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Early Spring and Call Sign Advertising!
As we all know, it's quiet out there on those streets. The other night after wandering round the main roads and side avenues for far too long, I found a rank with room for one more taxi and started to work out how to increase my income. The best option seemed to be to win the monthly draw for displaying the Dial-a-Cab logo. I worked out that having been on the circuit for 25 years, with 300 draws so far and say 1500 drivers taking part, then all I need do to have a greater than 50% chance of winning is to live to 180 and carry on working all that time.
   Next I thought about the scheme run by another radio circuit, which gives drivers a small reduction on their subscriptions based on the number of jobs covered. We should reverse the procedure and give discount to those drivers who are NOT offered jobs. After all, we are the people who most need the money.
   Finally, I reckoned that if all the drivers waiting on ranks kept their engines idling, then this would contribute to global warming which would in turn cause Spring flowers to bloom early. This, in turn, would mean that the Chelsea Flower Show could be brought forward and that is supposed to mark the end of the kipper season!
   Changing tack, when I saw the Editorial in Call Sign and your statement that you would not be accepting advertising from a strip joint, my first thought was "Well done, an editor with principles and integrity." On reflection, I have reconsidered my views.  You are prepared to print the monthly column ‘Politically Incorrect’ which I find offensive and obnoxious, especially as regards immigrants. The only excuse for including this regular tirade would be if it were well written. However, I do not ask you to censor it to suit my views and so do not see how I can welcome you restricting other contributions. It is the old argument of once you begin to limit comment, where do you stop and whose criteria do you apply?
   Perhaps Call Sign could accept the advertising from this establishment and give the revenue to a worthwhile charity. I do not really need you to protect me for my own good.
Laurence Kelvin (W88)
I would imagine that the BoM would consider a system of small payments to those who do not get enough job offers during the quiet spell. However, knowing how vindictive they can be, they may suggest that we first pay the same subscription rate as the company you refer to – somewhere approaching £200 a month…!
   I do like your idea on how to use global warming for our own ends, Laurence. Who knows where it could lead. Perhaps we could force in legislation making it a requirement that those walking anywhere must pay a pavement congestion charge of £8 a day, thereby making it cheaper for them to use a taxi than to walk?
   As for my advertising policy, I don’t think you read my comment carefully Laurence, because you seem to have misunderstood the point. I said: "So far as Call Sign is concerned, although the drivers (and staff) will always come first, their families also read the mag and I must think of them as well." How can you call the refusal to take a table-dancing ad as limiting comment? Had I refused an article from the Politically Correct pen of Chas Kissin, THAT would be censorship rather than refusing to accept an ad that I believe to be unsuitable for this mag. Would you be happy if I were to publish a nude photo every issue? What about gay "cruising" ads? Prostitute phone numbers offering commission? Sorry Laurence,  I disagree with your point but will fight to allow you the space to make it… Ed

Three Points From Colin…
It would appear to me that the recently implemented Code 3 is not the proposition that the membership were asked to vote on. It appears to have been amended by the Board. Why?
   I don't feel the need to attend any Sovereign forums, as nothing they could say would get my vote. Thanks, but no thanks…
   Was the ‘Q’ attribute an indication that the job on offer was a reduced run in account as well as ‘seatbelts required’? In the past, a driver had the choice whether to do a no run-in or reduced run-in account via an attribute. If we cannot have an attribute can the run in be shown on the trip offer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so the driver has the choice to reject, given the fact that fuel is very expensive and the job may not be viable given the reduced rate?
Colin Jenkins (Y22)
Keith Cain replies: The only changes to code 3 from when it was last in operation were made by the proposer and seconder. Those changes were that a driver had to work for a period of eight hours instead of six and E14C was included as a restricted zone.   Everything else is the same, but may seem different because of the clarity of the driver instructions we put together.
   The Q attribute was associated with the request to supply a taxi with seat belts only. As all taxis now have seat belts fitted, the attribute is no longer required.
As the situation re the Westminster account has changed slightly and as we are in the process of completing a tender document for the new contract, any decisions regarding how the account will be dispatched in the future has been deferred to a later date.

