I have a few rules in my taxi cab. Some of them are for my protection, some of them for protection of my equipment, and some are for protection of my passengers.
One of those rules is very much both for my protection AND my passengers. If a female passenger (especially by herself) does not know where she is going and I have no way to find out where she needs to go, I stop a cop right then and there. Cab drivers have an unnecessary and undeserved reputation for having BO and trading fares for sexual favors, among other things.
I'm not like that. If a female passenger shows interest in me, I give her my card and tell her to call me when I'm off duty. It never goes beyond that, usually they lose my card or whatever.
A lone female UVa student was put in my cab last night by her "friends" with about eight dollars to get her where she was going. The address they gave me wasn't right, and she couldn't (or wouldn't) tell me where she lived.
After five places that were not where she lived, I asked to see her ID. Perfect. An out-of-town address, so that was no help. After repeatedly asking her where she lived, she finally muttered, "Just park."
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Take me to your place," she said. Oh, hell, no. Not when she's this drunk and can holler rape later. And certainly not when I'm working.
Just then a Crown Vic pulls up behind me. Never thought I'd say this, but hot damn, here comes a cop.
Before it was over with, she told the cops I was trying to hook up with her (she was so drunk the cop didn't believe her, seeing as I was the one who asked for their help), then blew a .21 on the Breathalyzer. When I gave them the name that was on the ID she gave me, they found a credit card in her wallet that had a different name. Uh-oh.
Turns out she was underage and had been drinking on her older sister's ID. Now she's REALLY in trouble. Would have been a simple drunk in public charge if not for that. But if she had gotten her head out of her ass and told me where she lived instead of trying to hem me up, she would have had no problem.
I still can't believe this bitch tried to get me locked up for something I didn't do. And women wonder why I have a hard time trusting them. This is why, ladies. I usually have a hard time even asking a woman out and that's IF I find someone I'm interested in (rare).
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A Word To All Smokers......
Look, folks, if you want to kill yourselves by obliterating your lungs, fine by me. You have to live (or die) with it. But, unbeknownst to most of you, there are some of us nonsmokers who not only just don't like smelling your smoke, but are actually allergic to it. Everybody who smokes seems to insist on blowing it straight out into everyone's vicinity and forcing them to breathe it in.
AND.... even in instances where you have to go outside to smoke, you insist on doing it within 10 feet of an entrance, STILL forcing people who enter and exit to breathe it in!!! Therefore, when you are smoking, please try to blow the smoke upwards and away from others instead of outwards, where everybody has to breathe it in. Use your head for something besides a hat rack!!!
Unfortunately, my allergy is bad enough that I can not even tolerate minor exposure. It gives me bronchitis, and I just had to spend $50 on an office visit and about $35 on antibiotics because someone wouldn't keep their smoke away from me, AFTER I ASKED. I am so fucking tired of this shit. I think I am going to start beating the shit out of anyone who blows their smoke at me from now on, and making sure I spread bronchitis to them if I get it. How's that, fuckers?!!!
AND.... even in instances where you have to go outside to smoke, you insist on doing it within 10 feet of an entrance, STILL forcing people who enter and exit to breathe it in!!! Therefore, when you are smoking, please try to blow the smoke upwards and away from others instead of outwards, where everybody has to breathe it in. Use your head for something besides a hat rack!!!
Unfortunately, my allergy is bad enough that I can not even tolerate minor exposure. It gives me bronchitis, and I just had to spend $50 on an office visit and about $35 on antibiotics because someone wouldn't keep their smoke away from me, AFTER I ASKED. I am so fucking tired of this shit. I think I am going to start beating the shit out of anyone who blows their smoke at me from now on, and making sure I spread bronchitis to them if I get it. How's that, fuckers?!!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A Little Bit Of The Pot Calling The Kettle Black....
I arrived at the airport today to find a fellow standing ready and waiting with five suitcases, despite the fact that another taxi was already in line before me.
Turns out the taxi in line ahead of mine did not want to load that much luggage. Interesting that this taxi's operator is one of the same group that points the finger at me and others for overcharging. At least I DO MY job and serve the customer's needs.
The customer was happy just to get a taxi at this point, and actually tipped me about $5.00 over the fare amount. Very nice fellow, I hope and look forward to doing business with him again.
Turns out the taxi in line ahead of mine did not want to load that much luggage. Interesting that this taxi's operator is one of the same group that points the finger at me and others for overcharging. At least I DO MY job and serve the customer's needs.
The customer was happy just to get a taxi at this point, and actually tipped me about $5.00 over the fare amount. Very nice fellow, I hope and look forward to doing business with him again.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Ashes To Ashes, Dust To Dust....
If not for Fords, our tools would rust. Anyone who owns a Ford, no offense, but I am speaking strictly from my own experience, and I am tired of sinking money into my Mercury (a Ford by any other name, would break down as often)
I bought the Marquis with 148,000 miles, and it now has 216,000 approximately. In just under 70,000 miles in 2 years time, this car has cost me $7000 to repair, with $2200 spent on the air conditioning system alone! The entire system was just disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt for the second time this week, and quit again after four days. A 1997 Crown Victoria I owned previously had similar results before it was sold for parts.
By comparison, the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina I bought with 130,000 miles before this car, cost me only $2300 to repair in the same amount of time and mileage. The only reason I got rid of it was the timing chain broke and caused severe engine damage, and I knew the car would need another $2000 worth of work in the coming year. Looking back now, I should have kept that car and fixed it.
Granted, the Mercury was 12 years old when I bought it, but the Lumina was 15 years old. I will NEVER buy another Ford Motor Company product. EVER. Not even its subsidiaries, Mazda, etc. I think my next taxi is going to be a Chevrolet Astro passenger van.
I bought the Marquis with 148,000 miles, and it now has 216,000 approximately. In just under 70,000 miles in 2 years time, this car has cost me $7000 to repair, with $2200 spent on the air conditioning system alone! The entire system was just disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt for the second time this week, and quit again after four days. A 1997 Crown Victoria I owned previously had similar results before it was sold for parts.
By comparison, the 1990 Chevrolet Lumina I bought with 130,000 miles before this car, cost me only $2300 to repair in the same amount of time and mileage. The only reason I got rid of it was the timing chain broke and caused severe engine damage, and I knew the car would need another $2000 worth of work in the coming year. Looking back now, I should have kept that car and fixed it.
Granted, the Mercury was 12 years old when I bought it, but the Lumina was 15 years old. I will NEVER buy another Ford Motor Company product. EVER. Not even its subsidiaries, Mazda, etc. I think my next taxi is going to be a Chevrolet Astro passenger van.
Darwin Award Candidate of 2002.......
During fraternity / sorority rush week at the university, I got a call to a rather populated area of the main fraternity / sorority area.
The house was dark, and no one answered the phone. I was just about to leave when a guy steps out of the bushes, stark naked except for tennis shoes and something hanging around his neck.
He reached for the door, and I asked, "May I help you?" He says, "I called for the cab." Of course, I'm doing a Spooner from I, Robot.... "Oh, HELL, no!"
The guy runs and jumps in front of the car. One way street. "Wait, wait!"
"Brother, you don't have clothes, therefore, you don't have any money."
He produced a $50 bill, to which I responded, "You've got 30 seconds to explain this. It better be good, and I'm promising nothing."
His "mission" to get into the fraternity was to take a taxicab 3 times around the fraternity area...... stark naked........ mooning everyone along the way.
I was not in the least interested in being part of this debacle, but he told me no one else would do it either. "There's a reason for that," I said. "Cops catch us, they could yank my taxi permit."
I finally told him if he brought some clothes with him, at least I would be able to say he had clothes on when he got in the car.
What neither one of us was counting on was a girl hiding in the bushes outside a sorority with a big Super Soaker..... the kind with a huge tank on it? YEAH. Not only was it a 40 degree night, she was a crack shot, no pun intended.
He was soaked, my back seat was soaked, and both of us were trying to figure out what had happened. When he saw her approaching to nail him again, he yelled, "Go, man, go!!!"
I responded, "Let's get one thing straight. I'm doing this in the interests of my interior, not you." He wound up walking a couple blocks naked that night. Served him right. Took two hours to dry my seats where they could be used again.
He happened to be with a group of his friends that called me later that year. He recognized me, but I didn't recognize him (big surprise, he had clothes on this time). When I realized who he was, I asked if he got into his fraternity, which he had. "Was it worth it?" I asked.
"I don't know, I've been drunk ever since." Ah, the naivety of youth.
The house was dark, and no one answered the phone. I was just about to leave when a guy steps out of the bushes, stark naked except for tennis shoes and something hanging around his neck.
He reached for the door, and I asked, "May I help you?" He says, "I called for the cab." Of course, I'm doing a Spooner from I, Robot.... "Oh, HELL, no!"
The guy runs and jumps in front of the car. One way street. "Wait, wait!"
"Brother, you don't have clothes, therefore, you don't have any money."
He produced a $50 bill, to which I responded, "You've got 30 seconds to explain this. It better be good, and I'm promising nothing."
His "mission" to get into the fraternity was to take a taxicab 3 times around the fraternity area...... stark naked........ mooning everyone along the way.
I was not in the least interested in being part of this debacle, but he told me no one else would do it either. "There's a reason for that," I said. "Cops catch us, they could yank my taxi permit."
I finally told him if he brought some clothes with him, at least I would be able to say he had clothes on when he got in the car.
What neither one of us was counting on was a girl hiding in the bushes outside a sorority with a big Super Soaker..... the kind with a huge tank on it? YEAH. Not only was it a 40 degree night, she was a crack shot, no pun intended.
He was soaked, my back seat was soaked, and both of us were trying to figure out what had happened. When he saw her approaching to nail him again, he yelled, "Go, man, go!!!"
I responded, "Let's get one thing straight. I'm doing this in the interests of my interior, not you." He wound up walking a couple blocks naked that night. Served him right. Took two hours to dry my seats where they could be used again.
He happened to be with a group of his friends that called me later that year. He recognized me, but I didn't recognize him (big surprise, he had clothes on this time). When I realized who he was, I asked if he got into his fraternity, which he had. "Was it worth it?" I asked.
"I don't know, I've been drunk ever since." Ah, the naivety of youth.
More Idiotic And Narrow-Minded Thinking......
Okay, you all know by now that my primary business is running an independently owned and operated local taxicab service. Here is yet another story to illustrate how some people don't use their head for something besides a hat rack. We are all entitled to our opinions, but some people base their opinions on precisely the wrong aspects of the situation. Case in point......
About the time that the Democratic nomination for the 2008 election was still up in the air, a group of yahoos get in my taxi one night. The subject of the election comes up in the conversation, of course. They ask me if I think the country is ready for a black president, to which I replied I don't really look at that sort of thing, I decide based on whether I think the candidate will serve the common good (yeah, right, since when does the U.S. government do that?)
One of the yahoos seemed shocked at the revelation that Osama (I mean, Obama -- Did I say that out loud?) was black, or part black, whichever the case may be, and asks, "Is he really black?"
Another yahoo said, "Well, he's black enough."
Amazing. Simply amazing that some people are still that ignorant in this day and age. Does anyone know when we will all wake up and realize that blood is red, no matter the color of the skin it flows beneath? There are good and bad people in every walk of life and every race.
Too many people generalize based on their (very limited) experience. I have my own opinions about the presidential candidates, again, based on my (limited) experience in hearing their position on issues, etc. But does this really matter when the ELECTORAL COLLEGE is what really decides the president-elect?
Seriously people, that system has rendered the people's popular vote worthless. I, for one, still plan to vote, but I know in the back of my mind that our votes don't really decide the election. Since becoming of age to vote, I have seen at least two elections in which the president-elect did not win the popular vote. Food for thought......
About the time that the Democratic nomination for the 2008 election was still up in the air, a group of yahoos get in my taxi one night. The subject of the election comes up in the conversation, of course. They ask me if I think the country is ready for a black president, to which I replied I don't really look at that sort of thing, I decide based on whether I think the candidate will serve the common good (yeah, right, since when does the U.S. government do that?)
One of the yahoos seemed shocked at the revelation that Osama (I mean, Obama -- Did I say that out loud?) was black, or part black, whichever the case may be, and asks, "Is he really black?"
Another yahoo said, "Well, he's black enough."
Amazing. Simply amazing that some people are still that ignorant in this day and age. Does anyone know when we will all wake up and realize that blood is red, no matter the color of the skin it flows beneath? There are good and bad people in every walk of life and every race.
Too many people generalize based on their (very limited) experience. I have my own opinions about the presidential candidates, again, based on my (limited) experience in hearing their position on issues, etc. But does this really matter when the ELECTORAL COLLEGE is what really decides the president-elect?
Seriously people, that system has rendered the people's popular vote worthless. I, for one, still plan to vote, but I know in the back of my mind that our votes don't really decide the election. Since becoming of age to vote, I have seen at least two elections in which the president-elect did not win the popular vote. Food for thought......
Another Here's Your Sign Story......
Okay, so tonight this couple gets in my taxi after leaving a bar (surprise surprise). The guy is lit up like the 4th, and starts pawing at his girlfriend. She shoves him away and says, "I'm not your whore, don't treat me like a whore."
Having noticed something when she got in the car, I started snickering. She got this superior, hoity-toity attitude and snapped, "What's so funny, SIR?"
I couldn't resist. She had asked for it -- quite literally. She was wearing a halter top that read, "Can You Afford Me?"
She was so oblivious I just didn't have the heart to say it......
Having noticed something when she got in the car, I started snickering. She got this superior, hoity-toity attitude and snapped, "What's so funny, SIR?"
I couldn't resist. She had asked for it -- quite literally. She was wearing a halter top that read, "Can You Afford Me?"
She was so oblivious I just didn't have the heart to say it......
A Few Examples Of The Nursery School That My Profession Has Become....
As I'm sure anyone that knows me is aware by now, I own and operate a small independent taxi cab service in Charlottesville, Virginia.
You would think that most industries, while there would be a sense of competition, there would also be some notion of comraderie amongst those of us in the same industry..... nope.
Unfortunately, you can't get any of these guys to agree on anything long enough to go get ice cream together. And most of them insist on blackballing each other with customers, and will seemingly stop at nothing to take each other's business.
I, for one, just come out to make a living. I'm not out to take any other company or operator down. But the majority of the drivers in this business act like four-year olds, especially when it comes to the airport. *shakes head*
The big issue that started all this is that neither the City Of Charlottesville, nor the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority, nor the County Of Albemarle regulate the actual rate of fare with taxicabs. It is left open to what the city calls 'open market competition', and unfortunately, everyone cuts their own throat in this business in the name of volume. It's completely stupid.
The reason I say that is because you can't count on getting thirty fares a day. Sometimes you can't count on getting three. I myself have had days (plural) where I sat around town for 15 hours and only took in thirty-five dollars. Of course, these were the days when I had just gotten in the business and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Now, through trial and error, I have figured out how to make the business turn a profit. Unfortunately, some changes never come easy.
On one plane, there are customers who raise eyebrows when one cab charges more for the same trip than another. I can understand this to a degree, as it is regulated in NYC and DC. But the expenses in this industry are so volatile and so necessary that I don't see how any locality could possibly regulate it fairly.
There are also customers that will not use your services over a few dollars. I have come to find that these folks generally are going to complain no matter what you charge them.
And then, last but not least, are the drivers who can't see the forest for the trees. I recently revised my rates when fuel shot up to $4.25 per gallon and continued to rise.
Of course, two months later, it dropped to about half of that. First, I don't expect this drop to last. Secondly, Obama is proposing a carbon-based fuels tax on top of the 36 cents per gallon taxes we are already paying. I'm changing nothing until I know what is going to happen.
One thing I simply will not tolerate is someone presuming to tell me how to run my business, especially someone who does not know my expenses, or worse, does not even know the business.
A lot of drivers at the airport have a tendency to mind everyone's business but their own. A lot of game playing goes on, such as complaining about petty things that may or may not be true to attempt to cause another operator to be suspended or barred.
