Paradise Driver: AND THE WEEK ENDS

Sunday, October 07, 2007

AND THE WEEK ENDS

WITH A "BANG"!

I am bone dead exhausted. 4 fan-fucking-tastic nights in a row. Only because its been so slow for so long I had forgotten what a normal shift is like. Last night, actually this entire week, has been what I used to consider as normal. It been well over a year since business was this good.

Got out of town TWICE last night. Once to OGG from Wailea and a second time to Wailuku from Wailea. After the OGG I was sent to do a pickup from Mama's Fish House back to Wailea. A day driver had dropped them at 7p or so and the owner figured that I was the closest cab and they should probably be getting ready to return, it was a little after 9p. Dropped my OGG at 9:15p and was at Mama's by 9:25p. Went inside to the Maitre d' and asked him to let the party know that I was there when they were ready. Emphasized that I didn't want them to feel rushed by my message, just that they had a ride when they finished dining. They weren't there! Well, maybe they were strolling the beautiful grounds, which isn't uncommon. Advised dispatch that I couldn't find them but would linger around. At 10:10p dispatch advised me that they had just called. They were back at their resort in Wailea and wouldn't need a ride. A dining companion had given them a ride back. Altogether, a lost hour of income.

Our new driver & Saturday night dispatcher, Terry (#07), from 9p to 2a got a real workout. I would grade him at a B+ for last night. Which is actually EXCELLENT since it was only his second night with the phone.

We were rolling "hot-n-heavy" from when I logged in until 2:30a. Bar close was a madhouse. Just three of us to cover about 20 fares at bar-close, most of which went into Wailea and Makena. All good fares but also time consuming. 10 to 20 minutes out and the same amount of time back.

2 of the day drivers checked in very, very early this morning. Prim (#22) at 2:30a and Flor (#27) at 3:40a. Maybe, just maybe, it might be because they were aware of a Wailea to Kapalua at 5:30a. Thats about $120, one-way.

About 4a, while I was home doing up all the paperwork for the day shift, I get a call from a little Filipina lady. She spoke so softly that it was impossible to hear her. Every time I asked her to speak louder, she would do just the opposite. I eventually gave up and disconnected. This is not the first time this has happened. It must be a cultural thing that I don't understand. When I begged her to YELL, she whispered even more softly. I even turned the headset volume to the max with no improvement.

If you were asked to speak louder, wouldn't you?
Maybe one of my "island" readers can explain this in a comment.

15 fares / 154 miles / 2nd quarter $200 bracket

Dispatch from home tonight from 6p to 2a. The large group that replaced the luxury car dealers is leaving today and so it should be busy.

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To my Canadian readers:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mahalo

Aloha

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