Wondering About C.I.Rose…
I was just wondering whether you had any response from Chief Inspector Rose regarding my email to you on the subject of obstructing the Police in their duties, etc…
Michael Harris (F79)
Yours was one of several letters received. I passed on the last issue to C.I.Rose but have not received a response.  Elsewhere in this issue, you will find several other letters received and this issue too has been sent. I do not believe that he will respond directly to Call Sign, but should he do so, I will publish his answer…Ed

Happy Birthday and Thank You
Having used Dial-a-Cab’s service for many years, I have always found it to be excellent.  Your telephonists are a credit to you and I just cannot speak too highly of your drivers. I have got to know many of them personally over the years and they really are wonderful. I have now been told that this year represents DaC’s 50^th anniversary, so can I wish each and every one of you a very happy birthday - and here’s to the next fifty…
Doreen Morris
London NW1
   Thank you for that Doreen, it’s always nice to get praise …Ed

Forums
I am sure that you will be presenting a brilliant and comprehensive coverage of the forums with Sovereign Capital elsewhere in Call Sign. May I give a subjective view of a member from the floor. I went to the first forum and the first thing I noticed was the very low turnout. Perhaps the absent drivers knew what to expect. After Brian introduced the team from Sovereign Capital, we were given a slide presentation, which was less than inspiring. Lots of management speak and company jargon, not quite out of business school, more basic textbook content. For example, there is a desire, (or was it a plan?) "... to ensure best in class service quality." There was frequent mention of investing to introduce latest technology, with great avoidance of anything specific.  And lots of puff about how keen and dynamic the Sovereign team are and how successful they have been with other companies. Well, this was to be expected; after all this was their presentation on behalf of themselves. Or should I say "pitch"? We heard how our business could be expanded because they knew how to advertise effectively. I found this less than inspiring. It was suggested that we look at their web site, www.sovereigncapital.co.uk for more confirmation of how good a company they are. I found yet more jargon.
   Drivers were then given a chance to ask questions. Each was intercepted by our Chairman who gave what he thought would be the answer before passing on to the visitors and allowing them to say a few words. One member asked what has been on the minds of many of us: "What will be the future of the scheme that allows drivers with 30 years service to have reduced subscriptions?" Brian jumped in, gave a chat about how this has been on his mind and had been talking to our company secretary about that very point. The Sovereign men either did not get a chance to say a word or Brian was covering up for them. So many questions were prefaced by Brian's comments either defending or praising Sovereign Capital that he appeared more a P.R. guy acting on their behalf than OUR chairman looking after our interests. I must say he did a brilliant job, with his usual flair and eloquence.
   Each driver has to try to get sufficient information to make her or his decision as to whether to accept the offer. There is going to be a conflict between what may be in the driver's interest and what may be in the Society's interest. If I were about to retire next month, I would probably accept any cash offer for my share, take the money and run.  But as I hope to work for many more years, I am more concerned with the long-term future and stability of a Society that has helped me get a considerable amount of good work since I joined in 1978.  Likewise I guess that our Chairman is also considering his own interests as well as that of the Society’s. It would be strange for him to do otherwise. This is not a criticism - he has done well for the Society and I wish him well. We heard that they are willing to pay £11.3 million for Dial a Cab, introduce an extra tier of management between the new owners and current team and expect a return of 15% on their capital. If Sovereign manage to draw this from our company, I do not see how there will be anything available for future investment.
   In the end I am still unsure as to the best way forward; it would have been helpful to hear more concrete information and less waffle from Sovereign Capital and far less from Brian.
Laurence Kelvin (W88)
Having spoken to quite a few of those present, I have to say 

