Confessions of a cabbie - drugs, prostitution, general GTA-esque activity in Sydney (1 Viewer)

[Meldrum]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/confessions-of-a-cabbie/2005/08/11/1123353474674.html

I know Sydney's got its problems, but in the mist of suburban idealism sometimes we can all lose sight of how bad these can be. Whilst homelessness, drug-addiction and crime confront any one who passes by the QVB, at night it appears these problems exponentially increase.

One voice testifying this is that of former-cabbie Peter Barlett:

Another time I was in Petersham and picked up a woman in her late 30s who appeared sober. Not long into our short fare she said: "Have I shown you my pussy?"

She then dropped her trousers and lifted her top to reveal all - before describing her life as a hooker since the age of 13.

I always preferred the cash to the offers of sex from (mainly male) passengers but my mates weren't always so choosey.

Late one midweek night I picked up a large Polynesian woman in Kings Cross and as she stumbled into the front seat I could tell she was drunk. She wouldn't say where she was going but directed me, eventually, to the end of New Beach Road at Rushcutters Bay, where she promptly lifted her dress and expected me to hop on.

While I tried to discreetly explain I wasn't in the mood and needed to make money, she passed out. I ended up at the Phillip Street police station and explained my situation to a couple of young officers, who looked at me and said: "Oh, yeah."

The woman was still asleep when they came outside, after much urging, and even they couldn't raise her. By this time she had rolled over to face the driver, her naked backside pointing roadside. After some yelling and slapping the officers, having a good ol' laugh at my predictament, began pinching her bottom. She awoke and her first words were: "He raped me."

Whilst most of his stories are from the 80's/90's, does anyone know if problems are still as bad as he describes?

Also, in Howard's 'us and them' society are there any plans to change the plight of those less-well-off?

 

[Iron]

Most cabs are fitted with cameras, so the plight of the cabbie is better off. In fact, I think camera surveillance has markedly improved society. What did Winston say about the telescreen? It's best to have a look of quiet optimism.

 

[Rafy]

Ah yes, i read that story a few hours ago.....

Quite an interesting read......If you were desperate, just become a cabbie....

 

[Iron]

Dr Karl was too. On Denton he was saying how he fought for his life a couple of times and knew a few collegues who were killed...
But they're probably still the only ones who know how to run the country.

 

[Meldrum]

A good family friend is a retired cabbie and he said it was actually really hard to become one. Not only do you need to be proficient at defensive (and offensive) driving but you need to know the fastest route to anywhere around the city in a written test.

I.E - Fastest way to The Spot from QVB...George St > Bleh St > Next St ...

But apparently today, foreign cabbies were getting jobs easier as they'd get another foreigner, who looked exactly like them, to sit the exam for them...

 

[braindrainedAsh]

It was a well written and interesting tale, that's for sure.

But it didn't really surprise me that much.... I remember when I moved to Sydney I was surprised a lot (by things like beggars, prostitutes in Kings Cross etc), and that has made me aware that there is this whole other world out there that most of us don't know about.... or maybe we don't want to know about.

One night I had such a nice taxi driver... his wife was having a baby the next day, and he was so friendly. It's funny how little things like that stick in your mind.

 

[SashatheMan]

yuo guys must like "taxidriver" the 70's movie about one driver who is sick of the scum living onm NY streets

 

[Not-That-Bright]

and that has made me aware that there is this whole other world out there that most of us don't know about.... or maybe we don't want to know about.

Oh so deep

 

[White Rabbit]

I have a few regular Sydney cabbies I like, but just about every cabie in batho is really nice!