Complaints from the inside…
If I go out and buy a new television, then I can be reasonably sure that when I get home and plug it in, it will not burst into flames but will show a picture of sorts. When I go to a restaurant in  London and order a lamb casserole, it will more than likely contain lamb and not dog or fox. Passengers in London taxis can be confident that they  will not be overcharged since our meters are reliable and checked by the  Public Carriage Office. When I buy 20 litres of diesel for my taxi, I am fairly certain that I have not been sold just 18 litres. This is because we have come to expect and accept teams of safety officers, weights and measures inspectors,
trading standards officers and food inspectors all working behind the scenes and enforcing various items of legislation.
   All this came to mind after I was recently asked to sit on a Dial-a-Cab Complaints Committee to hear various charges against some of our members. A complaint may be made by a passenger, an account holder, a Board member or another driver. These complaints included being rude to a client, not covering the required minimum of  40 jobs each month, using a mobile phone when driving and failing to follow instructions from the Call Centre. In eachcase I was impressed by the amount of work that our Compliance Officer, Tom Whitbread, had put into investigating the charge to see if there really was a substantial case to answer and then preparing the records and evidence for the committee to examine. It could be the case that a member or client has brought unfounded charges against a driver and before it gets to the committee stage, Tom may well have dealt with the situation diplomatically and reached a satisfactory solution for all concerned. Remembering that this is a mutual society, the system as far as I can see is fair and takes into account the interests of the majority of the drivers, as well as the requirements of the clients.
   However, I am surprised at the chutzpah of some of the  drivers, making the same "error" dozens of times, (always in the driver’s favour) and hoping that the committee will think it was an accident each time; or only completing 6 or 8 jobs a month, not just for a couple of months but over a period of 20 months. Some drivers claim sickness has prevented them from working, but the computer records show them driving round London rejecting credit work, but accepting jobs off the street. Then they  have the front to say that they have the interest of the society at heart and ask to stay on the circuit! I just cannot see how they are of benefit to Dial-a-Cab or benefit from remaining as members.
   When an inspector calls to  check on a restaurant he is not the most popular visitor that day, but it is in the interest of the customers to make sure the place is clean and there are no rat droppings in evidence. Likewise, it is in the  nature of the job of enforcing the rules and dealing with complaints that Tom Whitbread may make himself unpopular with some drivers.
   But it is usually these drivers who are harming the Society, not working to give a decent service to the clients and so jeopardising the work for ALL of us. If there is a rule that is thought to be unfair, then it can be changed by members at an AGM. Until then, we will need somebody to enforce agreed procedure for the benefit of all of us. And when that person becomes popular, it is unlikely he is doing his job properly. Imagine traffic wardens trying to get votes from drivers by not giving out tickets; very soon the streets would be clogged up with  his "friends" and no cars or taxis would be able to move  around.
Laurence Kelvin (W88)

What would "the moaners" do…?
Through Call Sign, I would like to ask something of the drivers who moan about two specific Board members - firstly Tom Whitbread. I would like to know whether these knockers are capable or would have the bottle before moaning, to think whether they could do this most unrewarding of jobs?
   With regard to Mr Togwell, this gent is trying to improve our image. How many of you could do his job and have the pluck to try to make us more professional? Instead of knocking them, they should have our support and also be rewarded with a further term in office.

Defending Tom…
Alan, thank you for your reply to my letter (Dec Call Sign), although judging by your defence of Tom I feel that you’ve probably misunderstood what I was trying to convey. The problem with covering 3 points in one letter, as I had done, is that you can’t do justice to any of them. The offence mentioned in my letter was not caused by Tom's opinions, but by the angry tone of it, equating immigration to the increase in crime - although I guess if I had just been mugged at a cashpoint, I probably would be seething too. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Tom, but I have spoken to him over the phone on various occasions and he is always charming and friendly. I may not agree with his political views, but having the guts to air them does not in my opinion, make him a racist or prejudiced. How can he be prejudiced, he supports the Arsenal for God's sake! In fact I wonder if some of his anger is due to the under-achievement of the imports at the Emirates. Only joking Tom!
   What disturbs me is the gagging order you have now placed on him. The great thing about this country is the freedom of expression we all enjoy. It annoys me when a minority of people bully and shout down somebody just because they have had the audacity to voice their concerns about a situation. Like I said in my original letter, everybody is entitled to have an opinion and I would love nothing more than for Tom to carry on expressing his opinions and if I, or someone else, disagree with it then let us put forward an alternative view on the matter. But let’s do it in a civilised manner. Immigration is a very complex issue, let the debate begin.
   I'd like to finish by wishing the BoM, staff and my fellow members and their families at DaC a very happy Xmas and a very prosperous new year. Divyesh Ruparelia (V59)Thanks for that, Divyesh. The best part about being an Editor is that whatever you do, you cannot ever win! My banning order on Tom is temporary regarding that topic because the subject in