I have heard countless snide remarks about my rate of fare, up to and including that my rates are running customers off, though I've never told anyone that they HAVE to take MY taxicab. I know that these remarks are simply an attempt to rile me into doing something stupid to get myself barred from the airport, or goad me into quitting working the airport, or changing my rates. None of the above. And I don't get mad, I get even.
I finally told one of these fellows that if I heard any more about it, I would work twice as much just to annoy them. Of course, they didn't take me seriously.
So I have made it a point to be at the airport way before anyone else is, and I work up until the airport closes for the night. This serves two purposes. I make more money, and I know it is driving them bananas, though none of them will admit it. I believe that if someone gets aggravated over something that is none of their business.... good for them! Give them more :) Which I am more than happy to do.
So now the rumor is that I'm homeless because I'm at the airport all the time.... ROFLMAO! I hope these guys don't actually believe the crap that comes out of their mouths. Does anyone have any cheese to go with their whine?
To be continued...... This is the REAL Taxicab Confessions!!!!
You would think that most industries, while there would be a sense of competition, there would also be some notion of comraderie amongst those of us in the same industry..... nope.
Unfortunately, you can't get any of these guys to agree on anything long enough to go get ice cream together. And most of them insist on blackballing each other with customers, and will seemingly stop at nothing to take each other's business.
I, for one, just come out to make a living. I'm not out to take any other company or operator down. But the majority of the drivers in this business act like four-year olds, especially when it comes to the airport. *shakes head*
The big issue that started all this is that neither the City Of Charlottesville, nor the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority, nor the County Of Albemarle regulate the actual rate of fare with taxicabs. It is left open to what the city calls 'open market competition', and unfortunately, everyone cuts their own throat in this business in the name of volume. It's completely stupid.
The reason I say that is because you can't count on getting thirty fares a day. Sometimes you can't count on getting three. I myself have had days (plural) where I sat around town for 15 hours and only took in thirty-five dollars. Of course, these were the days when I had just gotten in the business and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Now, through trial and error, I have figured out how to make the business turn a profit. Unfortunately, some changes never come easy.
On one plane, there are customers who raise eyebrows when one cab charges more for the same trip than another. I can understand this to a degree, as it is regulated in NYC and DC. But the expenses in this industry are so volatile and so necessary that I don't see how any locality could possibly regulate it fairly.
There are also customers that will not use your services over a few dollars. I have come to find that these folks generally are going to complain no matter what you charge them.
And then, last but not least, are the drivers who can't see the forest for the trees. I recently revised my rates when fuel shot up to $4.25 per gallon and continued to rise.
Of course, two months later, it dropped to about half of that. First, I don't expect this drop to last. Secondly, Obama is proposing a carbon-based fuels tax on top of the 36 cents per gallon taxes we are already paying. I'm changing nothing until I know what is going to happen.
One thing I simply will not tolerate is someone presuming to tell me how to run my business, especially someone who does not know my expenses, or worse, does not even know the business.
A lot of drivers at the airport have a tendency to mind everyone's business but their own. A lot of game playing goes on, such as complaining about petty things that may or may not be true to attempt to cause another operator to be suspended or barred.
I have heard countless snide remarks about my rate of fare, up to and including that my rates are running customers off, though I've never told anyone that they HAVE to take MY taxicab. I know that these remarks are simply an attempt to rile me into doing something stupid to get myself barred from the airport, or goad me into quitting working the airport, or changing my rates. None of the above. And I don't get mad, I get even.
I finally told one of these fellows that if I heard any more about it, I would work twice as much just to annoy them. Of course, they didn't take me seriously.
So I have made it a point to be at the airport way before anyone else is, and I work up until the airport closes for the night. This serves two purposes. I make more money, and I know it is driving them bananas, though none of them will admit it. I believe that if someone gets aggravated over something that is none of their business.... good for them! Give them more :) Which I am more than happy to do.
So now the rumor is that I'm homeless because I'm at the airport all the time.... ROFLMAO! I hope these guys don't actually believe the crap that comes out of their mouths. Does anyone have any cheese to go with their whine?
To be continued...... This is the REAL Taxicab Confessions!!!!
More Frat Brat Stories.......
Some time ago, when I still ran a Chevrolet Lumina for a taxicab, I had a call from a female UVa student to pick up on "Beta Bridge" as it is commonly called.
This idiot did not tell me she had 9 people. I legally cannot take any more passengers than I am insured for and have seatbelts for. I am insured for up to 6, but my vehicle only had seatbelts for 5.
I have had this situation many times before, so I have implemented an overload charge of $10.00 per extra person as a deterrent. If I am going to do two cars' worth of work, I am going to be paid for two cars' worth. It is only fair.
So this girl got pissed off because I charged her $20.00 extra for 4 extra people. This becomes a two part story.
Two months later, I observed a group of people on the sidewalk just off of the Downtown Mall. It is 4:30 in the morning and just about every cab in town is proceeding to the after hours club, and not even paying any attention to the Downtown Mall, because nothing is open there at that hour.
This moron darts into the street in front of the car, and I am still not sure how I didn't hit him. I told him it wasn't smart to run out in front of a moving car, and he ignored me, saying "Can you take us?" I told him if I took over 5 people I had to charge extra, to which a familiar face said, "Oh, that's that weirdo guy."
Weirdo? Okay. I locked the doors and started driving off. They started yelling and waving for me to stop. Nope. Don't think so. I went around the after-hours club and picked up a nice fare going across town.
Unfortunately, one side of the club is on a one-way street and I had to drive past these morons again. Again they waved and shouted. Again I drove on by.
Five minutes later, my phone rings. It is a customer that happens to be in the same building these jackasses are hanging around, waiting for a cab. I told him that I would call him when I was close, because I knew they would try to take his cab.
He was a little slow getting downstairs, and the same idiot that almost got clipped earlier runs up to me and asks if they can get the cab. I told him I was picking up someone who had specifically called me, and he said, "If they don't show up, can we get you?"
"No," I replied.
"Why not?" he asked.
I leaned out the window and said, "You see your little hoity-toity blonde friend there? I heard her call me a weirdo earlier, which is why I left you earlier. I will be happy to drive past you guys fifty more times tonight without picking you up."
"Why?"
"Because I don't need anyone's money bad enough to let them judge me or disrespect me, that's why. You kids need to learn that you're not better than anyone else in this town. You don't own this cab, you don't own me, you don't own this town, and you sure as hell don't own anyone else in it. Have a nice night."
My customer approached, and away we went into the night.
This idiot did not tell me she had 9 people. I legally cannot take any more passengers than I am insured for and have seatbelts for. I am insured for up to 6, but my vehicle only had seatbelts for 5.
I have had this situation many times before, so I have implemented an overload charge of $10.00 per extra person as a deterrent. If I am going to do two cars' worth of work, I am going to be paid for two cars' worth. It is only fair.
So this girl got pissed off because I charged her $20.00 extra for 4 extra people. This becomes a two part story.
Two months later, I observed a group of people on the sidewalk just off of the Downtown Mall. It is 4:30 in the morning and just about every cab in town is proceeding to the after hours club, and not even paying any attention to the Downtown Mall, because nothing is open there at that hour.
This moron darts into the street in front of the car, and I am still not sure how I didn't hit him. I told him it wasn't smart to run out in front of a moving car, and he ignored me, saying "Can you take us?" I told him if I took over 5 people I had to charge extra, to which a familiar face said, "Oh, that's that weirdo guy."
Weirdo? Okay. I locked the doors and started driving off. They started yelling and waving for me to stop. Nope. Don't think so. I went around the after-hours club and picked up a nice fare going across town.
Unfortunately, one side of the club is on a one-way street and I had to drive past these morons again. Again they waved and shouted. Again I drove on by.
Five minutes later, my phone rings. It is a customer that happens to be in the same building these jackasses are hanging around, waiting for a cab. I told him that I would call him when I was close, because I knew they would try to take his cab.
He was a little slow getting downstairs, and the same idiot that almost got clipped earlier runs up to me and asks if they can get the cab. I told him I was picking up someone who had specifically called me, and he said, "If they don't show up, can we get you?"
"No," I replied.
"Why not?" he asked.
I leaned out the window and said, "You see your little hoity-toity blonde friend there? I heard her call me a weirdo earlier, which is why I left you earlier. I will be happy to drive past you guys fifty more times tonight without picking you up."
"Why?"
"Because I don't need anyone's money bad enough to let them judge me or disrespect me, that's why. You kids need to learn that you're not better than anyone else in this town. You don't own this cab, you don't own me, you don't own this town, and you sure as hell don't own anyone else in it. Have a nice night."
My customer approached, and away we went into the night.
The Risk We Take.........
Just got to thinking about an incident from when I leased from a 'MAJOR' company here in town. One of the many reasons I left and started out on my own....
Actually, there are two parts to this story.......
One night, I picked up a kid from a restaurant on Main Street. He was very vague about where he was going, and didn't really seem to know.
I was about to kick him out, and he decided to go to one of the seedier parts of town. I realized what he was up to when he had me stop near a group of thugs on a street corner -- he was there to buy drugs.
The thugs got a look at me and got all paranoid -- "Cab gotta pull over there, man...." I didn't know it then, but I resembled a man who had driven a cab for the same company and had been an informant for the local police. I could have been shot on sight that night for something I didn't even know about.
This kid was stupid on a whole new level. He then had me take him to a local store for adult books and such, even though I told him it was closed. He then wanted exact change back from a $100 bill on a $25.00 fare. I told him in no uncertain terms to never get in my cab again.
Months later, he called the same company, and guess who the lucky winner of the order was? My first mistake was not ditching him when I realized who he was. My second mistake was letting his supplier get in the car with him. I wasn't going to let there be a third mistake.
They started scrapping over money and I finally told them both to get out of the car. They didn't, so I finally said, "I'm getting out of this car for 30 seconds, and when I get back in it, you better not be. We can do this with or without police attention, and I prefer without."
The dealer got out of the car at the same time I did, and dragged the kid out of the other side, at which point six or seven of his buddies started kicking and beating on him. I tipped my hat and said, "Have a nice night, sir. I didn't see a thing." I then got back in the car and proceeded to lay rubber from where I was parked, 10 feet before an intersection, across the intersection and ending 15 feet on the other side.
10 blocks later, I parked and looked at the meter. I'd been stiffed for probably $9.00 in fare. $9.00 was worth my being alive, though.
Several weeks later, the owner of the company wouldn't credit my lease payment on a car that I couldn't drive safely. I had already bought a car and set it up as a taxi cab. I was going to put it into the 'MAJOR' company, but having my life endangered by a moron, and having it further endangered by someone else's vehicle not being properly maintained made me decide to put my own name on the car and work it for myself.
Actually, there are two parts to this story.......
One night, I picked up a kid from a restaurant on Main Street. He was very vague about where he was going, and didn't really seem to know.
I was about to kick him out, and he decided to go to one of the seedier parts of town. I realized what he was up to when he had me stop near a group of thugs on a street corner -- he was there to buy drugs.
The thugs got a look at me and got all paranoid -- "Cab gotta pull over there, man...." I didn't know it then, but I resembled a man who had driven a cab for the same company and had been an informant for the local police. I could have been shot on sight that night for something I didn't even know about.
This kid was stupid on a whole new level. He then had me take him to a local store for adult books and such, even though I told him it was closed. He then wanted exact change back from a $100 bill on a $25.00 fare. I told him in no uncertain terms to never get in my cab again.
Months later, he called the same company, and guess who the lucky winner of the order was? My first mistake was not ditching him when I realized who he was. My second mistake was letting his supplier get in the car with him. I wasn't going to let there be a third mistake.
They started scrapping over money and I finally told them both to get out of the car. They didn't, so I finally said, "I'm getting out of this car for 30 seconds, and when I get back in it, you better not be. We can do this with or without police attention, and I prefer without."
The dealer got out of the car at the same time I did, and dragged the kid out of the other side, at which point six or seven of his buddies started kicking and beating on him. I tipped my hat and said, "Have a nice night, sir. I didn't see a thing." I then got back in the car and proceeded to lay rubber from where I was parked, 10 feet before an intersection, across the intersection and ending 15 feet on the other side.
10 blocks later, I parked and looked at the meter. I'd been stiffed for probably $9.00 in fare. $9.00 was worth my being alive, though.
Several weeks later, the owner of the company wouldn't credit my lease payment on a car that I couldn't drive safely. I had already bought a car and set it up as a taxi cab. I was going to put it into the 'MAJOR' company, but having my life endangered by a moron, and having it further endangered by someone else's vehicle not being properly maintained made me decide to put my own name on the car and work it for myself.
Gravy Run Of The Night......
Wow. New Year's was somewhat disappointing business-wise. I don't know if it was the 32 degree weather before the windchill factor, or the economy, but hardly ANYBODY was out and about last night.
However, as the night wore on, it turned out to be quality, not quantity, that made my night. I got some awesome runs..... One of them was given me by a friend who works at the local bowling alley (Thanks Dustin!)
These folks were a trip. (Yeah, I'm actually blogging about someone who WASN'T stupid and DIDN'T piss me off, right? It happens!! Not often, but it happens!!! LOL) Absolute pleasure to drive, and a good fare, almost $53.00. And then the guy tips me like, $30.00 over that. I about fell over from shock. Very nice folks.
One of them has a small video production business, so we discussed the possibility of them producing a music video for my original material. I was so tired I left her business cards in the cab when I parked it this morning, or I would have given a plug here. Next time, sorry! :} I have been seriously considering doing a video for "The Color Of Time".
Anyhow, she also said she worked for a local radio station, and could give me a shout-out on-air for business...... I hear things like this all the time, actually.... time will tell. But I decided to post this to show that customers don't ALWAYS piss me off. LOL!!
However, as the night wore on, it turned out to be quality, not quantity, that made my night. I got some awesome runs..... One of them was given me by a friend who works at the local bowling alley (Thanks Dustin!)
These folks were a trip. (Yeah, I'm actually blogging about someone who WASN'T stupid and DIDN'T piss me off, right? It happens!! Not often, but it happens!!! LOL) Absolute pleasure to drive, and a good fare, almost $53.00. And then the guy tips me like, $30.00 over that. I about fell over from shock. Very nice folks.
One of them has a small video production business, so we discussed the possibility of them producing a music video for my original material. I was so tired I left her business cards in the cab when I parked it this morning, or I would have given a plug here. Next time, sorry! :} I have been seriously considering doing a video for "The Color Of Time".
Anyhow, she also said she worked for a local radio station, and could give me a shout-out on-air for business...... I hear things like this all the time, actually.... time will tell. But I decided to post this to show that customers don't ALWAYS piss me off. LOL!!
Frat Brats Explained.......
Okay, to explain my catchphrase 'frat brats'. Frat brats are college kids who come into a town, and think because Mommy and Daddy are paying $30,000 a year for their education, that they can disrespect, judge and just generally treat anyone however they want.
I have seen these jackasses jump on newly painted taxicabs and run down the length of the body from hood to trunk. It is not your car, moron. Would you like me to jump on your new Mustang that Daddy bought you for high school graduation and put dents in the roof?
I have seen them dump recycling bins containing empty beer bottles and let them roll out into the street where vehicles run over them and cut tires. I have seen them walk out into traffic without looking, without a crosswalk anywhere in sight. Rule of thumb, moron. You're just as dead if I hit you, whether you're a student or not.
They act like we are killing them by refusing to cram 10 people into one cab, because "we're going to tip you good." Are you going to tip me $250.00? Because that's the fine if I get stopped for being overloaded. Are you also going to pay my bills while I have to appeal to the City Police to get my taxi driver's license back?
I have had them kick my cab when I almost hit them because their stupid ass was walking in the street, six inches from a perfectly good sidewalk. Again, no crosswalk in sight.
Right of way, does not mean you have the right to stand in the way of traffic. It means, within a crosswalk, you have the right to cross first. But you don't cross the street. You take all night, standing in the street talking to your jackass friends, that are here for the same four-year drinking party that you think you are here for. Hence, I call you 'frat brats'. Prove me wrong and show me some respect, and I'll show you some respect. Give and take.
