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Either write to Call Sign at Brunswick House or email us at
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One hundred up!
My congratulations to Alan Fisher, Editor of Call Sign, on
completing his first hundred issues over nine years as Editor. With the
backing and help of Dial-a-Cab, Alan has developed in my far from humble
opinion, the licensed radio taxi trade’s best in-house magazine. Alan had a
good reputation as a factual, interesting and reliable journalist with many
taxi trade publications before he became Call Sign's Editor,
but being a good writer does not automatically make you a good editor. Alan
is proof though, that he can be both. Under his editorship Call Sign
allows and encourages free press on matters concerning not only Dial-a-Cab,
but the cab trade in general. He is not afraid to speak his mind and even
more importantly, allows others to do the same.
Well done Alan, keep up the good work, and here's looking forward
to the next hundred.
Rodney Lewis
Former proprietor / Editor Taxi Globe
Thanks Rodney. As I’ve told many people over the years, your advice
following my early issues was invaluable. In fact, thinking about it, I may
still have been Lana Sherif or even worse - begun to enjoy it! …Ed
Thank you Call Sign…
I am writing to thank you for Call Sign’s kind donation to the
Make a Wish Foundation following your charity football match. At the
current time we are experiencing a 37% increase in wish referrals, so your
contribution will help towards the increasing demand for wishes.
We recently granted a wish for one very brave little boy. Oliver is
4 years old and lives with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. His greatest
wish was to be a zookeeper for the day, as he loves animals so much.
Oliver’s day began when he was picked up by a limousine and whisked
off to Marwell Zoo in Hampshire where he received his very own zookeeper’s
outfit. Then he got down to the serious business of taking care of the
animals. He helped feed lunch to the giraffes, camels and monkeys etc before
he and his family were taken out to a restaurant for tea. His mum
said: "It has been the most unforgettable day – just fantastic!"
Anyone wishing to help us further can visit our website to find out
how they can become a regular giver by completing a direct debit form and
help us to continue granting children’s wishes. Again, thank you for your
donation which helped to create some magical memories.
Neil Jones
CEO, Make a Wish Foundation (www.make-a-wish.org.uk)
Call Sign made a donation on behalf of its readers to help sponsor
the match along with Martin Cordell. Call Sign’s footie expert, Russell Hall
(G44), did the donkeywork of organising the game itself. A report on the
match can be found in this issue …Ed
And thank you again!
Can I thank Call Sign for giving drivers the opportunity of
visiting the LTI factory in Coventry. It was a very informative trip and
LTI’s management answered most of our questions. It was also interesting to
see a TXII built from sheet metal into the finished article. My only concern
is that they have massive quality control at every stage throughout
manufacture of the vehicle, so why do we have so many problems when we
collect a new cab?
Bernie Silver (G08)
It is a good question Bernie, but one it would be pointless asking LTI to
answer because if they knew, then the problems would be solved! However, I
think it’s worth mentioning that regardless of what you read in the trade
press, the proportion of vehicles with major problems is fairly small. That
of course is of no satisfaction to those who encounter problems. In any
case, I’m pleased that you and the other 9 DaC
drivers found the trip to be so worthwhile. There will be another trip later
this year …Ed
Back-up?
I would like to congratulate DaC on getting us such a high profile account
back as the one in St James – as a back-up for a car company to cover their
leftovers. I now understand why we had a rise in subs, it was for the Sales
team to go out and get another ‘T’ account. My other point is regarding JPM
who dispatch pre-booked trips ‘As Directed’ when we clearly know that it is
going to EC2. This demonstrates to me that DaC treat drivers like a bunch of
mugs with the Concierge system. I look forward to the usual ‘I’m wrong and
you’re right’ reply.
Brian Cohen (C81)
Brian, just because you support Spurs doesn’t mean that you are going to get
away with writing rubbish like that. What do you think would have happened
to DaC had we not been first to develop Concierge? Because the reason we are
– as you call us – a backup to this PH company is because they (Burgundy)
have now developed their own system. It isn’t currently as good as ours, but
it won’t take long – neither will they be the only ones to have one. Had we
not been first to develop Concierge, we’d have been back-ups to many more
accounts – or been frozen out altogether. I looked into the account you
refer to (as a back-up?) and the average trip before admin was added on was
working out at about £24 – hardly terrible, is it? In addition, on the day I
looked, they were our fifth busiest account and that involves a lot of work
coming our way.
