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Ignorance Is Bliss In last month's issue of Call Sign, I couldn't help but notice a glaring omission with regards to the Terminal Attributes printed on page21. I am not suggesting that this omission was deliberate, but more than likely a publishing oversight. The two missing attributes were "M" and "I". (You're right Steve, I copied it from an old list! ...Ed) These attributes appertain to the Metrocab and the TX1 / TX2 respectively and they allow the customer the right to choose (or should that be "dictate") what type of taxicab they require. Prior to the introduction of these attributes, drivers would occasionally receive a job offer that they were unable to accept simply because they were driving the wrong make of cab. Having had first hand experience of this on several occasions, I know how it feels to be offered a long job only to be instructed to go to the voice channel and request the job be recovered. When you are having a quiet shift and need a job that is a financial lifeline, you really don't need a wind-up of this kind. How are you supposed to feel, having gone out and spent £30,000 on a cab only to be told that what you have bought is unsuitable? You can well argue that as all our cabs are licensed and inspected by the PCO, they are |
Taking a peek at the views of a Dial-a-Cab night driver as we
go... THINKING ON THE FINZ WITH STEVE SHALLER |
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therefore are all in good mechanical working order and no distinction should
be made. From our viewpoint this all makes sense... Now let's see the situation through the eyes of the customer; the reason why an account customer may request a particular make of cab is really irrelevant, the fact remains that if the customer so wishes, they could choose whatever makes of car to travel in - be it a Volvo, Mercedes, BMW, etc. And if we progress on this premise, why he / she could even request a cycle rickshaw! If a VIP customer (who spends £500,000 a year) requests a specific type of cab, do you think we should inform him that he would have to accept what we send him? Do we tell him how he should spend his money? Would you allow any tradesman into your home and be dictated to by him? Market forces within the cab trade are funny things; they so rarely work in our favour. So just how far do we go to satisfy the customer? They have a choice of vehicle, what about a choice of driver...? DaC Call Taker: Welcome to Dial-a-Cab, Brenda
speaking, how may I help you...? |
a cab to Fulham please. The driver With the introduction of the "M" and "I"
attributes, the old adage of "Ignorance Is Bliss" could not be
more appropriate. Be Lucky... |
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