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

Minimum Charges and Minicabs…
I’m just wondering if it’s about time to put our minimum fare up to compete with Concierge / minicabs? Work in the City consists of a lot of locals and many drivers think that we are playing second fiddle to some of these minicab firms. They ring, say Concierge, tell them they are going to N1, SE1 or EC postcodes. Ring DaC, their drivers don’t mind waiting for an hour on EC5 for an  £8 ride. Maybe we should find out what their minimum fares are and price ours accordingly? I bet theirs isn’t £8. I do feel that they are really taking the mick and that we stand for it. Some accounts who only use us once a year because it’s raining or snowing etc and can’t get a minicab from their usual firm, keep DaC as back up. Meanwhile, minicabs put their minimum fare up to say £15.  How many times when the weather is bad or there is a train strike,  does up pop an account who you haven’t had a ride from in the past 18 months? You would go skint if you waited for their business. When it’s busy, I used to just work off the radio, but me and a lot of drivers wonder why should we run if all we’re going to get is the crap that minicabs don’t want? I never thought I would see the day that DaC played second fiddle to minicab firms…
Dave Raymond (F56)
Brian Rice replies: You are correct, we do have a minimum fare of £8 plus 10% gratuity making a total minimum of £8.80. I hasten to add that we are the only taxi company that has this minimum. Of course our minimum fare can be anything we choose, but it is a matter of what the market will stand. I believe that the majority of our members (whilst they would like more) understand the economics involved and are prepared to accept the £8.80 minimum. Whilst I can sympathise with you Dave, regarding waiting an hour and getting a minimum fare, I do not believe it happens that often on the Finsbury - even at this time of the year. You would have to be very unlucky to wait an hour on EC5 and get a minimum, after all - and unfortunate as it might sound - that is the chance that you take when you 'put on'. Incidentally, our average fare is £27, whilst the average fare 'off the street' is just over £8 - I know what I would rather do!

Maggie’s Reply
The March Mailshot published the copy of a letter received from Maggie O’Connor (M72J) that she had forwarded to Mayor Ken Livingstone concerning three parking tickets she had received – each one following a brief stop for the loo. We said that in all probability, Ken would pass the letter on to the PCO and she would be lucky to get much satisfaction to what is a problem shared by many Dial-a-Cab drivers. The response arrived just after our last publication date. It comes from the PCO and is printed below …Ed

Dear Mrs O'Conner
Thank you for your e-mail dated 10 February 2005 to the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, about toilet facilities for London Taxi drivers. The Mayor has asked me to reply on his behalf.
   Firstly I would like to say that the Public Carriage Office (PCO) are aware of the concerns of drivers who infringe local parking regulations for matters of this kind. Whilst we have asked local authorities who are responsible for this issue, to exercise a degree of latitude to licensed cabs, this has met little success. I am aware that there are currently discussions taking place with Westminster Council to see if Taxi parking meters can be installed to enable drivers to stop for a short duration. Hopefully this may improve the situation.
   I enclose a map published by Westminster Council, showing the location of toilet facilities. I hope that you will find this of assistance.
   Thank you again for taking the time to write.
Yours sincerely
Peter Bentley
Manager Licensing Standards

Thanks for Call Sign’s Eurostar Offer
As the wife of a long serving member of Dial-a-Cab, I am writing to you to say what a wonderful treat Call Sign’s Eurostar offer is. In a few weeks time we are about to use it for the second time on a 3-day trip to Lille as a group of six including friends and family. Last year we used it to visit our nephew who was studying in Besencon for a year. The people in the Eurostar offices are very efficient and helpful and will give you any advice you need. The trip to Besencon was a little complicated, as we needed to change trains in Paris but they were very helpful and a well co-ordinated journey for seven people was arranged.
   I would strongly urge any Dial-a-cab driver to make the most of this offer, as they do not get much in the way of perks of the trade.
   Whilst I am on this topic, can I ask what has happened to the complimentary theatre tickets that the drivers used to get the opportunity to claim? It used to be so nice to get a call during the day asking if I would like to go out to the theatre! In the past I’ve seen many productions including Chicago and The Rat Pack amongst many others. It would be such a shame if this were not to continue...
Denise Yuchetel (wife of L44)
I'm delighted that drivers and their families are using the Eurostar offer because it wasn't easy convincing Eurostar that we'd make good use of it. The bottom line, of course, is that drivers spread the word about how great Eurostar is - without mentioning about our cheap rate! If you haven't been to Lille before, you are in for a treat. I was amazed at how nice it was; always having believed that it was just a railway station on the way to Paris!
   As for theatre tickets, quite a few still appear on the screen and there is always a supply of 2 for 1 in the office reception. But I would expect a few more freebies during the early spring months ...Ed

