You can also email your letters to: callsignmag@aol.com

NEW TERMINAL HINTS
One of the complaints from drivers about the map facility on the new terminal is that when you are using it, the screen saver comes in and you have to go through the whole process of GenCode, Map, keyboard to get back to the page that you were looking at. This complaint particularly applies if you are on a job in an area that you are unfamiliar with. However, it is possible to shorten this procedure. Once you have the page that you require on the screen, go to the word View on the tool bar at the top of the screen, click on it and a drop down menu appears. Click 'Save as Home' in the same way as you do to bring up a street on the map and the menu will disappear, but next time the screen saver comes in, just go: GenCode, Map, Map and the page you have marked as Home will reappear on your screen. To remove the page from 'saved', touch the AZ symbol on the tool bar, that brings up the 9 sheet-opening map, click on View, 'Save as Home' and you will be back to normal.
Howard Sales (A11)
Thanks Howard. I wondered how long it would be before the new terminal tips started to come in! ...Ed

THANK YOU
I am just writing to say 'thank you' on behalf of my wife for the beautiful flowers that she received from the BoM and staff of Dial-a-Cab. My wife Gill, is recovering from breast cancer and, touch wood, is doing tremendously well. I would like to thank all the drivers for their continuous words of encouragement and also Brian Rice, Allan Evans and Helen Corkerry who are always asking how Gill is. She hopes to be back driving for DaC in the very near future.
   Once again, my sincere thanks to everyone...
Russell Hall (G44)
Everyone's best wishes go out to Gill and we look forward to seeing her in the saddle again as G44J ...Ed

CODE 3 / CODE 77
So the nightmen are bleating again! It never seems to occur to them that for half (and probably more) of us daymen, Code 77 has no use - we get most destinations anyway and almost never get a 'roader' home. But at least with Code 3 we get the opportunity to try for a job in the right direction without being knocked back to the end of the queue. Of course, the debate just goes to prove that you can't please all of the people all of the time - or can you? How about Code 3 before 8pm and Code 77 after? Case solved...?
   Keep up the good work, Alan.
Terry Piedot (F09)
I've passed your comments on Terry, but I don't think that anything can happen until next year's AGM ...Ed

GREAT SERVICE
May I commend Dial-a-Cab on driver Mark Doyle (K47) who picked me up on the morning of March 28 from the Royal Festival Hall to deliver a very large cake to SW1. He was extremely helpful and went out of his way to be of service.
   The Royal Festival Hall is an account holder with Dial-a-Cab and I am sure that this is because of the excellent service you provide, such as that demonstrated today.
   Many thanks...
Christina Soong
Royal Festival Hall
London SE1
Well done, Mark. The name of Gentlemen's Circuit still holds firm at DaC ...Ed

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
I refer to my letter published in the April Call Sign and more specifically, the Editor's response. To clarify matters, at the AGM I was asked: "Are you in favour of cars on the circuit?" My reply was "Yes, as long as they are driven by licensed taxi drivers." The editor states that I was unfair to suggest that the six Board Members take the opposite view, I would like to apologise, as I did not realise that they agreed with me on this point.
   Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Michael Calvey (B95)
Not a problem Michael. As I said in my answer, I hope you didn't take my reply the wrong way, but I had to point out that you weren't correct and that every member standing for the BoM - bar one - agreed with your point including the sitting Board ...Ed

GUILDS AND LIVERIES
I read the last Guilds and Liveries in Call Sign, in particular Draper's Hall. But could you tell me exactly where the set down is? I usually drop passengers in Threadneedle Street. Is there something nearer?
Keith Hickey (T59)
Leaving the Bank of England on your left in Threadneedle Street, make a sharp left just before Austin Friars unto Throgmorton Street. The entrance to Draper's Hall is on the right just before the entrance to Angel Court ...Ed

TREVOR CLARKE
It would be remiss of me not to pass comment on Trevor Clarke's retirement for, although the article in Call Sign covered most of his time with DaC, it did not mention the years of work he put into running the Credit Union. During the whole time that Trevor was Treasurer of the Credit Union, his wife, Jeanette, was the book-keeper - both positions requiring a lot of work and in the main unpaid apart from a small honorarium paid to Jeanette in the last couple of years when the amount of input was increasing. Make no mistake about it, had they not taken on the work, the Dial-a-Cab Credit Union would have folded years ago!
   At about the same time that the Credit Union was formed, a couple of Board Members thought we should have a 'Clamp Club', due to the number of parking tickets being issued to drivers. For 'administration' purposes, it was required to be independent of DaC. After a couple of half-hearted attempts by others at managing the books of the Clamp Club, guess who got lumbered with the job? That's right - Trevor! Again, Trevor did this for many years, unpaid. As those of you involved may remember, due to the low overheads attained by his carrying-out the task unpaid, most drivers who joined never paid more than their initial tenner throughout the whole existence of the Clamp Club!
   In most households, Friday night was either 'music night' or 'Amami night'; in Trevor and Jeanette's house, it would be have been dealing with all of the above! So, on behalf of all the members of the Credit Union and the Clamp Club, I would like to say a big thank you and wish them both well for the future.
   With Trevor's departure, does this mean we will never again hear the plaintive cry from Albert the janitor's broom cupboard to the rarefied atmosphere of the third floor Boardroom, " . . . I'm not sure about that - let's ask Trevor!"
Terry Lynn (E44)

