Taxi Driver Online

I think Terry does a good job at the GMB, the black cab trade might not like him, but Mr Mayor does.

And it's Mr Mayor that matters.

Ollie

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Happy to be legit.

So whats your view on all these people they're bringing in Ollie?

Your own company will soon latch onto the idea the imports are cheaper than you?

I don't think it's a good thing bringing in and licensing un-checked drivers.

But once they are checked and licensed, then we are where we are, no good getting too upset about it.

Ollie

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Happy to be legit.

TERRY'S APRIL STUFF

Terence Flanagan Branch Sec:
GMB.
Professional Drivers Branch Column

Was down in Brighton for a GMB conference and met 3 PHV drivers they had been impressed by a recent column I wrote and have decided to join the GMB. They recognise that such a large organisation can offer previously unobtainable clout and of course vastly increase their earnings. They were particularly impressed with our car purchase schemes through the TAXI CENTRE GLASGOW especially the Free Gap insurance and Free union membership (phone Alan McGinness 01413 343 999) and our PHV insurance (Direct Cab line 0208 669 1478) guaranteed 5% discount for GMB members for a top quality product. An interesting fact is that PHV in Brighton already have access to bus lanes and the drivers reckon its worth at least £150 a week on their earnings, of course we
Must remember Brighton is a Labour Council. I wonder if the penny has dropped with the MORONS in PORTSMOUTH yet ??
While I was in the town I couldn’t but remember the summers in the 60's when I went down on Vespa GS for some entertainment with the greasy stinking rockers, pitched battles great times, the assistant Sec went to the previous but less publicised set too at Clacton earlier the same year. In hind sight maybe a form of training for the times to come dealing with proprietors of agencies !! socially unacceptable nowadays, still we are only young once. Brighton of course hosts many conferences and I cant but compare it with the other main conference venue BLACKPOOL, what a dirty scruffy stinking dump every thing about the place is disgraceful what foreign visitors must make of this cess pit beggars belief. To anyone planning a conference here’s some free advice keep as far away as possible from the North Pole and avoid at all costs the cesspit in the Artic (BLACKPOOL) you need look no further than BRIGHTON OR BOURNEMOUTH style culture warmth and the rest of the visitors will at least be civilised, unlike BLACKPOOL where ignorance stupidity ugliness would seem to be a requirement for the average cretin who arrives there, isn’t it about time It was nuked?

I'm curious how a badge can be rented out? Isn't a London badge adorned with a handsome photograph of the license holder? Unlike renting out a vehicle there is no provision in law to rent out a badge so perhpas Mr Flanagan used the wrong terminology?

I've never heard of a badge being rented out before? Perhaps I've lived a sheltered life?

Regards

JD

There's no provision in law for the hiring out of plates, but as we know it goes on

I thought the London driver just wore a green badge with their number on it round their neck, thus it could easily be misused?

In any case, presumably there's scope to forge a photo badge or just use one with a driver that bears a good resemblance to the driver?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

That was my understanding but in this day and age wouldn't you think the PCO would have redesigned the badge to include a photograph?

Regards

JD

Well I haven't seen Charlie Slater wearing a photo badge, and the last time he wore his badge I'm sure it was just the old style 'round the neck with the number on it'.

And given the PCO's preference for 'icons' and suchlike then it wouldn't be surprising if they were still stuck in the dark ages as regards driver ID.

But I'm sure GBC or one of the London drivers can clarify things.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

'The Badge' is just that, a metal numbered one with either a yellow or green background to denote if intelligent, or super intelligent.

however you must carry your paper PCO photo license as well as your DVLA license with you at all times.

The Canary wharf development in the docklands won't allow you entry (or Minicabs) unless you show both.

Some of the checkpoints as you enter the City of London when manned by the City Police check your 'Bill and Badge' as you enter.

Personaly I've never heard of anyone 'renting' their badge out, however a few unlicensed drivers have been caught over the years after renting Taxi's from a firm who failed to check their crudentials properly.
Usualy under the pretence of needing a cab to complete their DSA driving and wheelchair test whilst on the knowledge.