I have seen these jackasses jump on newly painted taxicabs and run down the length of the body from hood to trunk. It is not your car, moron. Would you like me to jump on your new Mustang that Daddy bought you for high school graduation and put dents in the roof?
I have seen them dump recycling bins containing empty beer bottles and let them roll out into the street where vehicles run over them and cut tires. I have seen them walk out into traffic without looking, without a crosswalk anywhere in sight. Rule of thumb, moron. You're just as dead if I hit you, whether you're a student or not.
They act like we are killing them by refusing to cram 10 people into one cab, because "we're going to tip you good." Are you going to tip me $250.00? Because that's the fine if I get stopped for being overloaded. Are you also going to pay my bills while I have to appeal to the City Police to get my taxi driver's license back?
I have had them kick my cab when I almost hit them because their stupid ass was walking in the street, six inches from a perfectly good sidewalk. Again, no crosswalk in sight.
Right of way, does not mean you have the right to stand in the way of traffic. It means, within a crosswalk, you have the right to cross first. But you don't cross the street. You take all night, standing in the street talking to your jackass friends, that are here for the same four-year drinking party that you think you are here for. Hence, I call you 'frat brats'. Prove me wrong and show me some respect, and I'll show you some respect. Give and take.
Another War Story.......
Before I get started with this, I want to make clear that I am not prejudiced against anyone in any way. But this story was so funny I just had to share.
A couple years ago, a man got into my cab from the after-hours club, which primarily caters to people who happen to be gay.
Halfway to his destination, it became quite clear that he was very openly gay, and had more than a passing interest in me. How to handle this?
He kept asking questions about my endowment, and I politely replied that I had never had any complaints, but I was very decidedly heterosexual and planned to remain so.
For six weekends straight, this man seemed to be watching and waiting for MY cab. Every weekend it was the same -- the questions about my size, and my polite reply that I was not that way.
Finally, the sixth weekend this occurred, I replied "I've never had any complaints, sir, but between my legs is Mars."
He said, "Is it big and red?"
"No," I replied, "No man will ever land there."
A couple years ago, a man got into my cab from the after-hours club, which primarily caters to people who happen to be gay.
Halfway to his destination, it became quite clear that he was very openly gay, and had more than a passing interest in me. How to handle this?
He kept asking questions about my endowment, and I politely replied that I had never had any complaints, but I was very decidedly heterosexual and planned to remain so.
For six weekends straight, this man seemed to be watching and waiting for MY cab. Every weekend it was the same -- the questions about my size, and my polite reply that I was not that way.
Finally, the sixth weekend this occurred, I replied "I've never had any complaints, sir, but between my legs is Mars."
He said, "Is it big and red?"
"No," I replied, "No man will ever land there."
A REAL Here's Your Sign Story.....
Okay..... admittedly, this one happened quite a while ago.... but I just had to share.
For the uninitiated, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour features several down-home comedians that have their own unique spin on comedy. My personal favorite is Bill Engvall. His main routine is "Here's Your Sign". The basic jist of it is the idea that stupid people should have to wear signs that say "I'm stupid".
Example -- "My wife and I were moving to California a year ago, our stuff's packed up in boxes and a U-Haul truck is in the driveway. Our neighbor asks, 'Hey, are you moving?' I just looked at him and said 'Nope. We just pack our stuff up once a week to see how many boxes it'll take. Here's your sign.'"
Another Example -- "I went hunting awhile back and got a nice buck. I had the head stuffed and mounted. Friends of ours were over one day and said, 'Hey, you kill that thing?' I just looked at him and said, 'Nope! He ran through the wall and got stuck. Here's your sign.'"
Well, here's MY "Here's Your Sign" Story.
A few years ago, I was driving for the local Yellow Cab. I was dispatched to pick up a student at one of the local hangouts and bring them to their residence on their college's charge account.
I was driving a bright yellow Ford Crown Victoria with 10-inch lettering that read "Yellow Cab" and a big yellow roof light that read, "YELLOW".
This student walked up to the cab and said, "Are you with Yellow Cab?"
After a moment of thought, I straightened up and looked out over the yellow-painted hood, leaned out the window to examine the lettering on the yellow-painted door, and said, "Nope! Stole the car and I'm joyriding. Here's your sign."
The student, in turn, produced a cell phone and started dialing. Puzzled, I asked, "Ma'am, you DID call for a taxi, didn't you?"
She replied, "Stay where you are, I'm calling the cops."
Believe it or not, she actually believed I was serious about stealing the car! How do some of these kids even graduate HIGH SCHOOL, much less get into college?
So just out of sheer morbid curiosity, I wait 10 minutes for a cop to show up. He knew me, so when he asked me what the problem was, I said, "Ask Buffy The Vampire Slayer over there."
After he talked to her, the girl walked away with a strange expression on her face. Either she'd figured out how stupid she was, or she didn't believe him. He came back over shaking his head and said, "I know it was a stupid question, I know it was funny. But please don't do that again."
Then he laughed all the way back to his cruiser.
For the uninitiated, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour features several down-home comedians that have their own unique spin on comedy. My personal favorite is Bill Engvall. His main routine is "Here's Your Sign". The basic jist of it is the idea that stupid people should have to wear signs that say "I'm stupid".
Example -- "My wife and I were moving to California a year ago, our stuff's packed up in boxes and a U-Haul truck is in the driveway. Our neighbor asks, 'Hey, are you moving?' I just looked at him and said 'Nope. We just pack our stuff up once a week to see how many boxes it'll take. Here's your sign.'"
Another Example -- "I went hunting awhile back and got a nice buck. I had the head stuffed and mounted. Friends of ours were over one day and said, 'Hey, you kill that thing?' I just looked at him and said, 'Nope! He ran through the wall and got stuck. Here's your sign.'"
Well, here's MY "Here's Your Sign" Story.
A few years ago, I was driving for the local Yellow Cab. I was dispatched to pick up a student at one of the local hangouts and bring them to their residence on their college's charge account.
I was driving a bright yellow Ford Crown Victoria with 10-inch lettering that read "Yellow Cab" and a big yellow roof light that read, "YELLOW".
This student walked up to the cab and said, "Are you with Yellow Cab?"
After a moment of thought, I straightened up and looked out over the yellow-painted hood, leaned out the window to examine the lettering on the yellow-painted door, and said, "Nope! Stole the car and I'm joyriding. Here's your sign."
The student, in turn, produced a cell phone and started dialing. Puzzled, I asked, "Ma'am, you DID call for a taxi, didn't you?"
She replied, "Stay where you are, I'm calling the cops."
Believe it or not, she actually believed I was serious about stealing the car! How do some of these kids even graduate HIGH SCHOOL, much less get into college?
So just out of sheer morbid curiosity, I wait 10 minutes for a cop to show up. He knew me, so when he asked me what the problem was, I said, "Ask Buffy The Vampire Slayer over there."
After he talked to her, the girl walked away with a strange expression on her face. Either she'd figured out how stupid she was, or she didn't believe him. He came back over shaking his head and said, "I know it was a stupid question, I know it was funny. But please don't do that again."
Then he laughed all the way back to his cruiser.
The Taxi Business Explained......
Have you ever gotten the feeling like you're beating your head against the wall?
As you probably know by now, I run an independently owned taxi service. Not only have I been driving around the Charlottesville area (for a living, mind you) about 13 years, I have been in the taxi business for about 6 years, so I should think I would know it pretty well.
The first three years I was in this business, I charged the same rates everyone else did, and guess what. I went out of business THREE times. Every time it was the same problem, no money to fix the car when it broke down. I wound up leasing a cab from a local 'MAJOR' company. Some things I already knew, but I found out several more things pretty quickly....
Read CAREFULLY, because THIS is what people should think about when they are taking a taxi, and before they start accusing the driver of cheating them. You know who you are.
First, most taxi drivers for 'MAJOR' companies are not paid employees. They pay a certain amount each day to the company for leasing the car. They must buy their own fuel, and there is no guarantee that they will get thirty fares or three fares. Average lease on a taxicab in the Charlottesville area is $60-$80 per day. Most 'MAJOR' companies do as little as possible to maintain the vehicle, so most get between 8-12 miles per gallon.
As an aside for those who say we should use vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, it does not matter. 90% of operating conditions for taxi cabs are idling and stop-and-go traffic. I had a 3.1L V6 Chevrolet Lumina that averaged worse on fuel than my current 4.6L V8 Grand Marquis, on numerous occasions.... and the Mercury is much more comfortable (something desirable for customers, I would think.) Drum roll please....
Lumina - Low : 12 Average: 15 High: 19
Marquis- Low : 13 Average: 17 High: 18
The reason for this? No, the Lumina was not running anywhere near out of the ordinary. On the contrary, it ran perfectly the whole time I had it. The simple reason is that smaller engines work harder in stop-and-go traffic. They only reduce fuel consumption on the highway. Forget what the EPA estimates are. No suitable motor vehicle is EVER going to get over 15-17 miles per gallon as a taxi. Larger engines (within reason) actually do better in stop-and-go traffic because they don't work as hard. Next!.......
Secondly, 'MAJOR' companies make their money from leasing the car to the driver, therefore they could care less if the driver makes money. So, in order to keep customers calling, they keep the rates dirt cheap. So then the driver is fooled into thinking they are making money because they are busy all the time, right? Let's look at that a second.
With an average workday of 200 miles, you'll burn an average of 20 gallons of fuel. At current local fuel prices, that is approximately $34.00 in fuel. So, the driver basically starts out their day as much as $115.00 in the hole. Dividing $115.00 over 200 miles works out to roughly 58 cents per mile. Factoring in the average of 2-3 unpaid miles for each paid mile, true cost of a 'paid' mile can be as high as $2.30, so I ask you, how can the driver possibly make money at the 'average' fare rate of $2.40-$2.70 in this area? Simple. THEY DON'T! The company only stays in business because they make money from leasing the cars to the drivers!
The reason I know this is because I had to work 16 hours every day when I worked for one of the 'major' companies. Working from 3 pm - 11 pm simply paid for the fuel and lease on the car. I had to continue to work from 11 pm to 7 am to ensure that I had something for my time.
Add to that the fact that when the car needed a repair made in order to not endanger my life or my passengers, I had to return the car to the company 7 times because it was not repaired. Once I caught on to this, I bought another car and started my own company again.
I don't mind working 16 hours a day, but I will be damned if I'll do it for $20.00. And that's exactly what I brought home after a 16 hour day with a 'MAJOR' company. I had to construct a spreadsheet and keep detailed logs and meter readings from my cab and a friend's, to evaluate my true cost to realize this. I have real-world data backing up why my rates are what they are.
Other drivers, as well as customers, whine and complain, without even listening to the explanation. If you don't believe me, email me at anomaly.va@gmail.com and I will be happy to email you a copy of the spreadsheet I created to analyze my expenses, as well as sample meter readings from my shifts! Word to the wise -- don't complain about what's charged for a job you wouldn't want to do.
To further illustrate, my current cost is similar, about 41 cents per mile. Factoring in the unpaid mileage, my true cost per paid mile is $1.64. At my current rate of $3.90 per mile, I only make about $2.26 per mile. This may seem high, but consider that on a 12-16 hour day, I will get perhaps 4 fares from the airport, generally totalling around 35 paid miles. Which works out to just under $80.00 after expenses (if I'm lucky)
One customer actually bitched about a $4.00 difference from another company's rate -- on a 10-mile fare! What the hell, lady?! It's 40 cents a mile! Mind you, this was after a 10% discount I am currently giving for most metered fares between $25.00 and $100.00.
Which I don't have to do. I am only doing it because fuel is not $4.25 a gallon like it was when I set my rates. I might add that customer attitude strongly influences any discounts offered, as well as service given. I made sure she got her change back, since she obviously needed it more than I do.
Two people I took to two different local hotels complained about what I charge when they did not ask about it before they got in the car, even though the rates are posted on the window. One of them actually said they felt cheated.
Uh, cheapskates? Before you accuse me (or any other taxi driver) of cheating you, think about the fact that I usually work 12-16 hours a day and that my operation costs are higher than what it costs to operate your SUV or minivan.
You said you felt cheated paying over $2.00 a mile for a taxi ride?
Well, I felt cheated paying $2,900.00 a year for liability only insurance on my taxi.
I felt cheated paying $10,000 - $15,000 a year for fuel.
I felt cheated paying $8,000 in one year for maintenance and repairs.
Does my feeling cheated make the insurance company, the gas station, or the mechanic cut ME a break? NO. They have to make a living too, and I respect that, so I don't complain.
The average destination from the airport is between 7-10 miles. Based on the above figures, a 10 mile trip would cost me $16.40.
The 'average' fare charged for a 10-mile trip is $24.00 - $28.00, and an average driver at the airport waits 3-6 hours for this. A 10 mile trip in my taxi runs around $42.00. So, how am I a crook for charging $26.00 for 3-6 hours of my time? IF I get four 10 mile fares from the airport, I'm still only making about $80.00 for a 12 hour shift. Would you do that?
Some may ask how the extra 2-3 miles figure in. That, at the end of the day, is what we drive to respond to an average call. Any driver who tells you different is NOT what I term a REAL cab driver, or just flat does not know what they are talking about. A lot of really STUPID people call four cabs at once, or don't wait for the cab that was called. It wastes money, time, and fuel. So some of you have done it to yourselves -- stop complaining.
Oh, and not to mention EVERYTHING has gone up in Charlottesville in recent years. According to my research on airfares from Washington DC to Charlottesville, it costs around $300-400 to fly to the airport NEAR, not IN, Charlottesville. So let me get this straight, imbeciles. You're griping about $40.00 for a 10-mile cab ride (in a NICE 13-year-old cab, I might add) after paying perhaps $400.00 to fly 90 miles on a puddle-jumper that is perhaps over 20 years old? Hmmm.....
Would you like some cheese to go with your wHine?
More food for thought.......
New York taxi cabs start at $2.50, the same as I do. The only difference is that this charge is for the first 1/5 mile in New York, while it is for the first 1/10 mile in Charlottesville.
They charge $0.40 for each 1/5 mile, or $2.00 per mile. Adding $1.60 for the other 4/5 of the first mile comes to $4.10.
Therefore, 1 mile should cost $4.10 in a New York taxi -- but it doesn't. Allow me to explain why.
The meter also charges $0.40 for every two minutes the car is below 2 mph, including traffic lights. The average cab in New York City is going to spend six minutes in traffic for every mile traveled. Therefore, you add the $1.20 for these charges and get $5.30 for the first mile. There are also charges of $0.40 for night service after 10 pm, and $1.00 for peak traffic hours. So the $5.30 turns into $5.70, $6.30, or $6.70, depending on time of day and conditions.
My rates are comparable. However, I have to make my money on mileage, because I do not spend six minutes in traffic for every mile.
I charge $0.60 for each 1/6 mile, or $3.60 a mile, until the meter reaches $8.50, which takes about a mile and a half without traffic. After that, Rate 2 automatically switches over at $3.90 per mile.
So, $2.50 for the first 1/10 (Charlottesville ordinance) and then adding $3.00 for the next 5/6 mile (since the meter technically doesn't reach the last 1/6) makes $5.50. So, as you can see, my rates are indeed comparable.
And, unlike some other drivers, I don't pad the bill with extras. I have seen one driver charge as much as $7.00 in extras. Bottom line.....
Leasing drivers cannot tell the company what they will pay them.
No one can tell insurance companies what they will pay them.
No one can tell gas stations what they will pay them for fuel.
No one can tell mechanics what they will pay them.
No one can tell landlords what they will pay them.
No one can tell banks what they will pay for their mortgage.
No one can tell grocery stores what they will pay for food.
These businesses won't let you tell them what their time's worth, nor will I. I am in this business to make money. Get over yourselves, realize everyone's time is worth something, and stop telling me I'm a crook for making a living. Just because you let someone else tell you what your time is worth doesn't mean I will let you tell me what mine is worth.
AND........
