Call Sign November 2005 - Page 27 - DRIVER OPERATIONS

ALAN GREEN AT 60

Alan at work

Call Sign would like to send its heartiest congratulations to our photographer, Alan Green, who celebrated his sixtieth birthday on 31 October. He joins Editor Alan as moving into the OBP (Order of the Bus Pass)!

AA RESCUE? THE ROAD’S TOO BUSY MATE!

Dial-a-Cab long-time driver, Sid Gold (E20), hasn’t had the best two months. His run of bad luck started when a fire engine hit his parked taxi causing it to be off the road for a week. Soon after, again whilst parked, Sid’s G-reg Fairway was his by a florist’s van,
again costing him a week!
   But the most recent incident and by far the most serious, happened on his way home to Chigwell along the A12 duel carriageway going eastwards towards the
Green Man exit. An horrendous clanking sound with sparks showing in his rear-view mirror and a loss of steering told Sid that something major was wrong! The only way he could stop was to use the kerb to help him slow down. He got out and was shocked to see that his rear, offside wheel had come off!
   "I was speechless," Sid told Call Sign, "and that isn’t something that happens too often to me! The bolts had been sheared clean through!"
   Whether the damage was caused through the two previous accidents will never be known, but Sid’s only thought on that day

was how to get home. As a
member of Britain’s fourth emergency service, Sid immediately phoned the AA and told them the situation and where
he was stranded. "Sorry sir," they replied, "that road is too dangerous for our breakdown men!"
   The police saw him on their CCTV and came out. They too phoned the AA but they still refused to come out to 84-year old Sid. The police then phoned Leytonstone Motors, who came out soon after and towed Sid and his cab back to Chigwell, charging him an astronomical Ł297 for the four-mile journey.
   "Normally I’d have had the cab taken to the garage," a still-irritated Sid said, "but if it was Ł300 for such a short trip, I would have hated to have to pay for a long round-trip! In addition, there wouldn’t have been much of the taxi left outside the garage with one wheel already missing."
   Ironically, the damage caused to the cab was minimal and came to half the price of the tow! The AA say they will consider recompensing Sid for the tow charge…

In a world where technology moves at an astounding pace, DaC Network Administrator Jonathen Winterburn takes an occasional look at the latest gadgets…

JON ASKS WHAT’S NEW?

Big IS beautiful – the TV from heaven!
The Athens Display Series from Lieberman Inc are very slick, unique multi-panelled LCD displays. The one pictured with this article is the largest one available – a 118lbs, 5-panel model featuring Ultra-Speed(TM) Technology. You get resolutions of up to 19200 x 2400 pixels, yet whilst being just a mere 2.5inches thin, it is 200inches wide! Just imagine - five 40inch TV's side by side!
This technology provides the viewer with an unbelievable panoramic experience that is almost heavenly! Whilst there are 2, 3 and 4-panel models available, this deluxe 5-panel model is the one we all want – imagine watching your favourite DVD or playing your favourite shoot-em-up on this baby? I want one!
You can get more info at Lieberman's website at http://www.go-l.com/home/index.htm but as there is no price tag yet, I suspect it's a case of if you have to ask, you can't afford it! Well, one can dream…!

Jonathen Winterburn
DaC Network Administrator

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