Well not so much the language but the dialect of 2 indian dopctors I had picked up that wanted to go to the local hospital.. I asked them which entrance and one of them said "ANY".. Fine. Maybe I should ask again so I did and got the same response "ANY". I said "Are you sure you want any entrance?" and he said YES.
I then said I would take them to the main entrance and he said "No... I want any entrance". This had me a little baffled until he said it a bit slower. "I want A and E Entrance".
I felt a right plonker.
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Showing posts with label passenger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label passenger. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26
Monday, November 1
Halloween weekend chaos
Tonight started out as a very busy night and continued that way well into the early hours. The difference being is that after 11pm you deal with a different class of human being. so tonight I witnessed the following:
Thats quite a lot for one night but I get the impression that the Police should certainly abide by the rules of the road if the rest of us have to and there was no sirens or blue lights illuminated so it doesn't give them any more right than a normal driver.
I know the Police are overstretched as they couldn't be everywhere and with so much going on in the town I expect there would have been more incidents as the night progresses
Why cant people learn that its not big and its not clever to drink and drive or to start fighting and acting like idiots under the influence of drink. They should be able to go out and enjoy themselves, know their limit and go home safely.
No wonder a lot of people who are sensible don't like going into town at night and from a Taxi Drivers point of view we are the ones doing the job of the police by getting them off the streets and taking them home. That's if they remember where they live or have the means to pay the fare,.
- Numerous fights all over the town usually by young sad pathetic knob rotting low life scum of the earth chavs who have half a pint of luke warm lager and think they can take on the world.
- At least 4 cars driving with a combination of no lights, swearing all over the road, driving at 10mph in a 30 zone and one of them coming down a one way street the wrong way with no lights on at all.
- A police car that pulled out in front of me giving no indication at all and then he proceeded to raise his hand whilst in his vehicle as to say STOP and this was after he pulled out on me and did a U turn.
- Loads of drunk people that can't seem to grasp the context of road safety and just walk out in front of you regardless of what's coming towards them
- I also saw the aftermath of 3 accidents, cars with windows smashed, no front wheel and no front end
- Another Police vehicle that had driven down a pedestrianised area (Dalton Road) and failed to stop at the Jcn of Buccleuch street as I was driving past and if I hadn't had slammed the brakes on he would have gone straight into the side of me.
Thats quite a lot for one night but I get the impression that the Police should certainly abide by the rules of the road if the rest of us have to and there was no sirens or blue lights illuminated so it doesn't give them any more right than a normal driver.
I know the Police are overstretched as they couldn't be everywhere and with so much going on in the town I expect there would have been more incidents as the night progresses
Why cant people learn that its not big and its not clever to drink and drive or to start fighting and acting like idiots under the influence of drink. They should be able to go out and enjoy themselves, know their limit and go home safely.
No wonder a lot of people who are sensible don't like going into town at night and from a Taxi Drivers point of view we are the ones doing the job of the police by getting them off the streets and taking them home. That's if they remember where they live or have the means to pay the fare,.
Tuesday, October 19
Man does a runner after £220 taxi ride
Local to where we are based this story made the news today which actually got me thinking as numerous drivers have had people do a runner on them without payment and the police always seem to deal with it differently more often than not saying that its a civil offence and not criminal as I think they just dont want to get involved with it all. So why cant all cases be treat as an offence. Surely if someone makes off without paying then that at the very least is "Obtaining pecuniary advantage". Eother way its still theft, deceit or something similar.
The story in pour local paper is about a man who does a runner after £220 taxi ride from Wales to Haverigg (About 25 miles from Barrow In Furness)
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A MAN failed to pay for a taxi from Wales to Haverigg, a court heard.
The story in pour local paper is about a man who does a runner after £220 taxi ride from Wales to Haverigg (About 25 miles from Barrow In Furness)
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A MAN failed to pay for a taxi from Wales to Haverigg, a court heard.
Trefor Evans, 22, yesterday pleaded guilty to a charge of deceit for not paying for the taxi.
Evans told Furness Magistrates’ Court that he made the taxi journey from Caernarfon to visit his mother, Sharon Sweeney who lives in Townhead, Haverigg.
Evans said he had taken the 190-mile trip from his home because his mother was upset and asked him to visit her.
When he arrived at the destination, he told the taxi driver that neither he nor his mother had the money to pay the £220 fare.
He told the court: “My mother phoned me and she said she wanted me to come down. She was crying on the phone. I said I couldn’t visit because I couldn’t pay for the trip.
“But she said she would pay for it on the other side. When we got to the house, she said she didn’t have the money. I thought that I was in a bad situation.
“I was in a bad situation and didn’t know what to do.”
Mr Evans then ran away from the driver, Darren Fitzjohn, as he unsuccessfully tried to get the money for the fare from his sister.
He was originally due to appear in front of the magistrates on October 12.
Evans, who is unemployed, said he missed the original date because he lived in Wales and didn’t have the money to travel to Barrow.
