he were then to be elected onto our Board because, I wondered what would happen if DaC and the LCDC had a major policy disagreement; who would Cecil support?
   As for duplicate signatures, if what you say is true, then why should I have to ask? Should it not have been put in The Badge? Perhaps I've missed it but I certainly don't remember them talking about a computer that lifts and separates. And finally, are you asking me to cancel Call Sign and publish pages of JRTA minutes? Sorry Peter, but you'll have to go back to the Internet for that. They enjoy publishing minutes. ...Ed

UNDRESS CODE
   There has been much ado regarding dress code, or non dress code, as the case maybe. Surely the bottom line must be what does an account client require and expect from his/her Taxi Driver? Conducting my own market research with passengers draws me to this conclusion;
   A taxi on time when pre-booked or to arrive within a reasonable time frame when ordered ASAP, a clean inside of vehicle without full ashtrays and litter on the floor or seats, and most of all a driver who is confident and professional in his/her attitude to the task at hand, ie getting the passenger to their destination as speedily and as safely as possible.
   As far as I know, the drivers are not invited into client meetings or into their homes at the end of the hiring, so why should it matter what the driver wears? A driver's attire reflects his/her own assessment of himself or herself 'on the day' and this freedom of choice must always be available.   Many of our corporate clients have a 'dress down day' where personnel go in to work very casually dressed indeed. Should we say they cannot ride in a £30.000 taxi because they're not suited and booted? Let us get back to basics and give the Service we promise at a price they can afford and we will continue to grow and prosper regardless of the slobs who have no pride in themselves.
David Kupler (Y74)

APPEALS PROCEDURE
   Two items in your December issue have aroused my concern. I refer firstly to the Chairman's reply to a member apropos Rule 7.
   From Brian Rice's reply, it appears to me that the rule contains a 'catch-all' phrase i.e. "prejudice to the interest of the society", that is open to the Boards broadest interpretation. I naturally accept that the Board does act in good faith and 'in the best interest of the Society' at all times. The Board therefore acts as Prosecutor on our behalf against an alleged transgressor.  
So far so good... What secondly concerns me is the report of an appeals committee Chaired by
 Brian Rice and which consisted

PLAYSTATION 2 WINNER
   I was delighted to be presented with my PlayStation 2 by Keith Cain. My sister and I have been playing on it non-stop! All of my school friends were really jealous when I told them that I had been picked out first out of 617 entries and they are dying to have a go at it. I would like to thank Call Sign for my PlayStation 2 as I know how hard they are to get hold of and I am so thrilled to have won.
   A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you...
Miss Sophie Hall, (daughter of G44 and G44J) age 12,
Chelsfield, Kent
This success of this competition caught me by surprise. I had received a tip-off several months ago that the PlayStation 2 was about to take America and Japan by storm and that shortages were forecast. So I ordered three and forgot about them until the November issue when I ran the competition. To say my post box in reception was jammed with entries would be an understatement. That was just hand-delivered entries to the office. The posted entries floodied in and it was taking me forever to sort out my normal post from the competition post. Finally, as Sophie says, at the grand total of 617, they finally stopped arriving with just one person getting the wrong answer!
When I had the phone call to say that the three PS2's were being delivered, I thought nothing of it and left them in my hall much to the chagrin of my three grown-up kids who asked if they could "test them!" Suddenly the TV screens were filled with news items about the rarity value of the new Sony PS2. Sure enough, I was then offered £2000 for just one of them provided it was delivered immediately. And I had three! Thoughts of a Caribbean holiday engulfed me until I wondered what I'd do when the money had gone. So Call Sign just gave them to the three winners. I hope they enjoy them and that those 614 who were unlucky enough not to win the PS2 in Call Sign, finally manage to get one - or perhaps a Rover 25 would suffice! ...Ed

NEW OR OLD?
   In September 1999, I bought a new TX1 Bronze from an East-End main dealer. It was not till several months later that I found out that my new TX1 (V reg) was in fact an older specification (T reg) model. I now feel that this garage has duped me into accepting a vehicle which was 155 chassis numbers and about one month older than the latest specification, which had a new back axle and front suspension. My vehicle, although registered as a V, is different to all the other V reg's on the road because the rear axle is the old noisy one and has the old type front suspension. It is my contention that this garage sold me old stock, then changed the drivers seat to upgrade the appearance so it would have the head rest which all new V reg's had.
   The driver's seat they used was from a Silver model, but the pattern of the cloth was that used in R, S and T models, (a large, bold pattern, not the small dog tooth shown in the brochure). The manufacturers, London Taxis International, say that my vehicle "...was supplied as a Black  Bronze Auto" and the specifications were as per brochure, which shows the drivers seat to be easy clean PVC and NOT patterned velour. So the seat was changed from PVC to velour and to a pattern that was not in the brochure. This was done at the garage in question and has left me feeling deceived. Could it be that they wanted to pass on stock that they had not sold?
   My solicitors need information about the old axle (diff) because LTI say: "The back axle was changed as a rationalisation by our supplier" which implies that the old axles were ok.
   Now I know lots of vehicles have had to have new diffs, because of excess noise etc, and if any of you have had this problem, I would really like to hear about it for possibly use in any court action. It need not be a lengthy piece, just a few lines which say that you have had difficulties with rear axle problems on one or several occasions with a vehicle supplied from LTI. Then please sign it and put your badge number and address and forward it to Call Sign for me. Head the letter itself to Whomever it may concern.
Thank you for your attention.
Colin Walters (K83)

