HOW I LEARNED ABOUT TRUST

When I first started driving for United Cab I had a little experience but not very much. I think the first time I got screwed was out of Tampa General. This was a "cash", the guy look ok, well dressed and wanted to go to Plant City. Instead of looking at the money I thought how lucky I was to get a trip that long. Keep in mind this was in 1999 I think the milage was only 1.75 a mile. At any rate when we got to his trailer he gave me $15.00 and said he would go inside and get the rest from his wife. Beforfe he got out he asked me what a normal tip would be for a trip like this. Now folks this is when the bells should have went off. If this situation would happen today, 9 years later, we wouldn't have left Tampa General without money up front, I wouldn't have cared if he dressed like Donal Trump. No money no go. He told me he would be right back, he went around the back of the trailer and I haven't seen him since. Nor have the people that lived in the trailer.
Five years ago I picked up a very well dressed lady from a Doctors office on MLK. I took her to a huge office building, she gave me a credit card. I normally check them with my cell phone right away, while the patron is still in the car. But the fare was only 15.00+ so I didn't. You guessed it, the card wasn't worth a damn. I always checked the card before making the trip but didn't this time. I vowed that would never happen again.
The next post will be about what my co-host calls my left handed specials. I will explain why they work and are worth it. Even if Tom and Tim that other taxi blog can't see it. I noticed that Tim sat from 3am until 6am and not a call. Only 4 calls until noon. No specials, too bad.