He said: “I couldn’t get back up here from Caernarfon.
“I fell out with my mother over this situation and had nowhere to stay up here.”
Magistrates asked Evans to think carefully about whether or not he knowingly left Wales with the intention of not paying the fare.
Evans told the hearing he felt that he was guilty as he had failed to pay the fare and wanted the case to be dealt with so he could return home.
Evans, of Bro Seiont, Caernarfon, was ordered to pay £220 compensation to the taxi driver.
Saturday, September 18
Drunken Woman
Its not that often I get out on the road these days as a taxi driver but when I do I`m always looking for something interesting.
Last night I picked 3 women up that had been to a party. It was a family party, there was mother, daughter and daughters daughter and most people can go out and have a good time and go home happy but its not always the case as there is always one who cannot handle their drink.
The middle aged woman in tha back of the car sandwiched between the other two was extremely abusive verbally to both the other passengers. Now the journey meant 3 different people being dropped off at 3 different addresses and I was just hoping the drunken woman would not be the last in case she couldnt pay the fare.
After having to listen to a torrent of four letter words and abuse from this woman directed at the other two I was glad to get to my first drop off address where one woman got out of the car followed by the abusive woman who then started shouting at the top of her voice in the street waking up residents. She was soon shoved back in the car and I carried on my journey. I had only got about 100 yards up the road when they started fighting in the back of the car.
It was at this point I stopped the car and told them both to get out. The drunken one fell out and was all over the place. the other one was very apologetic and paid the fare and so I went on my way.
What I cant understand is why people have to have stupid arguments, get aggressive and not be in control of themselves and its usually the women.
Alcohol enhances your mood so if you go out in a good mood you should in theory go home in a good mood. Unfortunatly it works the other way as well so if you go out looking for trouble then the chances are that you will find it.
Its all part of the job description these days and my main concern is for the safety of myself and other passengers as well as other road users if the vehicle is moving so by getting them out the car I think I did the right thing.
Last night I picked 3 women up that had been to a party. It was a family party, there was mother, daughter and daughters daughter and most people can go out and have a good time and go home happy but its not always the case as there is always one who cannot handle their drink.
The middle aged woman in tha back of the car sandwiched between the other two was extremely abusive verbally to both the other passengers. Now the journey meant 3 different people being dropped off at 3 different addresses and I was just hoping the drunken woman would not be the last in case she couldnt pay the fare.
After having to listen to a torrent of four letter words and abuse from this woman directed at the other two I was glad to get to my first drop off address where one woman got out of the car followed by the abusive woman who then started shouting at the top of her voice in the street waking up residents. She was soon shoved back in the car and I carried on my journey. I had only got about 100 yards up the road when they started fighting in the back of the car.
It was at this point I stopped the car and told them both to get out. The drunken one fell out and was all over the place. the other one was very apologetic and paid the fare and so I went on my way.
What I cant understand is why people have to have stupid arguments, get aggressive and not be in control of themselves and its usually the women.
Alcohol enhances your mood so if you go out in a good mood you should in theory go home in a good mood. Unfortunatly it works the other way as well so if you go out looking for trouble then the chances are that you will find it.
Its all part of the job description these days and my main concern is for the safety of myself and other passengers as well as other road users if the vehicle is moving so by getting them out the car I think I did the right thing.
Friday, June 4
Airport Journeys
Recently I have done a few airport runs picking up foreigners who need to be brought to the home town. Its not a bad run down the motorway and the journey can be completed in 2 hours each way so there's always a time for a good craic with the passengers assuming they speak good English.
This is actually usually the case and you can talk about all sorts of things with them and feel that after a 2 hour journey that you know them. Some just talk about work and some just grunt the odd English word at you.
One guy I picked up this week couldn't stop eyeing up the girls. It was beautiful weather and the girls were out wearing next to nothing and every female we past no matter what age or what they look like, he remarked saying that English girls very beautiful.
Another gentleman I picked up who couldn't speak much English was listening to music on the car radio and he kept joining in with English songs and words but well out of tune. I think he was trying to learn the language
The best of the lot really is what most foreign passengers do when you take them to the car... They try and get in the drivers side as they are not used to the fact that we drive on the left.
This is actually usually the case and you can talk about all sorts of things with them and feel that after a 2 hour journey that you know them. Some just talk about work and some just grunt the odd English word at you.
One guy I picked up this week couldn't stop eyeing up the girls. It was beautiful weather and the girls were out wearing next to nothing and every female we past no matter what age or what they look like, he remarked saying that English girls very beautiful.
Another gentleman I picked up who couldn't speak much English was listening to music on the car radio and he kept joining in with English songs and words but well out of tune. I think he was trying to learn the language
The best of the lot really is what most foreign passengers do when you take them to the car... They try and get in the drivers side as they are not used to the fact that we drive on the left.
Monday, April 19
The price on the meter....
