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Either write to Call Sign at Brunswick House or email us at
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Impressive – so what about a bonus?
Along with everyone else, I have been impressed by our job figures as
described by Brian Rice in recent copies of Call Sign. Month
after month we are setting new records it would seem, after much effort by
staff and the fleet and with careful stewardship by the Board, we find
ourselves in a very strong position. One of the rewards being the purchase
of a new office building with hopefully, a much-improved environment for
staff.
However, pleased though we all are at our continued success, is it
not possible that those of us at the ‘coal face’ could derive some tangible
benefit from this success? Many of the accounts we serve so well give
generous bonuses to their staff to recognise a ‘good year’. Wouldn’t it be
great if, for instance, we drivers could receive a bonus in the form of a
month’s free subs in recognition of a brilliant year?
Perhaps we could enjoy this each year providing our figures
continue to improve. It might even help to encourage a collective incentive
to pursue the Society’s interests.
What do you think Brian?
David Brett (P93)
Brian Rice replies: David, thank you for a very nice and sensible letter and
I think you know that I agree with your sentiments. I, like you, would also
like to receive a bonus on the strength of the success of our Society just
as no doubt, most members would also agree to a bonus. The problem we have
is that we are a non-profit making organisation; consequently all our
'surpluses' have to be ploughed back into the business. If we start
distributing free subscriptions then it could be conceived that we are
issuing dividends. As a consequence, we would then be trading for profit and
that would lead to all kinds of connotations – especially from the Inland
Revenue who would perceive that we are entitled to pay tax and be in breach
of our mutual status.
Cabtivate
After receiving a general message from Call
Sign on my terminal regarding Cabtivate, I am rather concerned as I
am presently waiting for a fitting date. Can you please let me know if there
are any problems with the company or system, as I will then have to think
seriously about whether I should have it fitted. Any information at all will
be much appreciated.
Mark Davis (T98)
There is an article on Cabtivate in this issue, Mark. The answer to your
question is just to keep as far away from it as you can. If you want a TV in
the back of your cab, go for Cabvision, which is risk-free …Ed
Cleaner London?
TfL, PCO, LTI, LTDA and of course our dear Mayor who is all talk and no
action - and anybody else I have forgotten to mention - are doing nothing to
make London cleaner and quieter. We in London are light years behind most
other cities in the world when it comes to moving forward. Now that the
London taxi is going to be made in China, it’s interesting to note that
country has one of largest Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fleets in the
world with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh also having CNG taxis.
Over the next 5 years, Australia will have to have wheelchair taxis and
guess what - they use gas not diesel. So LTI will let that market go as well as
any other place in the world that will stop diesels being sold.
Using road fuel gases is likely to have the greatest benefit in areas
with poor air quality such as dense urban areas like London. In locations
such as these, air quality is of a higher priority and should be treated
accordingly. For example, converting a Euro III petrol car to run on LPG
will result in a 30-40% reduction in NOx emissions
and converting a diesel fuelled London taxi will result in a massive
reduction in NOx and PM10 emissions.
Stanley Roth (Y53)
Stanley has been driving a gas taxi for many years and is referring to
the Singapore Government’s announcement of a package of incentives for CNG
vehicles as part of an overall emissions reduction package. Although
Singapore already enjoys a reputation as being a "clean" city, the
legislation has been introduced to combat particulate emissions - 50% of
which it is claimed have been caused by diesel engines. As a result, from
October 2006, all new diesel engines in Singapore are now required to be
either Euro 4 compliant or fuelled with CNG. The choice of CNG follows
trials of twelve vehicles, conducted over the past 2 years in commercial
truck, bus and taxi operations.
Old trips…
I understand the need to keep our top accounts happy and at busy times
some of the trips stay in the system for quite a while. Then trips you have
been offered previously, all of a sudden become non-rejectable. Inevitably
they are now late and to be honest I don't normally accept late jobs because
I don't like the aggro. To solve the problem, why don't we just make the top
accounts non-rejectable at busy times and right at the start of the booking?
That way you have got time to get to the job without having to panic.
Colin Lewis (N55)
Call Centre Manager Keith Cain replies: Day shift Operations Manager /
Dispatcher Lee Morland and I have been speaking about this problem recently
are working on an answer. That response should appear in the next issue.
Thanks for the votes
I would just like to pass on my thanks to each and every one of
the members that voted for me in the recent BoM election. It fills me with
immense pride that with your support, I still managed, for the second consecutive election, to get well in excess of 800 votes! With the support
and encouragement that I have received from the drivers since, I would hope
to stand again in two years time.
Can I also congratulate the re-elected BoM. I hope they can keep up the good
work under the watchful eye and stewardship of our Chairman, Brian Rice.
Once again, a big thank you…
Russell Hall (G44)
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…and from me
I would like to congratulate and say well done to the Board of Management
on being re-elected for a further two years in office. Although I was
naturally disappointed at not being elected, I believe the membership have
shown faith in the BoM and made an excellent and positive decision in not
changing a winning team. I look forward to the next two years with optimism
and excitement. I would also like to say thank you to everyone that took the
time to vote for me, as well as supported me on the day. I promise to
continue giving nothing less than 100% commitment in my current roll. Also,
my commiserations to the other members that stood, Russell and Grant and I
trust in saying they will join me in congratulating the BoM. I have every
faith and confidence in the current Board and I am sure they will continue
to strive and serve the society well.