Thank you Dial-a-Cab…
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for ensuring the safe return of my mobile phone (having left it in one of your cabs over the weekend). As you can imagine, I did not have high hopes that I would see the phone again as I do not live in London and did not have the details of where I was picked up nor where I was dropped off. Had it not been for the special effort made by your driver, I would now be without any of my contact numbers or a number to be reached at. I would like to send a big thank-you to him for going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that this did not happen.
   I can safely say that from now on I will be a dedicated Dial-a-Cab customer when in London and will also be recommending your service to all of my acquaintances!
Tim Dodsworth
Telelogic Lifecycle Solutions
Well-done Mr Roberts (F72) …Ed)

And another…
On our way to the James Bond premiere, I inadvertently left an evening bag in my taxi. As soon as I got through the bag search, I realised that I was about to embark on a completely different bag search of my own. My keys, mobile phone and £70 cash were all inside the bag. Given the security arrangements, any attempts to remedy the situation were extremely limited. As it turned out, I needn’t have worried. A call to your switchboard in the early hours of 15 November confirmed that your driver had already called in to say he had found the bag with all contents intact. I was both utterly thrilled and completely touched by his honesty and efficiency. I could not have asked for more. Yet the following morning, another driver incredibly kindly returned my bag, complete with cash, phone and keys to my flat. I wanted to pay him for his trouble. He declined. I asked who his favourite charity might be and as he was kind enough to leave that choice to me, I will make my own contribution by way of thanks.
   May I take this opportunity to put on record my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Could I ask you to please forward them both to the drivers on my behalf.
   London's cabbies get a bad press far too easily. My experience was a real reminder that our capital’s cabbies are, quite simply, the best in the world. My heartfelt thanks to you once again. I have, of course, made sure that those in the most senior positions at the Science Museum are aware of your excellent service and, more importantly, your integrity.
Nicola Corp /
Development Director
The National Museum of Science & Industry
And well done to Derek Slann (R78)…Ed

And more…!
I am writing to say a very big thank you to you and all at Dial-a-Cab for your recent kindness and generosity in providing transport to Headway East London. This enabled many of our attenders to be part of the cabaret show who otherwise would have been unable to participate.
   For many, sustaining a brain injury is a terribly isolating experience. Headway East London provides a warm, caring and inclusive environment and our annual cabaret reinforces this and gives great pleasure to many people. Your support has been hugely appreciated by all and Dial-a-Cab received rousing applause from the 70-strong audience when your contribution was thanked publicly.
Many thanks again.
Helen Duncan (aka Banner)Headway East London (affiliated to Headway. the Brain Injury Association)
The request for assistance to help those affected by various injuries to the brain to get to their yearly show was made to Brian Rice. He dispatched four taxis – paid for by DaC – to assist Headway in their transportational problems …Ed

Retiring
I can’t say that I’m too happy at the thought of retiring as I liked my job – especially when working on Dial-a-Cab. I will miss the people and yes, even the stress!
   I briefly joined ODRTS in 1969, left and rejoined in 1985. Nothing much had changed. But since then the progress at Dial-a-Cab has been amazing, especially over the past ten years. So all credit to Brian Rice and the Board of Management – in my opinion they are the best.
   My very best wishes to everyone at Dial-a-Cab and every success for the future.
Jack Stanley (Ex K48)
Have a great retirement Jack …Ed

Smashing time!
Re my accident on 19 October; my taxi (just 8 weeks old) was involved in an horrific smash requiring my driver of 17 years to be extracted from the front of vehicle and thanks to his immense driving skills, there was no loss of life. An LDV van jumped a red light at Kensington and Exhibition Road and collided with the taxi, forcing my driver into the on-coming traffic and pedestrians on the wrong carriageway. Thanks to his skill and quick thinking, he averted almost death with a motorcyclist and 2 other vehicles.
   The outcome? The LDV van driver’s insurance company accepted full liability and now the result is a new TX4. Without any doubt, that sturdiness of my taxi saved my driver’s life.
   I often wonder why the public are prepared to take a chance on a converted van with added windows, where the driver often cannot converse in English and can only be designated a chosen route through an ill-informed SatNav system. Why put family / friends / loved ones at risk when the best taxi service and drivers in the world are available?
   Finally, can I thank both Mike Saunders and Dave Neale at M&O who were very supportive throughout this very traumatic experience and who kept me fully up-to-date on all matters throughout the crisis, in addition to getting a loan vehicle for me. My sincere thanks…
Tony Arnold (F03)
Pleased it’s all sorted out now, Tony. Call Sign will look forward to hearing your views on the TX4 …Ed

What’s the Chairman look like?
I and many other subscribers would like to ask Alan if it is possible to put a picture of Mr Rice in the next issue of Call