I have heard rumors recently that the governor of the great Communist state of Virginia has formed a commission to create a statewide mandate to regulate all for-hire vehicles. This mandate is rumored to include age restrictions and rate limits. Message to the galactically stupid, especially bureaucrats.... Until you can regulate my expenses, you have NO DAMNED BUSINESS regulating my prices!
The economy is bad enough without small business owners like myself being out of work because of cheapskate customers that are too stupid to realize that everyone needs to make a living, and bureaucrats that are more interested in the rich man's vote and campaign contributions than the little guy's ability to survive.
It's typical of the stupidity of modern society, blame the low guy on the totem pole who can't control the way things are. To bastardize an Eddie Murphy joke -- No Coke, no smile, just shut the fuck up. Put a cap on fuel prices, insurance premiums and repair shop labor before you start telling me what I can charge, morons.
As you probably know by now, I run an independently owned taxi service. Not only have I been driving around the Charlottesville area (for a living, mind you) about 13 years, I have been in the taxi business for about 6 years, so I should think I would know it pretty well.
The first three years I was in this business, I charged the same rates everyone else did, and guess what. I went out of business THREE times. Every time it was the same problem, no money to fix the car when it broke down. I wound up leasing a cab from a local 'MAJOR' company. Some things I already knew, but I found out several more things pretty quickly....
Read CAREFULLY, because THIS is what people should think about when they are taking a taxi, and before they start accusing the driver of cheating them. You know who you are.
First, most taxi drivers for 'MAJOR' companies are not paid employees. They pay a certain amount each day to the company for leasing the car. They must buy their own fuel, and there is no guarantee that they will get thirty fares or three fares. Average lease on a taxicab in the Charlottesville area is $60-$80 per day. Most 'MAJOR' companies do as little as possible to maintain the vehicle, so most get between 8-12 miles per gallon.
As an aside for those who say we should use vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, it does not matter. 90% of operating conditions for taxi cabs are idling and stop-and-go traffic. I had a 3.1L V6 Chevrolet Lumina that averaged worse on fuel than my current 4.6L V8 Grand Marquis, on numerous occasions.... and the Mercury is much more comfortable (something desirable for customers, I would think.) Drum roll please....
Lumina - Low : 12 Average: 15 High: 19
Marquis- Low : 13 Average: 17 High: 18
The reason for this? No, the Lumina was not running anywhere near out of the ordinary. On the contrary, it ran perfectly the whole time I had it. The simple reason is that smaller engines work harder in stop-and-go traffic. They only reduce fuel consumption on the highway. Forget what the EPA estimates are. No suitable motor vehicle is EVER going to get over 15-17 miles per gallon as a taxi. Larger engines (within reason) actually do better in stop-and-go traffic because they don't work as hard. Next!.......
Secondly, 'MAJOR' companies make their money from leasing the car to the driver, therefore they could care less if the driver makes money. So, in order to keep customers calling, they keep the rates dirt cheap. So then the driver is fooled into thinking they are making money because they are busy all the time, right? Let's look at that a second.
With an average workday of 200 miles, you'll burn an average of 20 gallons of fuel. At current local fuel prices, that is approximately $34.00 in fuel. So, the driver basically starts out their day as much as $115.00 in the hole. Dividing $115.00 over 200 miles works out to roughly 58 cents per mile. Factoring in the average of 2-3 unpaid miles for each paid mile, true cost of a 'paid' mile can be as high as $2.30, so I ask you, how can the driver possibly make money at the 'average' fare rate of $2.40-$2.70 in this area? Simple. THEY DON'T! The company only stays in business because they make money from leasing the cars to the drivers!
The reason I know this is because I had to work 16 hours every day when I worked for one of the 'major' companies. Working from 3 pm - 11 pm simply paid for the fuel and lease on the car. I had to continue to work from 11 pm to 7 am to ensure that I had something for my time.
Add to that the fact that when the car needed a repair made in order to not endanger my life or my passengers, I had to return the car to the company 7 times because it was not repaired. Once I caught on to this, I bought another car and started my own company again.
I don't mind working 16 hours a day, but I will be damned if I'll do it for $20.00. And that's exactly what I brought home after a 16 hour day with a 'MAJOR' company. I had to construct a spreadsheet and keep detailed logs and meter readings from my cab and a friend's, to evaluate my true cost to realize this. I have real-world data backing up why my rates are what they are.
Other drivers, as well as customers, whine and complain, without even listening to the explanation. If you don't believe me, email me at anomaly.va@gmail.com and I will be happy to email you a copy of the spreadsheet I created to analyze my expenses, as well as sample meter readings from my shifts! Word to the wise -- don't complain about what's charged for a job you wouldn't want to do.
To further illustrate, my current cost is similar, about 41 cents per mile. Factoring in the unpaid mileage, my true cost per paid mile is $1.64. At my current rate of $3.90 per mile, I only make about $2.26 per mile. This may seem high, but consider that on a 12-16 hour day, I will get perhaps 4 fares from the airport, generally totalling around 35 paid miles. Which works out to just under $80.00 after expenses (if I'm lucky)
One customer actually bitched about a $4.00 difference from another company's rate -- on a 10-mile fare! What the hell, lady?! It's 40 cents a mile! Mind you, this was after a 10% discount I am currently giving for most metered fares between $25.00 and $100.00.
Which I don't have to do. I am only doing it because fuel is not $4.25 a gallon like it was when I set my rates. I might add that customer attitude strongly influences any discounts offered, as well as service given. I made sure she got her change back, since she obviously needed it more than I do.
Two people I took to two different local hotels complained about what I charge when they did not ask about it before they got in the car, even though the rates are posted on the window. One of them actually said they felt cheated.
Uh, cheapskates? Before you accuse me (or any other taxi driver) of cheating you, think about the fact that I usually work 12-16 hours a day and that my operation costs are higher than what it costs to operate your SUV or minivan.
You said you felt cheated paying over $2.00 a mile for a taxi ride?
Well, I felt cheated paying $2,900.00 a year for liability only insurance on my taxi.
I felt cheated paying $10,000 - $15,000 a year for fuel.
I felt cheated paying $8,000 in one year for maintenance and repairs.
Does my feeling cheated make the insurance company, the gas station, or the mechanic cut ME a break? NO. They have to make a living too, and I respect that, so I don't complain.
The average destination from the airport is between 7-10 miles. Based on the above figures, a 10 mile trip would cost me $16.40.
The 'average' fare charged for a 10-mile trip is $24.00 - $28.00, and an average driver at the airport waits 3-6 hours for this. A 10 mile trip in my taxi runs around $42.00. So, how am I a crook for charging $26.00 for 3-6 hours of my time? IF I get four 10 mile fares from the airport, I'm still only making about $80.00 for a 12 hour shift. Would you do that?
Some may ask how the extra 2-3 miles figure in. That, at the end of the day, is what we drive to respond to an average call. Any driver who tells you different is NOT what I term a REAL cab driver, or just flat does not know what they are talking about. A lot of really STUPID people call four cabs at once, or don't wait for the cab that was called. It wastes money, time, and fuel. So some of you have done it to yourselves -- stop complaining.
Oh, and not to mention EVERYTHING has gone up in Charlottesville in recent years. According to my research on airfares from Washington DC to Charlottesville, it costs around $300-400 to fly to the airport NEAR, not IN, Charlottesville. So let me get this straight, imbeciles. You're griping about $40.00 for a 10-mile cab ride (in a NICE 13-year-old cab, I might add) after paying perhaps $400.00 to fly 90 miles on a puddle-jumper that is perhaps over 20 years old? Hmmm.....
Would you like some cheese to go with your wHine?
More food for thought.......
New York taxi cabs start at $2.50, the same as I do. The only difference is that this charge is for the first 1/5 mile in New York, while it is for the first 1/10 mile in Charlottesville.
They charge $0.40 for each 1/5 mile, or $2.00 per mile. Adding $1.60 for the other 4/5 of the first mile comes to $4.10.
Therefore, 1 mile should cost $4.10 in a New York taxi -- but it doesn't. Allow me to explain why.
The meter also charges $0.40 for every two minutes the car is below 2 mph, including traffic lights. The average cab in New York City is going to spend six minutes in traffic for every mile traveled. Therefore, you add the $1.20 for these charges and get $5.30 for the first mile. There are also charges of $0.40 for night service after 10 pm, and $1.00 for peak traffic hours. So the $5.30 turns into $5.70, $6.30, or $6.70, depending on time of day and conditions.
My rates are comparable. However, I have to make my money on mileage, because I do not spend six minutes in traffic for every mile.
I charge $0.60 for each 1/6 mile, or $3.60 a mile, until the meter reaches $8.50, which takes about a mile and a half without traffic. After that, Rate 2 automatically switches over at $3.90 per mile.
So, $2.50 for the first 1/10 (Charlottesville ordinance) and then adding $3.00 for the next 5/6 mile (since the meter technically doesn't reach the last 1/6) makes $5.50. So, as you can see, my rates are indeed comparable.
And, unlike some other drivers, I don't pad the bill with extras. I have seen one driver charge as much as $7.00 in extras. Bottom line.....
Leasing drivers cannot tell the company what they will pay them.
No one can tell insurance companies what they will pay them.
No one can tell gas stations what they will pay them for fuel.
No one can tell mechanics what they will pay them.
No one can tell landlords what they will pay them.
No one can tell banks what they will pay for their mortgage.
No one can tell grocery stores what they will pay for food.
These businesses won't let you tell them what their time's worth, nor will I. I am in this business to make money. Get over yourselves, realize everyone's time is worth something, and stop telling me I'm a crook for making a living. Just because you let someone else tell you what your time is worth doesn't mean I will let you tell me what mine is worth.
AND........
I have heard rumors recently that the governor of the great Communist state of Virginia has formed a commission to create a statewide mandate to regulate all for-hire vehicles. This mandate is rumored to include age restrictions and rate limits. Message to the galactically stupid, especially bureaucrats.... Until you can regulate my expenses, you have NO DAMNED BUSINESS regulating my prices!
The economy is bad enough without small business owners like myself being out of work because of cheapskate customers that are too stupid to realize that everyone needs to make a living, and bureaucrats that are more interested in the rich man's vote and campaign contributions than the little guy's ability to survive.
It's typical of the stupidity of modern society, blame the low guy on the totem pole who can't control the way things are. To bastardize an Eddie Murphy joke -- No Coke, no smile, just shut the fuck up. Put a cap on fuel prices, insurance premiums and repair shop labor before you start telling me what I can charge, morons.
Open Mouth, Insert Foot.......
Okay, so last night I'm hanging out in a convenience store, talking to the clerk and one of the other customers. A driver from a new company that was started three years ago comes in and gets into the conversation.
We get to discussing business, and the guy mentions that with tip, he usually gets the same thing for a trip that I do. This is interesting, considering that most of the other drivers say that I'm ripping customers off.
So I ask him what the difference is if he gets $40 with tip and I get $40 from the meter price. He says, "I earn my money."
"Oh, so you're saying I don't EARN my money?" I asked.
"No, man, your money's guaranteed." Uh, isn't that the whole point of being in business for myself?
I had three options at that point. I could point out that he didn't know beans about the business, and that his company was trying to muscle out the smaller owner-ops like myself that were in business LONG BEFORE that company was ever around, I could do my damnedest to knock him out, or I could walk away before it got out of hand.
In the end, I chose to walk away. You can't argue with an idiot, especially one that thinks they know everything. They drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience. Besides, contrary to when I go off on my blogs, I am a lot more professional than that.
We get to discussing business, and the guy mentions that with tip, he usually gets the same thing for a trip that I do. This is interesting, considering that most of the other drivers say that I'm ripping customers off.
So I ask him what the difference is if he gets $40 with tip and I get $40 from the meter price. He says, "I earn my money."
"Oh, so you're saying I don't EARN my money?" I asked.
"No, man, your money's guaranteed." Uh, isn't that the whole point of being in business for myself?
I had three options at that point. I could point out that he didn't know beans about the business, and that his company was trying to muscle out the smaller owner-ops like myself that were in business LONG BEFORE that company was ever around, I could do my damnedest to knock him out, or I could walk away before it got out of hand.
In the end, I chose to walk away. You can't argue with an idiot, especially one that thinks they know everything. They drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience. Besides, contrary to when I go off on my blogs, I am a lot more professional than that.
These People Had Watched Too Much Taxi Cab Confessions....
Okay, so this couple gets in my cab, seeming very furtive and concerned that they had been seen together. After refusing one ATM, the next one was out of order and we finally found one on the west end of town. The guy gets cash out and asks, "How much would it cost to just ride around for awhile?"
To which I replied, "You could run up $400 running laps around town if you drive long enough. Define awhile.... 20 minutes, 2 hours, all night, what?"
"Head west and we'll see what happens...." Well, by the time we got to the next town, they were doing their thing in the backseat. I started to say something but it was a little too late by then.
Interestingly enough, I dropped them off at separate houses quite some distance apart. The guy gives me a $15 tip and says, "You never saw me." To which I replied, "Here's my card, sir, can I NOT see you again?"
Interesting sequel to this story. Several months later, I picked up a man from downtown. Went to the same house I dropped the woman off at before. Different guy, and acted like he owned the place. It was all I could do to keep from laughing. However, I said nothing.
The house was up for sale two months later. Quite interesting.
To which I replied, "You could run up $400 running laps around town if you drive long enough. Define awhile.... 20 minutes, 2 hours, all night, what?"
"Head west and we'll see what happens...." Well, by the time we got to the next town, they were doing their thing in the backseat. I started to say something but it was a little too late by then.
Interestingly enough, I dropped them off at separate houses quite some distance apart. The guy gives me a $15 tip and says, "You never saw me." To which I replied, "Here's my card, sir, can I NOT see you again?"
Interesting sequel to this story. Several months later, I picked up a man from downtown. Went to the same house I dropped the woman off at before. Different guy, and acted like he owned the place. It was all I could do to keep from laughing. However, I said nothing.
The house was up for sale two months later. Quite interesting.
Your Choice....
Come to think of it, there is another story that comes to mind concerning "The Great Rate Debate" as I have come to call it. It's a two-part story, so keep that in mind.....
There is another driver working the line (when he waits his turn) here at the airport that runs flat rates that I would not even consider honoring.
He caters to the school of thought that lower rates = higher volume = more income. Doesn't work that way, buddy. Tried it, and it does not work.
I remember the first night I worked the airport, a student came out and asked my price to a certain destination. I gave him my price, and the guy said he needed to get his baggage, and would I wait for him? Sure, it was a good fare. The driver I speak of was next in line behind me.
Less than a minute after the guy goes into the terminal to get his baggage, this driver enters the terminal for about two minutes, then comes back out.
The student then comes out and informs me that "the guy behind you said he'll take me for less." So the other driver basically approached the customer in order to cut my throat. This is completely against rules for airport taxi vendors, unless the customer approaches another vendor and price-shops.
Several weeks went by, and this driver was ahead of me in line and not in his car when the line moved. By airport rules, I have the right to go around him. So I did so. Serves him right for what he did to me earlier, right?
When he pulls up behind me in front of the terminal, he asks, "You're giving me my spot back, right?"
I just look at him and ask, "Why should I? You cut my throat the first night I was out here, you're constantly going in the terminal and snaking rides out of turn, and now you want me to give you your spot back because you weren't ready when the line moved, BECAUSE you were trying to snake rides out of turn? Tell you what, I'll let you have it back, because I'm not an asshole. But don't you EVER cut my throat like that again. I mean it."
Later that night, I was legitimately first in line with the same driver behind me again. Two guys that knew each other but were going different destinations were price-shopping with each of us.
The guy that rode with me was asking about the differences in pricing, and I simply told him that most cabs here are operating at or below cost. When he asked why they would do that, I just replied that most of them don't factor in all the costs associated with doing business, and wind up working for tips.
He then said that I was higher than most of the cabs in line at the airport, and wanted to know why I had to charge that much. I was just about to reply, and the driver that had been behind me blew my doors off just at that point. The speed limit was 45, and I was doing exactly that. This guy was going 60 easy.
I just grinned, pointed at the tail lights pulling away like I was standing still, and said, "THAT'S why. That guy might be getting a deal, but what good is getting a deal if the driver's scaring the hell out of you? I would also bet that on the meter, he's going the long way around to make up for the low rate."
