Call Sign April 2008 - Page 11 - THE YOUNGEST DRIVER EVER ON DAC

It wasn’t that long ago that you couldn’t go onto the Knowledge of London until you were aged 21. In fact, you still cannot be licensed as a London taxi driver until you reach 21, but you can - should you wish - begin the KoL at the tender age of 18. And that is what Dial-a-Cab’s youngest ever driver of either sex, Natalia Shalom (A34) did. Natalia has been on DaC for over 6 months and will still not be 22 until the end of May! She got her licence in July 2007 and came to DaC just a few weeks later. "I work well into the early hours and knew that it would be much safer to be on radio," Natalia told Call Sign, "so after speaking to many cabbies, I soon realised that Dial-a-Cab was the best circuit to join. In addition, my boyfriend Daniel Woodhouse (K84) joined several months earlier and also told me how good it was here. Now much of my work is on account." To save any drivers asking, the lovely Natalia and ultra-lucky Daniel live together and Natalia seems pretty sure that their future will be tied up together! In an era when the Knowledge seems to be taking an average according to the PCO of 3.5 years, Natalia completed it in just 2 months over 2 years. But what would draw an attractive, bubbly young girl into attempting such a difficult task? Daniel was on it and Natalia always helped by calling over with him, but driving a London taxi just didn’t seem the type of career a young girl would look at. "Everyone asks me that question," said Natalia. "Before he did the Knowledge, Daniel - who is 6 years older than Natalia - was a salesman at M&O (London) so I suppose it was a natural	THE YOUNGEST DRIVER EVER ON DAC *And it’s a girl!*
	At 21 and 3 months Natalie became DaC's youngest-ever driver progression for him to think about the KoL, but I was in and out of jobs that gave me little or no satisfaction. Hairdressing and admin jobs can be very satisfying for some, but I just wanted something else. Wives and girlfriends of drivers I’d spoken to told me that the Knowledge wasn’t for a young girl and neither was the end product. But I think that must have spurred me on!" Natalia has no fearsome stories about the PCO, believing that they treated her fairly and in a pleasant way. "I had my bad appearances and ‘Ds’ like everyone else, but on the whole I feel I was treated fairly. What the notorious Mr Finlay from the late 1960s and 70s would have made of an 18-year-old girl is anyone’s guess! But Natalia was happy with her time on the KoL and delighted with the end result – including her acceptance on DaC. Although Natalia often meets Daniel for a snack, they both work until the very early hours – sometimes as late as 4am. Call Sign wondered how safe she felt picking up 2 or 3 young lads at	2am who perhaps began acting a bit flash when realising they had a young, attractive female driver? And does she worry about her mode of dress for work? After all, a male driver wearing some kind of shorts might get stared at, but a young female cabbie wearing a skimpy top and miniskirt would present a totally different image. "I’ve had very few problems," said Natalia, "although I do get some stares as people realise that their driver is a young girl! But I’m careful what clothes I go out in. I work on the assumption that whatever I would wear to go out on a Saturday afternoon when I’m not working is ok to wear whilst driving the cab. But I wouldn’t wear anything in the cab that I might wear for socialising on a Saturday evening, so no very low tops or miniskirts. But the bottom line is that because such a large proportion of my work is on account, I get few problems. I think it’s also important to remember that most people are fine and so long as you are pleasant to them, there are no problems. I won’t take any rubbish from passengers, but if I was really concerned about something, then I’ve got radio back-up…" So, Call Sign wondered, when Natalia goes out on a Saturday evening and people ask what she does, are they surprised? Natalia laughed. "I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who didn’t know me, who hasn’t been totally shocked when I say what I do! They just don’t believe me!" Well, Call Sign met her and we’re still shocked…!

New GSM for M&O

M&O new GSM Nik Muge
M&O new GSM Nik Muge

London’s M&O have appointed a new General Service Manager in Nik Muge. Aged 36, Nik brings with him over 20 years experience in the automotive industry having previously worked in the service and bodyshop operation for Volkswagen as After Sales Manager.
   He told Call Sign: "I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the service team at M&O. The taxi trade is a great industry with so many highly professional and hard working drivers dedicated to their trade. I’m especially looking forward to working on the redefined, next generation TX4. It is a superb iconic vehicle that is instantly recognisable the world over."
   Peter Rigden, M&O General Manager added: "Nik is a skilled professional whose challenge will be to significantly improve our customer focus by bringing many 21stcentury practices to M&O. His experience and understanding of today’s service marketplace means he is the perfect appointment to develop our business going forward."
   In other news, Mike Saunders takes up the role of M&O’s Dealer Relations Manager and will be focussed on the building and strengthening of business relationships with legislative bodies, major M&O London customers, external suppliers, sub-contractors and service dealers.

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