Call Sign August 2006 - Page 13 - Interviews new drivers the DaC way

Unlike our competitors who accept anybody, we at Dial-a-Cab have had for many years a waiting list of prospective new members. Once on that list, all applicants must first sit an interview to ascertain their suitability before being accepted onto our Society. Renowned for being a Gentlemen’s Circuit (for the sexist - note adjective) and a reputation for being financially, commercially and operationally the most attractive circuit to be a member of, we have a responsibility to our existing members to be sure that all new subscribers are of an acceptable standard. Of all the occasions I have played the role of inquisitor, interviewing cab drivers (my peers) - particularly those that have a badge for many years - is the undoubtedly the most varied of them. One has to be mindful of the fact that licensed taxi drivers drivers, being self-employed, might not necessarily be used to attending interviews and questions asked must reflect this fact.	Dial-a-Cab has seen a large response from taxi drivers wanting to join the Society since we began advertising in the trade press following the large corporate accounts that have either renewed their contracts or joined us from other circuits. Interviews are often carried out by Allen Togwell and Allan Evans and in this article Allen Togwell writes about… INTERVIEWING NEW DRIVERS – THE DAC WAY
	I usually start, particularly to those drivers who have never been on a radio circuit before, by emphasising the fact that joining one means losing a certain amount of freedom. It is perhaps a bit like joining a golf club; there are rules and procedures that must be adhered to and failure to do so could find them getting their knuckles rapped. I then explain what is expected of them from our clients, the importance of image etc and after a further 15 minutes or so - assuming they are still sitting there - I explain the enormous benefits of belonging to the most sought-after radio taxi circuit in London. I must confess that I find interviewing people interesting. I also occasionally find it a little amusing, especially when you expect a lengthy answer to a question only to get at best a few words and often just a furrowing of the brow and shrug of the shoulders! But this hasn’t been the case of late; in fact I’ve been extremely impressed with many of the applicants answers, especially with regards dress, appearance, manner, attitude and the eagerness	to cover account work. In addition, there are often comments from those hopeful subscribers who are currently with our competitors, which according to them includes the desire to belong to a radio circuit whose dispatching system is "much fairer than theirs." Also often brought up is the fact that on Dial-a-Cab, the whole fare and gratuity is paid to the driver and equally importantly, that the management don’t shut themselves away from the drivers (their words, not mine). And of course, the knowledge that we have the most work per driver. Cynics will often say that these applicants are giving the obvious answers, but I am not naļve. I consider myself a reasonable good judge of character and compared with some of those who were expelled last month, this recent group of new recruits will - I’m sure - be of enormous benefit to the future of our Society. So I personally would like to take this opportunity of welcoming them all to Dial-a-Cab and wish them every success… Allen Togwell DaC Marketing Dept

Ex-DaC driver Bob Woodford writes a regular column for Call Sign from his new home at Languedoc in France… CALL SIGN EN LA BELLE FRANCE
Another Wimbledon Fortnight has been and gone - and my regular stint of manoeuvring a cab around the lawns of the All England Club were profitable enough to justify me leaving my post here on the sun blessed Mediterranean. I have to say that after 19 years of ranking up in Augustus Road in the mornings, then Gate 4 in the afternoon and evenings, this years marshalling was particularly efficient - something I know Wandsworth police will confirm. We cabbies at Southfields share the marshalling in rotation, but I have to take issue with a Dial-a-Cab driver who enjoyed taking a tenner each time he ran 5 people sharing up to the turnstiles for what would normally be a 3 quid fare! I didn’t get the chance to speak to him personally,	but with a bit of luck he might just read this. Yes Sir, it is a licensed taxi rank for the Championships, but the reason the cabbies contribute a fiver each day is because there is a licensed cabbie directing the public from the station to the rank and another licensed cabbie trying to ensure that you have 5 people sharing instead of 3 or 4. Without marshals, so much work would be lost. Therefore the marshals who	miss out on lucrative rides can at least share what is collected to make up their losses. Hopefully, the DaC subscriber will chill out before the 2007 tournament. Perhaps it might help if he logs on to www.southoffrancelets.com and books a holiday? We will still waive your booking fee despite being behind with your rent at Southfields! If anyone would like to see what we have in short breaks or summer vacations, just go to our other website at www. southoffranceaccommdation.com. *A bientot.* Bob Woodford (Ex-P49) Saint Genies de Fontedit, Languedoc, France

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