How We Earn A Living

As a cab driver we make the majority of our money from tips. We pay the company lease fee (4-5%) and half of the meter. When you take a cab the meter gets turned on and it tells the cost per mile. It does not matter how fast or slow the driver goes. The money clicks when you have to wait for traffic or if you have to make a stop. Now I don't know if it's ignorance or honesty but most people are shocked to learn we accept tips (and no the change of a dollar doesn't count). An acceptable tip for your cab driver is about 2-3 dollars however we take larger tips of course. Our company actually has a memo explaining how to make better tips with things like "be well groomed" "open doors" a lot of common sense that the guys don't do. If you've ever ridden in a cab in brevard county I'm sure you've said "what's that smell?" If only to yourself. You would be amazed at how many drivers just don't bathe. Trying to get a driver out of his cab is also practically impossible. I have heard dispatchers have to tell certain drivers over and over again to get out of the car and knock onthe door, go talk to the bartender, go in the lobby room number .... it goes on and on. Cab drivers are for the most part lazy. When you have a grocery cart fully loaded with groceries and they sit and watch you load them they don't understand why you don't want to tip them. Basically remember 2 things when you decide to take a cab 1- tip if it is deserved and tip as well as you feel you can. It will be appreciated even if all you get is a grumbled thanks. 2- drivers pay 100% of their own gas and the end of the shift we have about 13-15 gallons we have to pay for. It costs us gas to come to pick you up and than be told you left, changed your mind, or called 2 companies to see which one is faster. Try to remember these things because it helps a lot.