Steven Tyson (V99)
Gangsta wannabes in London’s West End?
A club in Beak Street is an A-list celebrity club which dates back many
years and under a different guise, was well known to London taxi drivers in
the 60s. It attracts a young, very wealthy crowd and ‘gangsta’ wannabes who
like snowstorms, R&B and heavy rap music. No doubt a bulletproof vest will
soon be obligatory on entry. A recent visitor said the whole place stank of
weed. A local resident I recently took home said she is constantly being
woken up at night by touts outside who park up on the double yellow lines
and congregate together in a group, laughing and chatting. I was told the
local traffic warden is a friend of theirs!
No doubt this posse are on first name terms with some of the celebs they
take home and do favours for them - of which I won’t elaborate on. Recently,
there was a drug related murder outside the premises. All of this makes
these places even more attractive for those who want to sample life living
on the edge.
The councils and police really must get to grips with what is now
happening in London with more foreign mafia being attracted to our shores by
our tax laws and easy-giving attitude. I wish we could adopt a zero
tolerance attitude as they did in New York, which then improved
dramatically. But then they had a good mayor and not a fairy godmother. In
the meantime, the rest of us will have to keep wishing.
David Heath (Ex W27)
Call Sign has arranged to interview TOCU’s Chief Inspector Bob Marshall
for the next issue. We’ll show him your letter and see if he has any
comments …Ed
Tom Whitbread and how to address clients…
With reference to Tom Whitbread’s advisory on addressing out esteemed
clients, I agree with
him 100%. But, how would he handle the following scenario? It was trip
from an account in
the City to Commercial Road E1. Need to take a leak, but feel I
can wait for the few minutes it will take to complete the job.
Arrive at pick up and guess what - no extension number in details! Nothing
new there, after all we do get telephonist’s errors and who cares if the
driver has to wait anyway. It's only our reputation at stake after all.
Wait 15 mins and do a ‘no show’ request Usual reply; please wait,
passenger on way down bla bla bla. We all know that no contact was
made by the call centre, but this will keep the driver happy for 15 mins
whilst we have a good old chat about our weekend plans etc.
30 mins
wait, bladder full and need for leak imminent!
35 mins wait and arrogant young overpaid snotgobling Russian gets in cab
and wants Commercial Rd by Adler Street…QUICKLY!
No "sorry to have
kept you," no "thanks for waiting," no "hello," just an order barked whist
yakking on his mobile.
"In a hurry are we," I politely asked? "Didn't think that someone who
keeps his cab waiting over half an hour could be in a rush."
The response? "You get paid for job! Many drivers like big money for
short ride!"
"Well," I said, "I like people with manners who appreciate that I'm not
part of a machine, people who apologise for keeping me waiting. They have
class."
I completed the trip in a few minutes and took a leak in Adler St. I was
tempted to throw my urine across his threshold, but refrained from making
him feel at home!
Didn't call him ‘Mate’ or ‘Sir’ either. Did have a few expletives in mind
for this pig, but reserved them to be expounded mentally, as I emptied my
bladder.
If they want ‘Sir’ they’ll need to demonstrate they deserve the
accolade from me…
David Kupler (Y74)
David is referring to Tom’s terminal message to drivers about not
referring to clients as mate. See Tom’s article elsewhere in this issue …Ed
Christmas gifts
With regards to our Christmas gift this year, I would firstly like to
thank the Board for giving us a useful gift each year. In the past we've been given among other
things, a DaC umbrella, rain jacket, reversible jacket and a fleece jumper -
all bearing our logo and all looking very smart. However, why do our sizes
always start at Large? I am an average 5' 8" and of (if I may say so
myself) svelte build, so why is it when I went to Roman Way to collect this
year’s gift, I was told I could have L, XL or XXL? What’s wrong with medium
? Most of the drivers I see wouldn't require a size large either.
Also, while I have your attention, would it be possible to offer the
subscribers a subscription holiday each year? This could be for a period of
2 weeks a year so that when we take our families away at peak times, we
don't have to pay for a terminal which is not being used.
I think it was mentioned in Russell Hall’s manifesto a few years ago and
as our circuit is doing so well with cash in the bank and a new building on
the horizon, I think this would really give us something back.
One last thing, why does it say Ride to Job on McKinsey job
details? How else do we get to the pick up? This is the most bizarre detail
I have seen so far. Can you please tell me why?Darren Hawley (A80)
Darren, I asked Keith Cain about the lack of medium polo shirts and it
wasn’t that there were none, but just that they went quickly this time
(there were also small sizes for women drivers too). I think that only a
minority of drivers can still get into a medium size with comfort ("I’m a 32
waist, but a 38 is comfortable")! However, Keith says he’ll look to see if
he has any mediums tucked |
away and if he finds some, he will contact you. He added that trying to work
out the proportions of size differences for 2000+ drivers isn’t as easy as
you think!