Going Home…
I am disappointed with the new going home facility. Since its start I have had one GH job and would say things have got worse rather than better. Finally, I have thrown in the towel deciding that it’s better to crack on with any job rather than sit around for an hour for nothing.
   Yes, I did vote to have it introduced but thought that you would be allowed into EC5 after 9 o’clock but this is not the case.  Most of the work comes out after nine, so its pretty pointless hoping you might get something. When I joined the circuit, there was and still is a strong onus on service. I picked up a lady not long ago on account, who was most impressed that I knew where Shortlands was and how to get there without being directed.  Another satisfied customer? Well I think that depends on where you’re sitting…
Richard Potter (T51)
Brian Rice replies: Sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the 'Going Home' procedure, Richard, even though by your own admission you voted to introduce it. I wrote to all members personally before the AGM in an endeavour to explain the proposed 'new' procedure to them, even though it was proposed by two members and
not the BoM. The letter states: "If a journey is despatched to EC5 or E14C, you would only be allowed to bid for the trip once it has entered the bid zone." I believe the above is quite explicit, however, I am sorry that it has caused you some confusion.

Call Sign Salieri Offer
My thanks to Call Sign for the excellent Salieri Restaurant offer.  Having spent last weekend at the Langham Hilton for my wife’s birthday, we decided to take a taxi down to the Salieri Restaurant. We were greeted by Ivan at the door and shown to our table by his son, where we had a great evening. The food was excellent and to our surprise there followed a complimentary platter of fresh fruit and liqueurs, all this and then 25% off the total bill! We would recommend the Salieri Restaurant to all Dial-a-Cab drivers.
Melvyn Harvey (E87)
Pleased you enjoyed it Melvyn. Salieri’s excellent offer to DaC drivers and their guests of 25% off their bill is still on. See the ad in this issue…Ed

Steve Norris
Along with 20,000 other cab drivers, I am staggered at the level of increase of our 3-year driving licence and annual overhaul fee. Therefore I was interested to see the April Call Sign exclusive asking Steve Norris (Tory Mayor candidate) his views on the increase.
   Predictably, he roundly condemned the increases as I am sure would the Labour and Liberal mayoral candidates. But what struck me in his piece was his total failure to address the only thing we’re interested to hear from him, namely, if elected would he repeal what he describes as these huge increases? Now I’m sure he will forgive us if we are a little sceptical with only fine words to go on, particularly given his lamentable record as Minister for Transport (London) in the last government.
   It might be more useful to invite him now to take the opportunity to commit himself in print to repeal these increases and to promise future increases will rise only in line with inflation. I am confident that he will once again seize an opportunity to reach out to us and ‘put his money where his mouth is’. If however, he should decline your invite, perhaps you could mention that fact in next month’s Call Sign.
   PS. By the way, re: your comments in April’s Editorial about not accepting ads from ‘table dancing clubs’ because drivers’ families also read the magazine seems fair enough, but just thought that you might apply the same principle to the garbage spouted each month by Chas (doom & gloom) Kissin.
David Brett (P93)
Thanks for the letter David. Below you can find a reply from Steve Norris, but as you have already demonstrated that you will not believe any politician, is there any point in you reading it? As for Chas, well you pay your money etc. I get many drivers who tell me that they read his column first…Ed
   Steve Norris replies: Some politicians start with the idea that you set out how much you want to spend and then you charge for it. Some of us don't. I don't personally fix clocks when they are already ticking. I actually think the best thing the mayor could do for the trade is leave it alone. About the only exception to that is that he could do more to attack the touts now that Tariff 3 operates after 10.00 and there are licensed taxis available at night in much greater numbers. But my mayoralty will always question why we need to do what we are currently doing. And that's the difference. I believe the licensing job can be done for less than it currently is. How much less I'll only know when we see the books.

