Clearly the New York taxi driving industry is unregulated, even though it's drivers are mostly unfit to do their job, of extremely low IQ and run their business like monkeys. As such, it is up to us, the customers, to regulate them to give them an incentive to regulate themselves. And the way we can do that is to VOTE WITH OUR FEET.
Below are just a few examples of why New York cab drivers are unfit for civilized society, and why we, the civilized consumers, should be saying "no more":
1) Rude
You enter the cab, state your destination and the driver doesn't even bother to acknowledge that he's heard you. Often I state my destination twice and then get yelled at. I was once even thrown out of the cab, and then spat at as I made a run for it.
Many times you state your destination and the driver has no clue how to get there. I might be mistaken, but most American cities are on a grid, making it shamefully easy to get from A to B. Knowing your city is an essential part of the job, if you don't know it then you are incompetent to do your job.
3) Unprofessional
Talking on the phone the entire journey. I certainly don't know of any job that allows it's employees to engage in personal phone conversations the entire day. It is rude, disrespectful and unprofessional.
4) Dangerous driving
How did these buffoons ever pass their driving test? They speed dangerously and break all the traffic laws, such as blocking the box, intimidating other drivers and even yelling profanities at anyone who gets in their way. Oh and of course the cab driver thinks he's always right, so even if as a passenger I suggest he shut up and drive properly, he will argue viciously. Did I say unprofessional?
5) Filthy, falling apart and unsafe cars
Many times the seat belt is broken, but if you alert the driver he yells at you to get the hell out of his cab. In most cities it's your basic right as a passenger to have functioning seat belts in the back. Again the cab driver has no common courtesy and thinks he's always right. Did I mention unprofessional?
6) Refusal of service
Why is it so hard to convince a New York cab driver to take you anywhere outside Manhattan? Very simply, if the driver goes to the Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens, he is less likely to get a fare for the return journey to Manhattan. The scavenging low-life will therefore refuse to take you home, even though it is against the law to refuse to take a customer anywhere within the five boroughs.
As demonstrated here : http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=7997909
7) No basic human decency
Countless stories exist of people on crutches, in wheelchairs or heavily pregnant being refused a ride in preference for someone with a suitcase. Like i said, cab drivers are the scum of the universe, and it's time we treated them as such.
8) Sense of entitlement
You may tip the man, but he will never say thank you. As such i have resolved to stop tipping altogether. Having said that, I don't even use cabs anymore, but i certainly recommend anyone who does use them to not bother tipping them. You get charged enough for the hell ride as it is!
In Conclusion
I personally have taken all the necessary steps to exorcise New York cab drivers from my life. And in truth we really don't need cab drivers in New York. Anyone who's been stranded, yet still made it home, can attest to that.
Here are some tips on how you can live a life free of the evil cab drivers:
1) Use the public transport, it's pretty good in New York
2) Sign up for Zip Car
3) You might own a car, but that isn't an option for everyone
4) Walk where possible. It's free and will also save you that gym membership
5) Get a bicycle. You might even prefer an e bike. A tad more expensive than a regular bike, but in the long term it will be cheaper than taking cabs everywhere.
Sure if you're a girl alone late at night you might have no choice but to take a cab. Though the demeanor of some of drivers doesn't instill in me any more confidence than the local knife wielding rapist you might encounter on a subway late at night.
Still, the most important thing is to be safe. Though it is satisfying if we can do so without inviting poison into our lives !!!
Annabelle