Keith also explained that the Ride to Job is nothing to do with
DaC and that our IT department will be trying to remove it shortly. I must
be honest, Darren, I also wondered what it meant!
As for the subs break, this was raised at the AGM (having the whole month
off) and two reasons were given why we don’t get it. Firstly, when you
multiply the amount by 2200, it is quite a
significant amount and even if the Board decided to go ahead with it, it
could be seen as DaC paying drivers a dividend and could detrimentally
affect our tax status as a mutual trading society. Thanks for an interesting
letter …Ed
AGM
So another AGM has come and gone. When arriving at 11am, the first
noticeable thing was the number of empty seats, but I assumed drivers would
come in at the last minute. Perhaps another dozen showed up bringing the
attendance to around one hundred. Yes just 100 out of approximately 2200
members. Just 3 or 4 hours out of the year for those that didn’t attend was
obviously too much to put themselves out for our own Society. That is quite
amazing.
Some say: "What’s the point, I’ve already voted by post," or "what’s the
point of going to that crappy meeting." They are among the usual comments
from those apathetic drivers who don’t bother. Then first thing the
following morning, those same drivers ask what happened? "Did Tom Whitbread
get on," or "did anyone mention Concierge?" It beggars belief!
I would like to say well done to Russell, Grant and Steve for putting up
a fight and for putting their point of view across, but I’m sure they
realised that with the highly debateable postal balloting system, they had
about as much chance as my beloved Tottenham Hotspur of winning the
Premiership!
Brian Cohen (C81)
Brian, we don’t often agree, but yes, I’m with you most of the way here.
Sadly, the drivers have made their views known that they don’t want to be
forced to attend and like it or not, that is democracy. However, I still
cannot understand why we don’t have at least 6 or 700 taking an interest?
Two years ago, the votes in the hall could have made a difference and there
weren’t that many more than this year (112 this time), so no one should use
that as an excuse. As for Spurs, well at least I was there on that day when
they last won the league and were presented with the championship after the
home game with WBA – who had just beaten us 2 – 1…! But 46 years ago is
quite some time I suppose! …Ed
Marshalling the marshals…?
I have always been opposed to minicabs and do not have the ‘T’ car
attribute. How sad then the other night at DB to see the DaC marshal
alongside a Lewis Day marshal - albeit at a distance! My fare was going to
E1, I am guessing Lewis Day drivers were going a little further. My thoughts
returned to the client from a large E14 account who was pleased at the
promptness of my arrival to transport him to EC2. He had phoned the minicab
company first and was told 2 hours! This he couldn’t understand as his
colleague was quoted 10 minutes. His destination? Harlow. Make up your own
minds re ‘T’ attribute…
John Addis (K97)
Brian Rice replies: John,
I think you are getting a little confused regarding the 'T'
attribute. That attribute is given to a job that is sent to us because the
PH company cannot cover the trip for their customer, consequently, it is
then up to our members if they cover the work or not - hence the 'T'
attribute. I’m not sure what that has to do with the Marshal at Deutsche
Bank. As a matter of interest, the average price of a 'T' attribute trip is
£31. I notice in your letter that there are not actually any 'facts' but in
your own words, you were 'guessing' - hardly any firm evidence. I am as
loathe as anyone to cover this type of work, but unfortunately it is a fact
of life. We have two choices - we either stay and fight our corner, give
exemplary service and win the accounts on service, or we pick our ball up,
go home and let the PH companies play the game
without us being included - you have obviously made your mind up what you
intend to do! Regarding the Lewis Day Marshal at Deutsche Bank, this
is a trial. It stems from last November when our service was under extreme
pressure and we did not give the service the customer required. Lewis Day
have decided to put a Marshal there in an attempt to win more work and prove
to DB they are better than us, I would like to stress again - this is a
trial. Once again you have a choice, you can prove who is better, or pick
your ball up and go home and capitulate - your choice John. After all, it is
not our God-given right to service these accounts, the customer always have
a choice.
Just another day at the AGM!
It was so sad to listen at the AGM that some lowlifes put a brick through
a Board member's taxi window, flyers on windscreens and wrote untrue letters
to the PCO. What brave men you are, give yourselves a pat on the back!
I have had triple bypass heart surgery which I now wish I'd had 10 years
earlier! Following a heart attack, we are told that we have to hand our Bill
and Badge to the PCO - just what we need to hear when lying wired up in a
hospital bed! For those interested, to get them back, we have to pass the
Bruce Protocol test every 3 years by going on a treadmill for 3minutes at
1.7 mph or 2.7 km on grade 10, then 3minutes at 2.5mph or 4.0km on grade 12,
finally 3minutes at 3.4mph or 5.4km on grade 14. That's it!
Good luck Tom…
Ian Mossey (A31)
Thanks Ian. It’s worth remembering that the examples you give represent a
tiny minority of subscribers and even most of those who would vote against
the Board would not be party to any of the incidents you refer to …Ed |