Just like our system, when the client phones Burgundy, they tell
them whether they want a car or taxi – the PH company doesn’t just send them
their own vehicle. So we are not a back-up. The company use us both, but via
the same phone number. Concierge may not have represented the way I
saw my future in this business when I started in 1971, but like most
drivers, I am a realist. I don’t do this job for the principle of it; I do
it to earn money and provided no one is trying to extract any urinary
substances – and no one is – I truly believe that Concierge has played a big
part in helping us (that’s the drivers) do so much better financially than
any other taxi company drivers. After all, everyone now knows about
Concierge, yet it doesn’t stop new drivers wanting to join us.
As for the AD part, I’m a driver too and I’ve picked up lots of
work from JPM – not too many going to EC2. But if it does, then AD is how
it’s dispatched. Why are you making a fuss about it or is it that you’re so
desperate to kick Concierge? I have no doubt that most drivers now realise
how much extra work we have because of it. Look at the new Citigroup account
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starting on 1 July – won only because of
Concierge regardless of what ComCab put out re their losing it.
And by the way Brian, drivers sometimes complain about the answers
given in Mailshot and say that some display a sarcastic overtone. Well
just look at the content of your letter – hardly encourages a non-sarcastic
answer, does it? Oh, and by the way Brian – you’re wrong and I’m right! …Ed
Exterior signage on private hire
I’ve just been sitting next to a new-looking VW Sharan (reg LT06 UHR). It
had Addison Lee signage on the bonnet, doors and rear hatch. I thought
exterior signage had been and still was a no-no? These add-ons looked to be
stuck on rather than factory-fitted as they weren’t particularly well done.
Perhaps Call Sign could look into the matter?
Kevin Went (N19)
I did look into it Kevin and amazingly, you were sitting next to a car that
was on its way to Thailand as part of the Gumball Rally. It was being
used as a support vehicle and the PCO – who gave us the information - were
assured that any stickers were removed on its return to the UK. The Event
followed a 3-stage, 3000-mile driving route that incorporated Europe, Asia
and the USA. What you witnessed was the beginning of stage 1 - London to
Belgrade. The cars and participants were then flown to Phuket in Thailand
from where they drove to Bangkok. Cars and participants then
flew across the pacific to the USA for the drive from Salt Lake City to Los
Angeles via Las Vegas. From there it may – or may not – return to Strand in
London for a spot of Friday night "how’s your father" – but minus the logos!
Does Stanley know…?
I have just read the May Call Sign and wanted to say that
Spanish Taxi made more sense than the Wit and Wisdom of Stanley
Frankel. However, I still support Stan's desire to have his own column
in the mag and following his latest letter, the DaC drivers who start work
at Heathrow just can't wait for him to do a 'signing' session at the
Feeder Park Canteen! By the way, Stanley may be interested to know (though I
doubt it!) that ComCab have a £20 cancellation charge on top of the meter
fare for trips scrubbed at the airport, that way their drivers are not
having to sacrifice 2 hours at the whim of a secretary who forgot to book
her bosses car.
On a positive note, could you give Lydia in our Sales department
some feedback from Heathrow drivers: On talking to passengers who usually
have cars booked for them by their secretaries, the client often seems
impressed that they can walk straight out to cabs on the Terminal Radio
Ranks without their firm having to pay car park fees - if they know the
service exists. Also, if the timing of their arrival, plus a nominal amount
of time to clear customs (depending on whether an internal or external
flight) and the time of the Taxi booking is accurate, they are surprised at
how competitive we
are pricewise! Another plus for us is that we have the M4 bus lane and
access to the other bus lanes in town, which are unavailable to our Private
Hire competitors and particularly useful to us in the morning and evening
rush hours.
Maybe if Stanley Frankel can get that old cab of his that far out,
he could be educated to understand that the Dial-a-Cab drivers hope to get a
radio job from Heathrow to avoid sitting at the airport for 2 hours.
