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Old 03-22-2013, 06:59 PM
 
58 posts, read 325,885 times
Reputation: 60

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Note: I'm unaware if using actual business names is a forbidden practice on these forums but I assume it is (I don't really feel like reading through the entire "terms & conditions" to find an answer to this question so I'll just use names that rhyme with the actual business name I'm referring to.

Okay, so I'm 22 years old and I've been living in between Vegas and Los Angeles for roughly the past 3 years now. I have finally made a permanent move to vegas (spring valley), and I am seeking to gain any type of employment I can find.

I am thinking of giving taxi-driving a go. I feel as though it may be a good fit for my situation. I've done quite a bit of research and I've read through nearly every taxi-related thread on this forum, so I'm aware of all the not-so-glamorous aspects of being a cabbie. I know about the 12-hour shifts, the pressure to "long-haul" customers, the pressure to be a "top-booker", the potential danger involved, etc etc. Despite all the negative things I've read, I still feel that it might be worth my time to at least give it a try...after all what do I have to lose except some of my time. If I never give it a shot, I'll never know for sure what the real scoop is.

The main attraction that is luring me to taxi-driving is, well...the fact that cabbie jobs seem to be in abundance right now, and most companies state that they are "currently hiring drivers" on their website. I've had a lot of trouble getting a job in the past, so I feel that taxi-driving may be one of the only options I have available in this economy. Despite what I've read, I also feel that there might be potential for earning a decent income depending on tips & other factors.

So now that you know my motivations for becoming a taxi driver, here are my questions...

1.) Do all companies require cabbies to be 25+ years of age for insurance purposes? I went down to "Fellow-Heckler-Bar" to put in an application (they're currently hiring drivers due to the ongoing strike) but they stated that I needed to be 25 years of age. Another company called "Fiddlebee Blue" also stated the same.

2.) Do all companies require drug testing? If so, what drugs do they test for? I have a prescription for a mild painkiller that I sometimes need for pain...if that drug is in my system will I fail the test despite having a prescription?

3.) Which companies have the best system of pay? I mean do most of the companies out here (I have a list of all 16 taxi companies that service the Vegas Valley area including NLV, Henderson, and Green Valley) lease the cabs on a daily basis, and then the cabbie has to make up the cost of the lease (and gas in come cases) before he makes any profit? I just need a general explanation of the relationship (in terms of pay) between cabbies & their employers. I'm a little confused on this one.

4.) How much money can a rookie cabbie potentially make on a daily basis (a general average would be fine)? What about tips?

5.) Most cabbies work 12-hour shifts right? Do the more experienced cabbies with higher seniority usually get the night shifts because of the potential for higher tips? Do most cab companies only service a specific area of the valley?

6.) What's the breakdown of how a cabbies day is usually divided? Do cabbies usually spend a lot of time waiting for customers? Do they get to chose who they pick up? What about the whole "dispatcher" thing...how does that work and who are the dispatchers?

7.) What is the Taxi Authority? Are all licensed cabbies required to undergo testing by the Taxi Authority? If so, what kind of testing is involved?

8.) To all you cabbies & ex-cabbies out there...what kind of danger is REALLY involved in this job? Is it as dangerous as it might seem? What's the worst or most dangerous situation you've ever encountered?

9.) Is it mandatory to have a FLAWLESS copy of my DMV driving record/printout before being hired? I printed out my 10-year driving record from the Nevada DMV website, but I am thinking of driving out to the DMV in Needles, CA to get a printout of my old California driving record (I drove in California for a lot longer than I've been driving out here). I'm not sure if this would be necessary or not.

9.) And finally, the BIG question....In your opinion, what is the best company to work for out here?

Sorry for the immense amount of questions. I'm just trying to get a general idea of what this job is like and if it would be worth my time to pursue it before I dive in head-first.

--------------------------------

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to contribute their knowledge on taxi-driving related subjects throughout this forum...that includes all you taxi drivers, ex drivers, and just anybody else who has contributed their thoughts. I have learned a pretty decent amount of information from reading through these various boards, but I obviously still have a lot of unanswered questions (as seen above lol). Much appreciation goes out to all those who have contributed and those who will contribute to answering my questions. Thank you.
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Old 03-22-2013, 07:56 PM
 
1,009 posts, read 3,901,192 times
Reputation: 760
Quote:
Originally Posted by xmjm924x View Post
I'm 22 years old
Classic millennial naiveté and immaturity!
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:21 PM
 
58 posts, read 325,885 times
Reputation: 60
Quote:
Originally Posted by tortoise View Post
Classic millennial naiveté and immaturity!
I'd really like to understand why you took the time out of your day to type a fragmented, nonsensical sentence without any explanation as to why I'm a "classic millennial immature naivete". Pretty easy to diss someone over an internet forum without any repercussion isn't it? Do you feel less worthless now?
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:27 PM
 
13,595 posts, read 12,352,736 times
Reputation: 17782
Hold on, XMJ. Someone like Cyborgt800 will be around to give you the information. With a healthy dose of snark.

Good info on this board. You just have to wade through the silliness.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:38 PM
 
58 posts, read 325,885 times
Reputation: 60
Quote:
Originally Posted by NLVgal View Post
Hold on, XMJ. Someone like Cyborgt800 will be around to give you the information. With a healthy dose of snark.

Good info on this board. You just have to wade through the silliness.

Thanks NLVgal, much appreciated. There's many great people on this forum who dedicate their time to helping out confused people like me...so I'm sure somebody will come along with some valuable information...snark or no snark! Thanks again for the encouragement.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:41 PM
 
Location: Kingman AZ
15,370 posts, read 37,719,118 times
Reputation: 9179
easy answer to all....

Come back in three years.....25 yrs old is the standard..
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:51 PM
 
58 posts, read 325,885 times
Reputation: 60
Quote:
Originally Posted by dynimagelv View Post
easy answer to all....

Come back in three years.....25 yrs old is the standard..
Damn it. Are you 100% positive that 25 years of age is required by ALL the companies?
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:57 PM
 
Location: Kingman AZ
15,370 posts, read 37,719,118 times
Reputation: 9179
was when I was a driver and i doubt that it has changed a bit.....see ya in 3
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:03 PM
 
2,180 posts, read 4,329,802 times
Reputation: 1084
Interesting link I found while looking for taxi information.

Las Vegas Taxi Driver

http://taxi.nv.gov/
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:19 PM
 
58 posts, read 325,885 times
Reputation: 60
Quote:
Originally Posted by dynimagelv View Post
was when I was a driver and i doubt that it has changed a bit.....see ya in 3
Alright.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSchu View Post
Interesting link I found while looking for taxi information.

Las Vegas Taxi Driver

Taxicab Authority

Wow, thanks MSchu. I already have the Taxi Authority site bookmarked, but the first link you provided had some very helpful information. Thanks again.
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