Sovereign Capital Takeover
To those of you who read my earlier effort on this subject, please skip this paragraph. I am 75 years of age so why am I uneasy about Dial-a-Cab being taken over by Sovereign Capital or anybody else for that matter?  You may well say he will either be dead or not pass his medical in the near future, to which I must agree. For I know the time left for me to continue as a cab driver is limited. So again why am I uneasy about this takeover?
   If you are one of the many drivers who did not attend any of the three forums, let me first put you in the picture of what you missed. I attended the last one on Friday April 4. In passing, why three forums and not just one big one? Could it be because of the old saying divide and conquer? I believe that only a few bothered to attend, somewhere in the region of two hundred drivers out of a total of around 1,800. Not a very good turn out when one considers the fate of Dial-a-Cab could hang in the balance.
   Brian Rice, our Chairman, chaired the forums. We were then treated to a lecture by two gentlemen from Sovereign, aided by a screen depicting the advantages we could have if we joined Sovereign and what we would lose if we did not join.  Maybe I am dim but at the end of this I am still not too sure what I would gain or lose. Maybe some of you clever drivers would be kind enough to enlighten me, though those I spoke to seemed as unsure as me.
   At this point I would like to digress slightly to put my opinion of the attitude of Brian Rice to this takeover. Firstly, let us look at the past of this gentleman as our Chairman. I think few members would disagree if I said he has in all ways been an excellent Chairman and has aided DaC to become one of the foremost radio circuits worldwide. For which I for one would like to thank him. Having said that, in this matter I think he is only a human being. If I were in his place, it is likely I would be acting in the same way as he is, by attempting to influence you to vote to accept the offer of Sovereign. For he is not getting any younger and is only holding his position as Chairman of DaC as long as a fickle membership continues to support him. Should this support fade away, he is faced with the prospect of returning to cab driving. Not something that would make him very happy. He hopes that by influencing you to accept Sovereign's offer, they in return will find him a well-paid position in the new company. This may well be the case, but my long experience of life tells me that the probability is there are many black triangular fins to be seen to be seen leaving trails in these waters. When he has been milked of all of his knowledge, the time will come for him to be replaced by somebody else. And he will still end up back in a cab.
   Sorry if I have bored you. I will now return to the pressing matter of Sovereign. In the forum I attended, at no time were we informed of how this company intended to enhance DaC. When pressed to explain to us the methods and miracles they were going to perform, we received political answers that would have made many a politician green with envy. A lot of words with no meanings. One member stood out (no it was not I - I am better with the pen than speaking) it was Russ, who gave us all a lot to think about. It was pointed out in no uncertain way by Sovereign that they would retain 51% of the new company and would manage the new company any way they pleased. A sop was put in that there would be an advisory panel, but it would only be advisory - it would have no power. What was not said, but could be read between the lines, was "you will do as you are told. If you do not like it get out."
   Further, you could if you so wished be paid out as soon as the new company became fact. So you receive your £3,000, £6,000 or £9,000. Hang on, how much?  Well the residue of what's left after the taxman has had his share. Suppose you are left with say £6,000, at 52 weeks in the year this equals £115.38 per week for a whole year. What riches! "Good Bye! Dial-a-Cab!" With money like that a man could live in luxury, could he not?
   There are many financial companies who are the sharks that wander around the financial world looking for the opportunities of making easy money out of the innocent. You and I? Are Sovereign such a company? I have no idea, but make no mistake about it they are not a benevolent society; they are there for the money and any who get in their way will be stamped
upon hard. I for one have made 