This weekend gone I picked up 3 dumb blonde girls who must have been around 16 years of age each. The conversation in the car gave me the impression that none of them could afford to go out to a party but they felt they needed to and only had £30 between the 3 of them.
Part way into the journey one of the girls realised she had left a birthday card behind and asked me to turn round and go back so she could pick it up. No problem there but then she asked me if I could stop the meter and kept saying things like" Your not going to charge us for this extra bit of journey are you?"
I explained that the price on the meter is the price they pay and its not my fault that one of then had forgot the card. This didnt sink in and all 3 of them ended up demanding I turn the meter off and start the journey again once they have picked up the card.
It didnt wash with me and I carried on regardless and charged them the fare on the meter which came to £4.90p . They insisted that I should knock £2 off as I had to go back but as it want my fault I told them to take responsibility for their own actions and due to their incompetence it has now cost them more money and I am not knocking anything off the fare.
The fare was paid in full which caused the 3 girls to get out of the car trying to add up how much they could spend. One said that they had £25 left between the 3 of them so that makes £10 each for drinks and they would scrounge a lift home instead of a taxi.
Seems to me they need to learn how to do maths.
Part way into the journey one of the girls realised she had left a birthday card behind and asked me to turn round and go back so she could pick it up. No problem there but then she asked me if I could stop the meter and kept saying things like" Your not going to charge us for this extra bit of journey are you?"
I explained that the price on the meter is the price they pay and its not my fault that one of then had forgot the card. This didnt sink in and all 3 of them ended up demanding I turn the meter off and start the journey again once they have picked up the card.
It didnt wash with me and I carried on regardless and charged them the fare on the meter which came to £4.90p . They insisted that I should knock £2 off as I had to go back but as it want my fault I told them to take responsibility for their own actions and due to their incompetence it has now cost them more money and I am not knocking anything off the fare.
The fare was paid in full which caused the 3 girls to get out of the car trying to add up how much they could spend. One said that they had £25 left between the 3 of them so that makes £10 each for drinks and they would scrounge a lift home instead of a taxi.
Seems to me they need to learn how to do maths.
Monday, March 15
Mothers Day
A typical mothers day. Always guaranteed to be a busy one as I found out yesterday. I didnt get started til around 1pm due to a very late night the night before and I ran non stop all day as mothers from all walks of life were being taken out and treated for dinner.
It made a pleasant change than taking drunks home late at night and all in all it looks like everyone was having a lovely day with their familys.
Now, if only every Sunday could be as busy as this.
This leads me on to one elderly lady that I picked up with her daughter and son in law who went on to tell me how her family had always been there for her no matter what and as she is now 99 years old she feels she is a burden on them as they have to do everything for her but as her daughter explained to me that she didn't mind and that "mam was there for me when I was younger and now its my turn to be there for her and repay all that kindness over the years".
Good old family values, You don't see much of that these days
It made a pleasant change than taking drunks home late at night and all in all it looks like everyone was having a lovely day with their familys.
Now, if only every Sunday could be as busy as this.
This leads me on to one elderly lady that I picked up with her daughter and son in law who went on to tell me how her family had always been there for her no matter what and as she is now 99 years old she feels she is a burden on them as they have to do everything for her but as her daughter explained to me that she didn't mind and that "mam was there for me when I was younger and now its my turn to be there for her and repay all that kindness over the years".
Good old family values, You don't see much of that these days
Wednesday, March 10
Immature sad chav
This weekend just gone, one fare that stuck in my mind was one that I thought wasn't going to be a pick up.
First off, the operator took the call for the job in Ulverston (About 8 miles away) but was reluctant to send a car as the person on the end of the phone sounded young, childish, giggling a lot and the staff assumed it could be a false call.
As luck would have it, I took a fare to Ulverston so thought I would check it out on the way back. It was a genuine fare. Two girls got in the car. One was quiet and the other didn't know how to shut up.
Both looked around 14 or 15 years old and were heading for a night out in town. The eight mile journey seemed to take forever as this one young girl told me of how she was charged £27 for a fare of around 4 miles. She then went on and changed her story about 5 or 6 times giving different prices and saying that she didn't complain as she was too drunk.
Personally, I didnt believe a word she said as she carried on to accuse every taxi driver in town of ripping her off as every time she rang any company they would always charge her between £10 and £20 over the proper fare.
She then asked me to stop at an off licence so she could buy a bottle of Vodka. As I stopped she asked me to go and get it for her. I refused this as she obviously didn't look old enough and so she started verbally abusing me for the rest of the journey saying how taxi drivers are the scum of the earth and only want to rip people off.
The whole journey sounded as if she had tourettes as every other word began with F. She rambled on about how she threatened to beat up people she doesn't like and when she gets into town tonight she is looking for a fight as a night out isn't a night out without a good fight she said.
This girl was about 5 foot 2 inches, slim, wearing tracksuit bottoms and what looked like a home made tattoo. She had a scruffy jumper on and dirty trainers and spoke in a very grating voice just like your average chav.
