skeptic

Have you tried applying for one? Is so, when?
It may be hard if you have done now, or recently, as they're still undergoing the process of changing the fee and size structure. That's why they'v given Uber a temporary 4 month licence, until they sort it out.
I'm on my second operator's licence, and haven't had a problem applying for my first one, and at the renewal (which was a couple of years ago now). 

OTS i never heard about them? any good ?

Transport for London’s compliance officers are employed to inspect private hire drivers, vehicles, and private hire operators in London to ensure they comply with relevant legislation and regulations.
 
Car Documentation
Please have the following in the car at all times:
Insurance Certificate Insurance Vehicle Schedule (depending on insurers, the insurance certificate and vehicle schedule might be located on the same page) Insurance Permission Letter (subject to PCO car rental company agreement) Driver Documentation:
Please have the following in the car at all times:
Driving Licence PCO badge – To be worn around your neck at all times and not to be placed anywhere else (e.g on the vehicle) Daily Car Checks:
Tyre Tread – The law requires car tyres to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm in a continuous band around the central three quarters of the tyre Lights – Check all your lights are working. You could park your car near a wall to check rear lights e.g. brake lights Cleanliness – Make sure your car is clean at all times Bodywork Damage – Please ensure there is no damage to your car and that it’s in a working order e.g rear window wiper is working, rear bumper damage

Addison Lee owner drivers scheme, you can probably log on and off as you please
OTS sends you e-mails, requesting quotes, which you can reject, or if you reply, they'll get back to you if they accept your quote.
Crawfords and Brunel probably want you to work fixed shifts.
Creative Cars probably ask you when you're available  to do jobs for them, they have lots of tv location work so usually need a number of cars in one go after filming. 

quick droop and pick should be fine, quick means no more than 10 sec

If you know the doormen, sometimes they remember you if you drop off at the same hotel regularly. 
However, they often got their own contacts anyway, as well as black taxi drivers, or they've already got a contract in place with a PH firm. 
Obviously if you go for it, you'd probably need an operator's licence, and maybe a facility to accept card payments. 

Guys i dont understand what is wrong with you?
 
I see every evening all the drivers around city going offline to force the surge and when will appear , bum 100 cars online suddenly.
You might get a job on surge and make extra £20 or you may have to wait for the surge to go off because people will not request any-more.
Does it really worth it to waste time hoping you will get that surge job when you can make a regular job and get the money instead of waiting?
Do you know what will be the effect on the long term?
For uber this means one thing, demand is too high and no drivers to accept ---> Uber will get more drivers to fulfil the demand....
 
So next time when you go offline think about it , does it worth on the short time extra £20 and in 2 months time to have twice the number of drivers on the roads which effectively will generate even more competition for you?
 
Same thing the uber x drivers done and now guess what??? everybody complains there are too many drivers and is harder and harder
THINK!!!