up my mind that I am not going to see 50 years of Dial-a-Cab go down the pan simply to make others rich.   
   Over the years, it has served many cab drivers well as did London Wide, (the old LTDA radio circuit of which I was a member) until it was sold out and became ComCab. This I confess, I know nothing about except in Dial-a-Cab we seem to have a lot of ex-ComCab drivers whose opinions of ComCab cannot be put into this publication without the risk of being prosecuted for printing obscene matter.
   Dial-a-Cab is Dial-a-Cab; fifty years of cab drivers working together forming their own managements and succeeding to the point now that we have attracted the interest of people who can see profit in taking it over. For YOUR benefit? No, I think not. They do not strike me as being that good hearted.
   The decision musts be yours. I'm past my ‘sell by date’. Do as you think best, but remember, should Dial-a-Cab survive in its present form, in the future there will be many cab drivers who will thank you for keeping Dial-a-Cab alive as it is now.
J.A. Edwardes (H5)
Brian Rice replies: An intriguing letter, but one riddled with inaccuracies. I would just like to highlight a few. Firstly, the reason that the Forums were held over three evenings was to give the membership alternative opportunities to attend and also to assure ample parking facilities in the school. If the Forums had been condensed into one evening with the possibility of 2000 members attending, where do you suggest we hired - the Albert Hall? Secondly, 110 members attended and not 200 as you suggest, so I now start to wonder how many other errors there are in your letter. The beginning of the letter is exactly the same as those that you had distributed before the meetings (by a third party on at least two of the three days), 
do you really believe that my members are not capable of making up their own minds regarding any situation without being prompted by you - especially as you have only been a member of this Society for a little over two years? I remember you well from the Friday evening forum; you just sat there and heckled and when I stopped the meeting to ask you if you had any questions to ask, you said that you didn’t have any. A phrase involving the words ‘empty vessels’ springs to mind. In your defence, you do state that you are better with the pen than speaking, well, the way that I was brought up we have a name for people such as that who will not face others, but prefer instead to scurry off home and hide behind their keyboard while making scurrilous attacks from the safety of their own home.
   How dare you call my members fickle, they have shown me nothing other than loyalty and respect since I became Chairman almost seven years ago. But then, how would you know that, you weren’t here, were you Mr Edwardes? You also then endeavour to demean my position as Chairman of Dial-a-Cab, something that I am immensely proud of. To see Dial-a-Cab as one of "the foremost radio circuits worldwide" (your words, not mine), is something that I and many long-term DaC drivers have helped to achieve, but what have you done, Mr Edwardes? You then have the audacity to pretend that you can read my mind by saying that I would not be happy to return to a cab. How in earth do you know that - or is it something else that you have just 'made up’? You speak of the cab trade as though it is something to be ashamed of - well, not me, I am proud of it.  Finally, you offer more misleading facts by stating that London Wide was sold out to become ComCab. In actual fact, London Wide was started in 1974 and became Computer Cab in 1978. Then in 1997, the LTDA sold an 80% stake in ComCab to Delgro in Singapore. Just another example of you getting things totally wrong.  "Past your sell-by date?" I would never be so rude as to suggest something like that, but neither would I be so rude as to argue with you!

Internet Chat Lists
I read both your article "Sickly Sweet Call Sign" and your response to George Wilson's letter in which he criticises your attitude towards Internet chat lists and I have to say that I agree with you 100%. I have now left the Yahoo list because it was far too political and filled with people who all think that they run the cab trade....
Steve Brown (D67)
As I’ve said several times, I have nothing against chat lists. It’s the self-importance attitude they display, plus the fact that they believe they can criticise anyone they like.  However, when the criticism goes against them, they don’t respond but just start quoting rules as to why you shouldn’t have read the criticism in the first place…Ed

Losing £140 Trips!
Over the Easter weekend there were jobs picking up in the provinces (50 and 99 zones) going to Milton Keynes and unless you had outstanding knowledge, you would have needed to accept some jobs blindly as the trip offers had insufficient detail. This happened to me and I wasn't prepared to take the risk of running late to the pick up address and upsetting the client. Because of this I rejected a job that was worth about £140 (ouch)! Would it be possible when rides are dispatched in the provinces, that the nearest motorway junction be given or the nearest big town be shown and once accepted, a contact phone number given? This way we have a rough idea of where the pick up is. The job in my case was a pick up somewhere near Peterborough, although the trip offer only gave the name of a small town/village and I would definitely have accepted the ride with a little more detail.
   I know that this work is to only last 4 days and by the time you read my letter, it will have finished, but as I understand things it will start up again in August for a very long period. I am sure that with my suggestion you would make thing much easier for drivers.
   If you cannot get all the detail onto the trip offer, then how about 2-page trip offers?
Paul Shaw (B19)
See Allan Evans response elsewhere in this issue…Ed

