Guest etteitorial

Laywer-ette took a break from the courts today to fill us in on her frustrations about cab drivers. She is providing an excellent viewpoint here and I second. Today she's complaining so I don't have to. Enjoy:

I've had it with f-ing NYC cab drivers. It always seems like a good idea when I'm tired, it's cold, etc., but I almost always end up regretting it.

First, I feel like I take my life into my hands every time I step in a cab. Do you really get there faster by speeding up to every red light and honking at every other car on the road? Between the swerving and the movie reviews blaring on the back seat tv, I end up feeling gross at the end of every ride. And it's not like the cab is cheap. Why am I laying down 20 plus doll hairs for this nausea-inducing brush with death?

And then there's the Brooklyn issue. About one in three drivers give me attitude about crossing the bridge. Please explain to me what the big deal is. You get a guaranteed good fare and likely will pick someone up for the (again good fare) ride back. How is that different than picking someone up in the LES and taking them to the UWS. It's just not.

But, the piece de resistance is the whole "my credit card machine is not working" charade. First of all, they were installed about a week ago so either they really suck, or you're lying. And all of a sudden, when I have no cash, wow -- it works again. I get it that they pay a fee. But here's why most proprietors of business accept credit cards. People spend more than they ordinarily might when they don't have to lay out cash. How does this translate to cab drivers, you ask. People like me, who never carry cash, will take a cab more often (read: always) if it takes a credit card. So, buddy, you're getting this fair only because you take credit cards -- you're not losing money. And another thing. This is the 21st century. How much longer will people even use cash. Fine, you protested, we know you didn't want the credit card machines, but they are there now. Bullying your customers into not using them is not sustainable. And it's just rude. The last thing I need when I cruising home at 11pm after a long day is to get crap from the cab driver when I'm trying to pay him. It's not like I'm skipping out without paying. This is money. You are getting paid.

That is all.