Not exactly the way to dress for a night out and I guess she would probably be refused entry in every club.
It just makes you think that she's got a bad attitude, dresses scruffy, wants to drink and fight everyone and she is definitely under age. What sort of adult life is she going to turn out to have?
Anyway, at the end of the journey she paid the fare and as she got out the car she shouted to me that she was going to lay me out with one punch. I jumped out the car and told her to come here and say that. She was off like a shot.
Typical, all mouth and no action. I really do hope she gets her fight that she wanted and that she comes worse off. It would serve her right. Some people just don't want to listen or be educated.
I've always said that "Its nice to be nice". What the hell happened to chivalry and manners and politeness. It doesn't cost anything.
First off, the operator took the call for the job in Ulverston (About 8 miles away) but was reluctant to send a car as the person on the end of the phone sounded young, childish, giggling a lot and the staff assumed it could be a false call.
As luck would have it, I took a fare to Ulverston so thought I would check it out on the way back. It was a genuine fare. Two girls got in the car. One was quiet and the other didn't know how to shut up.
Both looked around 14 or 15 years old and were heading for a night out in town. The eight mile journey seemed to take forever as this one young girl told me of how she was charged £27 for a fare of around 4 miles. She then went on and changed her story about 5 or 6 times giving different prices and saying that she didn't complain as she was too drunk.
Personally, I didnt believe a word she said as she carried on to accuse every taxi driver in town of ripping her off as every time she rang any company they would always charge her between £10 and £20 over the proper fare.
She then asked me to stop at an off licence so she could buy a bottle of Vodka. As I stopped she asked me to go and get it for her. I refused this as she obviously didn't look old enough and so she started verbally abusing me for the rest of the journey saying how taxi drivers are the scum of the earth and only want to rip people off.
The whole journey sounded as if she had tourettes as every other word began with F. She rambled on about how she threatened to beat up people she doesn't like and when she gets into town tonight she is looking for a fight as a night out isn't a night out without a good fight she said.
This girl was about 5 foot 2 inches, slim, wearing tracksuit bottoms and what looked like a home made tattoo. She had a scruffy jumper on and dirty trainers and spoke in a very grating voice just like your average chav.
Not exactly the way to dress for a night out and I guess she would probably be refused entry in every club.
It just makes you think that she's got a bad attitude, dresses scruffy, wants to drink and fight everyone and she is definitely under age. What sort of adult life is she going to turn out to have?
Anyway, at the end of the journey she paid the fare and as she got out the car she shouted to me that she was going to lay me out with one punch. I jumped out the car and told her to come here and say that. She was off like a shot.
Typical, all mouth and no action. I really do hope she gets her fight that she wanted and that she comes worse off. It would serve her right. Some people just don't want to listen or be educated.
I've always said that "Its nice to be nice". What the hell happened to chivalry and manners and politeness. It doesn't cost anything.
Saturday, February 27
Driver Safety
As a driver, we do everything we can to make sure that our passengers are conveyed to their destination in comfort and safely. This means showing exceptional alertness to the roads and surroundings as well as to everything that is going on in the car.
Usually, the passengers reciprocate this by thanking you or offering a tip but a bunch of rowdy drunken lads I picked up tonight had other ideas. One lad sat behind me decided that he would reach over and put his hands over my eyes so I couldnt see where I was driving. My immediate reaction was to slam the brakes on and perform and emergency stop.
The guy in the back headbutted the seat and the guy in the front shot forward but was saved by his seatbelt. The other two people in the back were not happy with the person who had put his hands over my eyes and verbally had a go at him.
I leapt out the car, pulled the back door open and yanked this idiot out of the car onto the floor and told him that this is where the journey ends. The others apologised on his behalf and paid the fare. I told him he was lucky that I didnt give him a good hiding for what he did as it was dangerous
To my surprise, the 3 other lads took it into their own hands to sort him out and as I drove off they were kicking and punching him. I left them to it. Wasn't my problem anymore. I got paid so was quite happy.
It goes to show what a split second of an idiotic prank could do to me or the car but in this case it back fired on the prat and he got what he deserved by his mates.
Ah... Justice... and I didnt have to do a thing.
Usually, the passengers reciprocate this by thanking you or offering a tip but a bunch of rowdy drunken lads I picked up tonight had other ideas. One lad sat behind me decided that he would reach over and put his hands over my eyes so I couldnt see where I was driving. My immediate reaction was to slam the brakes on and perform and emergency stop.
The guy in the back headbutted the seat and the guy in the front shot forward but was saved by his seatbelt. The other two people in the back were not happy with the person who had put his hands over my eyes and verbally had a go at him.
I leapt out the car, pulled the back door open and yanked this idiot out of the car onto the floor and told him that this is where the journey ends. The others apologised on his behalf and paid the fare. I told him he was lucky that I didnt give him a good hiding for what he did as it was dangerous
To my surprise, the 3 other lads took it into their own hands to sort him out and as I drove off they were kicking and punching him. I left them to it. Wasn't my problem anymore. I got paid so was quite happy.
