TD Wannabe II ( On The Road Version )

last SG · 2012-01-31T21:27:05+00:00

It's an example of OMO-ing .OMO got no time for such "luxuries" online .Sleep also not enuf time liao .Some say relax here relax there , still OMO not fun .I...

Khoon2580 SG

Q AP muz do homework one...

when to Q... when not to Q...

wat time which terminal can try... how many flights landing... plane capacity... full load or no pax de... disembarking pax or transit flight...

how many taxis inside the Q... how long will it take for u to reach inside... time taken from plane landed to pax reach taxi stand... likely destinations of pax...

moving about from terminal to terminal... where are the turning points... if png... where are the short cuts...

also note tat those display signboards not accurate one hor...

den decide worth to Q for extra $3... or head somewhere else to find pax....

Khoon2580 SG

TS no more TD wannabe... already a TD...

chief poolie... muz change thread name lei...

Skyjus23 SG

thanks striveon.....will be collecting my taxi tomorrow...

Skyjus23 SG

striveon which gps brand/model r u using now? thought of getting one. Or is there any recommendation from bro out there?

StriveOn SG

striveon which gps brand/model r u using now? thought of getting one. Or is there any recommendation from bro out there?

I am using the Garmin 2465.

At first very cumbersome, but after some practice, can get location in under 30 secs. unless key wrongly. Put it in a place where you can rest your wrist while keying.

I realised that using the "3D" display, I learn Nothing. Now I am using the "NORTH UP"

If you are asking the Seniors for recommendations, most probably they will tell you to use the GPS between your ears.

StriveOn SG

Yesterday, I did not sign in, but saw the comments by Teolk about queuing at the airport.

Dunno why, take the prick, hit the head, go and Q again at airport that afternoon.

I promised myself not to go near the airport again until I am more familiar with the Airport Strategy.

StriveOn SG

In the late evening, when I pick a pax from Bukit Merah or City, and they want to go Punggol, or Woodlands, or Jurong West. Somehow I feel euphoric, because it's a long journey.

BUT, after the pax alight, kana sai.

No connections, no heavy human traffic. Cannot decide whether to drive 20+ km back to town. End up going in circles.

StriveOn SG

Today got one guy ask for Causeway Checkpoint.

So I bring him to Woodlands Center Road.

Then he look out in bewilderment, and ask where is the Causeway Point.

Causway Point is at Civic Center, Woodlands Square.

Alamak. Causeway Point become Causeway Checkpoint.

StriveOn SG

My shortest trip so far is from Boon Keng MRT Taxi Stand on Serangoon Road to Whampoa West. Fare : $3.40

A fat Indian woman who could not walk fast. Even from the kerb to my Taxi, she breathe heavily. I think must be something important and she have to rush home, and she cannot walk fast.

The distance is like 2 HDB Blocks. If you look at the map, it is like running along the side of Block 34 (curve block)

So all you guys out there, who got 2 legs and can move around easily, please be thankful.

StriveOn SG

TODAY already 2 weeks after I got my Taxi.

I am preparing a short write-up. After that, probably I will let this thread sink into the many treasures you can find in this TD Forum.

Thank you for all the support and criticism.

During the last few months, I saw a lot of newbies joining, as compared to the past.

I also saw a nuclear reaction, followed by an explosion (the limo fiasco) But I sincerely hope that all of us even though in different niche business, are still united as Transporters.

An analogy. Even though I see Sonatas zooming in and out as though the road belongs to them. Somehow, when I put out my hands to signal I need to go right, they gave way to me.

I believe this should be the spirit.

The competition is tough, but if you need some help, there will always be help.

Poolman SG

My shortest trip so far is from Boon Keng MRT Taxi Stand on Serangoon Road to Whampoa West. Fare : $3.40

Something u learnt today , just to add a bit .

Every MRT taxi stand , has got almost the same type of "feeder-service" customers .

U just have to understand why are they taking a cab , and their habits .

Then u'll know when to pick there and when not to .

Just an example , morning peak , Jurong East MRT station t/s, i would say put of 10 , 6 are going to IBP .

U can ask those AM shift seniors .

Then i observe , IBP got bus service mah , why still pay so much for taxis or walk ?

Then i found those answers .

ericgo SG

Yes, totally agree with you about drinking water. My lips start to crack a little, and my skin a little dry. Could it be the car air-con?

The Air-con brings down the humidity, so I am in an environment that is very dry, for long periods of time.

I have a 0.8 litre bottle besides me, and a 2 litre bottle of water in the boot.

yes its the dryness of the aircon plus the 2 aircon duct blower right in front of the driver.....dun know wch idiot at toyota design it this way....i still prefer the older version of wish of 2004/2005

Alvin87a SG

i like it:I also saw a nuclear reaction, followed by an explosion (the limo fiasco) But I sincerely hope that all of us even though in different niche business, are still united as Transporters.

StriveOn SG

FAQ Format for StriveOn

Seniors, please pardon me, because these may bore you.

But if you happen to read through, do give some comments, thanks.

StriveOn SG

How long does it take from the time I intend to become a taxi driver until I drive a taxi?

Send in the form to LTA. They say one month but usually about 2 weks +

After receive approval letter, immediately go for X-Ray and Medical check-up, should cost you around $13, and $20.