Taxi or Black Cab?
Re your Editorial (March Call Sign), please don’t stop referring to us as Licensed Taxis. We are NOT black cabs!
Martin Freeborn (C67)
Thanks for that Martin, but I have to say that judging by the lack of written response and by what the majority of drivers have said to me personally, even they now refer to us as black cabs. Martin’s point originates from my last Editorial where I wrote that I was being snowed under by press releases and articles which referred to us a black cabs and where I used to alter that reference and replace it with Licensed Taxi, I was now wondering if it was worth the bother as everyone seemed to use the phrase …Ed

Best Mag!
Just read the March Call Sign. Ours must be the best magazine in the trade by a mile. Thank you for the hard work you must put in.
Tony Arnold (F03)
You old smoothie, Tony. How much did you say you wanted to borrow! …Ed

Who Are The Mugs?
Who are the mugs? After three years of driving a cab, I’ve started to think it’s me - a mug for putting up with everything the powers-that-be throw at this trade on a daily basis. I’ve held my badge for three years and to be honest, this trade’s not at all what I thought it would be. Many of you will cry out: "Three years, you've not seen anything! You’re not yet entitled to comment, butter boy, come back when you’re on your third bill!" That’s the usual response I get from many other drivers, but believe me, three years is long enough to see just how disappointed I am with the job and to see the ‘ride’ that I believe we are being taken on.
  It took me over three and a half years to do the Knowledge and as most of you know and have experienced, they were years of torment and financial worry. But I thought at the end of it I’d have a good trade, be my own boss, be able to earn a good living and be a member of one of the world’s best trades. Well at least I have one of them – I’m my own boss! I’m not too sure about the others…
   I have a friend who is an electrician, he also took about three years to become fully trained but the difference in trades is massive. His three years earned him the right to charge a £50 call-out. Mine earned me the right to a £2 flag drop. He can drive around to his jobs in a 10K van, I have no choice and have to buy a £30K taxi or rent one for £200 a week. He has to go on a course to upgrade to new legislation and can charge his next customer if he needs new tools / equipment to implement the change so that he is not out of pocket. My new equipment has to come in two years (Euro III conversion) and what can I charge? Yes, that’s right - 20p! He can, if going into the congestion charge zone, add the £5 onto the customer’s bill. I however, have to pay £3.16 at Heathrow but can only charge back £1. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? I was going to use the minicab trade - oops sorry, minicab drivers - as an example on outlay comparisons, but it would wind me up even more.  The simple fact is that you can compare us with any other trade and see the big difference in outlay / earnings ratio.
   I know we all have to charge the same in the London taxi trade, but the running costs well outweigh those of other trades and I don’t believe that I get a good return for what I lay out. My outgoings per month are about £1200; can you imaging what return another tradesman would get on this outlay? Just go to your garage and get them to buy £1200 of parts for your cab and then see how much of a mark-up they add on before selling on to you. And this £1200 is just for my taxi and diesel, it doesn’t include maintenance…
   Over the past 6 or so weeks, I have been lucky if I’ve taken over £125 on a shift and before you all say that it’s the kipper season, I know! But even at this time of year with the outlays we have, it’s a disgrace. Last Monday I worked over 9 hours and took £119, not too bad, but then take off £15 diesel, put aside £15

Internet Scam
With regard the article in the March Call Sign regarding me and a possible Internet scam, can I correct you in that I didn’t actually receive the fraudster's cheque because I never replied to his email. But I would like to offer a warning to other drivers; I made enquiries at my bank with regard to clearing cheques and they have advised me that even though you may deposit a cheque into your account and wait the necessary 5 to 7 days for that cheque to clear, the issuing bank still have the right through banking regulations to reclaim that money if there is any problem with that cheque - whether stolen, fraudulent etc or if there is any problem with the third party bank account - even though it has supposedly cleared into your account.
David Marks (R22)