He said nothing to this, so I guess he got the point.
I mean, really, would you rather pay the lowest price in town and have to worry about getting in an accident, or pay a little more to get a nice, smooth, safe ride?
There is another driver working the line (when he waits his turn) here at the airport that runs flat rates that I would not even consider honoring.
He caters to the school of thought that lower rates = higher volume = more income. Doesn't work that way, buddy. Tried it, and it does not work.
I remember the first night I worked the airport, a student came out and asked my price to a certain destination. I gave him my price, and the guy said he needed to get his baggage, and would I wait for him? Sure, it was a good fare. The driver I speak of was next in line behind me.
Less than a minute after the guy goes into the terminal to get his baggage, this driver enters the terminal for about two minutes, then comes back out.
The student then comes out and informs me that "the guy behind you said he'll take me for less." So the other driver basically approached the customer in order to cut my throat. This is completely against rules for airport taxi vendors, unless the customer approaches another vendor and price-shops.
Several weeks went by, and this driver was ahead of me in line and not in his car when the line moved. By airport rules, I have the right to go around him. So I did so. Serves him right for what he did to me earlier, right?
When he pulls up behind me in front of the terminal, he asks, "You're giving me my spot back, right?"
I just look at him and ask, "Why should I? You cut my throat the first night I was out here, you're constantly going in the terminal and snaking rides out of turn, and now you want me to give you your spot back because you weren't ready when the line moved, BECAUSE you were trying to snake rides out of turn? Tell you what, I'll let you have it back, because I'm not an asshole. But don't you EVER cut my throat like that again. I mean it."
Later that night, I was legitimately first in line with the same driver behind me again. Two guys that knew each other but were going different destinations were price-shopping with each of us.
The guy that rode with me was asking about the differences in pricing, and I simply told him that most cabs here are operating at or below cost. When he asked why they would do that, I just replied that most of them don't factor in all the costs associated with doing business, and wind up working for tips.
He then said that I was higher than most of the cabs in line at the airport, and wanted to know why I had to charge that much. I was just about to reply, and the driver that had been behind me blew my doors off just at that point. The speed limit was 45, and I was doing exactly that. This guy was going 60 easy.
I just grinned, pointed at the tail lights pulling away like I was standing still, and said, "THAT'S why. That guy might be getting a deal, but what good is getting a deal if the driver's scaring the hell out of you? I would also bet that on the meter, he's going the long way around to make up for the low rate."
He said nothing to this, so I guess he got the point.
I mean, really, would you rather pay the lowest price in town and have to worry about getting in an accident, or pay a little more to get a nice, smooth, safe ride?
Turnabout's Fair Play.......
LMAO -- I just had SOOOO much fun with this nursery school of taxi drivers we have servicing the airport. I sort of "forgot" to put my new taxi inspection sticker on the car.
So all afternoon the other drivers were bitching and whining to the Airport Police. Finally an officer comes out to talk to me about it. I showed him my sticker, and he told me I needed to put it on the car. I was really hoping they would let me wait until I was first in line....
I walked back to the car, acting disgusted, then started the engine and waited for everyone to race to their car and fire up to move forward to claim the spot in line they thought I had lost.
But you should have seen the look on their faces when I calmly got out of the car with the sticker, peeled it off the backing and put it in its place on the rear bumper...... LOL! That'll teach them to mind their own damned business..... :P But we all know THAT'S not gonna happen.
So all afternoon the other drivers were bitching and whining to the Airport Police. Finally an officer comes out to talk to me about it. I showed him my sticker, and he told me I needed to put it on the car. I was really hoping they would let me wait until I was first in line....
I walked back to the car, acting disgusted, then started the engine and waited for everyone to race to their car and fire up to move forward to claim the spot in line they thought I had lost.
But you should have seen the look on their faces when I calmly got out of the car with the sticker, peeled it off the backing and put it in its place on the rear bumper...... LOL! That'll teach them to mind their own damned business..... :P But we all know THAT'S not gonna happen.
Thought I Was Kidding About The Nursery School?
If you thought I was kidding about my line of work having become a nursery school, check this out.....
Five days ago, I discovered that someone had taken a knife and cut my new city taxi permit sticker off of my rear bumper. I called the police and made a report, just in case someone was really cheap enough to steal another cab's permit when they only cost $5-10. I also moved the cab to another location to park it.
Today, when I picked the car up, one of my tires was flat. Mind you, they are brand-new with less than 2,000 miles on them, and no history of leakage.
After filling it with fix-a-flat and topping off the air pressure, I carefully inspected it with a flashlight. No screws, nails, or other foreign objects in the tire. As a matter of fact, there was still air pressure in the tire before I filled it with fix-a-flat, which pretty much proves someone let the air out of it. I'm pretty sure I know who did it, and they will get theirs. That's the beautiful part about karma, it happens whether I do anything or not.
Now, I ask you, is there any reason for grown men to act this way?
Five days ago, I discovered that someone had taken a knife and cut my new city taxi permit sticker off of my rear bumper. I called the police and made a report, just in case someone was really cheap enough to steal another cab's permit when they only cost $5-10. I also moved the cab to another location to park it.
Today, when I picked the car up, one of my tires was flat. Mind you, they are brand-new with less than 2,000 miles on them, and no history of leakage.
After filling it with fix-a-flat and topping off the air pressure, I carefully inspected it with a flashlight. No screws, nails, or other foreign objects in the tire. As a matter of fact, there was still air pressure in the tire before I filled it with fix-a-flat, which pretty much proves someone let the air out of it. I'm pretty sure I know who did it, and they will get theirs. That's the beautiful part about karma, it happens whether I do anything or not.
Now, I ask you, is there any reason for grown men to act this way?
Has THINKING Gone Out Of Style?
Okay, so I'm heading to the airport to start work this afternoon. At the intersection with Earlysville Road and Rio Road West, there is a small convenience store, with entrances to the parking lot from both roads.
At the light, I was behind a gold Suzuki Forenza station wagon. This idiot was waiting for the light to change to make a right turn, with plenty of space to move aside and make the turn.
As if that wasn't retarded enough, once they made the right turn, they made ANOTHER right into the parking lot of the convenience store.
What's stupid about this? The entrance to the store from the road we were on originally was right beside this vehicle the whole time they were waiting for the traffic light to change. They were just too stupid to go in the EASY way.
And, it would seem, insistent on holding other people up, BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO STUPID TO GO IN THE EASY WAY. I wasted five minutes behind this idiot, and time is money in my line of work. Get your heads out of your asses, people. Wake the hell up and pay attention, learn to drive, whatever.
At the light, I was behind a gold Suzuki Forenza station wagon. This idiot was waiting for the light to change to make a right turn, with plenty of space to move aside and make the turn.
As if that wasn't retarded enough, once they made the right turn, they made ANOTHER right into the parking lot of the convenience store.
What's stupid about this? The entrance to the store from the road we were on originally was right beside this vehicle the whole time they were waiting for the traffic light to change. They were just too stupid to go in the EASY way.
And, it would seem, insistent on holding other people up, BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO STUPID TO GO IN THE EASY WAY. I wasted five minutes behind this idiot, and time is money in my line of work. Get your heads out of your asses, people. Wake the hell up and pay attention, learn to drive, whatever.
Get A REAL Job, You Say?!!!!
Okay, I have had quite enough of people telling me to get a "real" job, already. First off, what makes you think my job is any less important because it's not something that you would do? So I drive a car for a living, while you push papers and make phone calls. That doesn't make you any more important.
Case in point -- I have a friend who went to school for ten years or more, getting multiple degrees and certifications in computers. And probably ran up $200,000 - $300,000 in student loans in the process. I was happy for him when he landed a job in New York City, since it sometimes is referred to as the "capital of the world".
Then I found out he was working for $15.00 an hour, and limited to 35 hours per week. In Manhattan, where rents are typically $1000 or more. Thus, he has to live outside of NYC, with a commute taking probably an hour or two out of each day.
Then he switched to another job in NYC that started at $500 a week plus benefits. I thought it sounded good until I hear he's working 50-60 hours a week and I couldn't get in touch with him. Really, what's the difference? At least before, he had a life outside of work. Now he has no money AND no life. And people tell me this is a REAL job? At least I LIKE what I do. I've got a feeling my friend is going to get fed up real quick.
I don't do any worse in the cab, and I didn't go to school for ten years to get a driver's license or a hack license. So who's smarter, really? Nobody. We all do what we have to do to make a living, so think about what you're saying before you tell someone else to get a REAL job.
Oh, and by the way, I'm my own boss. I don't have to cater to office politics, or he-said, she-said drama typical of an office setting. I make my own hours, and I don't have to worry about losing my job if I don't hit the streets at a certain hour every day.
And for those who say that driving a cab is not work, I challenge you to get a hack license and try it for a month. Until you do, shut the hell up.
Case in point -- I have a friend who went to school for ten years or more, getting multiple degrees and certifications in computers. And probably ran up $200,000 - $300,000 in student loans in the process. I was happy for him when he landed a job in New York City, since it sometimes is referred to as the "capital of the world".
Then I found out he was working for $15.00 an hour, and limited to 35 hours per week. In Manhattan, where rents are typically $1000 or more. Thus, he has to live outside of NYC, with a commute taking probably an hour or two out of each day.
Then he switched to another job in NYC that started at $500 a week plus benefits. I thought it sounded good until I hear he's working 50-60 hours a week and I couldn't get in touch with him. Really, what's the difference? At least before, he had a life outside of work. Now he has no money AND no life. And people tell me this is a REAL job? At least I LIKE what I do. I've got a feeling my friend is going to get fed up real quick.
I don't do any worse in the cab, and I didn't go to school for ten years to get a driver's license or a hack license. So who's smarter, really? Nobody. We all do what we have to do to make a living, so think about what you're saying before you tell someone else to get a REAL job.
Oh, and by the way, I'm my own boss. I don't have to cater to office politics, or he-said, she-said drama typical of an office setting. I make my own hours, and I don't have to worry about losing my job if I don't hit the streets at a certain hour every day.
And for those who say that driving a cab is not work, I challenge you to get a hack license and try it for a month. Until you do, shut the hell up.
Do You Qualify?
Okay.... I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but seeing as in the past 24 hours, I have nearly been broadsided at 45 by a rice-rocket, sandwiched between two tractor-trailers, and run off the road...... I am listing my pet peeves while driving, I am sure more will be added as time goes on.
To those who can operate their stereo perfectly, but don't know what that funny-looking lever to the left of the steering wheel is for......
To those who don't enter a turn lane until they are forced to make a 90-degree turn, forcing everyone else to slam on the brakes........
To those who are too stupid to understand that daytime running lights are just that.... DAYTIME running lights, not full headlights and running lights......
To those who think it's their given duty to ride the passing lane matching speed perfectly with slower traffic........
To those who don't know what that pretty blue light on the dash that looks like a headlight means.........
To those who stop at green lights and blow through red ones.......
To those who stop ten feet before the line at every traffic light.........
To those who routinely cut off vehicles ten times the size of your own.......
To those who think as long as they keep the car between the solid white lines, it's okay to wander......
To those who back up against oncoming traffic when they miss a turn.........
To those who insist on hanging out in moving traffic beside vehicles whose tires are taller than your vehicle.........
To those who get more mileage out of a gallon of a gas than a set of brakes......
To those who stop ten feet before the next vehicle at every traffic light......
To those who routinely park with at least a fourth of the car out in traffic........
To those who sling an SUV around as if it were an F1 car..........
To those who stop traffic to let another vehicle in with a green light!!!! The driver behind you might know what you're doing, but the other ten behind them don't....
To those who drive 70 in the snow because you have 4-wheel-drive........
To those who can't park within 2 feet of the curb.......
To those who challenge other vehicles because yours is bigger and heavier........
To those who traded a Honda Civic in on a Chevy Suburban and can't get used to it........
To those who block an intersection when you know you're not getting through it before the light changes.......
To those who routinely sustain heavier damage than door dings........
To those who challenge other vehicles for the right-of-way because you have insurance.......
To those who pull forward to cut another driver off when you can't go anywhere anyway......
To those who can't park evenly with the curb............
To those who stop and block traffic with a green light when they realize they're in the wrong lane.........
To those whose license plates strike fear in the hearts of pedestrians everywhere......
To whose who challenge emergency vehicles for the right-of-way......
To those who think it's okay to stop in traffic and turn on your hazards to talk to someone. Do you know what a parking space is for?
To those who can't park in one space.......
To those who change direction with the wind because you don't know where the hell you're going......
To those who assume you are the only one on the road or in the parking lot and move without looking....
To those who refuse to make a right turn on red --- with no sign restricting it and no traffic.........
To those who think a yield or stop sign is a suggestion..........
To those who go three blocks up a one-way street the wrong way because they're too lazy to go down one block and turn.........
Turn in your driver's license. You probably don't belong behind the wheel of a lawn mower, and I wouldn't trust you on a Segway without a helmet, you're too stupid.
To those who can operate their stereo perfectly, but don't know what that funny-looking lever to the left of the steering wheel is for......
To those who don't enter a turn lane until they are forced to make a 90-degree turn, forcing everyone else to slam on the brakes........
To those who are too stupid to understand that daytime running lights are just that.... DAYTIME running lights, not full headlights and running lights......
To those who think it's their given duty to ride the passing lane matching speed perfectly with slower traffic........
To those who don't know what that pretty blue light on the dash that looks like a headlight means.........
To those who stop at green lights and blow through red ones.......
To those who stop ten feet before the line at every traffic light.........
To those who routinely cut off vehicles ten times the size of your own.......
To those who think as long as they keep the car between the solid white lines, it's okay to wander......
To those who back up against oncoming traffic when they miss a turn.........
To those who insist on hanging out in moving traffic beside vehicles whose tires are taller than your vehicle.........
To those who get more mileage out of a gallon of a gas than a set of brakes......
To those who stop ten feet before the next vehicle at every traffic light......
To those who routinely park with at least a fourth of the car out in traffic........
To those who sling an SUV around as if it were an F1 car..........
To those who stop traffic to let another vehicle in with a green light!!!! The driver behind you might know what you're doing, but the other ten behind them don't....
To those who drive 70 in the snow because you have 4-wheel-drive........
To those who can't park within 2 feet of the curb.......
To those who challenge other vehicles because yours is bigger and heavier........
To those who traded a Honda Civic in on a Chevy Suburban and can't get used to it........
To those who block an intersection when you know you're not getting through it before the light changes.......
To those who routinely sustain heavier damage than door dings........
To those who challenge other vehicles for the right-of-way because you have insurance.......
To those who pull forward to cut another driver off when you can't go anywhere anyway......
To those who can't park evenly with the curb............
To those who stop and block traffic with a green light when they realize they're in the wrong lane.........
To those whose license plates strike fear in the hearts of pedestrians everywhere......
To whose who challenge emergency vehicles for the right-of-way......
To those who think it's okay to stop in traffic and turn on your hazards to talk to someone. Do you know what a parking space is for?
To those who can't park in one space.......
To those who change direction with the wind because you don't know where the hell you're going......
To those who assume you are the only one on the road or in the parking lot and move without looking....
To those who refuse to make a right turn on red --- with no sign restricting it and no traffic.........
To those who think a yield or stop sign is a suggestion..........
To those who go three blocks up a one-way street the wrong way because they're too lazy to go down one block and turn.........
Turn in your driver's license. You probably don't belong behind the wheel of a lawn mower, and I wouldn't trust you on a Segway without a helmet, you're too stupid.
Some People Don't Belong NEAR A Car.....
I caught the tail end of a fender-bender on 29 Sunday. One pickup rearended another. Most people would say, "Oh, well, the second truck must have been following too closely." Which is probably what THEY got charged with, and I say this is not totally fair.
Some may ask why, and I will tell you. The driver of the second pickup did not necessarily cause this accident. I tend to lean more toward the moron ten cars ahead in line that takes 45 seconds to reach HALF the speed limit. They know who they are, and everyone else knows exactly who I'm talking about.
