What’s happened to taxis? I guess I’m behind the times, but I always thought that hailing a cab was an institution as reliable as getting an ambulance; simply call and they’re there. I found out the hard way recently that it doesn’t work like that anymore.
Normally when entering a hospital for a procedure under general anesthesia, you are instructed to have somebody drive you home afterward because of the risks associated with drowsiness and foggy brain in the first hours of recovery. Since I knew I had a ride home, it was simply saving that ride the inconvenience of having to get up with me before sunrise by having the local cab company drive me there. I had my reliable phone number handy, and double-checked it online for good measure.
Imagine my surprise when I called and got a message that the number was not in service at that time! I’m not sure if that means they’re not on duty 24 hours or not, but they were not “old reliable” anymore.
Desperately, I checked five other local cab companies. Finally, I got through to a place with one gentleman on duty who chastised me for waiting to call. That was my first clue that taxis don’t stand by these days waiting to grab a fare when they ring for a pick-up before five in the morning. He said he would “do his best” to come himself to get me, and I didn’t gather from his tone that he felt compelled to be timely, so I replied that I would wait until 5:15 for him.
I ended up driving myself, and my ride home came with a passenger to follow while they drove me home in my car.
So I guess I am really naive and getting old and dotty, thinking that some things are less likely to change, like depending on taxis. Since my landline only rings when somebody wants to sell me a new extended car warranty, this is probably just something else to play “Taps” for. At least they’re going before I am.
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