AND AGAIN...
On reading of the forthcoming retirement of Trevor Clarke as Secretary, I think it is appropriate that I write a few words of appreciation on his many years of service. On my second re-election as Treasurer, having stood down a few years previously, Trevor was an unknown quantity to me as well as I to him. It did not take me too long to realise that here was a

AND MORE...
I have read with great interest the pages in the April Call Sign referring to the retirement of Company Secretary Trevor Clarke. Much water has passed under the Bridge over the past 15 years and his contribution to the well running of the Company is well known. It must also be of great satisfaction to Trevor for a job very well done.
   I hope his retirement will be a healthy and happy one to be enjoyed with his dear wife Jeanette and their family. My wife Carol joins me in wishing Trevor good health and good luck. We too look forward to seeing him in November 2003 at the Society's 50th anniversary celebrations.
Bonnie Martyn
Founder Chairman ODRTS

LONDON TAXI BOARD
27 years ago I was a Knowledge boy at the London General. I asked the instructor how long on average it was taking for those attending the school to 'get out'. He replied "two years and a bit!" In the event I took 19 months, yet although I got out sooner than my peers, I can honestly say that I was nowhere near ready at 12 months. Obviously neither were they, which makes me question the London Taxi Board's claim that under a computerised testing system and without any drop in standards, it should only take about 12 months.
   They tell us not to worry about the testing, as it is the learning that takes the time. If that is the case, how will today's boys and girls learn the runs and points without any drop in standards, in less than half the time of 27 years ago? Are they blessed with better memories? No? Perhaps it's got easier? I don't think so! I would argue that with the huge increase in road-use restrictions and the planner's never-ending alterations of these restrictions, it has become harder.
   It means that the learners are having to constantly revise and relearn their runs to a degree that never applied in the past. Again, think of the vast areas of Docklands and riverside locations - previously no-go areas to the Carriage Office examiners, but now very much within their remit.
   It is little wonder that it takes longer. Indeed, it would be odd if it did not! Yet the LTB choose to ignore these differences, preferring to argue that as it only took 12 months fifty years ago when a one-way street was a novelty, that's all it should take now.
   What will happen if they get their way? Well, assuming that the 12-month Knowledge is for those starting from scratch, those with some Knowledge will take less. Sixty thousand minicab drivers have 'some knowledge' and they will find the attraction of a 'quickie' Knowledge irresistible. With the latest figure for Knowledge applicants exceeding 11,000 and talk of a recession in the air, this is the last thing we need.
   Winners and losers? The winners would be businesses that earn their living from the cab without driving a cab, because of the huge increase in their customer base. The present high standard of the Knowledge is of course an obstacle to that increase. The losers would be those who rely on driving a cab for a living. They would find their qualifications degraded and their earning capacity decimated. I agree with the LTB's claim that there should be no drop in the standards of the Knowledge; I just don't believe that they mean it. I therefore support Mr van Gelder's (C87) call for a vote of the membership on whether or not we should continue to financially support and belong to the LTB.
   In the event that our BoM decide not to allow us this opportunity to express our view, would they please explain the correct procedure for a member such as myself to challenge such a decision without having to wait until the next AGM?
Bob Ambrose (V13)
Brian Rice replies: I read your letter with interest as you have stated some facts and figures that I have never heard before. First of all Bob, I would like you to show me where the LTB have ever stated that the knowledge should only take twelve months. It should take as long as necessary for the applicants to prove that they have the required expertise and that is not the case at the moment. Of course I understand your underlying fear that London will be swamped with new drivers thus eroding your earning potential, but unless we can keep pace with demand, there is no question in my mind that the pendulum will swing in favour of the current unlicensed trade - soon to become legitimate - and taxis in London will become just like the gondolas in Venice, a tourist attraction only. You will read elsewhere in Call Sign, a report on a meeting that I attended with the Mayor (Ken Livingstone) and I hope that will go some way to allaying your fears. At that particular meeting, some facts were produced that are the actual figures and not guesstimates. In 1970, the average time to complete the KoL (Knowledge of London) was 11 months, today it is taking 55 months or five times longer. You must decide whether 4 years and seven months is acceptable or not. It was also revealed by Roy Ellis, the Principal at the PCO, that there are 2,600 people attending the PCO and undergoing regular appearances, not the 11,000 plus figure that I have seen in some trade publications. You must also bear in mind that there is an 80% wastage with KoL applicants. On what the true figure is, I cannot comment, but I know who I believe! Nevertheless, I only quote what the official departments tell me and not what I hear as rumour. Regarding you challenging the BoM of Dial-a-Cab, I can only draw your attention to Rule 9b. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BILLY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...!
If you never drive at speeds in excess of the legal limit, please go on to the next letter! Today was my birthday, I was twenty-nine again and in with all my birthday cards on the doormat was a letter from the Metropolitan Police. Aaagh, they remembered my birthday, I thought! But no, it wasa letter informing me that my taxi had been photographed speeding