It goes to show what a split second of an idiotic prank could do to me or the car but in this case it back fired on the prat and he got what he deserved by his mates.
Ah... Justice... and I didnt have to do a thing.
Sunday, February 14
Valentines Weekend
Well so far so good. The weekend has gone ok but its been a quiet one. The road works are causing major delays and a detour into town adding an extra mile on the journey coming from Barrow Island.
One conversation in the car this weekend between a mother and a young girl aged around 8 years old was quite enlightening. The young girl said she had a boyfriend at school and her mother asked who it was. As most 8 year olds do, they refuse to say who it is and she said "I`m not telling, its a secret". Her mother replied by saying that she shouldn't have boyfriends as she was too young to which the little girl promptly said." I need a boyfriend as I don't want to become a lesbian like my sister" I tried not to laugh at this as her mother instantly started to shout at her saying that we dont talk about things like that and its not right etc etc.
Made me laugh anyway, you don't expect a young girl to come out with that in conversation
One conversation in the car this weekend between a mother and a young girl aged around 8 years old was quite enlightening. The young girl said she had a boyfriend at school and her mother asked who it was. As most 8 year olds do, they refuse to say who it is and she said "I`m not telling, its a secret". Her mother replied by saying that she shouldn't have boyfriends as she was too young to which the little girl promptly said." I need a boyfriend as I don't want to become a lesbian like my sister" I tried not to laugh at this as her mother instantly started to shout at her saying that we dont talk about things like that and its not right etc etc.
Made me laugh anyway, you don't expect a young girl to come out with that in conversation
Wednesday, January 27
Above and beyond the call of duty
Got a nice compliment from the boss this week. It transpires that an elderly lady that i picked up back in December had contacted the office to thank me for the assistance I offered her in the bad weather.
All I did was help her into the car, take her home and help her into her house and make sure that she had locked the door before I left. Nothing wrong with that as I will do that for anyone as its all part of the service we offer.
She had contacted the office and asked me to call round for a tip to show her appreciation.
Its just nice to be remembered after a month but there's no need for a tip as it was just an everyday routine to me.
It was really kind of her to ring the office and thank me for doing my job and helping her in any way I could and its nice to hear these things as well.
All I did was help her into the car, take her home and help her into her house and make sure that she had locked the door before I left. Nothing wrong with that as I will do that for anyone as its all part of the service we offer.
She had contacted the office and asked me to call round for a tip to show her appreciation.
Its just nice to be remembered after a month but there's no need for a tip as it was just an everyday routine to me.
It was really kind of her to ring the office and thank me for doing my job and helping her in any way I could and its nice to hear these things as well.
Tuesday, January 19
The Funeral Party
At first I thought it was a one off but after picking up a few drunken people who had been to funerals, it seems all they want to do is fight each other.
These sad events bring families together, people who havnt seen each other for ages and you would think they would be wanting to talk to each other but when the beer flows all they want to do is fight and argue,
It happened today and even in the back of the car on the journey they were trying to knock hell out of each other.
I did wanr them but they didnt take any notice. I stopped the car and told them all to get out. They apologised and promised that they would sort their differences out when they got home.
The fighting stopped but the arguing and insults continued.
And what was the reason for all this. People who hadnt seen the deceased in ages were trying to stake a claim to the will.
Its a sad case but no excuse for fighting with each other. They should respect the dead persons wishes and get on with life
These sad events bring families together, people who havnt seen each other for ages and you would think they would be wanting to talk to each other but when the beer flows all they want to do is fight and argue,
It happened today and even in the back of the car on the journey they were trying to knock hell out of each other.
I did wanr them but they didnt take any notice. I stopped the car and told them all to get out. They apologised and promised that they would sort their differences out when they got home.
The fighting stopped but the arguing and insults continued.
And what was the reason for all this. People who hadnt seen the deceased in ages were trying to stake a claim to the will.
Its a sad case but no excuse for fighting with each other. They should respect the dead persons wishes and get on with life
Sunday, January 3
Waiting around
Picked a fare up over Christmas and she asked me to take her somewhere and wait. Whilst the meter was clocking up the waiting time she came back out, looked at it and said. "Can you turn your engine off so that the meter doesnt clock up".
Thick or what???
Thick or what???
Selfishness
The Christmas and New Year weeks were very busy with a lot of work for everyone but the problems occur when customers decide to book a taxi to go home.
The two main issues were that customers would book you and you would turn up to pick them up. They would then acknowledge you and then spend a good 10 minutes saying their goodbyes to their friends whilst everyone shakes hands and kisses.
OK so its New Year and you have to allow for this sort of thing but surely it would make sense to be ready when you book the taxi. The problem here caused you to set off with the fare 10 minutes late making you late on your next pick up and this had a knock on effect making jobs run late and the customer has the nerve to blame either the driver or the office staff when its their own fault.
