Jasbar wrote:
Foxtrot26 wrote:
Did a private hire driver interfere with you as a child?
You have such a downer on the entire trade
The vast majority of ph drivers are responsible law abiding types. Much like your own trade a few idiots give a bad impression of the whole
Thanks for proving the case.
PHC drivers are no different to cabbies. So there's no downer on them.
And like us they're canon fodder to be exploited. And in the circumstances stated they are being exploited more than most. They have no power, are working long and hard and are not represented.
So when I see your sign for the PHDA, it just makes me want to puke. Because the illusion you perpetrate doesn't help them, other than to keep them as calm, servile canon fodder for those ripping them off.
Now I could be wrong. So, tell us all how PHDA has ever improved the lot of their drivers?

where do I start with that,

The difference is anyone can come along and for minimal outlay find themselves owning a PHC, a few K on a ropey old skoda and a quick visit to the council and your a bonafide operator legal and licensed by the LA, we don't have caps saying only x number of PH (yet anyway) Christ I know guys over here that have remorgated their homes to buy a hack plate(well the business behind it anyway but that's another topic entirely ) so I really do appreciate what our Hack based brothers are up against. people may say but ah you have to work for a radio base. no you don't, theres nothing stopping any PHC driver striking out on their own. the base licensing laws only apply to fleets of 3 cars or more so theres nowt stopping someone if they truly want to be independent.
But you are right though, cannon fodder is probably an apt way of putting it, no one wants to stand up for themselves. and as a representative for a Newly formed (last year) Drivers Association I feel like i'm hitting my head off the wall at times, Drivers complain their struggling to make ends meet, companies are shafting them left right and centre and they are deeply unhappy at the treatment they receive from the LA. So you say join your local Drivers Association and have a voice, make your grievance heard. Nope too much effort for most Christ we have no membership fees all we ask is that people tell us what the problems and ask them to have an input but even that is too much for most it seems
and as for successes of the PHDA, they are marginal, forcing a review of vehicle restrictions in place for GCC is about our only notable success at this point but there has been a good few small local fights won by ourselves on mainly local concerns. unfortunately the one thing we need to succeed on behalf of drivers is the support of drivers, but alas for many its too much to take an hour out to attend a meeting or register on a website.
I do wonder though, how long will it be before the current group of enthusiastic types who feel they can make a difference behind the PHDA become dissolusioned with the non caring attitude of our colleagues on issues that directly effect them and give up the fight. Its a slippery slope and if you have any thoughts i'd love to hear them