Well, it is Christmas!
Yo! Ho! Ho! Would you Adam and Eve it? If I had taken my Fairway Driver to the PCO ten years ago and said: "Look, it goes faster, uses less fuel and gives less emissions," what would they have said? I asked KPM how much against a new FX4 and they told me £1800. I went ahead and shelled out £2500 and had the operation!
   If you want to buy my 10-year old hack, I am not considering offers under £10,000. My advice is don’t wait until the last minute, go and get it done tomorrow. Ferraris look really neat in the rear-view mirror…
Glen Roberton (E54)
You should have offered your "floating gin palace" instead, Glen. They might have fancied a nice yacht in PX instead of a Fairway …Ed

Mickey Daly
It was with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of Micky Daly. A true gentleman who was one of an ever-decreasing number of old fashioned cabmen. Never short of a word or three, he was always willing to help if you were in trouble and offer advice - even if you didn't think you needed it. I was glad to have known him and this Society will be the poorer for his absence. May he rest in peace…
Paul Jenner (L19)

   It's a certainty that many of you will remember two years ago, 17 November 2004, when Jackie Daly passed away in her sleep and now on the 8 December, Mick Daly (B45) has left us too. All of you who knew Mick during his life will know how lost over the last two years he was without her. Mick and Jackie shared their faith in God and we like to think that she gave him time to mend his broken heart and called him when she realised he couldn't be without her.
   May God make them happy... amen.
Ray Marks (K80)
Alan Lipscombe (T50)
Dave Creber (C46)
I met Mickey many times whilst working and was the (friendly) butt of many of his jokes! He gave the impression of being anti-establishment and I never really knew how much of him was put on, but what I did know was that if any driver ever needed help and Mick could help, he would – even if it meant him losing a job. This trade used to be filled with "characters." Another one has now left us …Ed

Roy Ellis says thank you and goodbye…
   Thank you Brian and Dial-a-Cab very much for the very generous gift that you gave me at the 40^th anniversary event to mark my retirement. I confess I have never previously possessed a decanter and to receive such a splendid crystal one is, indeed, very much appreciated. It will take pride of place at home as well as being put to good use. I am flattered that you consider me worthy of such a fine gift.
   I have enjoyed my time at the PCO and have valued the help that I have received from you and your colleagues at Dial-a-Cab. In particular, I have valued your friendship and support, which have always been readily forthcoming. On those few occasions when we may have held different views, I have always known that we could discuss them sensibly and whatever the outcome, our good relationship would endure.
   I hope you enjoyed the event. By all accounts it was well received and the Commissioner has been particularly complimentary. I certainly enjoyed it and was most grateful for the kind comments made during the speeches and personal conversations. I hope that my retirement will not mean that I lose touch with the trade altogether.
   I wish you and Dial-a-Cab every success for the future and, once again, thank you for the very kind gift.
Roy Ellis
Enjoy your retirement, Roy …Ed

"Very helpful driver…"
I wanted to write and mention how very helpful your driver "Charlie 39" was when I travelled with my friend (and carer) to Boots in Kensington High Street. Although we had a little difficulty with the ramp and swivel chair, he was most patient and considerate and we all had a good laugh. Not all TaxiCard drivers have been quite so helpful. My thanks to him…Lt/Col Cecil Hopkins-Husson
London SW10
The driver who provided the assistance and laughs was Ross Hampson (C39). He told Call Sign that the ramp had become stuck and the passenger almost fell off the swivel seat, but that they had all laughed about it. "He was a very friendly guy," Ross said, "and you couldn’t help liking him. He was really grateful to get a cab." Well done, Ross …Ed

Thank you DaC Marshals
My apologises for not coming back sooner, but I just wanted to say thank you very much to Allan Evans and his team for doing such a great job on the night of our Christmas Party, Friday 1st December. I hope everything went a smoothly as possible for the guys. When I spoke to them they seem to have everything under control!
Best Regards
Debbie from Investcorp

I just wanted to send a thank you to Allan Evans for the service we received from the DaC Marshals on Saturday evening, everything went extremely smoothly and Mike Harris and John Connor were superb on the night!
Thanks Again 
Joanne from Gensler

Thank you Mike Pollington…
On behalf of the President and my fellow trustees of the London Taxidriver’s Fund for Underprivileged Children, I would like to offer our sincere thanks for the very generous offer made by Mike Pollington (K17) over ‘Lordac House’. The opportunity to archive our tapes, cassettes and videos for posterity is most welcome and will be actioned as soon as possible.
   Once again as a result of the kindness of others, the Fund will be able to utilise reserves to best advantage and provide assistance to many more disabled and underprivileged children in the London Area.
David Lessman (D19)
Hon Chairman, LTFUC

January 2007 Call Sign Home Page

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