To be or not to be... a TD

• Pandanchen

  10 Sep 16, 01:18

  Originally posted by Jasonlkl:

  Any fun, interesting, strange or nasty driving experiences to share?

  too many story to tell you over coffee

   

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cai_Mingjie 

   

  this is the highest educated taxi driver. maybe i am second on the list :)

• Jasonlkl

  11 Sep 16, 07:52

  Yes thanks! Nice book. Interesting to read the daily challenges he met on the road.
• foolsh_2000

  11 Sep 16, 13:16

  This former FT he is smart.after experiencing taxi drvg published a book.make money alrdy.went back China become  professor again! 

• Jasonlkl

  11 Sep 16, 20:22

  Haha! Luckily i only borrowed from library
• Pandanchen

  12 Sep 16, 01:12

  end of the year is peak period for TD

  are you driving yet ?

• Jasonlkl

  12 Sep 16, 13:37

  Attending comfort MDT course next week. Planning to drive part time once found a suitable hirer
• bowah

  14 Sep 16, 11:12

  Dun read his book lah, will send you to Holland, taxi driving is not about your status in the society, it is about the passion and the job you wanted in life, but if you are thinking of earning big, or telling story, sorry, this is not the job. During his time, there were no apps rides, if have, I think he would had joined them. Money is a need, we all cannot deny it, especially so in the context of Singapore high living cost, however, money is not permanent, it can bring you a short period of happiness, but most of the time, prolong period of unhappiness due to shortage of it. Therefore, to truly touch one soul, one hv to sincerely ask himself, what do you want in life, some people take up taxi is because it is all about self, ME or I, out of the corporate world of dirty politics, out of the world of back stabbing and bossing. So, you need to have that passion in you to truly say, I enjoy driving and serving others by transporting them from A to B or B to C, and that there is no one to blame except ME, and I answer for my own action and hold my own responsibility by earning an honest living by getting pay from direct serving others. You got to have that passion, otherwise, forget about it, it either you get out in a month or you go on and keep grumbling this and that even after 20 years of driving taxis.
• Jasonlkl

  14 Sep 16, 16:52

  Most job cannot earn big money nowadays. i am also not an ambitious person. This trade probably suits me.
• Taxilim88

  15 Sep 16, 10:34

  Originally posted by bowah:

  Dun read his book lah, will send you to Holland, taxi driving is not about your status in the society, it is about the passion and the job you wanted in life, but if you are thinking of earning big, or telling story, sorry, this is not the job. During his time, there were no apps rides, if have, I think he would had joined them.

  Money is a need, we all cannot deny it, especially so in the context of Singapore high living cost, however, money is not permanent, it can bring you a short period of happiness, but most of the time, prolong period of unhappiness due to shortage of it.

  Therefore, to truly touch one soul, one hv to sincerely ask himself, what do you want in life, some people take up taxi is because it is all about self, ME or I, out of the corporate world of dirty politics, out of the world of back stabbing and bossing.

  So, you need to have that passion in you to truly say, I enjoy driving and serving others by transporting them from A to B or B to C, and that there is no one to blame except ME, and

  I answer for my own action and hold my own responsibility by earning an honest living by getting pay from direct serving others. You got to have that passion, otherwise, forget about it, it either you get out in a month or you go on and keep grumbling this and that even after 20 years of driving taxis.

  Aiyah..ppl drive teksi for all kinds of reasons lah.

  1. Some drive because got no choice.  No education and cannot get a better job.

  2. Some drive because they kiam ah long.

  3. Some drive because they want to go find their bak bak.

  4. Some drive because they cannot stand their lau kuay bu nagging all the time.

  5. Some drive because got criminal record and no company want to hire them.

  6. Some drive because they cannot stand corporate world back stabbing and nonsense.

  7. Some drive because they just cannot work with people.

  8. Some drive because retired and got nothing better to do.

  So, how many left who drive because of the passion, like to drive and like to serve people? That's why TDs got all kinds of A**holes, chut all kinds of pattern and pax usually see a stoned and emotionless uncle at the wheel.

  Want to beat Grab and Uber? Then up the service level and provide exceptional service with a smile to make the pax happy. 

