Call Sign May 06

Call Sign May 2006 Page 13
Joy riding
Recently a few of your London cabs have
been introduced into taxi service in a few
cities here in the USA. Whether they become
the “replacement” for the old Check Marathon
remains to be seen. Since Checker went out of
business in the early 1980s none of the
American manufacturers has come up with
anything quite so functional as the old
Checker for use as a taxi cab.
Checker had some limitations. I felt the air
conditioner left much to be desired. We used
to joke and call the air conditioning “4 and 40”
- meaning all four windows open and drive
forty miles an hour.
In the early 80s we had three Standard
LTI
Employees
Raise
£1000 For
NSPCC
LTI employees recently participated in a
golf tournament and raised £1000 for
the National Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), having supported
this charity on a regular basis
throughout the 3-year life of the tournament.
Response from staff and suppliers
was extremely positive.
A total of 12 teams of four played in
this year’s competition with each paying
an entry fee. The event was also supported
by suppliers with sponsorship and
prizes. It was open to all staff and took
place at Staverton Park, Daventry, which
has a challenging 18-hole golf course
and driving range.
Margaret Hitchins of LTI Vehicles commented:
“We are delighted to once again
raise another four figure sum for the
NSPCC to support their invaluable
work with children at risk.”
The photo shows Lydia Warrilow (centre)
of the NSPCC receiving the cheque
from Margaret Hitchins and Rita Patel of
LTI Vehicles.
Wendell White drives a taxi in Denver, Colorado. He is also a regular
on-line reader and writes the occasional column for Call Sign…
OUT & ABOUT
IN DENVER
Poodles, and had entries in a local dog show.
I was driving them to our groomer/handler so
they could be bathed, clipped and prepared
for showing that week-end. As the dogs were
accustomed, the bitch was in the front seat
with me and the two males were in the back
seat - all three next to the open windows.
We sat for a red light when a car stopped
alongside us and I overheard the woman
remark to the driver, “Look at those dogs in
that taxi cab!’
I turned and said to her, “The dogs really
enjoy riding and the lady who owns them has
me take them for a two or three hour drive
several times a week.”
Fortunately the light turned green and I was
able to drive away before I broke out laughing
at the astonished and disgusted look on
the lady’s face at such an extravagance.
“Not in my cab, you
won’t!”
Previously I mentioned the air conditioning
for the old Checker cabs not being too effective.
Open windows was a better solution.
One warm afternoon this young black lady
was going across town to one of Denver’s
suburbs - a rather long ride. We were waiting
at a stop light when I turned and asked if
she’d mind if I had a cigarette.
“Go for it,” she consented.
I thanked her and lit up. Long after I’d discarded
the butt of the cigarette, we were waiting
at another stop light.
“Driver,: she asked, “Is it ok if I smoke in
your cab?”
Turning to look in her face, I replied, “Not
in my cab, you don’t!”
Her eyes were wide open, her mouth
dropped, and I could just imagine her cussing
me out mentally and wanting to mention she
had consented to my smoking. Then when I
broke out laughing she realised I was joking.
The incident made her a regular customer
who called me frequently for taxi trips.
Wendell White