Call Sign April 2002 - Page 29

Have you ever wondered why the large corporate companies surrounding Heathrow Airport don't use Licensed Taxis and why in some instances, they're so totally against using us? Let me tell you a story...
   A friend of mine landed at Terminal 4 and needed to travel to the business complex at Bedfont Lakes, a matter of minutes away. The driver could have dropped off and easily returned within the allotted time. But instead of just biting the bullet and getting on with the job, like most of us would do, he decided to moan at his customer and take a route that cost Ł14! Yes Ł14 from Terminal 4 to Bedfont Lakes! My friend said it was a rather scenic journey with the driver just moaning constantly. Then, at the end of the journey, he refused to give a receipt and sped off - still moaning!
   I think this story says it all concerning the attitude of some drivers at Heathrow and I've heard many stories similar to this one. However, this is the first time I've told people to report the driver. From now on I will continue to provide the PCO with details regarding passengers who've received sub-standard service and the drivers involved. In effect, they are driving away customers to minicabs. With licensing now a reality, I can't think of anything more stupid!
   No matter how hard companies like Dial-a-Cab try to demonstrate a professional attitude to corporate clients,

these idiots can spoil it all.
OK, that's my moan over; I promise it will be more upbeat from now on, but then again...

Quality of Living...?
In the news recently I heard that London was the second worst city in a 'quality of living' survey, so I thought I'd investigate this survey on the web. Sure enough, located HERE: are all the details based upon 39 quality of life criteria including political, social, economic and environmental factors; personal safety and health; education; transport and other public services. London was ranked 102nd below even Paris (84th) and Rome (98th). Mr Parakatil, contact for the
survey, commented: "These are sprawling cities with public transport problems and severe traffic congestion - producing a detrimental effect on air quality. Waste disposal systems are also under pressure from the cities' dense populations, making them less efficient than in other EU cities." I couldn't agree more!
Apparently the best European cities to live in are, Oslo, Stockholm and Zurich, who

share tenth place for cleanliness, scoring 149.5. Bern, Copenhagen, Geneva, and Nuremberg all rank highly with a score of 145.5, whereas London only scored 109.5. Now don't all rush at once..

Sports Sites
The football season is fast approaching its end and it looks like it's going to be a close call at the top of the premiership. Even my super Chelsea are doing pretty well up amongst the top 5, vying to take the 4th position off Newcastle.
My favourite sports web site is the BBC's at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/ It's a great site where you can find out about all things sports related. But if like me you're mainly interested in football, then HERE is their football section. Check it out, my 9 year old football fanatic son is always on the site and he rates it 'big time'. What do you do when your 9 year old son decides he wants to support Liverpool F.C.? A Scouser in the family? NO WAY!! Anybody want a 9-year-old boy????

Be Lucky and see you next Month

Vince Chin

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