• bowah

  15 Sep 16, 11:31

  I lor, I drive with passion, a person who work with passion is a always a happy person, it is not about the hard work or passion for money alone, it is about what you enjoy, but of course you hv to take the good and bad of any industrial, the good times and bad times aka OBK times. I know many do not find it passionate to drive taxis, but still drive because of this and that, but no matter what reason you can give to be a taxi driver, you are a taxi driver, full stop. Just remember you are already a taxi driver, and since already truly a taxi driver, might as well enjoy it, be passion about it, otherwise, life will be more frustrating, more anger and more discontent.
• Jasonlkl

  15 Sep 16, 12:39

  Yes. These are all common and very real reasons. Honestly, I don't think i will be proud to be td but i will be overall happier. And that's my reason,
• Jasonlkl

  16 Sep 16, 07:28

  I have been seriously thinking abt being a td for past 3 mths. I am with my current job for 5 years. Not earning alot but sufficient. Unfortunately, my spouse is not so supportive when I mentioned i want to be a td. I understand her worries which is financial. However, I am unhappy with my job. Dragging myself to work everyday. Management sometimes wants us to do things we disagree or dislikes but lan lan must follow. Also i have completely lost my interest and passion with my job. My leave last min cannot approved due to lack of manpower so unable to attend my comfort MDT and basic customer service course next wk. All of us were told to avoid apply leave till end year unless emergency . Very frustrated but bo bian. Just want to share my thoughts and my current situation here.
• Elginang

  16 Sep 16, 07:45

  Originally posted by Jasonlkl:

  Yes. These are all common and very real reasons. Honestly, I don’t think i will be proud to be td but i will be overall happier. And that’s my reason,

  ya sure ya want to be a td?

  Ya current job have cpf contribution, which has an additional of 16%.

  but if ya do td, dont have cpf at all... y not consider switch a new job?

• Jasonlkl

  16 Sep 16, 09:07

  Thanks for your kind reminder. I am a o level holder . During younger days, i switch jobs alot so my job history is very poor. I agree with u regarding cpf. The additional 17% as of now is helpful to me as ii am still paying housing loan. If i drive taxi, i need to set aside monthly $500 cash for cpf housing provided my wife is still working and contributing with no additional montly cpf savings. That's why i now suck thumb keeping my job knowing that i really dislike it. I joined this forum to know more abt td real life experiences and estimated income. Becos once i made my decision, i know there is no turning back. I cannot assured/ convinced/ promised my wife that i can take care of our expenses monthly being a td. She knows it very well too. Have u guys been through this stage? I am sure some have.
• bowah

  16 Sep 16, 09:31

  We worst than you, I only PSLE, also cannot pass. Our time is different from you, that time I drive taxis in the late 80s, no apps, no hp, no GPS, only got one walkie and horse racing calender, we still can earn and afford to bungalow, now drive taxi can end up in a gallow/hospital. As Chinese saying, every trade produce it own scholars except taxi driving. So my advice is, dun even think of driving taxis, if you really need an assurance on why it is not wise to join taxi driving, I can sent my Bro Ah Fool to give you a one to one lecture, FOC.
• Jasonlkl

  16 Sep 16, 10:16

  Ya. The current taxi rental costs really so much different compared to the past making it tough to earn enough. Not to the extent that i need a counselor lah. Lol! However, another good advice for me today.
• f1taxidriver

  16 Sep 16, 16:25

  Jasonlkl, mind sharing what kind of work you have that is so unpleasant that you think cabbies got a better deal?

  I honestly think even those working in mcdonalds got better life than cabbies.

   

• Jasonlkl

  16 Sep 16, 17:15

  Sure but i prefer to share part of it. My job basically is like indoor sales, working hrs more to office hour timing. I get a basic pay and sales commissions. I sell product to people who need it. After sales, i get commission. i usually need to service that customer for next 3 to 7 years before i can get to earn his/her commission again. Company do not provide much training so alot of things u need to deal on your own. During these 5 years, i will need to handle my customers complaints, dissatisfaction, phone calls, entertain him/ her etc. i worked 6 days a week. 14 days annual leave. Medical coverage not so good. I get my 13th mth bonus every year.
• Taxilim88

  16 Sep 16, 17:30

  Originally posted by Jasonlkl:

  Sure but i prefer to share part of it. My job basically is like indoor sales, working hrs more to office hour timing. I get a basic pay and sales commissions. I sell product to people who need it. After sales, i get commission. i usually need to service that customer for next 3 to 7 years before i can get to earn his/her commission again. Company do not provide much training so alot of things u need to deal on your own. During these 5 years, i will need to handle my customers complaints, dissatisfaction, phone calls, entertain him/ her etc. i worked 6 days a week. 14 days annual leave. Medical coverage not so good. I get my 13th mth bonus every year.

  Aiyah, if your current job sucks, then switch lor.. 

