TAXI DRIVER

Dave Thibodeaux has been driving a taxi for the Fairfield Taxi Company in Fairfield, Connecticut, for the last twelve years.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

After high school, I was a mechanic for ten years, and I had friends who worked at the cab company. I started driving part-time, on Sundays, for a few extra bucks. I went full-time when I couldn't stand my job anymore. One year turned into twelve and here I am.

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WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE JOB?

It's never the same thing. You're not stuck in an office and you get out and about. It's different every day. You get to flirt and mingle. Since I'm a people person, this is great.

DID IT TAKE LONG TO LEARN YOUR WAY AROUND?

I grew up here and pretty much knew my way around. I've helped guys who grew up out of town learn.

WHAT ARE THE BEST KIND OF PASSENGERS?

The ones who tip well, of course! Everyone looks forward to the big job, something like ten miles plus.

WHAT ARE THE WORST KIND OF PASSENGERS?

Drunks. They're mostly students from the university, but we get our share from the bars. They're only bad because some get belligerent, and some get sick in the cab. And the ones with baskets full of groceries.

I've only had about two fares not pay in my twelve years so that's not a problem. You get stiffed—no one at the pickup—about once a day.

WHAT ABOUT THE BACKSEAT DRIVERS?

They're fine. I'll follow any route they give because usually it's the longer way, which adds to the fare and tip.

DO YOU GET A LOT OF REGULARS?

Lots of regulars. You can develop relationships with some of the regulars you meet. There's a definite advantage to driving since you meet so many people. I know drivers who married people they met while driving.

WHAT'S YOUR DAY LIKE?

I have pretty much worked the same shift since I started. I start around 4 AM and drive until 2 or 4 in the afternoon. I check my car and then start driving. I'll do between twenty to twenty-five trips per shift, and I work a five-day week. At the end of the shift I'll gas up so the car is full for the next driver. Sometimes I'll dispatch.

WHAT'S THAT LIKE?

It's like being an air traffic controller or playing chess. You have to keep a map of the town in your mind and keep everyone—we have ten cars—moving. I don't prefer it. It's a much more stressful job.

IS DRIVING DANGEROUS?

Around here it's not as dangerous as a big city. All of the fares call us for rides, we don't pick up hails. You know who you're picking up that way.

You do get to be the eyes and ears of the police department. They'll ask us to look for suspects and give us a physical description. I recently picked up a guy at motel who just robbed a store in Westport and had him picked up. We've nabbed a few guys and that's fun.