California Dreamin’ and the AA
"All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey." I turn up the volume on my radio.
   "I’ve been for a walk on a winters day, if I didn’t tell her I could leave today…"
   The reality is I haven’t I’m fourth from point at Marylebone Station. It’s a bitterly cold day in February, sleet blowing and wind gusting. I’m watching a chip wrapper propel itself all along Melcombe Place. Suddenly there’s a tap on my side window making me jump. An old tramp asks if I have any change and asks if I had a gun, who would I shoot! I mumble under my breath, shake my head and he moves down the line. Perhaps he’s committed some unsolved murders, I think to myself, a psychopath perhaps! Boredom does strange things.
   Suddenly the rank begins to form; a city slicker, four old ladies and two Goths resplendent in their body armour and steel toecaps, radiating on their shiny black boots.
   I turn the ignition key - clickety-click! I’ve feared it for ages; non-existent horn, dashboard battery light on, its finally arrived… a flat battery! Maybe there’s just enough power to get it started? I try again. ESP - extra sensory perception - Yuri Geller does it with teaspoons, but today I have the power to do it with a flat battery. The two Goths are now staring daggers at me, wondering why I haven’t moved up; I turn the key again, it’s no good. I’m gothsmacked!
   I telephoned the AA, opened the bonnet and "got down on my knees and began to pray."
   The AA say that a breakdown driver will be with me in about one hour. It won’t be an AA patrolman, but a driver from another garage as their resources are stretched today. They assure me he is fully qualified to get me started and then take down my mobile number. After 45 minutes, my spirits are at a very low ebb, the AA phone to reassure me and read me a sermon, redemption is now 15 minutes away…
   "The preacher likes to call, he know I’m gonna stay."
   Another 30 minutes and the breakdown truck arrives, lights flashing. I wave at him indicating my position, but he sits in his truck completely oblivious to my signalling. I walk up to him and start to talk to him. He is of eastern European appearance with limited English. He says "wait" as he sits in his truck for what seems an age, filling out a form. He beckons me over and says: "You sign form first," and waving his finger in the air says, "…then you must sign again twice." I ask why I can’t sign at the end and not before he has got me going? He replies: "You know what these f***ing bas***ds are like, you must sign form first. You a taxi driver - I know you know what these f***ing bas***ds are like." I think he means the AA…
   I quickly signed, my patience running out just glancing at it. As he climbed down, I began to worry what I had just signed, will there be stone cladding on my house next week and a new gravel pathway to boot when I get home? He grabbed the jump leads from his truck and connected them to my cab battery. He tells me to start the cab, but nothing! Another battery is then brought out for an extra boost and after much fumbling, I get started.
   I told him that there is a loose terminal on my battery. He opened a drawer on his truck. In it were a few rusty open-ended spanners and not much else, not a socket set or king dick in sight! He fumbled around. How did he get the job, I wondered? He pulled the lead off the terminal trying to tighten it. The engine stalled and we had to go through the whole procedure again. Checking with a meter on my engine, he says: "You have 30 minutes left to drive to a garage now, or I tow you, everything finished, the end. You understand?" I nodded and elected to drive to the garage. I have no confidence in a tow by this guy. I started off to drive to York Way, indicators hardly working, very little battery power. That tramp asking who I’d like to shoot, where was he now…!
   I phoned the garage and left a message that my cab was outside to look at in the morning. They phoned straight back and told me not to worry, it sounded like a wiring or alternator job. I started to feel better, I know they are a professional outfit unlike the AA man.
   I remembered talking to a fellow driver once who used to be a breakdown garage driver before he did the Knowledge. He told me that you didn’t need any mechanical qualifications and if you knew how to "work the system" you could bluff your way in. It seems the AA are no longer your friendly breakdown company of yesteryear, they are now a huge business with fingers in many pies, concerned with throughput and administration, prepared to subcontract, intent on high profit margins for their shareholders. A bit like our railways!
   California dreamin’ on such a winter’s day…
David Heath (Ex-W27)

Honesty on E14C?
Whilst the discussions concerning the E14C rank are still ongoing, the pressure on the drivers to service this rank has become irksome. In last month’s Call Sign, Allan Evans asked for any ideas that may resolve this problem. May I suggest 2 viable options? The first option would rely on honesty from the drivers, akin to the booking in procedures at Heathrow (WW00). At Heathrow, once you are within the perimeter road, you can book in. Relate this to Canary Wharf so that when you enter the 4 security checks, then, and only then, you may book into E14C. This would assist the drivers not having to deal with over-zealous security staff and having to 'orbit' Canary Wharf to hopefully obtain a space on the back of the rank. The driver could then rank any where on the Canary Wharf while still being able to service all our major accounts.
   The second option would incur a cost. Drivers could report to a marshal at the marshal’s hut behind 25 Cabot Sq. After obtaining a queue position from the marshal, the driver would be able to rank anywhere on Canary Wharf, as in option 1. I look forward to your reply…
Russell Hall (G44) 
Allan Evans replies: Thanks very much for the suggestions regarding the taxi rank in Cabot Square, Russell. Numerous members have already telephoned in with their ideas and yours will be added to the list for discussion amongst the Board of Management in an effort to find a solution that will resolve the current problem.

