Cabbing it back to Fairmount on Saturday night:
Becky: Hi, I’m going to W— Street.
Cabbie: Ok, that’s between some road and some other road, right?
Becky: Er, yeah. Specifically, between T— Street and C— Ave, behind Eastern State Penitentiary.
Cabbie: Great, thanks.
Cabbie: See that car stopped in the middle of the road? The driver is dialing a number on his cell phone.
Becky: Goddamn cell phones.
Cabbie: I would never drive and talk on the phone.
Becky: I think you’re the only cabbie in Philadelphia who feels that way.
Cabbie: Well, it’s rude to my customers. Also, it’s not safe. I’m not a very good driver, so why make things worse by talking on the phone?
Becky: Uh, good point.
[We’re at 16th and JFK now, and the taxi swerves, coming within two inches of the blue BMW in the next lane. The BMW driver and I lock eyes in a shared moment of panic.]
Cabbie: No one really taught me to drive, you know? I just kind of picked it up from playing video games
Becky: Like Pole Position?
Cabbie: What’s Pole Position?
Becky: Nevermind.
Cabbie: Also, I hardly ever drive drunk. In fact, I’ve only had a few drinks tonight.
Cabbie: Just kidding.
Becky: Are we there yet?
favorite Philadelphia taxi
Wow - that’s pretty scary! Nice to be reminded of Pole Position though (I used to love that game.)
I’m intrigued to know which game your cabbie used to pick up his driving ’skills’. Grand Theft Auto possibly?
That is a great story.
I really hope he was kidding about all of it though.
At least he spoke English!
So do crazy people become cab drivers, or does driving a car around in city traffic all day every day make sane people insane?
In Philly, it’s the severe pothole vibrations that knock something loose in the brain.
Becky I am concerned about your taxi experiences in Philadelphia. I recall another taxicab incident where the guy thought he could take advantage of you, and I had to intervene. The problem is one is at the mercy of the first person who stops–and there is no way to screen.
Er, lest anyone misinterpret Sassy’s last comment, the “taking advantage” incident refers to a cabbie trying to go the long way.
Philly cabbies are a bit kooky. One New Year’s eve 3 of my female friends and myself had to endure a ride with one of those jumping cabs (where it bumps up and down). And cabbie also appeared to be humping his car seat. I don’t like Philly cabbies too much.
I vote for cab-pooling for future travels is the city of “brotherly/sisterly love”. Use the buddy system..or use have access to a cell-phone. Your birthday is coming-up….what do you think. What color, what features? How about with a camera or with one having that “pole game (what ever that is?)