Unfortunately, it is becoming all too common that a Secretary/PA
forgets to book her boss’s car and then belatedly calls DaC to get herself
out of trouble. On occasion, this leads to a driver - having been allocated
a job after a substantial period of waiting - finding out after a relatively
short time (with £5 on the meter and through no fault on his part), that the
job has been scrubbed because the boss has taken another mode of transport
or a cab from the Taxi rank when there was no car to meet him.
Perhaps, if even a half-wit like me can understand why a member
like Peter Moll (K35) (Mailshot, March) might feel slightly aggrieved
at earning a small amount for his time, surely someone with Stanley
Frankel's enormous 'wit and wisdom' can feel some sympathy? I'm sure that
Stanley feels similar frustration when after waiting for a customer on a
trip with a long lead time such as Hampstead and then the job is scrubbed a
short time after putting his meter on - maybe even before booked time? Why
shouldn't the customer be charged? Well, the client didn't cancel the
booking within a certain time and the job was actually allocated to a driver
who is now unavailable to take another hiring! How would it be, Stan, if I
took a hiring that I considered better than the radio job I had been
allocated?
Don't take offence Stan, but I'm sure Brian Rice would be
interested on your views about Gazumping and sharp practices on property as
well!
Mark White (B86)
Thanks for the letter Mark. I have passed your airport comments onto Lydia.
I was also reminded that the setting up of the radio ranks were due mainly
to DaC’s perseverance before others jumped onto the bandwagon. As for
Stanley, well he has long forgotten about the airport and is now well and
truly into Power Pill and QLink! …Ed
Stan, Stan, not the Power Pill man!
I have just read Mr Ruparelia’s letter (May Call Sign) about the
Ubiee Power Pill and I simply had to write to let you know that I too have
been using it with miraculous results. I would like to inform you and the
rest of DaC that after just a few weeks use, my wife has now discovered that
she is expecting twins. As for my old FX4 cab, which seemed to always run on
‘hot’, I have to tell you that since dropping Aspirin tablets into the fuel
tank, it now runs on cold. What a lot of nonsense, because if the miracle
pill really worked, wouldn’t it be internationally recognised? Anyway,
what is so special about a saving of four miles per gallon without taking
into account the cost of the pill?
On a different note, congratulations to Ms Pat O’Toole’s success
after wearing the QLink. She states that her headaches have disappeared and
she feels refreshed every day. Doesn’t Ms O’Toole realise that she was
suffering from a psychosomatic disorder, in other words it was all in her
mind – just like me sleeping with Marilyn Monroe! It may well be that she
believes the world is flat and that there was life on Mars.
Stanley Frankel (K46)
How nice to read another Frankel view on life. The reason Power Pill won’t
work for you is the place that you put it – it is supposed to go in the fuel
tank! Where you have it, it is likely to slip out every time you bend over!
And Stanley, in case you require a serious answer, fuel saving is a bonus to
help pay for the pills. Power Pill’s true aim is lowering emissions and
getting rid of smoke.
As for your insulting remarks to Pat O’Toole (T44), there’s
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only one psycho involved here – and it isn’t Pat! …Ed
Sickness and flowers (continued)
I recently read in the March issue of Call Sign the letter
from a woman who said that her husband had been off work for some time due
to illness and that he had received no flowers, fruit or even a get-well
card. I had a similar experience but with an ironic twist! I too was off
sick - for five months from October 2005 until March 2006 - and despite
faithfully sending in medical certificates to cover these months, I too
received neither flowers, nor fruit, nor even a get well card. The only
communication that I did receive from DaC was a letter from Tom Whitbread
telling me that I was ‘on complaint’ for not doing the required 40 jobs
during each of these months! I therefore made a personal visit to Brunswick
Place for some kind of explanation. All the certificates that I had
submitted were duly produced and verified as having been received, so I was
at a loss to understand why I had been put on complaint?
The fact that I had received no ‘goodies’ during my time off sick
was incidental, compared to the complaint, and to date I am still awaiting a
written explanation regarding this incident.
Whilst I am not concerned about receiving flowers, etc for a
prolonged and often painful illness, my question is why some drivers are
afforded these morale-boosters to help recovery and others are not?
