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Call Sign July 2011
Every issue of Call Sign takes a look back at ODRTS history through the pages of the magazines of
the time with a flashback
DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK
This month's Flashback returns to11 September 2001- forever entrenched in the
mind as 9/11 and a letter from an American cab driver that arrived on Call Sign's
desk soon after that dreadful day. He asked for it to be published in Mailshot...
Flash
back
2001
From Call Sign October 2001
MAILSHOT
New York 11 September 2001
Here in Cleveland, Ohio, as in many US cities, we have a lot of Arabic drivers. On September 11 they were in their cabs trying to
make a buck just like the rest of us hacks. I was sitting at a local hotel when I saw people come out, take a look at the first cab in line and
go to the next cab. It happened eight times and then it was my turn to be number two on the stand. Again a passenger came out, saw the
driver, came back to my cab and got in. I tried to explain to him that the first cab is the one he should be in since that driver had been there
the longest. The man looked at me and said: "I ain't riding in no cab with a f*****g camel jockey behind the wheel. Besides haven't you seen
what those bastards did in New York and DC?" I looked at him and replied: "I've seen what has been on the news and heard it over and
over again on the radio and I can assure you that little Mohammed has been right here in Cleveland all day trying to make a living driving
a cab, just like he has every day for the last five yours that I know of, in fact ever since I've known him. I suggest you get your fat bigoted
ass out of my cab and into his before I tell the rest of the drivers in line what an a-hole you are and then no one will drive you anywhere."
He got out of mine and in to Mohammed's cab. It hurt to do that in more ways in one. It turned out he was a good cab ride going out
of the county and me not really liking Mohammed as it is. You see, Mohammed is the kind of driver that will steal a fare when he can and
then overcharge for his services. But we all, as drivers, need to make sure that no drivers are being overlooked, or passed by because of
where they are born or the colour of their skin or the languages they speak. They're just hacks like you and me...
Papa Bear
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
A message from Charlie Rice...
start as you mean to carry on!
Charlie told us:
"Granddad will have to watch out because I quite fancy being a Chairman. It
looks like quite a nice office, but is there somewhere that I can keep my toys? And
can I have a bigger logo please, I'm not a baby...!"
EARLY TREATMENT MEANS SPEEDY RECOVERY
Treatment for pain & discomfort doesn't have to be expensive
Charlie shows off his TX7
On Monday 14 March, Molly Jane
The Centre offers fully qualified therapists in Physiotherapy,
Rice arrived as the second grandchild
Osteopathy, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Remedial
to Brian and Brenda Rice. But just 17
Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hydrotherm, Massage Therapy,
months earlier their first grandchild
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
knocked on the door, promptly
announcing himself as Charles
Call us on 020 8507 8169
William Rice and added: "But guys,
you can call me Charlie!"
or mobile 07973 639 473 for an early appointment
Now much older and wiser at the
Email: andy@bptconline.co.uk or fax: 020 8507 9650
age of 21 months, Charlie has made
Out of hours enquiries welcome
his intentions clear by releasing to
the world his future plans and just
Barking Physical Therapy Centre
how he thinks the next London taxi
90 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8SF
should look. Speaking to Call Sign
Opening Hours: Monday Friday 9am till 8pm and Saturday 9am till 2pm
www.bptconline.co.uk
and without any sign of dribbling,