Where is Harrods?
In the three years I have been on the circuit I must say that there have been few (if any!) reasons to complain about the service Dial-a-Cab provides for its drivers. However, one niggly aspect of the job dispatch has remained, namely the incomplete details of a destination address - unlike the full details of a pick-up address.
For example, Selfridges is always shown as simply 400 Oxford Street,  Harrods as 87 Brompton Road and Waterloo International as  West Road SE1…!
The only exceptions appear to be the Heathrow (LAP) terminals and most of the other train termini. Even City Airport only appears as Connaught Road E16!
   I suspect most of the other DaC drivers (like myself) are familiar with the above addresses I've cited and can deduce where they are, however, it would be the proverbial "cherry on the cake" if the exact description of the destination is shown on, say, page 2 of the trip details.
Robert Richland (N94)
Keith Cain responds: It certainly would be the cherry on the cake, but the destination details are generated from whatever the person making the booking gives our telephonist. I would estimate that 50% of our calls supply us with just the postal area or zone for a destination. A vast number are made by Secretaries or PA's who just do not known the exact destination. All I can say is

Ken Crawford
Through the Mailshot pages in Call Sign, may I thank DaC for the lovely flowers sent to Ken. He is still fighting for breath, but hopefully the operation at Barts next month should resolve the breathing problem and the London Chest Clinic results should help him to sleep.
   In particular, I would like to thank Brian Rice for his thoughtfulness and wish Ken's many friends good fortune.
Gill Crawford (Mrs B40)
We all wish Ken well…Ed

Stanley-Type Emissions!
I would like to make a few comments regarding Steve Norris’s article on Emissions in the March Call Sign. I have been a cab driver for just about 40 years – in fact for so long that I can actually remember when Pontius Pilate was just a navigator. He invited me to his house by the Red Sea and I was surprised to find it was still alive – even though very sick! But getting back to emissions, I agree that many senior drivers will find it unprofitable to modify their existing vehicles. Not just that, they will also find it unrewarding to hire a taxi sans radio, for like myself, they may only be working 3 – 4 days a week and perhaps only 6 – 7 hours each day. This will entail having to work harder for the same amount of money – something many of us would be loathe to do because of our advancing ages. I feel sure that will mean many more mature drivers simply handing in their badges and leaving the trade to the young ‘uns – like you, Alan!  Could it be that our Ken is simply trying to off-load the oldies in our trade? Who knows? Listen, just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean to say that they’re not after me! Personally speaking - though not since early adolescence - have I had trouble with emissions… and they were mainly nocturnal!
   This is the second time the cab trade has been "got at". The first was when taxis had to be converted to allow easy access for the disabled. I can well remember mentioning conversion to my dear wife Stella and she simply replied that she preferred me to remain Jewish, even though I am very partial to bacon sarnies. And besides, it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good circumcision…
Stanley Frankel (K46)
I wonder what Steve Norris would have said had he realised that his Call Sign comments on emissions would have brought in a response involving circumcision? …Ed

AGM Non-Attendances
I was touched to read your Editorial in a recent edition of Call Sign when you were discussing the reasons for non-attendance at AGMs and cited your visit to my office a few years ago when we talked over how many grandmothers some drivers had who seemed to die annually, in addition to having several funerals, several stone-settings and several parties to celebrate the anniversary!
   Likewise the number of Barmitzvahs for children with the same name became commonplace as reasons for non-attending the meeting! When the Board put to the membership the possibility of postal balloting, this was manna from heaven for certain members who had no wish to spend Sundays - albeit once a year - hearing the same old arguments year on year. The fines of £50 were a deterrent and I know that our arch-rivals Mountview contemplated dropping the fines, but shelved the idea when they realised that no fine meant no necessity to vote either in person or by post, therefore, ruling out any kind of democratic result.
   Can I end by congratulating the Society on yet another fine year and congratulate the Board members on being re-elected.
Trevor Clarke
Bishop Stortford, Herts
Trevor was DaC Company Secretary from 1986 until 2001 …Ed

