Page 29
Call Sign August 2011
Mailshot Answer?
tee of a service because Dial-a-Cab drivers can cherry pick. So if your
MD wants to go from the city to Liverpool Street on a rainy Friday, then
forget it!
Hypothetical Question: You are the MD of a company with £5million
worth of taxi business on offer and cost is not an issue. Outside your
office are the final two of the firms you have interviewed - Dial-a-
Cab and AL. Dial-a-Cab can't guarantee a service, AL can. Who do you
choose? The words no brainer seem to fit well...
These are just personal points of view for discussion purposes
given by Board members because Call Sign asked. None are hid-
den in secret BoM plans...
LIONEL JOHN GOLDING
In this issue's Mailshot pages, there is a letter from Dial-a-Cab driver
John Stowers (K40) who has written a follow-up to one he had pub-
Larry, Pearly King of the Old Kent Road dies
lished last month. He is obviously concerned about inroads made by
Larry was born in South London, son of a licensed taxi driver and
companies such as Addison Lee. Under the heading of exclusive
nephew of actor Alfie Bass. All his uncles were taxi drivers. His
accounts, part of John's letter asks for views from Board members in
demob from the Navy came in 1946, which was when he decid-
addition to the Chairman's, who had responded last month. Editor Alan
ed to follow in the family footsteps and enrolled in the British
Legion Knowledge School.
Fisher asked Brian Rice whether his views had changed from the
He lived at the time in Loughton and did the knowledge on
answer given the previous month. As they hadn't, the Editor decided to
a push bike! He later became Secretary of the Night Drivers
respond himself and sent a copy of that response to every Board mem-
Union and was at the forefront of the battle with minicabs
ber asking whether they disagreed or wanted to add anything.
during the 60s. His nickname was Shakespeare because he used to write about
characters frequenting the taxi cafe in Aldgate Avenue. He married his wife
John's letter and Alan's answer can be read in Mailshot, but
Doreen in 1979.
these are the BoM responses
He was always a supporter of local and national charities and in 1995 the cou-
ple were asked to become Pearlie's Prides. They received their title of Pearly King
Both Keith Cain and Tom Whitbread told Call Sign that they
& Queen of the Old Kent Road in 1997. His background, youth and years as a
agreed with the Ed's answer with Tom adding that the Society could
licensed taxi driver made him a supporter of the LTFUC. He felt this particular
always reinstate a minimum trip number per driver should the need
charity to be very worthwhile, giving it a great deal of support and coming along
arise.
over many years to help at the Southend outings, the Lord Mayor's Shows and
of course, the Mad Hatter's Tea Parties. Larry arrived always with a smile and a
Mike Son agreed with the answer but added that it was about time
song and he will be fondly remembered with pride.
we made more use of our wheelchair facility. "I have covered T
He is survived by his wife Doreen, children, grandchildren and great grand-
attribute minicab jobs because the passenger required a wheelchair.
children.
The last one was from the London Hospital out to Dagenham and it
Susan Angel
Hon Chair, London Taxidrivers' Fund for Underprivileged Children
turned out that the passenger only needed the `chair to get to the cab
and then climbed out and got in. The point is not that I got a good
job, but why is it that we need the facility yet minicabs don't? There
must be a way we can capitalise on that situation.
Allan Evans told Call Sign: I agree with most of what the Editor
said, but I'd like to add a few thoughts. Yes, it is busier at the moment
but should a trip from Charing Cross to W10 at 9:15am on a Tuesday
morning need a premium added after 25 rejects? Not really, but that's
what happened to me last week on my way to a meeting on behalf
of our Society at the LTDA offices. I understand about horrendous
traffic conditions, but Clients will complain and can we really blame
2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Pool home sleeps 4/5
4 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Pool home sleeps 8/9
them? We scrub trips on many busy occasions without even offering
a time on the trip for the client to accept or refuse - what happens
then? I'm sure we all know the answer!
As a long serving member of many years, the climate has changed
and it is certainly now a buyer's market; coverage during busy peri-
ods as well as quiet times is essential, customer care imperative, but
unfortunately from my role as Compliance officer that is not always
the case. The newer members who may be younger but have many
years ahead of them, should be even more aware that accounts do
6 Bedroom 5 Bathroom Pool home sleeps 12
Pool and conservation view at 6 bedroom home.
have a number of choices . Our professionalism will never be
Three properties owned by UK Registered Charity Dial A Dream. Reg. 1011637
equalled, but sometimes that isn't enough and although the cheaper
Your opportunity to rent one of these villas and at the same time making it possible
option is not the best as many of our accounts have experienced, the
for this charity to continue its work with children from all over the UK all of whom
perceived reduction in price may still be appealing and for this rea-
are suffering from a life limiting illness. All villas within minutes of the main Disney
theme parks, golf courses and restaurants.
son alone the Chairman's job is far from easy.
As regards being noticed, I get more and more reports of DaC
We can offer car hire and theme park tickets for you and your family at very
members not displaying the Society logo, once perhaps with a rea-
competitive rates.
sonable excuse, but not continuously! Surely that is a no brainer?
So, if you are considering a Florida based holiday in the near future then call
Allen Togwell also agreed with Alan Fisher's response but want-
us and you may be helping us to give a very sick cild the will to say
ed to add a few points of his own. He told Call Sign: There has
"Let me live another day".
always been one simple solution to guaranteeing the retention of
Prices from £56 per night through to £237 per night
clients and getting new clients. Stop the cherry picking! All trips
(Prices are for the villa and not per person.)
should be AD and none non rejectable - exactly the same as when
you are on the point of a station rank.
AL have the perfect sales pitch when chasing new business, par-
Tel: 020 8530 5589
www.dialadream.co.uk
ticularly the £million accounts and that is: Don't bother with Dial-a-
Cab because no matter how big your account is, there is no guaran-