The other issue is, that customers seem to ring a number of taxi firms and order a taxi to take them home from each firm. The customer will then jump in the first car that arrives and not even have the decency to ring the other firms and cancel the cab. From our side of it we end up sat outside a house with about 4 or 5 other cabs from different firms and none of us gets a pick up
However, not all customers are the same and the vast majority were ok and even gave tips as well. Its just a minority of ignorant customers that will do this.
Anyway, its 2010 and hopefully back to the norm.
The two main issues were that customers would book you and you would turn up to pick them up. They would then acknowledge you and then spend a good 10 minutes saying their goodbyes to their friends whilst everyone shakes hands and kisses.
OK so its New Year and you have to allow for this sort of thing but surely it would make sense to be ready when you book the taxi. The problem here caused you to set off with the fare 10 minutes late making you late on your next pick up and this had a knock on effect making jobs run late and the customer has the nerve to blame either the driver or the office staff when its their own fault.
The other issue is, that customers seem to ring a number of taxi firms and order a taxi to take them home from each firm. The customer will then jump in the first car that arrives and not even have the decency to ring the other firms and cancel the cab. From our side of it we end up sat outside a house with about 4 or 5 other cabs from different firms and none of us gets a pick up
However, not all customers are the same and the vast majority were ok and even gave tips as well. Its just a minority of ignorant customers that will do this.
Anyway, its 2010 and hopefully back to the norm.
Sunday, December 20
Snow
Where we live we never get much snow as we are surrounded by mountains that seem to fend off the bad weather so its possible that the rest of the country could get it except us and when we do get it then we know everywhere else gets it bad.
We got it pretty bad today. Snow, Ice, freezing conditions, black ice. I slid around in the car trying to pick up and drop off fares and tried to avoid going out of town but it wasnt an easy task.
During the day and nights workload I saw one car slide into a stationary car and shunt that one into another car. The first car was going very slow but it caused a lot of damage.
Later on in the night I had to rescue one of our drivers and her passengers as they had become stuck on ide at the top of a steep road. I went to their assistance and got stuck myself but with the help of neighbours who had seen what was going in and come out to help we managed to get some Rock Salt" on the road and get a grip and drive to a safe place
All in all a busy night but an eventful one as well. All the customers were understanding and very patient and all worked out ok in the end.
Just hope that it doesnt last and we can get back to normal soon.
We got it pretty bad today. Snow, Ice, freezing conditions, black ice. I slid around in the car trying to pick up and drop off fares and tried to avoid going out of town but it wasnt an easy task.
During the day and nights workload I saw one car slide into a stationary car and shunt that one into another car. The first car was going very slow but it caused a lot of damage.
Later on in the night I had to rescue one of our drivers and her passengers as they had become stuck on ide at the top of a steep road. I went to their assistance and got stuck myself but with the help of neighbours who had seen what was going in and come out to help we managed to get some Rock Salt" on the road and get a grip and drive to a safe place
All in all a busy night but an eventful one as well. All the customers were understanding and very patient and all worked out ok in the end.
Just hope that it doesnt last and we can get back to normal soon.
Wednesday, November 11
Confused
I was sent to pick up a fare on Walney Island when I pulled up outside the house and this elderly man from next door came out and jumped in the cab. He asked me where his lady friend was and why I hadn't picked her up first.
Scratching my head I told him that this wasn't his taxi but he insisted that it was and that he wanted to know why I hadn't picked his lady friend up. I asked him where from and it was pretty much around the corner so I thought if I`m only going to be a few minutes then I would take him round the corner.
I did this only for him to find that his lady friend wasn't at home. I knew now what had happened. He had rang a different taxi company at the same time that my fare had booked me and he thought I was for him The best thing I could do was take him back home and as luck would have it, his taxi was outside his house complete with his lady friend in the back seat.
The other taxi driver had panicked wondering where he was and thought he may have fell ill in the house. I managed to get the elderly man out of my car and re-united with his lady friend but with all this happening and not knowing how long I was going to be sorting this out I decided to contact my office and get them to send another car to my job.
The whole incident lasted about 10 minutes and I lost a job through it but I couldn't very well throw a 97 year old man out of my car onto the cold street.
At least all worked out OK for them. He found his lady friend and she was relieved that he was OK. It was just a genuine mistake on his behalf but after talking to the other driver I was told that this couple are a regular fare of theirs and he is 97 years old and gets very confused.
I`m just glad that all was sorted and I didn't mind losing a fare as the health of a 97 year old is more important
Scratching my head I told him that this wasn't his taxi but he insisted that it was and that he wanted to know why I hadn't picked his lady friend up. I asked him where from and it was pretty much around the corner so I thought if I`m only going to be a few minutes then I would take him round the corner.