  As a TD,

  Pros:

  1. Flexibility, yes but comes at a price.  You decide whether you want to work or not and not others decide for you against your will.

  2. You get to meet all kinds of people.  Some nice, most neutral and few nasty.

  3. You get to go places that you have never been or thought existed, but once in a while only. You can see some nice houses and atas condos.

  4. You do not bring your work worries home unless you get involved in accidents or trouble with pax.  End of shift, switch off engine and go home be with family peacefully.  Every day, start engine is a new day.

  5. You may meet some very nice pax who chat with you on interesting topics, offer you food and drinks or give good tips.

  Cons:

  1. Health wise, you may suffer.  But if you know how to eat properly, take breaks to rest well and exercise properly, should be sustainable.

  2. You are on the roads 12 hrs or more a day.  Safety is paramount. Drive safe, don't be impatient and give way even if you have the right of way to avoid accidents at all costs.

  3. You do meet some nasty pax occasionally but keeping a cool head and sometimes apologising usually solves the problem.

  4. Fare evaders can happen to you.  Just take it in the right spirit and move on.

  5. It is a job that ppl look down on.  But if you are not bothered how others including your friends and relatives see you, then should be no problem.  It is an honest living.

  Financial wise, if you are not a big spender, you can raise a family comfortably.  50,000 taxi drivers are doing it, you should be no exception.  Your wife needs to give her support, not in the financial sense, but she should not feel inferior to be the wife of a taxi driver.  Then all will be fine. Safety on the roads is very important.  Any other problem can be resolved.

  If you are young, go upgrade yourself.  This is to give yourself another path to walk on should you want to get out of this trade in the future. Good luck and drive safe.

• decent02

  16 Sep 16, 17:46

  See most discussion here abt pay comparison , cpf , annual leave etc. First ask yourself these question before even thinking about taxi vocation. Are you a above average skill driver Are you able to manoeuvre fast at tight space situation Are you a fast driver Are you cool level headed Do you have good sense of road direction Do you have high EQ...required as a td Some decent IQ required too Play games with pa
• decent02

  16 Sep 16, 17:57

  Play games with pax , TP , ph drivers, other tds. Are you able to drive 3 hours non stop Are you able to clock min 200km everyday So you need to consider the attributes required to be a td. Not the $$$ Listen to bowah die faster. Talk abt service..and be happy serving people. Just point A to point B without taking longer routes...this is the basic service..simple as that...I am happy when my yi yang zi press faster than anyone else...and then got a AP job after midnight.is a dog eat dog world as a td..not as easy as you think. Certain company after certain time employee then can claim taxi fares ..this type of info need to know...
• Jasonlkl

  16 Sep 16, 18:34

  Really appreciate all for the replies and helpful info! Will read thru all your comments again and share my thoughts soon.
• Elginang

  16 Sep 16, 19:58

  Originally posted by Jasonlkl:

  Really appreciate all for the replies and helpful info! Will read thru all your comments again and share my thoughts soon.

  Actually you dont need to share your thoughts so fast....go drive on the road for a month 1st. :)

• Taxilim88

  16 Sep 16, 22:15

  Initial month will be tough though...not familiar with routes, get scolding, may get traffic summons etc..

  Not used to sitting long hours same position in confined air con space. Get dehydrated until urine also dark yellow in colour. Back aches after a while, legs numb etc.  Some can tahan, others give up....

• bowah

  17 Sep 16, 09:05

  huh? drive taxi must hv high EQ and IQ want meh??? no wonder my ah fool laughing... aiya, today, MOM minister Lim sia suay said, Singapore still got 30 thousands jobs available in all sector, why must choose taxi driving leh??? later my ah fool will said, siao liao, another competitor on the road. And to be frank, most taxi drivers (born during the baby booming period) who drove until 50s or late 40s or even 60s had in a way regretted that they are taxi driver, could had chose a better career like casket driving, bus driving or even a storekeeper job, by this time and age, most would had become leaders, supervisors, managers or even set up own business from the niche of their experiences. Must remember that Taxi driving is a non advance career (or should not be a career). That is why you see many older TDs like those above everyday kpkb this and that, some drive until ki siao, many drive until go hospital and have premature dead,..which is also good for our casket business. Many have anxiety deficiency and hypertension within them, and also psychic mental issue that go on non observed. You will notice they get angry very fast, and suddenly change of personality is common among taxi drivers. Many survive thru hallucination of "if", if I kena toto, if I kena 4D, if I am younger, if I got money...if my lanjiao still can...