I know this is a strange letter, but I would love you to wish my husband a happy wedding anniversary on June 4. We met 19 years ago, I was 21 and he was 40. Many thought it wouldn’t work out, but as you can see it did! When I was 24 we had our first child, our daughter Laura and when I was 27, we had our second child, our son Frankie. A short while after, my husband said he would like to do the Knowledge but thought it would be too hard on me as he would be out a lot. In the end we agreed that he would do it. At this time, things were hard money-wise, so to make ends meet my husband worked all day, went to school at night and went out on the bike all weekend. We cleaned the Knowledge school twice a week - and let me tell you those men at the school didn't know what a bin was! The place always used to be a tip, but we cleaned it for over a year. When it was time to go and clean` the school, I would almost be in tears but didn’t want him to do it on his own. For the cleaning, he got £15 a week and his school fees paid. It took over three years of hard work for him to finally pass the Knowledge, but thank God it meant no more cleaning that school!
   When Frankie was born, I developed Epilepsy and then 18 months ago Laura also became epileptic. Then to our horror, just six months ago our son also got it. He has severe Epilepsy, which causes problems to the stomach. So my husband has all this to worry about…
   He takes my son to school, then goes to work driving his cab, then picks him up again and
then goes back to work again.  When my son’s Epilepsy plays him up at school – which it does fairly often - off he goes again to pick him up. My husband has diabetes, but he does all this without one word of moaning.
   We love him very much. With all our problems, we have been together 19 years and on June 4 I will be 40 and it is also our 9th wedding anniversary.
   I would be grateful if you could print this letter as I am not very good with words. He is the best husband and dad in the entire world. His name is Brian McKenzie.
Jane McKenzie (a very proud Mrs A63)
Congratulations to both of you and thanks for a lovely letter Jane. As Jane and Brian’s anniversary date falls so close to June 7, Call Sign had hoped to present them with a complimentary pair of tickets for what looks like being the event of the year – the DaC 50^th anniversary dinner and ball! However, Jane already has a 40^th birthday of her own for that day.
   For those who have not yet bought their D&B tickets, they are priced at £75 per person. That includes dinner, cabaret, dancing to a top band, a complimentary bar all evening and some surprises on top. It will be a great night but there aren’t too many tickets left, especially if you are hoping to buy for friends as well. See the ad in this issue and phone the number now to be certain …Ed

Sid’s Trio
I’d like to suggest three points to the Board…
1.  Broken Terminals: If every driver could pay 30 – 50p per month from their credits as a form of insurance and when that kitty reaches say £3000 (or a sum that the BoM deem enough), the money will stop being deducted until it goes down to around £500 at which time the fund would start up again. It would be a form of private in-house insurance, nothing to do with VAT or income tax and in this way no driver would be forced to pay £500 for the repair and he/she would then also have an immediate replacement. I do hope that the Board will agree to this soon.
2.  Regarding Lydia Foulkes article: Where new accounts are concerned, I have seen many times the wording "new account" next to the trip details, but you only see that after accepting the job! It should be on the trip offer, in that way our drivers will not hesitate to accept it.

3.  Chief Inspector Rose: I do not understand. We can always send messages about speed traps as we used to, can’t we? They used to talk about "Blue trees" at this or that junction etc. No one else would no what it meant.
Sid Nathan (K88)
Thanks Sid, your letter has been passed on to the relevant departments. As for CI Rose, well he knows now, doesn’t he? … Ed

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