Re:The 144 Million Dollar Button
by jcampbell1 on Sunday May 13, 2012 @12:02PM
(#3967324)
This is actually allowed. They are allowed to pick one final ride in the direction they are headed at the end of their shift.
That being said, report them anyway and they will have to prove the time and date actually corresponds to the end of their shift. The fines are pretty steep and the drivers almost never prevail against the taxi commission.
How do you tell if he's actually off duty or just dicking around?
Re:The 144 Million Dollar Button
by michaelochurch on Sunday May 13, 2012 @09:27AM
(#3966936)
If he's pulls over and asks you where you're going, then he's not actually off-duty. If he refuses to take you (either because you don't answer or because he doesn't like your answer) then you should report him.
Authentically off-duty cab drivers will do exactly what you say. They ask you where you are going and don't unlock unless they like your answer. I'm not saying that abuse never happens, but this scenario is perfectly valid for cab drivers on their way home.
Source: http://nycitycab.com/NYC%20Taxi%20Guide.aspx#offduty
The lights.
A NYC cab's lights look like this:
|O|Number|O|
Where "O" is "Off Duty" in smaller letters.
If just the Number is lit, they're available, on the clock.
If Just the Os are lit, they have a fare.
If both are lit, they're available, with destination discretion.
If none are lit, they're not working at all.
It doesn't actually matter. Report him if he pulls this shit.