Taxi Driver Online

Hi

I recently aquired my PH badge and am preparing to start driving soon. I am a non native of the town I am now going to work in but I have lived here for 3 years now and have no plans of going back up north.

I had a few questions as you have all been in my shoes at some point or another.

Were any of you nervous before you went out on your first day?

Did anyone have any jobs going to places they did not cover in learning their knowledge (how did you deal with that too)?

With being a non native I know my way around but not every street name so I will look stupid during my first few days, I could do without passengers becoming irate just because I have to look up a road though.

I do like driving and this is why I undertook this route of employment, do you have any tips for me??

Any advice appreciated

if your PH (and working thru a base) ask the base for collect and drop details so you you can at least have an idea where your going, you may be able to get a fire brigade book for your county which is far better than most A-Z's and dont put too much store in a satnav, try to learn instead of being led, and be honest with the passengers, tell em your a virgin.....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Thankyou, I will be working through a base so will ask for details, I am studying the A-Z everyday but in comparison I seem to take more in being on the road.

I will admit my virginity just going to decide what day to leap in at the deep end.

Thanks

Yes I was, in fact I didn't really know where I was supposed to sit and wait for work and was too nervous to ask the operator



Nearly all of them. To be honest once I passed my knowledge test everything I learnt seemed to vanish from my brain. Being of a time prior to satnav I used my A to Z to get me around, it's quite easy and particular pages became almost thumbed to none existence



I was just honest with passengers, explaining I was new to the trade and all knowledge I'd learned apparently having fled the minute I got behind the wheel of my vehicle. Most passengers are happy to help.

I do remember once having been given a pick up address and being totally fed up of looking through my A to Z asking the operator where it was. The reply was "come out of your house and turn left it is the first road on the left, how many years have you lived there?"

Out of curiousity what kind of system will you be using?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Remember (and probably more so with PH than HC?) many of your passengers will undertake the same journeys on a regular basis, and as such will know the routes well (going to work, their doctors, stations etc). The majority of them will be understanding if you tell them you're new to the job. They were with me anyway.
You will be surprised I think at how quickly you get into the job, especially with finding your way around anyway.
Good luck!

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IDFIMH

Yes, not so much about punters, or knowing what I'm doing, but whether or not I could make a living out of it.


Yes, but ask the punters for the main road near the place they want to go.


With radio jobs you should be given the destination when you get the job, so you have the chance to quickly check before you pick up.


Yes, work as many unsociable hours as you can, but don't forget the family.

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IDFIMH

Hehe



Its the cordic system. if I am honest too half of what I learned over my knowledge seems to have vanished that is probably freaked me out a bit



Thanks WPH


The weather is better down here sussex

I am concerned about making a living out of it, recession, fuel prices etc etc.

I do like my driving so I think it will enjoy it, unsociable hours in the future but thats what pays hopefully, not sure if I have a radio?

Anyway I will give it my best

Thank you all for the tips and support and stay safe

A view shared by 100% of the existing trade.

However you will earn what you need if you work some unsociable hours.

Hint of the day is never go home during a shift, as you might not come back out.

Stay out until it's time to go home, if it's dead read a book, you just never know where that next job is going.

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IDFIMH

Sussex you're such a snob

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

When I had been out of the Navy about a week and I was still feeling rather bewildered, a punter got in off the rank (I'm Hackney) and asked for his destination.

Says I "I'm sorry I'm new at this, I don't know where it is"

Punter looks shocked and says "You should do mate, you live there - I live six doors down from you!"

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

A bit like you I was a stranger to my area of work, so I studied it through the A-Z and by driving around (fuel was reasonable 15 yrs ago) I passed my knowledge and started with a firm whose main work was Asda. My very first punter was going to a place I hadn't even heard of, never mind studied. Thankfully she was great about it and talked me through all the areas on the way. Now I'm like a human sat-nav (as long as it's in and around Falkirk Council Licencing Area)

I can't really add to what been said already, except to wish you luck in your endeavours. And don't be a stranger, keep us up to date with your good/bad/indifferent experiences.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

by strange odds ive lived in the four towns all around me, which helps except now im so old ive forgotten the wifes name.....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

So long as you don't forget her housekeeping I'm sure she won't mind too much

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Thanks for the further advice, will keep you all posted on how its going, I feel a lot calmer and looking forward to the first day.

Really appreciated