Tampa Bay Lightning Are Hot And So Is The Weather (Dispatchers On The Outs)

Tim Of United Taxi

A game six was guaranteed today by a 5-3 victory by the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Boston Bruins. That is fantastic for two major reasons. One, I am a Tampa pro sports fan. Two, these games are bringing money into town. Three hours leading up to the face off, all I did was take people to the St. Pete Times Forum. The Boston fans are great (so is their money). They must have thought it was strange going to a hockey match in this heat at a stadium lined by palm trees.

Not only did the Lightning win, they took it to the Bruins. The series now moves up north for a game five. This series may very well go down to the wire. As a driver that was here when the Stanley Cup was here in 2004, I know how good that event can be. Go Lightning!

All of our dispatchers are now gone back to driving taxi. With the new computer system the radio is being handled by the girls that are phone operators. I can work an entire day now without the radio even being on. That is good for my stress level because I don't have to listen to the attitude and arguing that was going on. Quality is important.

Tampa Bay Lightning - In My Financial Interest

I picked up a newspaper reporter today who was from Boston and down here covering the match between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. We had a great conversation and he told me he had lived all his life in Boston but was a rare journalist nowadays - he was impartial and objective. I agree.

ESPN is very biased against our Tampa Bay Rays and all they want to report on is how few people show up for games, and not how great our pitching is and batting. This guy has the right attitude.

He asked me If I follow hockey. "Not really," I told him but it is an economic fact that a long playoff run in NHL hockey will put money in a Tampa Bay taxi drivers pocket. I made $150 today and it has been a long time since I did that....The series is tied at 1-1 with Tampa at home ice tonight. GO LIGHTNING!!

Tampa At Night And Back Up And Running

I have had a tough week. The change of weather and the drop off in business has not been good. I ran into Big Mike the other day at the shop. He still thinks night taxi driving is the way to go but he does admit there are many Yellow cabs out in the So-Ho area and camping out at the Hyde Park Cafe and McDinttons. You have to pick your shots and be ready to roll on calls The new computer GPS dispatch will give you the mileage of any call you bid on. This is good. However, the best part is you can actually get to the call because of light traffic at night. Did you know that the Florida Highway Patrol estimates that 60% of the drivers on the road on a Saturday night have alcohol in their system. Man, I would not have thought that.

There May Be A Meter Raise For Taxis In Tampa

United Cab Taxi Meter

Paul Hinton told me today that there was a meeting with the Transportation Commission Of Hillsborough County and they are considering a raise on the drop from $2.00 to $3.00. I think this is necessary so that the taxi drivers who have to buy their own gas can make a living. This small amount could be the difference of being able to run the cabs or park them. There is a breaking or tipping point and we are almost there. I am glad that the companies are recognizing this.

There will not be a raise on the per mile charge or the waiting time. I believe on the drop is the right way to go.