SEEING THE YEAR OUT WITH A MOAN FROM SID
   First of all, a very big 'thank you' to the BoM for the rain jackets. They represent the best present ever given to cab drivers. Now for some suggestions:
   1. Can we please consider giving a better position of the pick-up point; for example number 2 or 122 New Cavendish Street could be the Marylebone High Street or Great Portland Street end. Tell us which end and the client gets a quicker service and time is saved all round.
   2. I've suggested this many times before but no one takes any notice. You do a 'voice request' and are told to 'switch to voice'.  Once you go over, you can wait and wait and wait. If you dare speak, you get told to wait your turn! But when is that? So again I suggest that the dispatcher gives a brief update when he calls someone, so that he might call K88 and also tell the next two in line that they will be called shortly. It makes life easier for all.
   3. I said in my last letter when I praised the Board that I might say something nasty next time, well that time is here! The 'Queue Position' annoys me! When it disappears, it should come back on and get updated all the time.   How about (on the new terminals) putting it on show by the status line on the top left of the screen where it usually tells you what you are doing ie 'in transit', 'in service' or 'booked in zone' etc. If 'booked in zone' applies, how difficult would it be to have a continuous QP? It would also save drivers slowing the system down with constant queue positions. Is it too much to ask?
   4. When POB and STC, if you push the queue position, it comes on for about half a second. If you blink, you miss it! If I'm first or second in a zone and setting down a customer, I don't want to pick up a street job. But you need to know before someone else tries to get in the cab at the set down... fashtise?
   I want an answer from whatever-his-name-is Chairman Brian "Brilliant" Rose, or Tasty Bread Tom, or Mike (Ty)Son, or Killer Kong Cain or even 'Alone' Togwell!
   Meantime, can I wish everyone a Happy New Year and a Happy Chanukah.
Sid Nathan (K88)
   I've passed your comments on to Keith Cain for answering in the Call Centre Report, due in the next issue of Call Sign ...Ed
PREJUDICED EDITOR?
   In the last three editions of Call Sign, you have used your Editorial to berate the Petition re the LTB. I feel once was enough to make your views be known, twice was pushing your point to the extreme, three times is abusing your position as Editor. Call Sign has improved immeasurably since you took over, and I have said so more than once to you, yet on the subject of the petition you are destroying all the previous good work and will you have deservedly built up.
   You obviously have a problem with the LCDC; this manifested itself at the DaC AGM when you lambasted Cecil Selwyn who was standing for election to the  Board. You accused him of being a front man for the LCDC and stated that DaC was becoming in danger of being taken over by the LCDC. That was a few years ago and it never happened, yet you still have this phobia regarding them. You also say that amongst the signatures are many duplicates, if you had cared to ask anyone involved you would have discovered that all signatures are being collated onto a computer that automatically throws out any doubles. This allegation you have made on two occasions in Call Sign.You have also asked the question as to why the meter is still only £1.40, maybe it is something to do with the imput of JRTA, after all any increase would affect the run-ins and minimums. I can only assume this as we, the trade, never ever see any minutes of the JRTA meetings, something you yourself could have rectified through the pages of Call Sign a long time ago. One has to wonder why you are so determined to undermine the petition, are you being pressured by anyone?
   Alan, as someone who has submitted a fairly major Rule Change for the members to consider, either at the AGM or prior via ballot, are you going to allow me to have published in Call Sign my reasons for doing so. I assume the Board will oppose the change and use the ballot forms to say why, in which case I should have the very same opportunity if all is to be equal.
Peter Murphy (A35)

CALL SIGN AND THE LCDC
   I am aghast at the inaccurate reporting and personal diatribe you expound towards other trade organisations, namely the London Cab Drivers Club and the Society of Professional Licensed Taxi Drivers.
   The piece you have written in the Christmas edition of Call Sign under the heading "Petitions, The LTB and all that stuff" is a poor excuse for unbiased and investigative journalism. I am completely dumbfounded at what appears to be a complete lack of understanding on your part of cab trade matters. It contained smear and innuendo that is not befitting our Society or its in-house magazine. I will refrain from labelling you a liar, but instead put it down to ignorance, for, from beginning to end your editorial is riddled with inaccuracies and errors.
   I wish to correct those many errors.
   You wrote,
"....so many with the power of the press behind them seem to occasionally abuse that power." 
Perhaps, but none more evident then in your case.
Normally I would not rise to such
a shallow ill-considered editorial as yours, but this is the third consecutive month that you have

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