Then use the medical documents, together with your ‘O’ Level cert (to show you can speak simple English), go apply for the TVDL Course.

TVDL Course, got express 3 weeks or Normal 6 weeks. Then you must factor in the waiting for the course to start, say 3 weeks.

After pass, wait 3 weeks to 1 month for LTA to process your TVDL.

Once you receive your licence, choose the Taxi Company to take up a Taxi. Can be immediate (Transcab Wish) to 2 weeks wait (SMRT Crown) or 3 months wait (Comfort Sonata) but these data are accurate only during my time.

So, all in all, about 2 weeks + 2 days + 3 weeks + 3 weeks + 4 weeks. => 12+ weeks

I conceived my idea on the 23 Dec 2011, and I sign out my Taxi (Transcab Wish) in mid-March 2012.

StriveOn SG

Is Taxi Driving suitable for me?

Actually, this question is more important than the first one. But people always want to ask the first one only. These are my experiences as a newbie.

Do you have the physical stamina? There is no auto-pilot in taxi driving. Any small mistake you make will end up as an accident. Either you off your engine and rest your eyes and brain (no income), or you focus full-time on the road (got dangerous income). And you do it for at least 8 hours (because it takes you 6 to 8 hours to break even).

Do you have the emotional stamina ? Can you take it when get scolding or bad remarks, even from people who should be respecting you ? (in age).

Do you have the mental stamina? There will be days when after 2 or 3 hours, and you cannot even hit your 1 hour target. If this happens for an extended period, then how? Start to have second thoughts why you join Taxi Driving.

Do you have the competitive stamina? It’s dog eat dog out there. Everytime you see a pax, someone else took it. One left turn and you get your pax, but another taxi from the left make a U-turn and took YOUR Pax. Because the stoopid traffic light in front of you is Red. Somebody overtook you, and 2 seconds later, you see him on the left picking up a Pax. If it happens many times, how? Start to have second thoughts why you join Taxi Driving.

Many things to consider, consider it carefully.

StriveOn SG

If you have a job, or can get a full time job, my advice is :

Don’t join full time Taxi Driving.

The simple reason is that you have an option, and when you have an option, it is a matter of time before you start to wonder why you join Taxi Driving.

StriveOn SG

Be a Hirer or a Relief?

Hirer is responsible to the taxi company for almost everything, but the relief is responsible to the hirer to keep his taxi in proper condition, and paying him.

Almost every senior TD will tell you to be a relief first. Because you don’t have to be burdened with being responsible to the Taxi Company. Relief throw key is easy, only ethics involved. Hirer throw key more complicated, legal implications.

When you first drive, you may not make your expected target. You have to ‘settle’ into your driving habbit. Then you can decide whether you want to continue as a Relief or switch to a Hirer.

It is very stressful if you cannot make enough, as a Hirer, to cover the Rental and Fuel.

Unless you like me, pay $97 to park the Taxi, and don’t let it affect your brain.

I am not rich, just that my situation not same as yours. I used to drive a Honda Stream, and I support my wife’s errands because she have a few foreign students staying with us. I also have tuition with a few students. Even though the tuition is not lucrative, at least I spend part of my working time away from the road, which is good. I cut cost on the Honda Stream (Sold already, no more monthly payments, cannot tahan) so if I drive a minimum of 6 hours, I would cover the cost of the Car for the day. That’s why I am the MIN (Most Idle Newbie)

StriveOn SG

What is my biggest challenge when I join TD?

I am educated beyond a Diploma (very shy) so the tests are not a problem to me. My biggest challenge is in knowing the routes. My first 10 days, I am completely blurr, completely dependent on my GPS. Don’t know where I am going, forgot where I came from.

I really admire the TDs more than a decade ago, how did they manage to go through this stage?

Then I got flu, had to rest at home. Paid Transcab $97 to park the taxi at home. During this resting, I start to think. And I made some simple changes to the way I do things.

I change my GPS to North Up instead of 3D view. 3D view is like looking through 2 empty carton, cannot have an idea of your surroundings, whereas North-up, you can still see where you are in relation to your surroundings. Also tells me whether I am going North, South, East or West.

Instead of studying routes that I want to know, I now ‘review’ the routes I have taken during the day. The memory is still fresh, and the brain can make the connection because I went that way earlier in the day.

I also practiced on my GPS, to get a location within 30 secs. The correct spelling, the correct sequence, using which part of your finger tip to get a response from the GPS.

There are improvements, but at this point, after 2+ weeks, I am still blurr on many locations, which exits to take, how to get to the expressways from inside an estate. Still Blurr, but improving bit by bit.

Must keep on improving, they call that Conitnuous Improvements.

StriveOn SG

Will I give up Taxi Driving?

Very Unlikely.

When I embark on something, I try to use ‘Burn the Boats’ concept.

There was a King, who had hundreds of boats to ferry his soldiers to a land far away. After the soldiers have landed, he ordered all the boats to be burnt.

So what is inside the head of this King? Simple. No turning back.

I enjoy meeting people and being of ‘service’ to them. My biggest fear, is not knowing the routes. Even if Pax says will guide me, they give scanty instructions, expecting you to know the rest.

I also know that the thing you fear the most, you must keep doing it. That’s why I kept driving, not knowing where I go, where I came from. And after 10 days, I got enough experiences to work on an improvement plan.

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