I did this only for him to find that his lady friend wasn't at home. I knew now what had happened. He had rang a different taxi company at the same time that my fare had booked me and he thought I was for him The best thing I could do was take him back home and as luck would have it, his taxi was outside his house complete with his lady friend in the back seat.
The other taxi driver had panicked wondering where he was and thought he may have fell ill in the house. I managed to get the elderly man out of my car and re-united with his lady friend but with all this happening and not knowing how long I was going to be sorting this out I decided to contact my office and get them to send another car to my job.
The whole incident lasted about 10 minutes and I lost a job through it but I couldn't very well throw a 97 year old man out of my car onto the cold street.
At least all worked out OK for them. He found his lady friend and she was relieved that he was OK. It was just a genuine mistake on his behalf but after talking to the other driver I was told that this couple are a regular fare of theirs and he is 97 years old and gets very confused.
I`m just glad that all was sorted and I didn't mind losing a fare as the health of a 97 year old is more important
Saturday, November 7
Access all areas
One of this weeks fares was two ladies, one was elderly and in a wheelchair and the other was able bodied and in her early 50s. I picked them both up from a house in the Town Centre and took them home where upon asking for the fare of £4.20p I was given a £10 note and told to take £7 out of it.
What a generous tip I thought to myself and it was too. I got £7 for a £4.20p fare. I opened the boot of the car and removed the ladies wheelchair. She didnt need it for short distances as she could walk a little bit so her friend insisted on taking the wheelchair in so in effect all I had to do was put in in the boot of the car and take it out at the destination and this earned me the tip.
The elderly lady thanked me for taking her wheelchair and went on to tell me that she felt a burden to people and always paid the extra for drivers to carry her wheelchair. She said she knew she didnt have to pay the extra but felt guilty if she didn't as the drivers are so helpful.
This got me thinking that its really nice to have praise for our drivers but why should an elderly disabled person feel compelled to give a large tip just because thet are in a wheelchair?
Its not right that they should feel like this and I suppose its down to the individual driver if they accept the tip. If you do accept it then you feel as if you've got extra because she is disabled. If you don't accept the tip then you offend the person that's giving it you, so you cant really win.
I just don't think its right that elderly or disabled people that need a little help from the driver should feel they have to tip a lot more as a way of saying thank you. After all, helping our customers in and out the car with or without any luggage is all part of the job description and people like this shouldn't have to feel compelled to pay more.
We don't charge any extra for wheelchairs and never will do. Its all part of the service that we provide. We look after the customer but some customers that feel they have to give a large tip because we took their wheelchair and helped them with it.
As in her words and not mine "You took my wheelchair and lifted it in and out the car for me and I feel guilty that you have to do this and I dont want to be a burden to anyone so please take it". were her exact words.
I didnt want to take the extra money after hearing this story and tried to give her it back but she insisted and told me that if I didn't take it then she would feel guilty about asking for my help.
What a generous tip I thought to myself and it was too. I got £7 for a £4.20p fare. I opened the boot of the car and removed the ladies wheelchair. She didnt need it for short distances as she could walk a little bit so her friend insisted on taking the wheelchair in so in effect all I had to do was put in in the boot of the car and take it out at the destination and this earned me the tip.
The elderly lady thanked me for taking her wheelchair and went on to tell me that she felt a burden to people and always paid the extra for drivers to carry her wheelchair. She said she knew she didnt have to pay the extra but felt guilty if she didn't as the drivers are so helpful.
This got me thinking that its really nice to have praise for our drivers but why should an elderly disabled person feel compelled to give a large tip just because thet are in a wheelchair?
Its not right that they should feel like this and I suppose its down to the individual driver if they accept the tip. If you do accept it then you feel as if you've got extra because she is disabled. If you don't accept the tip then you offend the person that's giving it you, so you cant really win.
I just don't think its right that elderly or disabled people that need a little help from the driver should feel they have to tip a lot more as a way of saying thank you. After all, helping our customers in and out the car with or without any luggage is all part of the job description and people like this shouldn't have to feel compelled to pay more.
We don't charge any extra for wheelchairs and never will do. Its all part of the service that we provide. We look after the customer but some customers that feel they have to give a large tip because we took their wheelchair and helped them with it.
As in her words and not mine "You took my wheelchair and lifted it in and out the car for me and I feel guilty that you have to do this and I dont want to be a burden to anyone so please take it". were her exact words.
I didnt want to take the extra money after hearing this story and tried to give her it back but she insisted and told me that if I didn't take it then she would feel guilty about asking for my help.
Thursday, October 29
Bread and Gutter
This week I picked up a passenger who had been to a local supermarket to buy supplies to sell in his own shop. He loaded the car with numerous goods which included about 15 loaves of cheap supermarket bread which he was to then sell in his own shop for a bigger profit.
Whilst unloading the bread at his shop, one of the loaves of bread spilt open and about 4 or 5 slices landed in the gutter. I would have expected the passenger to throw this loaf away but to my dismay he just calmly picked up the bread, put it back in the wrapper and re-sealed it ready to place on a shelf in his shop for sale.