From a confused member…
Russell Bamber (N27)
I’ve looked into it Russell, and just like the example you quoted in your
letter – how can I put this – you were overlooked! It should be said that
DaC wouldn’t normally send flowers for your type of illness (lower back and
knee pain), but you would hopefully have been sent a get-well card. Prior to
February, a different department dealt with cards/flowers etc, but now Nuala
and Val in Driver Services are dealing with it and these types of instances
are getting fewer. Unfortunately, with 2000 members it is never going
to be perfect, but Nuala and Val will always try to make sure these
occurrences are as few as possible.
As for the complaint form, Tom Whitbread showed me his PC file that
usually has sickness details on and only your first two weeks were there,
with further details found in a rarely used file. While that won’t help your
back Russell, I hope it assures you that it was nothing personal! …Ed
Krazy for Kupkake?
Ever since my school days, poetry was an art form out of my sphere. However,
over the past few years I find myself compelled by the efforts of Kupkake as
published in Call Sign. I think his poems, with their
reference to aspects of our occupation, are brilliant and a wonderful asset
to your magazine.
Many thanks to Kupkake and yourself, Alan, for "turning my head."
Mike Holleyoake (M06)
Thanks Mike, David appreciates your sentiments …Ed
A hero - but no burglars!
On Friday 26 May, when joining my taxi to take me from Kynance Mews SW7, I
inadvertently set off the burglar alarm to my home. I wish to convey my very
sincere thanks to my Dial-a-Cab driver who reacted with alacrity and
supported me enormously throughout this emergency. He could not have been
kinder or more helpful and in the end even got me to Euston in time to catch
my train. I felt that I should tell you what splendid service we receive
from most of your drivers.
With many thanks
Gwendolyn Barker
Blawith, Cumbria
Well done Mr Reilly (F64) who is now this lady’s hero! …Ed
Powerpill
Since using Powerpill, I now have better performance all round. Like most
drivers, I didn’t believe it would make any difference but I couldn’t have
been more wrong. It’s like driving a new cab without the TXII problems. The
difference with the emissions is incredible, so I am going to continue
taking the tablets until the cab is forced off the road - then RIP the cab
trade. My cab plate runs out at the end of September 06 – then what?
Scrapped?
John Jones (C75)
Sadly, 1 July is upon us and as of now all pre-Euro or Euro 1 cabs
(except Metrocabs) are required to meet the Euro 3 emission standard when
going to the PCO for passing. That applies to LTI vehicles registered before
16 September 1998. I’m sorry that the PCO / TfL couldn’t see further than
the end of their noses and allow natural wastage + Powerpill to determine
the longevity of a taxi’s working life, however the licensed taxi trade will
not die. On the other hand, it will never forgive this Mayor for his
coldness towards us. This is the man who both as leader of the GLC and now
as Mayor, is famous for wasting money – but never on us! Politics and truth
rarely go together, but last year the former Conservative Mayoral candidate,
Steve Norris assured me that he would not have done this to our trade and I
certainly believe him. Now it’s too late …Ed
Thank you DaC subscribers…
Firstly, I would like to thank all the DaC drivers who voted for me to be an
Arbitrator. I felt very honoured and delighted to be elected to this
position and I promise to be as fair as possible to all concerned.
Changing the subject, has this ever happened to any DaC driver? I
was doing an account ride to London City Airport when the computer beeped
and displayed a lost property message. Seeing the screen reminded me that I
hadn’t done a soon-to-clear. While doing it, my passenger told me in
his American accent to "…stop playing with the computer and concentrate on
your driving!" I immediately stopped doing the STC and continued on to LCA
where I dropped him off safely. I’ve never had anyone say that to me
before and wondered whether anyone else had?
Sid Nathan (K88)
Whilst most drivers can almost operate their terminal without the
need to look, to a passenger it could look dangerous and it is much better
to wait until you are at a set of lights or traffic hold-up. Who knows, you
could have created history and been the first person in DaC history to have
appeared before himself on an Arbitration committee! …Ed
And from me…
I would just like to say a big Thank You to all the subscribers who voted
for me as an Arbitrator. I was delighted to be appointed and will do my best
to serve our Society effectively whenever called upon to do so.
Alan Green (E52)
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