Complaints by Drivers?
Judging by the amount of space Tom Whitbread, the Dial-a-Cab Complaints Officer is given in the Call Sign Magazine, one can clearly assume that most complaints against drivers are taken seriously. However, the same alacrity in dealing with a driver's complaint against an account customer would seem to be somewhat lacking.
   Having had the misfortune 3 months ago to be on the receiving end of a tirade of verbal abuse from such a customer, the matter has only just elicited a reply from the employee’s company stating that they "take the matter seriously and are currently investigating the points raised in the complaint." The complaint involved being sworn at 16 times and amongst other things, being called a "motherf----r."
   What a stark difference in approach the Public Carriage Office and Dial-a-Cab’s complaints procedure has compared to a commercial company's approach to complaints. I am sure that had the rules been reversed, the complaint would have been dealt with in three/four weeks with a possible revoked licence and/or a severe reprimand for the driver.  Having had a similar experience on two previous occasions with a different account client and being told by Brian Rice: "Well he is a senior client, it's one of those things you put up with," should I have expected anything different? I think the experience I have had with this account customer shows exactly where the Dial-a-Cab driver stands - or should I say kneels?
Robert Lyle (W39)
Brian Rice replies: The way in which our clients deal with their internal complaints is a matter for them and not something DaC should be so impertinent as to interfere with.  As you have had a communication from the client, I think you will agree that we at DaC have acted in the correct manner by informing the H.R. department regarding the alleged abuse you received from one of their employees. They not being as 'quick off the mark' as us, is a compliment to DaC and shows how efficient we are.  I think what you should also bear in mind Robert, is that we are the supplier of a service and whilst
   I do not expect our members to be abused, when they are we take the appropriate action by informing the client - what else can we do? You state that this is the third time that you have received verbal abuse from different clients, that is obviously very unfortunate as most members do not have to deal with three abusive account clients in a lifetime!

Chas’s Accident
Early last month I had a bad set in The Highway and would like to thank ALL the drivers, including the non-DaC ones, who came to my aid and called the emergency services. I’d also like to give a big thank you to the night shift at Brunswick Place for all the help and assistance that they gave to my wife, not only calling her and informing her of what had happened, but arranging for a taxi to pick her up and rush her to the hospital. DaC has always been known as the ‘Gentleman's Circuit’ and now I know why. I would also like to thank all the well wishers who found the time to phone and enquire after my well-being.  Fortunately no damage was done to my vital organs. Whilst in the A&E at the hospital, they gave me an ECG and a cat scan.  Hopefully  by the time that you read this, I will be almost back to work having been told not to drive for 3 weeks. The bad news is that my brain and vitriolic tongue are well and that I am still able to write my Call Sign column!
Chas Kissin (P99J)
Pleased to hear you came out of it relatively unscathed bar a few scratches…Ed

Going Home…
It’s been some time since the Board changed the system for ‘going home’. I personally have stopped using this facility because of my success rate and the fact that it is unavailable for use in some zones after 21.00 hrs. I was under the impression that when the new system was brought in, drivers would be allowed to book into EC5? As we are in a busy period, we are seeing a greater demand for taxis in the late evening in this zone. Perhaps someone could explain the logic behind allowing working drivers to accept jobs that go out of the working area when you have many drivers going home, that have no intention of coming back, looking for a job their way?  Surely it would be better to keep the working drivers in the working area, thus keeping them in the work to cover more credit work? I find it hard to understand when I am driving home, seeing 10-30 unmatched jobs in EC5 to which I have no access to, apart from booking in blind. I’m sure that this job number would be greatly reduced if more drivers were allowed access. I would also be interested to see if there are any figures available to show whether driver use of ‘going home’ has increased or declined. DaC has spent a lot of money on the new dispatch system, but it is clearly failing both customer and driver when it comes to ‘going home’. Have the management any will to change the present system? If not I feel that we should at least revert back to the old one.
   On a more positive note, I have noticed a vast improvement in signal quality where I live, with the result that I have now been able to accept a couple of jobs coming into work.
   As usual, any comments would be appreciated.
Richard Potter (T51)
Allan Evans replies: I’m pleased that the signals are now showing signs of improvement. As for ‘going home’, the Board cannot change the current system because it was previously changed at an AGM following a proposition from the members and we are powerless to change that. Like the rest of the Board, my belief is that members should not be allowed to change operational procedures - that should be a job for the Board as and when the market dictates.

Thanks to Everyone!
Can I thank everybody for their cards, messages, texts and just about every other way of communicating their good wishes short of smoke signals on reaching our Silver Wedding milestone. It’s now a week after the momentous day and we’re still talking to each other! And they said it wouldn’t last…!
Again, many thanks…
Marilyn and Alan Green (E52)
25 years eh? That’s almost as much as the Kray twins got! …Ed

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