Just curious abt how many would rather like a different job than
taxi driving, if given a chance, or actually scout around for
one.
Of course don't start comparing with 'super jobs' that offer
salaries way above what you earn now as a TD. Like that who don't
want, become a manager, sit behind a desk and draw 5k or more a
month.
No I'm talking about jobs that offer the same salary scale,
maybe slightly more, say perhaps say a friend asks you to run his
shop at 2-3k a month, or even if you really want a high paying job
but very labour intensive - working on Jurong island or
similar.
My friend works there reading oil samples, can easily clock
3k a month, if really push can hit 4-5k a month (incl
OT).
But that job not easy, must climb up stairs, be very safety
conscious and work 10 - 12 hour stretches sometimes.
Would you rather give up the flexibility that comes with TD
driving for a confirmed rice bowl that doesn't have the negative
impact or risks that go with TDriving?
These of course include
A) Being on the road everyday (thus a possibility of getting
into a serious accident is much higher than other jobs - doesn't
mean you hv to hit someone, others can also hit you and leave in in
a bad way)
B) Work sitting down for long hours - not healthy for the body.
Causes stomach ailments at the very least, to things like diabetes,
high blood and heart attacks at the other end.
C) No Bonus / No Fixed Salary. If the economy stalls, then
almost certainly your takings will go down as well.
D) No Health Policies - If you fall sick you're on your own.
Loss of income auto, but if you need to be hospitalised etc, it's
your own cash. You hv to buy your own policies if you can afford
it.
E) No annual leave or confirmed paid off days. You want to take
leave or off, you don't get paid, sometimes you even hv to pay to
take leave/off - rental charges.
F) Facing All Sorts of Wackos - Being in service industry or
serving the public, you'll definitely have your own bad
experiences, far more than someone working in an office
environment.
G) No CPF/Medisave - You want, you put yourself.
H) Summonses - Again being on the road, it's not a question of
if but when you'll get one and how many too.
I) No Job Security / Retirement Benefits - Your ability to
remain a TD depends entirely on your ability to drive and the
amount of hours you put into it. If you can't drive = No money. If
you tire easily and can't drive longish hours, you earn less.
And of course, if really unfortunate:
J) Victim of a crime - You hv a higher chance of being robbed,
assaulted, cheated and in some cases - murdered, than most jobs in
Singapore. As a lone ranger, some criminals see TDs as easy
targets. True it's low here compared to other countries but it
still happens and there's a small percentage that you could be that
unfortunate statistic.
So it's not easy being a TD, despite what is written and said by
netizens, press reports and the general public. Of course they are
some benefits/advantages - if not, one would be crazy to
drive a cab, but you have to overcome the obstacles listed above to
make this job work for you.
And of course, any other less taxing job that offers similar
types of salary also has it's pros and cons.
Would you consider them at some point or just prefer to make
TDriving your final job in life, unless of course a really
lucrative job offer comes that makes it obvious to change
professions.
I'll offer my own observations later.
Any lobang for the oil sample job ?
i would like to give it a shot if gven a chance.