Monday, October 03, 2005

Checker


I think this is one of the last checker cabs in the city. From what I've heard, this guy just drives around giving people free rides. I have no idea why he would want to do such a thing. Apparently the TLC (Taxi & Limousine Commission) got after him in the past for accepting tips, which is against the law if you don't have a medallion. Or something like that.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hilarious.. lol, gothamist.com did an article on you and i have been stopping by daily. good stuff. thank you.

-Brandon

Anonymous said...

Keep up the blog.. really enjoying it. crossing my fingers that one day I'll hop in your cab. Although I guess I wouldn't know, perhaps you should put up a note with the URL of your blog in your cab...

M.P. said...

Thanks to both of you! I guess one clue to know if it was me would be to match my initials here to the name on the hack license that is displayed behind every driver's head in the cab.

Jose said...

Hilarious..

Awesome blog.

Anonymous said...

marry me?

EverJack1 said...

Personally...... I think the old guy Was crazy. :op

Jack

Anonymous said...

Too funny! Gotta Love the randomness!

Anonymous said...

I know the driver of the Checker that gives free rides (it's a private car, not a medallion cab). His name is Ray. He's an old-time cabbie who has been at war with the TLC for many years. He's eighty something years old, a charming fellow, one of the great characters in NYC. He once let me drive that car around the block by myself even though he barely knew me. He learned that the TLC has no jurisdiction over you if you give free rides. He accepts tips, although no one is obliged to do so. The truth is people usually pay more than they would have paid if a meter had been on, because people are basically good and want to keep their exchange in. (Try telling passengers your meter is broken one night and see what happens.)

MJ06 said...

I saw that cab on another web site before. How could he get 3 licens plates? Why would he give rides away for free? Maby he wants to show off that he has a cool cheecker cab.

Anonymous said...

Oh my GOD what a nutcase! I love crazy customers. If I had a hat it would be off to you- people + food = crazy but my job ain't got NOTHIN' on yours. At least I've got an escape route if needs be!

Gusgamashuq Abunoori said...

Leave the old man be. How much business can he possibly be taking away from us metered cabbies. And even then, the character he adds to our city, which is becoming more and more sterile and predictable every day, is worth it. I say let him do his thing. And that's coming from a fellow cabdriver.