I suspect Mr Flanagan is winding some folks up.

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IDFIMH

My personal opinion is anyone making public allegations of this nature should be in possession of evidence to support those allegations. I have doubts concerning Mr Flanagan's integrity in making the allegations without publishing the evidence to support them, this leads me to believe he may not be in possession of such evidence, therefore in my opinion his actions were wrong. In the short term such allegations without proof cannot fail to leave its mark on the publication concerned. Whether or not the remarks are enough to water down the readership I do not know but I suspect not. I firmly believe and I am sure most people would agree with me, that anyone who writes for a publication should do so responsibly and not make allegations that cannot be substantiated.

On occasions we have seen at least one other taxi magazine sink to the lower regions of the gutter by making unfounded allegations, we do not wish to see Taxi Today imitating some of the nonsense written in that publication.

If anyone wants the facts without allegations they only have to visit TDO, who is of course, thanks to all the contributors to this site the best source of Taxi information on the Internet? What TDO does today, everyone else does tomorrow and what's more, every publication and association knows that.

Regards

JD

I forgot to include the word "Unfounded" before "Allegations". Naturaly any allegation made by myself or TDO are always well founded? lol

Regards

JD

I see that the Labour Party has ditched Blackpool in favour of Manchester, not doubt on Mr Flanagan's advice

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7-2238027.html

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

'in favour of glamorous Manchester'



Errr. . . .

Terence Flanagan Branch Sec:

GMB.

Professional Drivers Branch Column

07958 275 339




Last year I declined to be nominated for the GMBs. Annual Congress, the reason being, you might like to guess this one ? It was going to be held in BLACKPOOL !! Now you have recently read some of my comments on this dump, and these comments led to certain people from that area writing to the General Secretary of the GMB. I was asked to explain my comments to my regional secretary I said “I’ll talk to you after congress” and we did, I received reports from delegates so ridiculous even I could not believe them, how about, PLASTIC SHEETS ? I kid you not, PLASTIC SHEETS !! There must be an explanation ? Weight loss ? Who knows ? This in a so called superior establishment add on inedible food, seems about right to me, will the GMB. Be returning ? Not if us down here in the smoke have anything to do with it. A final comment, those who used the taxi services, said the vehicles were scruffy, and the drivers appeared to be working for BUTTONS !!seem they are well organised EH ?


Mister Gold in the last edition say’s he is going to throw his dummy out of the pram, ( does his dummy know about this ? ) so what ! Over the years I have known many and have been friends with lots of Black Cab drivers, the instance’s I report are factual, but of course rare, the T&G. has an active section and I don’t see any of them voting BNP. Or being a member of any lodge. I am occasionally asked to write pieces for Black Cab publications and of course do so, I also frequently use Black Cabs and respect and admire most of the drivers skills. What I want to see is our 2 industries respecting each others remit and working together where possible, the column I commented on ( albeit tongue in cheek ) said in effect, if you haven’t done the knowledge you shouldn’t be out there, I beg to differ.


Hear there is a new Skoda Superb on the way, fitted with the new 2 ltr, 140 bhp diesel engine, only available at the moment with a manual gearbox, ( 6 speed we believe ) so if you are interested phone Alan McGinness at the Taxi Centre on 0141 334 3999


In Brighton and London there are discussions going on about the possible licensing of the 3 wheal death traps called Pedi cabs, these monstrosities are being considered as public transport vehicles, in the same way as private hire and Hackney Carriage, no doubt the local blood banks are being stocked up and extended to cover the casualties predicted from this most dangerous form of transport. the GMB will be opposing this ridiculous idea in both cities, aren’t the roads dangerous enough already ?


Keep seeing in recent editions various Private Hire and Hackney associations threatening or taking industrial action, GOOD more power to their elbow ! For too long drivers have not been prepared to stand up and protect themselves, lets hope this attitude will blossom elsewhere currently in London we are considering a major day of disruption over our persecution by the authorities on the bus lane and red route problem drivers in London can incur penalties of several hundred pounds a week we await developments.