Call Sign September 2005 - Page 25 - DRIVER OPERATIONS - KUPKAKES KORNER

DRIVER OPERATIONS

Views on life as seen through the eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at

KUPKAKES KORNER

Suicide Bombers (1)

Not soldiers of valour
defending their land,
just disciples of Allah
with murderous hands

Their cause has no merit
there is no excuse,
they came to kill many
they came to make news

Here to create chaos
with their bombs and nails,
they came to cause life loss
and they would not fail

Their aim was destruction
death and despair,
with their religious induction
they just didn't care

Their targets were civilians
just making their way,
in a city of millions
they just blew them away

Suicide Bombers (2)

All these bombers wanting suicide
should assemble in Hyde Park,
we'll build an enclosure
lit up in the dark

With no danger there to innocent lives
their protests will be fit,
we'll all watch on CCTV
as they blow themselves to bits

The commercial possibilities are infinite
TV rights sold worldwide,
reality TV through the night
not murder - just suicide

Kopyright Kupkake 2005

Hello Ladies and Gents,

We are now approaching the end of the summer holiday season and with schools returning to normal, Londons workforce gradually returning to full capacity and taking into account the sad events over the last few months which will obviously have an effect on the mode of transport some people are using, I feel sure that we are about to enter an extremely busy period.
   Obviously, we are going to need everyone helping to maintain the excellent service that Dial-a-Cab is famous for. I know you will have read this part several times in Call Sign and if you are among the many subscribers that it doesnt apply to, then I apologise, but the recent Board of Management decision taken to strictly invoke the 40 trips per month ruling really is necessary. In addition, it will also delay the alternative option of increasing the fleet size to cope with the anticipated rise in demand. So please help the Call Centre help you to safeguard your living.
   By now you will all be aware that the revised opening hours at Roman Way were extended from 8am until 8pm (Monday Friday) for a trial period. That trial period has now ended and for as long as the additional evening hours are worthwhile, the new opening times will remain.
   I have mentioned this several times and sent constant terminal messages out, yet there are still some members who have not had their terminals upgraded

Roman Way

(3.4.3).
At the risk of repeating myself yet again, can those drivers please make the effort to visit the fitting bay as soon as possible. The upgrades have been introduced to help improve the system and it is not until the whole fleet has been fully upgraded that we will notice the overall benefits.

Broken Terminals

Over the past month, there seems to have been a noticeable increase in the number of broken terminals or smashed screens. It has been mentioned many times in Call Sign that the cost of these repairs are very expensive and that they could be passed on to the member if after examination by the manufacturer, he or she is deemed to be partly or fully responsible for the damage.

Please take care of the equipment and if you are loading luggage, make sure that the terminal is well protected. A little extra precaution could end up saving you your hard earned cash!

Allan Evans Allane@Dialacab.co.uk

HAS "EAST" GONE WEST?

Call Sign has had several phone calls from drivers regarding the CarboNeutral Radio Taxis Group newspaper, Taxi Times. Their enquiries centred on a full page ad in their 1 August issue which told of a conference for "Badge and Bill holders only" on 23 September at the Barbican. The conference is apparently being organised by an organisation called EAST, who we seem to remember at a meeting organised by the LCDC some time back and who were concerned with emissions and taxis.
   According to the ad, "key note speakers from the PCO, TfL, GLA and industry present the case for Euro 3 compliance from 12.30 till 4.30pm." It also said it would be giving taxi drivers the opportunity to question the experts.
   So far, so good. There are just two problems as far as Call Sign can see. Firstly, no one seems to know anything about it and secondly the cost is a teeny bit steep at 176 (+VAT)! However, as a licensed Taxi driver you get a healthy discount and will only pay 60 + VAT!
   Call Sign enquired at the PCO about the conference, but no reply was forthcoming. However, we did know that many at Penton Street have their holidays at this time of year.
   However, my colleague John Paul Pace told me that he had spoken to Roy Ellis at the PCO and he had certainly not asked either EAST or its MD Paul McBride, to set up any conference. In fact Mr Ellis suggested that the conference would not be necessary at this time as the PCO/TfL would be holding their own exhibition in the New Year and that it would be displaying all the products for bringing cabs up to Euro 3 standard. And it would be free!
   John also discovered that Alan Fleming and the LCDC are not involved with this conference in any way and are no longer in touch with EAST.
   We are perplexed as to why no one knows anything about this hugely expensive conference, why only Taxi Times were offered the ad and why their Editor has since resigned. It may all be coincidence, but an explanation in Taxi Times would be welcome.
   In the meantime, our advice to DaC drivers is simple: Even though the message to Taxi Times readers is to "support our advertisers," we say DONT GO!

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