He didn't seem to think it was wrong and didn't seem to care as all he was interested in was the taxi fare which was 20 pence higher than what it should have been because he asked me to wait whilst he went into an off licence to by alcohol for his shop.
He also pointed out to me that I shouldn't charge him for waiting as he was a regular customer but I pointed out to him that it was my living and if he wanted me to wait then he has to pay for it. He expects very cheap taxis but sells his goods at raised prices and moaned at me over the fare costing an extra 20 pence.
Whilst unloading the bread at his shop, one of the loaves of bread spilt open and about 4 or 5 slices landed in the gutter. I would have expected the passenger to throw this loaf away but to my dismay he just calmly picked up the bread, put it back in the wrapper and re-sealed it ready to place on a shelf in his shop for sale.
He didn't seem to think it was wrong and didn't seem to care as all he was interested in was the taxi fare which was 20 pence higher than what it should have been because he asked me to wait whilst he went into an off licence to by alcohol for his shop.
He also pointed out to me that I shouldn't charge him for waiting as he was a regular customer but I pointed out to him that it was my living and if he wanted me to wait then he has to pay for it. He expects very cheap taxis but sells his goods at raised prices and moaned at me over the fare costing an extra 20 pence.
Monday, October 26
Counting the pennies
It seems to me that this is not a one off thing but a regular occurrence between most drivers and their customers. Usually its a bunch of young lads or girls and its the same routine everytime.
At the end of the journey you ask for the fare. In last nights example the fare was £4.50p so I would have thought it would be easy for the fare to hand over a £5 note and I give her 50p change but no......
I`m parked up in the Town Centre whilst these girls take a good 4 minutes to start counting out their money to pay me. After adding up all the small change it comes to £4.10p and they had the cheek to ask if £4.10p will do for the fare as they dont want to break into a note.
"No it wont do.. The fares £4.50 and thats what you pay" is what I said.
"But I don't want to split ionto a £5 note" was the reply from this girl.
In the end she paid with a £5 but it annoys me to think that they get a taxi into town and want to use their loose change to pay for it as they don`t want to break into a banknote. I don`t mind the loose change but when they try and pay you less than the fare when they have the means to pay is not on.
You know whats next. They go into a pub and have no change so what do they do. pay with a note and I bet they dont try and say to the bar staff that they are 30p short for a drink.
At the other end of the scale I dont mind letting someone off with 10 or 20p p their way home if they get in the cab and ask how far can they get for their money but when they are going into town for a night out then it doesn't wash with me,. If they've got money for their night out then they have money for the fare into town.
Maybe I should go into my local pub tonight and order a pint and then haggle the price... I know what they would say...
At the end of the journey you ask for the fare. In last nights example the fare was £4.50p so I would have thought it would be easy for the fare to hand over a £5 note and I give her 50p change but no......
I`m parked up in the Town Centre whilst these girls take a good 4 minutes to start counting out their money to pay me. After adding up all the small change it comes to £4.10p and they had the cheek to ask if £4.10p will do for the fare as they dont want to break into a note.
"No it wont do.. The fares £4.50 and thats what you pay" is what I said.
"But I don't want to split ionto a £5 note" was the reply from this girl.
In the end she paid with a £5 but it annoys me to think that they get a taxi into town and want to use their loose change to pay for it as they don`t want to break into a banknote. I don`t mind the loose change but when they try and pay you less than the fare when they have the means to pay is not on.
You know whats next. They go into a pub and have no change so what do they do. pay with a note and I bet they dont try and say to the bar staff that they are 30p short for a drink.
At the other end of the scale I dont mind letting someone off with 10 or 20p p their way home if they get in the cab and ask how far can they get for their money but when they are going into town for a night out then it doesn't wash with me,. If they've got money for their night out then they have money for the fare into town.
Maybe I should go into my local pub tonight and order a pint and then haggle the price... I know what they would say...
Tuesday, October 20
Another fine mess
I know the law is the law and it is supposed to be upheld but there should be discretion used when dealing with blind or partially sighted people.
We pick up a few of these people and our drivers will always (NO EXCEPTION) help this person from where they are picked up at to where they are going and that means getting out the car, guiding them and offering help in every way possible. This of course does mean leaving the vehicle unattended for a short period of time.
The issue is how long is a short period of time as each person will maybe vary depending upon their disability. Maybe 5 mins should be enough. 1 minute certainly isn't as can be seen in the story below.
Double click to enlarge
We pick up a few of these people and our drivers will always (NO EXCEPTION) help this person from where they are picked up at to where they are going and that means getting out the car, guiding them and offering help in every way possible. This of course does mean leaving the vehicle unattended for a short period of time.
The issue is how long is a short period of time as each person will maybe vary depending upon their disability. Maybe 5 mins should be enough. 1 minute certainly isn't as can be seen in the story below.
Double click to enlarge
