Yo! Taxi!

Paul Crutcher

Age: 31

City: New Orleans

• Philosophy: "Stay on the path of righteousness and the Lord will take care of me."
• How to avoid a bad cab ride: "If you approach a cab stand with cabs in a line, you do not have to take the first one."
• Benefits of riding in his cab: "No rips or tears. A very nice stereo. I have a cell-phone for my passengers. I know the city like the back of my hand. My vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition."
• Cost from airport to downtown: "For one or two people, $21 flat rate. For three or more, it goes up to $8 per person."

Barry Connor

Age: 54

City: Seattle

• Philosophy: "It's a charm and a pleasure living here."
• How to hail a cab at rush hour: "This is such an un-taxi town -- very few people flag a taxi here. "
• Benefits of riding in his cab: "Efficient, safe, professional ride."
• Cost from airport to downtown: "The average fare to Microsoft and Nintendo is about $35. Downtown Seattle is hovering at $30."

Sidebar: "Take a Tip from Me ... "

1. Always check to see if the driver has an identification card -- and that the photo on it matches the driver.
2. Always look for the cab number -- and don't hesitate to complain to the cab company or city transportation department if the ride doesn't measure up.
3. Before the trip begins, let the driver know you're going to want a receipt -- it's a signal you won't stand for getting ripped off.
4. Count the dents on the side of the cab -- the car says everything about the driver.
5. To hail a cab, stand at the corner, not in the middle of the block. (If you've got luggage, cabs will fight over who gets to pick you up.)
6. After you hail a cab, you're not obligated to get in -- if you don't like the looks of the car or driver, you can blow it off.
7. During rush hour, the easiest place to find a cab is at a hotel.
8. In a line of cabs, you don't have to take the first one -- you can pick out the car and driver you want.
9. The person paying for the cab is the boss -- if you don't want to talk, inhale the driver's smoke, or listen to the radio, just say so.