It's a chain reaction. Next person in line expects to get going in a timely manner (note, I said timely, not bat-out-of-hell) and has to brake because the moron in front of them gets more mileage from a gallon of a gas than a set of brakes.
Then everyone behind THEM has to slam on the brakes, until the people 10 cars behind have no idea what is coming and clip each other. I'm not saying everyone should be laying rubber at every stop light, but people, if you're not in a hurry, and you're not passing anybody, get the hell out of the left lane! All you are doing is pissing everyone else off and causing accidents!
Some may ask why, and I will tell you. The driver of the second pickup did not necessarily cause this accident. I tend to lean more toward the moron ten cars ahead in line that takes 45 seconds to reach HALF the speed limit. They know who they are, and everyone else knows exactly who I'm talking about.
It's a chain reaction. Next person in line expects to get going in a timely manner (note, I said timely, not bat-out-of-hell) and has to brake because the moron in front of them gets more mileage from a gallon of a gas than a set of brakes.
Then everyone behind THEM has to slam on the brakes, until the people 10 cars behind have no idea what is coming and clip each other. I'm not saying everyone should be laying rubber at every stop light, but people, if you're not in a hurry, and you're not passing anybody, get the hell out of the left lane! All you are doing is pissing everyone else off and causing accidents!
Make It Idiot-Proof, They'll Find A Better Idiot
As I've written before, in any service related job, it only takes one asshole to ruin your day.
This idiot took the cake though. Before I had driven him a mile, he noticed the difference in rate and said something about it. I could tell from his tone and his attitude that he was going to be a problem.
I even offered three times to return him to the airport so that he could take another cab that was priced to his liking. He declined, even after I told him ballpark price to where he was going was between $35.00-$40.00.
I tried at two opportunities to take a shorter route to try to save him a few bucks, and he insisted on going perhaps 4-5 blocks out of the way.
THEN, he actually had the nerve to say I was ripping him off. What a dick! Needless to say, I got right on the phone after dropping him off to give my side of the story to the Airport Authority before they got whatever details the passenger might have twisted around to suit them. I have a feeling they are going to get a totally different story from him. On another note, my first fare yesterday (of a total of 5) ran $62.00, and those folks didn't even blink an eye.
I like my job, I truly do. But why, oh, why, can't we send the stupid people away?
This idiot took the cake though. Before I had driven him a mile, he noticed the difference in rate and said something about it. I could tell from his tone and his attitude that he was going to be a problem.
I even offered three times to return him to the airport so that he could take another cab that was priced to his liking. He declined, even after I told him ballpark price to where he was going was between $35.00-$40.00.
I tried at two opportunities to take a shorter route to try to save him a few bucks, and he insisted on going perhaps 4-5 blocks out of the way.
THEN, he actually had the nerve to say I was ripping him off. What a dick! Needless to say, I got right on the phone after dropping him off to give my side of the story to the Airport Authority before they got whatever details the passenger might have twisted around to suit them. I have a feeling they are going to get a totally different story from him. On another note, my first fare yesterday (of a total of 5) ran $62.00, and those folks didn't even blink an eye.
I like my job, I truly do. But why, oh, why, can't we send the stupid people away?
How Lazy Can People Be?
Sitting here at the airport, watching 12 or so idiots double and triple parking at the curb, just so the idiot they're picking up doesn't have to work up a sweat and burn off 25 calories by walking 100 feet to the short-term parking at the end of the terminal.
Why do I care? First, these idiots are preventing me from seeing whether I need to move to the taxi stand in front of the terminal, so I can get another shot at making my living for the day. Secondly, these idiots are blocking traffic and keeping me from moving to the stand even if I could see. Thirdly, double parking is a ticket at the airport just as it is anywhere else. Fourthly, the rules DO apply to you, morons.
There is an alarming trend of increasing numbers of people in this country who either:
A) Speak English but don't understand it
B) Don't think or pay attention to anything.
Why do I care? First, these idiots are preventing me from seeing whether I need to move to the taxi stand in front of the terminal, so I can get another shot at making my living for the day. Secondly, these idiots are blocking traffic and keeping me from moving to the stand even if I could see. Thirdly, double parking is a ticket at the airport just as it is anywhere else. Fourthly, the rules DO apply to you, morons.
There is an alarming trend of increasing numbers of people in this country who either:
A) Speak English but don't understand it
B) Don't think or pay attention to anything.
First candidate for the 2009 Darwin award, step right up!!!
UVa student gets in my cab Friday night with no cash, only a debit card. As I am not set up to take debit cards, the best I could do was take her by an ATM. (Would you believe that some idiots misunderstand me to mean I can take an ATM card when I tell them this?)
Anyway, she asked for $8.00 change from a $20.00 bill. THEN complained about the fare being $10.45 (of which I charged $10.00 even). Needless to say, I gave her ten $1.00 bills back. I have written about such things before.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. How stupid are you to give more than you're charged, and then complain about it?
She didn't count her change, so I'm sure she didn't catch it, and even if she did, the odds that she will read this blog are rather slim, but if she is, the reason she got $10.00 back might be because I'm a stupid, inferior, illiterate, uneducated cab driver who can't count and cheated themselves. And then it might just be that I refuse to accept a tip from anyone who complains about it. Obviously, she needs it more than I do.
Anyway, she asked for $8.00 change from a $20.00 bill. THEN complained about the fare being $10.45 (of which I charged $10.00 even). Needless to say, I gave her ten $1.00 bills back. I have written about such things before.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. How stupid are you to give more than you're charged, and then complain about it?
She didn't count her change, so I'm sure she didn't catch it, and even if she did, the odds that she will read this blog are rather slim, but if she is, the reason she got $10.00 back might be because I'm a stupid, inferior, illiterate, uneducated cab driver who can't count and cheated themselves. And then it might just be that I refuse to accept a tip from anyone who complains about it. Obviously, she needs it more than I do.
Talk About Stupid.......
Once again I'm proven right about my current assessment of my profession and the overall lack of thought shared by my, um, colleagues.
A month ago, a driver for a competitor and I locked horns slightly. I simply remarked that I couldn't see how they made enough money driving people around for $1.00 a mile one-way on long trips, when it costs about 50 cents a mile each way. His response was, "I don't know how people stomach paying you $40.00 from the airport to the Omni."
Well, I ran into "Sergeant Sunshine", as I have nicknamed him (on account of he always looks as though you just stole his woman), a few nights ago.
I was talking about getting something to eat, and he admitted that he couldn't even afford a submarine sandwich at a local deli for dinner after paying lease to his company. I swear, I had to walk away before I started laughing.
It's not funny that someone can't afford food, but it is funny to know that someone can be that blind as to WHY they can't afford food. But I figured out a long time ago that I can't save the world, so I quit trying.
A month ago, a driver for a competitor and I locked horns slightly. I simply remarked that I couldn't see how they made enough money driving people around for $1.00 a mile one-way on long trips, when it costs about 50 cents a mile each way. His response was, "I don't know how people stomach paying you $40.00 from the airport to the Omni."
Well, I ran into "Sergeant Sunshine", as I have nicknamed him (on account of he always looks as though you just stole his woman), a few nights ago.
I was talking about getting something to eat, and he admitted that he couldn't even afford a submarine sandwich at a local deli for dinner after paying lease to his company. I swear, I had to walk away before I started laughing.
It's not funny that someone can't afford food, but it is funny to know that someone can be that blind as to WHY they can't afford food. But I figured out a long time ago that I can't save the world, so I quit trying.
People Never Cease To Amaze Me......
I was the only taxi at the airport, or so I thought. A Yellow Cab was circling the airport drive, being unpermitted to wait in line. We call them vultures. Why these idiots drive 10 dead miles to likely not even get a fare is beyond me.
A lady came out going to a subdivision about 3-4 miles away. My minimum charge is $25.00 because of the usual 4 hours average of waiting time. I have to make SOMETHING for my time.
A little background on the driver of this particular Yellow Cab. He has a condition which causes him to fall asleep at any given time (not safe in my line of work), his cab reeks of cigarette smoke, and I know from personal observation and war stories from other taxi drivers that he has personally destroyed probably $60,000 worth of taxi cabs in his career. Not to mention he pulled a knife on me one night for no good reason, with a witness.
Aside from this, his current cab has the front end almost dangling off the car from an accident (he's had the car maybe 6 months) and it burns more oil than fuel.
This passenger took a cab that exhibited signs of a driver that was not in full control of his vehicle at all times, just to save eight dollars. It may be your money, people, but it is also your life. I gave up a nine dollar fare to save my life one night.
A lady came out going to a subdivision about 3-4 miles away. My minimum charge is $25.00 because of the usual 4 hours average of waiting time. I have to make SOMETHING for my time.
A little background on the driver of this particular Yellow Cab. He has a condition which causes him to fall asleep at any given time (not safe in my line of work), his cab reeks of cigarette smoke, and I know from personal observation and war stories from other taxi drivers that he has personally destroyed probably $60,000 worth of taxi cabs in his career. Not to mention he pulled a knife on me one night for no good reason, with a witness.
Aside from this, his current cab has the front end almost dangling off the car from an accident (he's had the car maybe 6 months) and it burns more oil than fuel.
This passenger took a cab that exhibited signs of a driver that was not in full control of his vehicle at all times, just to save eight dollars. It may be your money, people, but it is also your life. I gave up a nine dollar fare to save my life one night.
Here's Your Sign......
People have a really annoying tendency to leave their cell phones and wallets in public transportation vehicles. Hey, it happens. Everyone is forgetful sometimes.
But one very annoying habit that people have when they leave such things in taxicabs is that they expect us to bring it back to them at no charge.
One girl left a $300 phone in my cab one night -- and got pissed because I charged her $10.90 on the meter to bring it across town to her!
Let's look at this for a second. We're burning fuel to bring it back to you that could have been used to run a fare. We're also not available for a fare while we're bringing it back to you (if you want it right now, as most people do). Not to mention the fact that it's not our fault you left your belongings in the cab in the first place.
In my case, most people are lucky to even get it back, because of the fact that I'm not a major company, and no one knows who I am, so that they can call to check. I do, however, make an effort to find the person it belongs to.
So, if you ever leave such things in a taxicab, don't get mad if we charge you to bring it to you. Remember that we didn't make you leave your belongings in the cab. Also, think about what it will cost you in money, time and aggravation to replace your phone, or credit cards, etc. Be glad that you're getting it back without that hassle.
But one very annoying habit that people have when they leave such things in taxicabs is that they expect us to bring it back to them at no charge.
One girl left a $300 phone in my cab one night -- and got pissed because I charged her $10.90 on the meter to bring it across town to her!
Let's look at this for a second. We're burning fuel to bring it back to you that could have been used to run a fare. We're also not available for a fare while we're bringing it back to you (if you want it right now, as most people do). Not to mention the fact that it's not our fault you left your belongings in the cab in the first place.
In my case, most people are lucky to even get it back, because of the fact that I'm not a major company, and no one knows who I am, so that they can call to check. I do, however, make an effort to find the person it belongs to.
So, if you ever leave such things in a taxicab, don't get mad if we charge you to bring it to you. Remember that we didn't make you leave your belongings in the cab. Also, think about what it will cost you in money, time and aggravation to replace your phone, or credit cards, etc. Be glad that you're getting it back without that hassle.
Whoever You May THINK North America Belongs To.....
This is just unbelievable. Abraham Lincoln once said a house divided against itself cannot stand. Some people are too stupid to really get the meaning of that. As I said earlier, there seems to be a cold war among cab drivers, at least here.
There is a certain driver here working the airport that seems to have a problem with foreigners. I agree on some respects because there are a great many here illegally, taking jobs and sending the money they earn home, and not paying taxes on any of it.
But if the person has legal status here, or is a citizen, pays their taxes, and does things legally, what the hell is this guy's problem?
Apparently, one guy from another country was away from his taxi one day when the line moved, and the guy behind him went around him. By airport rules the second driver was right, but it was still dirty. I don't do it unless that driver has done something to me.
So, apparently, later the guy from another country had a chance to return the favor. Only trouble I had with it was they went around me AND a third driver to do it, and I didn't even know the line had moved. However, he tried to make it right later.
But now the other guy has a chip on his shoulder towards any and all people from other countries, because he chooses to be a dick.
So now he has a sign in the rear window of his cab saying "Ride American, Not Foreign". Granted, he could be saying to ride in an American car rather than an import, but everybody knows what it really means.
Honestly, it pisses me off, and I'm not even the target of its wording. Mostly because it's just stupid. It's not like OUR ancestry is 100% American. British colonials came and cheated Native Americans out of their homeland, and for the most part, their heritage. True story. However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to accept that 98% of people are idiots, and that I can't change that.
So, in closing, I would just like to say that while I wish no ill fortune on anyone, I do hope that racists everywhere wind up needing (and getting) a pint of blood from the very people that they hate so much.......
There is a certain driver here working the airport that seems to have a problem with foreigners. I agree on some respects because there are a great many here illegally, taking jobs and sending the money they earn home, and not paying taxes on any of it.
But if the person has legal status here, or is a citizen, pays their taxes, and does things legally, what the hell is this guy's problem?
Apparently, one guy from another country was away from his taxi one day when the line moved, and the guy behind him went around him. By airport rules the second driver was right, but it was still dirty. I don't do it unless that driver has done something to me.
So, apparently, later the guy from another country had a chance to return the favor. Only trouble I had with it was they went around me AND a third driver to do it, and I didn't even know the line had moved. However, he tried to make it right later.
But now the other guy has a chip on his shoulder towards any and all people from other countries, because he chooses to be a dick.
So now he has a sign in the rear window of his cab saying "Ride American, Not Foreign". Granted, he could be saying to ride in an American car rather than an import, but everybody knows what it really means.
Honestly, it pisses me off, and I'm not even the target of its wording. Mostly because it's just stupid. It's not like OUR ancestry is 100% American. British colonials came and cheated Native Americans out of their homeland, and for the most part, their heritage. True story. However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to accept that 98% of people are idiots, and that I can't change that.
So, in closing, I would just like to say that while I wish no ill fortune on anyone, I do hope that racists everywhere wind up needing (and getting) a pint of blood from the very people that they hate so much.......
Some People Need Instructions To Breathe Through Their Nose......
Just got to thinking about (yet) another incident where someone thought it was okay to talk down to me because I'm "just a cab driver". Also a here's your sign story, technically...Couple years ago, I stopped for a lady in the Corner area of the local university.
She wasn't going far, just a few blocks, but it was cold and she didn't want to walk that far in the cold. Hey, no problem. I'm happy to get the fare.
A couple approached the cab and wanted to share the ride. As long as the original passenger doesn't mind, there's no problem there. However, they were going completely the opposite direction, and I told them that by the time I dropped the first passenger and started getting them on their way, they could have flagged another cab. They didn't care, they just wanted to get out of the cold (it was 34 degrees that night, so it's understandable).
However, when I dropped the first passenger, the shortest route would have been cut through town to the main road that led to where they were going. And I was even going to hold the meter until the spot where I'd picked them up at.
But they wanted to go another route. Legally, I cannot take a route other than that chosen by the customer, if they have a preference. But the stipulation to that is that the customer has to tell me their preference before the point of no return.
The guy tells me to go 6 or 7 miles out of the way. It was a faster route, but typically faster costs more. Most people don't understand that.
Anyway, they were going to a gated community (where the average house is $500k or better) and by the time we got through the gate, the meter read $48.00 or so. Now, typically, with the lower rates some cabs charge, and the shorter route, it would have been around $30.00. Even on my meter, the shorter route would then have been around $35.00 or so.
The woman just snaps, "Would you like to SPEAK about this?" out of the blue. Now, she had been giving her husband hell from the beginning of the ride, so I wasn't sure if she was snapping at me or not. So between the ass-chewing and insults and cussing she was giving me, I started to explain that most cabs in the area were running at or below cost.
The husband seemed concerned that they might be getting cheated, but he wasn't flat-out nasty to me, like she was. She just keeps right on cussing me. So I finally said, "Ma'am, there is no reason to verbally abuse me like this, and I don't have to put up with it." That was her warning.