THE NEW 'OLD' CODE 3
I thought you might be interested in a little survey that I did recently regarding the new 'old' Code 3. I asked eighteen drivers, no call signs or names were noted for anonymity, but the results were quite astounding! Of the drivers questioned, ten voted against it: "Why change something that can benefit ALL drivers, daymen included." One voted for the change because he said: "My average day is 12/14 hours long, so I can do two Code 3's and still go back to work if I don't get a decent job." Is he joking you ask? It appeared not! Seven voted for the change because they "...were told you can reject EVERY job and go back to work." But only after the Proposition passed, did they find out that no A/D accounts were available to them. And wait for it... Of the seven who voted to change Code 3, two were not on the circuit at the time of the original Code 3 being introduced! What a wide spectrum of people make up the cab trade!
   With regard to your reply to Mr.T.Goldsmith (R74), Alan, about having to wait until next year for a change to the Code 3 debacle, would I be correct in thinking that a Special Meeting must be called if 20% (350 approx) fully paid up members so request in writing to the Company Secretary as stated in the Societies rule book (page7; Section 9; subsection ( i ) and that at this Special Meeting, propositions can be put forward and voted on by the members? Or failing this, in the matter of the BoM requiring a decision by the members, but feel that it does not warrant calling a Special Meeting, then a postal ballot shall be held, which of course shall be overseen by independent adjudicators, who I believe are the ERS? I also understand that we have in place a provision within the computers software for Terminal votes to be taken? Could you tell me if this can be implemented to settle this disagreement with the Code 3 problem?
   Whilst I can understand the concerns of these two drivers who put the proposition up, I must ask the question that when it starts to get busy, which we all know will happen after Easter, how long will it be before our two biggest accounts get fed up with the up-till-now excellent service they are getting, deteriorating to such an extent that they decide to go elsewhere! (I refer to Raymond Hurley's letter (V60) in April's Mailshot) which just about sums the whole farcical situation up! Farcical, if it didn't have such serious implications. Then we won't have to worry about Code 3, 'cos we won't need it...
   And what about daymen, who, for arguments sake live east and are unable to accept a City airport, which could be deemed to be their 'roader'. These drivers have as much right as any of us to be able to use their 'going home' facility, don't they? After all, they pay the same subs as the night drivers. One last thing, can anyone tell me at what time a dayman becomes a nightman? I was under the impression that we were all self employed and can choose our work times to suit ourselves and our families - or would Messrs Silver and Marks like to give us our work rotas so that we can fit in with theirs? Or better still, let's go PLC, let them buy all the shares, then they can dictate when and how we can work for them!
John O'Brien (M44)
Former Company Secretary Trevor Clarke replies: I have read your letter with interest, John, and would advise you that in essence what you say is true. I would make the points however, that to have a Special General Meeting would take quite a time to arrange and that the 20% that make up the quorum needed to call such a meeting, would all have to be fully paid up at the date of signing the petition and if anyone were not, it would invalidate the whole petition.
The best course of action, if one is required, is for a substantial number of fully paid up members to inform the BoM that they believe, although the vote was democratically carried by a majority of the members at the meeting (AGM) and those who voted by post, it is the wide view of members that the change of Code 3 had been a retrograde step and should ask the BoM to arrange a postal ballot with both sides of the case being sent to every member.
I do not believe that using the terminal for a vote would be in order as the Electoral Reform (Ballot) Service would not be in a position to count this vote. In any case, a Rule Change or a Proposition should be changed in line with the Rules of the Society. Please see Rule 9 (i).
It is a personal thought that allowing members to change working practise without looking into the likely outcome, leads to this type of problem. So it is best left to the BoM, who are elected to make such changes for the wider good of all the members. It is almost certain that the current BoM would not have put forward the proposition that was carried.
I hope this clarifies the situation from the Rule Book perspective...

INTERNET CALL SIGN
I drive a taxi in Durban (South Africa) and am indebted to your offices for placing Call Sign on the Internet for those such as I who would otherwise never see a taxi orientated magazine. I am an intrepid reader of the magazine and it brings back many happy memories of when I was at University in the UK. My query is that I notice your Internet issue seems to have pages missing. Would it be possible to pay a subscription to receive Call Sign in paper format on publication?
John Mwambe
Durban,
South Africa
Pleased you like it John, but unfortunately I cannot send out subscription issues. The Internet issue normally contains about twenty of the magazines usual thirty six-page format. Otherwise you can come back to the UK, do the Knowledge and then join Dial-a-Cab ...Ed

Call Sign Home Page

Powered by NetXPosure