any suggestions for a new Taxi Driver?

[gunsmith]

Other then saying "you tawkin to me" in my Nu Yawk accent?
I was thinking fanny pack on my lap with my .357 sp101.
I also have a little Titan .25acp it's a little Berrata clone.
Anyone have any experience doing this? any war stories?

[Biker]

I drove for a year and a half. Most miserable job I ever had. Hated it. Although I was offered sex on a number of occasions in return for a discount, none of the offers were made by women who didn't require 'back-up' warnings. You know, "BEEP BEEP BEEP".
I remember I had one fare that owed me thirty bucks. When I told her the total she said "I don't have that much". I asked "How're ya gonna pay?"
She patted her ample rump and said "With this." while giving me what she thought was a provocative smile but reminded me of a poorly carved Jack o' Lantern..
My reply was "Dontcha have anything smaller"?
Horrible job.
I carried a G23 in a shoulder holster (can be reached with either hand), an AMT 380 in my left hip pocket, a Taurus 450 on my left ankle, a Gerber MK I on my right hip and a 4 cell Mag Light.
Biker

[JamisJockey]

I'm not a taxi driver, and never played one on TV, but I did deliver pizzas for about 6 months. I carried a cocked-n-locked 1911 clone in a shoulder holster. Carried in the open in some neighborhoods (it was Arizona). I think the thugs got the point.
I'd carry something with some knockdown power for sure, .45, .357, etc. Also, I'd carry a BUG and some form of non-lethal. A maglite is a good whackin' stick, plus you can use it to check addresses and dark corners where bad people might be. Hell, you might as well carry one of them million candlepower spotlights, plugged into the cig lighter.
Also, think about times where there have been riots and gang assaults. You might be exposed to large numbers of violent and angry people. Carry spare ammo. Several mags on your person.
Sub2000 if you feel the need for a carbine. Folded up and placed into a briefcase.
Maybe a dummy wallet. Someone tries to rob you, drop it and stomp the gas.

[Dr.Rob]

Bulletproof glass between you and the back seat.

J-frame where you can get to it.

Some cab companies don't want their drivers packing heat.

[Biker]

Some cab companies don't want their drivers packing heat.

That's true Doc, but most I've been associated with have a 'don't ask-don't tell' policy and in truth, would rather see you draw down on someone than lose the cash bag.
Biker

[The_Antibubba]

Can you get grants and go back to college? ;)

Hey, you've been meaning to eat less anyway, right?

[c_yeager]

Bear in mind that you are essentially driving the home-delivery version of a 7-11, you look a lot like a big yellow ATM machine to some people. These are people who you are going to allow to sit behind you in a small car in the middle of the night in a dark alley. One thing i would remember is that you can always chicken out on a fare if things look a little too freaky on your arrival.

[Cosmoline]

Driving a taxi would be a lot safer if the passengers rode in FRONT of you. I don't like the idea of potential killers sitting right behind me.

[Mad Man]

Taxi cab drivers are at greater risk of being murdered on the job than any other worker, police officers.

http://volokh.com/2002_04_28_volokh_archive.html#76047815

Occupation : Workplace homicides per 100,000 (1990 - 1992)

Taxicab driver/chauffeur : 22.7
Sheriff/bailiff : 10.7
Police and detective -- public service : 06.1
Gas station/garage worker : 05.9
Security guard : 05.5

[WT]

Take care of your passengers. You are responsible for their lives.

One of them may be my daughter. She has 9 business trips scheduled in the next 5 weeks.

[gunsmith]

I have been keeping my gun (s) handy, I think some of my fares were planning on robbing me but I tend to talk in my nu yawk accent which throws off ppl sometimes.
I'm only going to do this for awhile.
so far no sex offers...

[Biker]

The "sex offers" I got, I took as insults.
*shudders*

Biker

[riverdog]

A guy I knew had a limo service (dark blue Lincoln IIRC) he ran out of his home as a second job. His typical job was to pick up some businessman at home and run him to the airport. Occassionally he got tapped to drive politicos because he had a security clearance. He didn't deal with folks he couldn't trust sitting behind him. Much nicer than driving whomever to/from where-ever.