"You're abusing us, you asshole...." She started to say something else, and I simply said, "Okay, that's it. Pay the fare and get out." I'd had enough.
She said she wanted a card because she wanted to file a complaint. To which I produced one for her and one for her husband, and stated, "Ma'am, they are going to tell you the exact same thing I told you -- that rates are not regulated."
The husband said something about not getting where they were going, and I simply said, "Sir, I understand, and I feel sorry for you, because you are paying the price for your wife's attitude. Had she been a little more rational like you, I not only might have adjusted the fare a bit, but also gotten you to your door. But I am not here to be cussed and abused, especially seeing as you asked me to go a route about six miles longer than the way I would have taken you."
I have figured out some things since then. I think a lot of drivers in this town are going the long way around to make up for the ridiculously low rate they charge. I can't prove it, but that is my thinking. I would rather charge enough to make a living, and not have to scare customers driving like a bat out of hell, or trick them into thinking they are getting a deal when I'm really taking them around the long way.
She wasn't going far, just a few blocks, but it was cold and she didn't want to walk that far in the cold. Hey, no problem. I'm happy to get the fare.
A couple approached the cab and wanted to share the ride. As long as the original passenger doesn't mind, there's no problem there. However, they were going completely the opposite direction, and I told them that by the time I dropped the first passenger and started getting them on their way, they could have flagged another cab. They didn't care, they just wanted to get out of the cold (it was 34 degrees that night, so it's understandable).
However, when I dropped the first passenger, the shortest route would have been cut through town to the main road that led to where they were going. And I was even going to hold the meter until the spot where I'd picked them up at.
But they wanted to go another route. Legally, I cannot take a route other than that chosen by the customer, if they have a preference. But the stipulation to that is that the customer has to tell me their preference before the point of no return.
The guy tells me to go 6 or 7 miles out of the way. It was a faster route, but typically faster costs more. Most people don't understand that.
Anyway, they were going to a gated community (where the average house is $500k or better) and by the time we got through the gate, the meter read $48.00 or so. Now, typically, with the lower rates some cabs charge, and the shorter route, it would have been around $30.00. Even on my meter, the shorter route would then have been around $35.00 or so.
The woman just snaps, "Would you like to SPEAK about this?" out of the blue. Now, she had been giving her husband hell from the beginning of the ride, so I wasn't sure if she was snapping at me or not. So between the ass-chewing and insults and cussing she was giving me, I started to explain that most cabs in the area were running at or below cost.
The husband seemed concerned that they might be getting cheated, but he wasn't flat-out nasty to me, like she was. She just keeps right on cussing me. So I finally said, "Ma'am, there is no reason to verbally abuse me like this, and I don't have to put up with it." That was her warning.
"You're abusing us, you asshole...." She started to say something else, and I simply said, "Okay, that's it. Pay the fare and get out." I'd had enough.
She said she wanted a card because she wanted to file a complaint. To which I produced one for her and one for her husband, and stated, "Ma'am, they are going to tell you the exact same thing I told you -- that rates are not regulated."
The husband said something about not getting where they were going, and I simply said, "Sir, I understand, and I feel sorry for you, because you are paying the price for your wife's attitude. Had she been a little more rational like you, I not only might have adjusted the fare a bit, but also gotten you to your door. But I am not here to be cussed and abused, especially seeing as you asked me to go a route about six miles longer than the way I would have taken you."
I have figured out some things since then. I think a lot of drivers in this town are going the long way around to make up for the ridiculously low rate they charge. I can't prove it, but that is my thinking. I would rather charge enough to make a living, and not have to scare customers driving like a bat out of hell, or trick them into thinking they are getting a deal when I'm really taking them around the long way.
A Close Encounter Of The Frat Brat Kind......
Yet another incident came to mind about people who don't know how to act, and are too stupid to realize they're out of line.I don't just charge higher rates and force people to ride in a jalopy. My cab has a nice, clean interior with leather seats, and whatever the car needs repair-wise, it gets it as soon as possible.
I also put a little money into little touches that make things a little nicer for the customer -- such as using my laptop to play a good all-around mix of music for the customers' enjoyment, as well as mine. I am currently in the process of expanding that capability to playing movies for longer trips, out-of-town airports and such.
So I really am about serving the customer to the best of my ability. I'm not out to just grab all the money I can.
About six months ago, I picked up a group of frat brats in the Corner area near the university. A couple of really great songs came into rotation, and these jackasses go full-on mosh pit right there in the car. It wasn't even hard-driving music, I think it was "No Rain" by Blind Melon.
All of a sudden one guy in the backseat empties a water bottle on the guy in the passenger seat, of which about 20% roughly went all over my laptop.
Of course, I am infuriated. There is no sense in this. Bunch of 20-somethings horsing around like 5-year-olds.
Fortunately, quick thinking and action saved the laptop, at least for awhile. It hasn't been right since, mainly because the processor fan control shorted out. The processor has been overheating, and it is now dying. (Thank you, frat brats! The computer I am replacing it with cost me $400.00 I wouldn't have had to spend otherwise!)
I shut it down pronto, pulled over and grabbed some rags out of the trunk and began wiping it as best I could, turning it upside down to allow the residual water to drain. Quite frankly, I am amazed it didn't fry on the spot. The jackass in the front seat then tried to pour water on the meter, which was still running. I grabbed the bottle and said, "Are you remedial?"I then turned and looked at the frat brats and said, "Okay, guys, ride's over."
"Wha...?" one guy says.
"You heard me. Out," I said.
"You can't do that," he says.
"Oh, yes, I can, and I will," I said.
"Can you take us another mile, at least?"
"No, sir. I'm done. You guys have spilled water in my $400 laptop, and intentionally tried to pour water on my $250 meter. You're trying to destroy my equipment, and I'm not going to allow that. You guys need to get out."
"Another mile? Come on, man...."
"What part of 'I'm done' do you not understand, sir?"
They got out reluctantly, arguing with me the whole time. My car is not a mosh pit, nor is it put together for people to tear up. That includes any and all equipment inside. People wonder why some cab drivers are so rude. I know why, and I will tell you. Because of morons like these. Not everyone acts this way, mind you, but it only takes one jackass or group of jackasses to ruin a perfectly good shift.
As a side note, Dell builds one tough computer, I'll give them that. This one is an older Latitude C610. It has run for over 4 years in the cab, 10-14 hours a day on average. In another application it ran 24 hours a day for 5 months, and the Dell that took its place in that application has run for over 2 years now, 24 hours a day. The C610 still runs to this day, but it is getting extremely quirky and sometimes refuses to cooperate. However, not one part has been replaced in the five years I've had it, and until now it has pretty much done everything I've asked it to (reasonable or not).
Considering what it's been through, I would have actually recommended Dell until I bought a C840 to replace the C610. Seems that if I don't know the original owner's name, I can't get tech support on a used Dell. Can't justify buying a new Dell when they won't help you with the one you own.
I also put a little money into little touches that make things a little nicer for the customer -- such as using my laptop to play a good all-around mix of music for the customers' enjoyment, as well as mine. I am currently in the process of expanding that capability to playing movies for longer trips, out-of-town airports and such.
So I really am about serving the customer to the best of my ability. I'm not out to just grab all the money I can.
About six months ago, I picked up a group of frat brats in the Corner area near the university. A couple of really great songs came into rotation, and these jackasses go full-on mosh pit right there in the car. It wasn't even hard-driving music, I think it was "No Rain" by Blind Melon.
All of a sudden one guy in the backseat empties a water bottle on the guy in the passenger seat, of which about 20% roughly went all over my laptop.
Of course, I am infuriated. There is no sense in this. Bunch of 20-somethings horsing around like 5-year-olds.
Fortunately, quick thinking and action saved the laptop, at least for awhile. It hasn't been right since, mainly because the processor fan control shorted out. The processor has been overheating, and it is now dying. (Thank you, frat brats! The computer I am replacing it with cost me $400.00 I wouldn't have had to spend otherwise!)
I shut it down pronto, pulled over and grabbed some rags out of the trunk and began wiping it as best I could, turning it upside down to allow the residual water to drain. Quite frankly, I am amazed it didn't fry on the spot. The jackass in the front seat then tried to pour water on the meter, which was still running. I grabbed the bottle and said, "Are you remedial?"I then turned and looked at the frat brats and said, "Okay, guys, ride's over."
"Wha...?" one guy says.
"You heard me. Out," I said.
"You can't do that," he says.
"Oh, yes, I can, and I will," I said.
"Can you take us another mile, at least?"
"No, sir. I'm done. You guys have spilled water in my $400 laptop, and intentionally tried to pour water on my $250 meter. You're trying to destroy my equipment, and I'm not going to allow that. You guys need to get out."
"Another mile? Come on, man...."
"What part of 'I'm done' do you not understand, sir?"
They got out reluctantly, arguing with me the whole time. My car is not a mosh pit, nor is it put together for people to tear up. That includes any and all equipment inside. People wonder why some cab drivers are so rude. I know why, and I will tell you. Because of morons like these. Not everyone acts this way, mind you, but it only takes one jackass or group of jackasses to ruin a perfectly good shift.
As a side note, Dell builds one tough computer, I'll give them that. This one is an older Latitude C610. It has run for over 4 years in the cab, 10-14 hours a day on average. In another application it ran 24 hours a day for 5 months, and the Dell that took its place in that application has run for over 2 years now, 24 hours a day. The C610 still runs to this day, but it is getting extremely quirky and sometimes refuses to cooperate. However, not one part has been replaced in the five years I've had it, and until now it has pretty much done everything I've asked it to (reasonable or not).
Considering what it's been through, I would have actually recommended Dell until I bought a C840 to replace the C610. Seems that if I don't know the original owner's name, I can't get tech support on a used Dell. Can't justify buying a new Dell when they won't help you with the one you own.
You Don't Need Sense To Go To College, Just A Lot Of Dollars
Tonight's incident made me think of a lady who did exactly the same thing a few months ago (when gas was still over $4.00 a gallon, mind you).
Since she was a soon-to-graduate law student, she wanted to make a federal case about the fare being higher, after tipping a little over $1.50! I explained to her that rates are not regulated in the area, and that I actually make money on the fare, whereas other cab drivers do not.
I then proceeded to explain to her that costs had more than tripled since the last real change in meter rates in any one company was made, that I had seen insurance double from one year to the next, and that fuel had more than tripled."Well, that's not something you can just arbitrarily pass on to the customer," she snapped.
I just looked her in the eye and said, "Well, ma'am, maybe I don't understand the nature of being in business for myself, but I always thought it was to make a profit."
I then handed her the tip back, to which she said, "No, you keep that."
To which I said, "You must need this more than I do, ma'am. You gave more than the fare and then complain about the fare. That's pretty stupid, don't you think?"She said no more, just got out.
Since she was a soon-to-graduate law student, she wanted to make a federal case about the fare being higher, after tipping a little over $1.50! I explained to her that rates are not regulated in the area, and that I actually make money on the fare, whereas other cab drivers do not.
I then proceeded to explain to her that costs had more than tripled since the last real change in meter rates in any one company was made, that I had seen insurance double from one year to the next, and that fuel had more than tripled."Well, that's not something you can just arbitrarily pass on to the customer," she snapped.
I just looked her in the eye and said, "Well, ma'am, maybe I don't understand the nature of being in business for myself, but I always thought it was to make a profit."
I then handed her the tip back, to which she said, "No, you keep that."
To which I said, "You must need this more than I do, ma'am. You gave more than the fare and then complain about the fare. That's pretty stupid, don't you think?"She said no more, just got out.
So You Think This Job Is Easy?
Okay, so I'm thinking it's going to be a mediocre night. Airport steady, but not busy. Came into the city to pick up a few more to top off my night and make it worthwhile.
A group of people flagged me in the downtown area, going nearly to the next small community west. Good fare.And most of the group was actually pretty nice. The guy in the passenger seat started making a federal case of the fare about a half-mile before they got where they were going.
Now, this is the strange part. He had already rubbed me the wrong way, and I had a feeling he was going to be a problem, so instead of the 10% discount I give most people (that don't complain and whine, mind you) I gave this guy 5% instead.
Keep in mind I don't HAVE to discount anything. It's a customer appreciation thing. And if he hadn't opened his mouth in the manner he did, he would have gotten the 10%, as he already gotten on my nerves. If I'm going to listen to a lot of bitching, I'm going to make it worth my while.
Now, the fare on the meter was $31.25. I told him $30.00 would cover it. He hands me $40.00 and asks for $6.00 back. Then, after having tipped me $4.00 over the fare I charged, proceeds to say, "This is higher than any cab I've taken, I'll never take you again." Which was fine enough. No problem there, that is his choice, right? Then he continued, "Fuck you very much."
He walked away, all smug, like, "I guess I showed him." Until I called him back to the car. I then peeled off four one-dollar bills and handed them to him.
"What's this?" he asked.
"You must need this more than I do, sir," I replied. "Have a nice night." And then I drove away. I hope someone speaks to him like that every workday this week. Then he'll know how it feels.
A group of people flagged me in the downtown area, going nearly to the next small community west. Good fare.And most of the group was actually pretty nice. The guy in the passenger seat started making a federal case of the fare about a half-mile before they got where they were going.
Now, this is the strange part. He had already rubbed me the wrong way, and I had a feeling he was going to be a problem, so instead of the 10% discount I give most people (that don't complain and whine, mind you) I gave this guy 5% instead.
Keep in mind I don't HAVE to discount anything. It's a customer appreciation thing. And if he hadn't opened his mouth in the manner he did, he would have gotten the 10%, as he already gotten on my nerves. If I'm going to listen to a lot of bitching, I'm going to make it worth my while.
Now, the fare on the meter was $31.25. I told him $30.00 would cover it. He hands me $40.00 and asks for $6.00 back. Then, after having tipped me $4.00 over the fare I charged, proceeds to say, "This is higher than any cab I've taken, I'll never take you again." Which was fine enough. No problem there, that is his choice, right? Then he continued, "Fuck you very much."
He walked away, all smug, like, "I guess I showed him." Until I called him back to the car. I then peeled off four one-dollar bills and handed them to him.
"What's this?" he asked.
"You must need this more than I do, sir," I replied. "Have a nice night." And then I drove away. I hope someone speaks to him like that every workday this week. Then he'll know how it feels.
Some People Can't Even Drive A NAIL Without Having An Accident.....
Man, this weekend was rough (400 + miles Saturday and Sunday)Okay, so driving to pick up my cab today, traffic is backed up (on a major highway) for at least 2 miles that I could see. One of those LED signs that VDOT uses said "TRUCK TRAFFIC LEFT - CAR TRAFFIC RIGHT"
Oh, boy. I don't have time for this crap. If I have a choice, I'd rather get some mileage for the fuel I burn, regardless of the amount of time spent. So I had to backtrack and take another route. I have found out since I got to work at the airport that a truck was overturned. So what good does separating trucks from cars do?
So the day is already started with stupidity. But wait, there's more!!!
So.... my day already started with idiots attempting to control traffic......
First traffic light I encounter after picking up my taxi, takes forever and a day to change. That wasn't that big a deal.What was a big deal (and I hope you're reading this, moron) was THE JACKASS IN THE GOLD SUBARU THAT RAN THE RED LIGHT JUST SOUTH OF THE BYPASS ON EMMETT STREET AND NEARLY CLIPPED ME IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR!!!!! What the hell is with people? They buy "safe" cars and then drive like morons because "I have insurance". Newsflash, stupid. The car is only as safe as the nut behind the wheel.
To the driver of that Subaru, get your head out of your ass. I don't care if you were on your cell phone, or if you spilled a drink, or if you were just trying to beat the light. If you can't multitask, don't try. You're going to kill someone one day, and you WOULD have killed ME if I hadn't been paying attention!
Oh, boy. I don't have time for this crap. If I have a choice, I'd rather get some mileage for the fuel I burn, regardless of the amount of time spent. So I had to backtrack and take another route. I have found out since I got to work at the airport that a truck was overturned. So what good does separating trucks from cars do?
