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?