Forums Forums Wirral Information Jobs - Training Taxi driver. Private hire.

Ive never read so much drivel as is posted in this thread.

Very few things written above are true or even close to the truth.

Stephen, you get out what you put in, simple, because most of the above is b****cks.

U a taxi driver then?

Go on then, you have a go at explaining the truth, instead of vague accusations! I would also be interested to know if you are an employer or an employee (or both)!

Vague accusations??? I have no idea what you mean.

An employer i am not, i have been in the past though. What do you mean an "employee"? You mean an operator i presume, as most drivers are self-employed so not employees but contractors.

Explain what you mean and i may be able to answer more proficiently.

Started operating at 15, went on the road at 20, before badges were needed. Been on the road and operating ever since. Im 41 now. Ive co-owned a couple of firms, and helped start from scratch 2, one still running very well, the other was merged a few years ago.
So all in 26 years from all sides of the job, i'd say ive got a few valid opinions.

And yes i actually know a couple of posters on here, though they dont know who i am

(Hello V)....

Do you remember Murphy & Shakeshaft and Bill B?

Forgotten their full names but I used to hang around with all three at one time.

Why I asked about being and employer was that the perspective from Taxi Operators and Taxi Drivers does seem to be a bit different. On the other hand, the drivers have always moaned so its difficult to tell if its worse or not

I never knew a driver who didn't moan about doing it (maybe one) my brother in law did it for years and finaly got out. He did it cos he couldnt find anything else to do.

Murphy from Rock ferry? Cant place the other names to be honest.

Taxi operators do have different perspectives from drivers, no doubt about that.

Drivers always moan, very few dont, im guilty of that too. But to be honest ive always put it down to the way they do the job. Ive got family who are drivers and i told them from the start to work a simple system of how to pay themselves, dont fall into the trap of living to a standard where you have to chase the money. But they dont listen, so they slot into the trap of NEEDING to earn xxx amount because they have raised their lifestyle to fit it, as opposed to living to a set means. Most drivers are the same to be honest. Theres a couple of guys now running Audis as cabs, nice motors, but not the cheapest to run. So to make a wage they have to earn a little bit more than someone with a Mondeo. Means a few more hours here and there, so if they dont make what they need, they moan.

The thing is its not a job per se, its a lifestyle. You have to accept compromises. Going out on a Saturday night with your missus or mates means not only what you will spend, but knowing you've lost £250 in wages for that night too. Its hard to enjoy a rink when you know what its cost you

I love the job to be honest, so much so its not my main job anymore but i cant give it up. Ive tried many times, but i only last a couple of months. I miss the people, the things you see, the nutters, the funny things that happen. The money almost becomes secondary to the job.

Sad i know.

Yup most lads moan.

I got into it just for some Xmas money...........26 years ago lol.
Its the worst job in the world if you try and use it as a stop gap. Going from pleasing yourself when you work, what hours you do, within reason dictating your own wages etc etc to a structured 9-5 type job answering to others is hard, very hard. I know plenty of drivers who are conditioned to the job now, they couldnt hack a 9-5 if they were paid 50k a year

I know one lad i used to work with called Paul Round, his missus wanted him to pack it in and work a 9-5 etc etc, so give him his due, after doing the job on nights for a few years he packed in. But for the next 2 years he still drove round the town centre on a Saturday night at club kicking out time as he couldnt get used to not being down there on a Saturday night. He would actually get out of bed at 1am, with his missus, and just spend an hour driving round nosing at the madness you see.

It gets you like that

Thanks for that B2U, I enjoyed reading that

Murphy was "Murphy's Taxis" quite a fleet of private hire cars, all the same model.

Dave Shakeshaft was Murphy's sidekick, a loveable rogue type character, but him had Murphy had a big blow up, something like Dave was either moonlighting or even started up his own company while still working for Murphy. Dave and his missus used to be landlords at the Rock Villa, I think they split up and last I saw of her she was Manageress of the restaurant at the Glegg Arms. I'm not sure if they had something to do with the Kings in Bebington at some point as well.

Bill B, I thing he owned Argyle Taxis then semi-retired by doing the disabled school runs with a 8 or 12 seater. He also had a "speakeasy" in his basement which eventually he applied for a licence and got turned down. He also got into flying micro-lites and could be seen in the skies quite often.

I remember Murphy well. His cars were all bright orange Morris Itals.
I vaguely remember Dave, but to be honest my area of work has generally been up towards Upton, Greasby, Moreton and this side of the Wirral.