So the day is already started with stupidity. But wait, there's more!!!
So.... my day already started with idiots attempting to control traffic......
First traffic light I encounter after picking up my taxi, takes forever and a day to change. That wasn't that big a deal.What was a big deal (and I hope you're reading this, moron) was THE JACKASS IN THE GOLD SUBARU THAT RAN THE RED LIGHT JUST SOUTH OF THE BYPASS ON EMMETT STREET AND NEARLY CLIPPED ME IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR!!!!! What the hell is with people? They buy "safe" cars and then drive like morons because "I have insurance". Newsflash, stupid. The car is only as safe as the nut behind the wheel.
To the driver of that Subaru, get your head out of your ass. I don't care if you were on your cell phone, or if you spilled a drink, or if you were just trying to beat the light. If you can't multitask, don't try. You're going to kill someone one day, and you WOULD have killed ME if I hadn't been paying attention!
Are People Just Stuck On "Stupid" In This Town?
The incident in last night's blog made me think of another idiot that DID directly affect me.First in line (we run a rotation -- first car in, first car out) at the airport, this woman comes out with her husband and wants to go to a hotel about 4-5 miles away.
Now, my meter rate is $3.90 per mile after about a mile, but because of the fact that a driver usually waits 3-6 hours at the airport here for a fare, we are allowed to charge a minimum flat-rate on short trips that are less than the minimum. This is to insure that our time is made worthwhile. The rates are not regulated, as discussed earlier, and neither is the minimum.
So when I told her that my minimum was $20.00 (at the time, it is now $25.00), she sprang this crap of "Well, this is the last plane, and some fare is better than no fare." What the hell has this being the last plane got to do with anything? I've still been sitting here for 5 hours!!!
I just looked at her and said, "Lady, is that what your employer tells you if they short your paycheck?"
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly that, ma'am. This is my paycheck, and you are trying to short my paycheck."Her husband just wanted to go, so they got in the car, after one last "This is highway robbery," from her.
Now, I would like to point out that at no point did I tell this lady or her husband that they HAD to take MY cab. I actually had a rather nice conversation with the husband on the way to the hotel, and when we got there, guess what......They only PARKED at the hotel, they weren't actually staying there. They parked at the hotel to avoid paying parking fees at the local airport (which have been documented to be lower than most other airports).
So basically, this woman was trying to get out of paying parking fees and trying to get out of paying a cab driver. You can't have it both ways, lady. There's no such thing as a free lunch, or a free ride. Get over it, life is hard.
I might also add that I loaded their bags from my taxi into their car. That's what you get in my taxi. Granted, you pay me more, but you're getting service for your money. The husband actually tipped me a few bucks over the minimum charge, which in my case wasn't necessary, (I make money on the fare, where other drivers are relying on tips) but always appreciated.
But I stick to my guns. Beam me up, Scotty. There's no intelligent life here.
Now, my meter rate is $3.90 per mile after about a mile, but because of the fact that a driver usually waits 3-6 hours at the airport here for a fare, we are allowed to charge a minimum flat-rate on short trips that are less than the minimum. This is to insure that our time is made worthwhile. The rates are not regulated, as discussed earlier, and neither is the minimum.
So when I told her that my minimum was $20.00 (at the time, it is now $25.00), she sprang this crap of "Well, this is the last plane, and some fare is better than no fare." What the hell has this being the last plane got to do with anything? I've still been sitting here for 5 hours!!!
I just looked at her and said, "Lady, is that what your employer tells you if they short your paycheck?"
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly that, ma'am. This is my paycheck, and you are trying to short my paycheck."Her husband just wanted to go, so they got in the car, after one last "This is highway robbery," from her.
Now, I would like to point out that at no point did I tell this lady or her husband that they HAD to take MY cab. I actually had a rather nice conversation with the husband on the way to the hotel, and when we got there, guess what......They only PARKED at the hotel, they weren't actually staying there. They parked at the hotel to avoid paying parking fees at the local airport (which have been documented to be lower than most other airports).
So basically, this woman was trying to get out of paying parking fees and trying to get out of paying a cab driver. You can't have it both ways, lady. There's no such thing as a free lunch, or a free ride. Get over it, life is hard.
I might also add that I loaded their bags from my taxi into their car. That's what you get in my taxi. Granted, you pay me more, but you're getting service for your money. The husband actually tipped me a few bucks over the minimum charge, which in my case wasn't necessary, (I make money on the fare, where other drivers are relying on tips) but always appreciated.
But I stick to my guns. Beam me up, Scotty. There's no intelligent life here.
People THIS Cheap, Shouldn't Be Traveling......
So, sitting at the airport tonight and this lady comes out for a taxi. I was not the first taxi in line, so this didn't really affect me directly, but it was still annoying to hear.
She hands one of her bags to the driver of the taxi ahead of mine and asks him not to start the meter until she gets her other baggage, which she has not received yet. (I have seen this take up to 15-25 minutes)
What the hell, lady? You're going to hold the guy up and keep him from getting another (possibly higher) fare, and you don't want to pay him for his time waiting for you?
I know you probably don't care anyway, but consider that time spent waiting for you increases the amount of time it takes us to re-enter the line at the airport. This can mean the difference between having 4 taxis in line ahead of us when we return, and having 10. Whether you know it or not, you are messing with our money when you do this, so please explain why you think you shouldn't pay for it!
She hands one of her bags to the driver of the taxi ahead of mine and asks him not to start the meter until she gets her other baggage, which she has not received yet. (I have seen this take up to 15-25 minutes)
What the hell, lady? You're going to hold the guy up and keep him from getting another (possibly higher) fare, and you don't want to pay him for his time waiting for you?
I know you probably don't care anyway, but consider that time spent waiting for you increases the amount of time it takes us to re-enter the line at the airport. This can mean the difference between having 4 taxis in line ahead of us when we return, and having 10. Whether you know it or not, you are messing with our money when you do this, so please explain why you think you shouldn't pay for it!
Yet Another Idiot Who Wants Something For Nothing.....
When I was waiting for my current taxicab to be painted about two years ago, I leased from another smaller company like my own to make some money in the interim. I picked up a couple of what I call "frat brats" from a party in the University area. One of them was along for the ride, and the other didn't know where the hell he was going.
He kept saying "Comfort Inn, off the interstate." The only Comfort Inn I was aware of in the area was nowhere near the interstate. There was a Sleep Inn (very similar to Comfort Inn) so I took him there, to no avail.
Turns out a local Ramada Inn at the next exit had just become a Comfort Inn that week. The sign hadn't even been changed yet!!! THAT little detail MIGHT have been useful, don't you think?Anyway, the guy starts raising hell about the fare halfway down the interstate, and wants the number for the owner of the company. Keep in mind the rates here are not regulated, and the company I was leasing from that weekend had one of the most ridiculously low rates in the city.
The owner tells him the meter shows the fare, and he needed to pay it. To which the guy responds by running his mouth to me. By this time I am approaching the end of the exit ramp, 300 feet or so from his hotel -- we are looking at it at this point. Which was when I noticed that the new signs had not even been installed.
Between his insults, whining, and cussing me, I said "Sir, either you can pay the fare or I can take you back where I picked you up. You are not getting across town for free, on me."
He refused to pay the fare, so I turned the meter off and turned left for the ramp to re-enter the interstate going the opposite direction. When he asked what I was doing, I told him he didn't want to pay his fare, so I was taking him back. I was so pissed by this point, I entered the interstate as though a tractor-trailer had been riding my bumper for ten miles.
The guy started asking about the fare, and I responded, "Sir, I've been trying to tell you for the last six miles that the fares here are not regulated, but you won't stop raising hell and cussing me out long enough to listen."
"No hell is being raised, sir." Oh, so NOW I'm a sir! Five minutes ago I was a cheat and an asshole! I stood that Mercury on its nose in the emergency lane and said, "Sir, I think you need to get out."
"I'm not getting out," he said.
"Yes, you are, sir, you just don't know it yet."
"No, I'm not. I don't have to."
"Sir, at this point, you are a disorderly, non-paying passenger who has verbally abused me. I don't have to put up with that, so you have three options. Get out yourself, I can remove you, or I can call the police and they will remove you. It doesn't matter to me, but you are not staying in this car, I promise you that." His friend finally pulled him out, and I left them there on the side of the interstate.
Word to the wise, you don't screw with a cab driver in the middle of a trip any more than you screw with a server or bartender who can make sure you get more than you bargained for. People in service industries are people too, and all we want is the respect of our job not being made any harder than it has to be. If you're hard on us, we can make it hard on you, too.
He kept saying "Comfort Inn, off the interstate." The only Comfort Inn I was aware of in the area was nowhere near the interstate. There was a Sleep Inn (very similar to Comfort Inn) so I took him there, to no avail.
Turns out a local Ramada Inn at the next exit had just become a Comfort Inn that week. The sign hadn't even been changed yet!!! THAT little detail MIGHT have been useful, don't you think?Anyway, the guy starts raising hell about the fare halfway down the interstate, and wants the number for the owner of the company. Keep in mind the rates here are not regulated, and the company I was leasing from that weekend had one of the most ridiculously low rates in the city.
The owner tells him the meter shows the fare, and he needed to pay it. To which the guy responds by running his mouth to me. By this time I am approaching the end of the exit ramp, 300 feet or so from his hotel -- we are looking at it at this point. Which was when I noticed that the new signs had not even been installed.
Between his insults, whining, and cussing me, I said "Sir, either you can pay the fare or I can take you back where I picked you up. You are not getting across town for free, on me."
He refused to pay the fare, so I turned the meter off and turned left for the ramp to re-enter the interstate going the opposite direction. When he asked what I was doing, I told him he didn't want to pay his fare, so I was taking him back. I was so pissed by this point, I entered the interstate as though a tractor-trailer had been riding my bumper for ten miles.
The guy started asking about the fare, and I responded, "Sir, I've been trying to tell you for the last six miles that the fares here are not regulated, but you won't stop raising hell and cussing me out long enough to listen."
"No hell is being raised, sir." Oh, so NOW I'm a sir! Five minutes ago I was a cheat and an asshole! I stood that Mercury on its nose in the emergency lane and said, "Sir, I think you need to get out."
"I'm not getting out," he said.
"Yes, you are, sir, you just don't know it yet."
"No, I'm not. I don't have to."
"Sir, at this point, you are a disorderly, non-paying passenger who has verbally abused me. I don't have to put up with that, so you have three options. Get out yourself, I can remove you, or I can call the police and they will remove you. It doesn't matter to me, but you are not staying in this car, I promise you that." His friend finally pulled him out, and I left them there on the side of the interstate.
Word to the wise, you don't screw with a cab driver in the middle of a trip any more than you screw with a server or bartender who can make sure you get more than you bargained for. People in service industries are people too, and all we want is the respect of our job not being made any harder than it has to be. If you're hard on us, we can make it hard on you, too.
I Have A Deal With The Bank. They Don't Offer Taxi Rides, And I Don't Offer Credit
Okay, so this moron gets in my cab tonight. I say moron because I've had problems with this jerk-off before. He acts like we're friends, but he's always trying to get over on somebody for something. He took my cab about a year or two ago, and neither him nor his dipshit buddy had money for the fare. Took him six months to a year to square up with me for a $10.00 fare. Keep in mind that he has had my card forever, and has NEVER called me for a cab, even before this happened.
Nevermind that legally I could have had him locked up for failing to pay a fare..... Which IS a felony, falls under defrauding a business. Stupid fucker thinks we should be all square because he paid up. I don't think so, because I know I can't trust him.
He gets in the cab again tonight. $7.90 fare and he gives me a five-spot and says he's going in the house for the rest. Then he comes back in five minutes (I could have gone back to the club to pick up another fare by now) and says "I'll get you next time."
To which I replied, "Guess I'll see you in six months, then."
He gets offended and says, "Well, I paid you up from last time, and you still won't forget about it."
That's when I lost my cool. "Because I can't stay in business letting people do that. If I told the gas station, my mechanic, or the insurance company I'll pay them next time, I'd be out of business. I keep reminding you so you won't do it again, and son of a BITCH if you didn't do it again anyway."
"But I paid you from last time."
I said, "That's not the point. Your job doesn't make you wait six months for your paycheck, do they? If I let every jack-off that gets in my cab do this shit, I wouldn't be in business. I should call the cops, but I'll make it simple and easy. Don't EVER get in my cab again, got it?"
He acts like I'm being an asshole, but if he had money to go to the club and get drunk off his ass, he should have had money to pay the cab fare home. Right or wrong?
Grrrr.. I should have just had his ass locked up. Why can't people use their head for something besides a fucking hat rack?
Nevermind that legally I could have had him locked up for failing to pay a fare..... Which IS a felony, falls under defrauding a business. Stupid fucker thinks we should be all square because he paid up. I don't think so, because I know I can't trust him.
He gets in the cab again tonight. $7.90 fare and he gives me a five-spot and says he's going in the house for the rest. Then he comes back in five minutes (I could have gone back to the club to pick up another fare by now) and says "I'll get you next time."
To which I replied, "Guess I'll see you in six months, then."
He gets offended and says, "Well, I paid you up from last time, and you still won't forget about it."
That's when I lost my cool. "Because I can't stay in business letting people do that. If I told the gas station, my mechanic, or the insurance company I'll pay them next time, I'd be out of business. I keep reminding you so you won't do it again, and son of a BITCH if you didn't do it again anyway."
"But I paid you from last time."
I said, "That's not the point. Your job doesn't make you wait six months for your paycheck, do they? If I let every jack-off that gets in my cab do this shit, I wouldn't be in business. I should call the cops, but I'll make it simple and easy. Don't EVER get in my cab again, got it?"
He acts like I'm being an asshole, but if he had money to go to the club and get drunk off his ass, he should have had money to pay the cab fare home. Right or wrong?
Grrrr.. I should have just had his ass locked up. Why can't people use their head for something besides a fucking hat rack?
What NOT To Say To A Cab Driver
You know, I really do enjoy my job, it's just some people make it a lot harder than it has to be.....
Kid gets in my cab from the local after-hours club, is going to the next little hole-in-the-wall town... Good fare, as long as I get paid....
Five miles from where he's going, (out in the middle of nowhere) he asks me if I've ever been robbed. People, this is not a question to ask a taxi driver when you are in the middle of nowhere. It makes us VERY nervous, especially if we do not know you.
I was about to respond, and a bump in the road made the spare tire fall out of its place in the trunk, thunking around before it came to rest.
The kid says, "What was that?"
I merely responded, "That's the body of the last guy who tried to rob me. Do you know somewhere I can dump it?"
He went silent for the rest of the ride, paid his fare and got out. Interesting, don't you think?
Kid gets in my cab from the local after-hours club, is going to the next little hole-in-the-wall town... Good fare, as long as I get paid....
Five miles from where he's going, (out in the middle of nowhere) he asks me if I've ever been robbed. People, this is not a question to ask a taxi driver when you are in the middle of nowhere. It makes us VERY nervous, especially if we do not know you.
I was about to respond, and a bump in the road made the spare tire fall out of its place in the trunk, thunking around before it came to rest.
The kid says, "What was that?"
I merely responded, "That's the body of the last guy who tried to rob me. Do you know somewhere I can dump it?"
He went silent for the rest of the ride, paid his fare and got out. Interesting, don't you think?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Since MySpace Could F*** Up A One-Car Funeral....
So this is what a REAL blog is like! Well, come one, come all. Mine is not your average blog. Allow me to introduce myself. I run an independent taxi cab service in Charlottesville, Virginia, and I use my blog to post war stories, and the occasional musing about life.
MySpace recently ditched their plain-jane, but functional blog editor for their "fancy new" piece of shit that won't post anything as it was typed. Since they have ignored my many emails regarding this, I have decided to move my blogging here on Blogger. More to come.....
MySpace recently ditched their plain-jane, but functional blog editor for their "fancy new" piece of shit that won't post anything as it was typed. Since they have ignored my many emails regarding this, I have decided to move my blogging here on Blogger. More to come.....
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