25 years one vomit,zero pee, zero violence and no boredom, keeping it real. I love the city history and it’s people love the madness of it, boredom for people who simply can’t appreciate simple things in life.
Tom, as an Upstate New York taxi driver, thank you for reminding me why I got into this profession. I've been doing this for 14 years and the relationships that I have developed over that time have really made my heart melt. I love 90% of my customers and want to hear their story. I'm currently struggling with a lot of mismanagement with the company that I work for, but your videos remind me why I got into this profession and what there is at stake. People depend on us daily and not being able to be there for them would be an utter defeat
Seeing someone so content with their life is really heart warming. I have respect for anyone who puts their boots on & does a days work, but doing what you love & not living to work is great to see. Couldn’t be happier for you Tom!
Thanks, it isn't always sunshine and roses, but this video is almost like a gratitude list for me. Whenever I'm having a bad day in the cab, I try and refer back to it 😊
100% agree Simon! It’s lovely to watch and hear isn’t it! Especially given how rare it is becoming. Physical human jobs seem to either be replaced by robots, computers, A.I. & automation or business and management “best practices” seem to focus on regulating the work done and the whole working day. Used to work in a call centre where your toilet break times were measured, praised but never paid for overtime, strict and complicated rules for selling and processing enforced with no room for individuality allowed. Call times also expected to be kept under a certain length where calls that were too long resulted in an employees bonus thresholds getting further away and more unachievable.
@@marcz6838 completely agree Marc. It’s really sad to see the experiences you’ve mentioned echoed in the news lately with Amazon workers pissing in a bottle rather than take a toilet break & miss the targets set by our tech overlords. That’s why we need to back cabbies & reject Uber or driverless cabs when they arrive, not everything can be reduced to convenience & efficiency. Let the corporations know we reject this Orwellian nightmare they have planned for us all.
I am a cab driver in Amsterdam. It’s the best job I ever had. I love people, also difficult people (they are a challenge),see the season’s changes, I have a lot of freedom. I drive also a LVC TX it drives superb. I love your channel and recognize a lot of things your are talking about.
Being a cabbie myself since 2007, thanks for reminding me about all the good stuff. I tend to take all of it for granted. My biggest problem with the job is feeling comfortable taking time off, since like you mentioned you could potentially be working 24/7 :/ Especially on Saturday nights, watching all the other cabbies drive by when you're a bit drunk, I can't help thinking "I could be making money right now". But that's just a mental thing I guess.
It would be super interesting to see a video about something to do with cab drivers in other places. New York springs to mind because when you think of a taxi you think of a black cab in London or a yellow taxi in NYC. Maybe a conversation with a New York taxi driver about the similarities and differences between the job in the two cities
Tom, I’d love to see a vid on cabbies that use cabbing as a second job. Some interviews. I’ve got cabbie mates that are: fireman, dj’s, plumbers. It’d be fascinating to hear how they use the badge and make it work for them. All the best. Kev
This is definitely one of your best videos Tom. Very informative of what a taxi driver goes through on a daily basis and what aspects of the job is all about. I’ve been a cabbie for 18 yrs and this year I started my own long distance company and it’s exactly how we live our lives. Yes I have slightly different days and times of work as each job requires their own time slots. Day or night. Take care and keep up the amazing work you do in promoting our trade. 👍 🚕
Hey Tom, Great video and as a Fellow Taxi driver myself for 18years in the North East UK I think you have nailed every point. They is not many jobs we’re you can do what you like at anytime. The flexibility is endless, you can earn as little or as much as you need/want, work when you want and take time off when you need too as I do a lot of cycling and coach at my local running club. Most costumers are great people, you get to know your regulars over the years but your always going to get some idiots but once you drop them you’ll probably won’t see them again anyhow! Great channel you have got keep the videos coming 😁
I completely understand your journey of self discovery - colleagues and friends are always surprised when I tell them I detest public speaking and will do anything to avoid it. This is because, one on one (or two, or three) I can talk passionately and energetically about something I'm interested in and they assume I'm oozing confidence, but it couldn't be further from the truth! Great video Tom and so glad to see somebody enjoying their work!
During covid I started another job working for someone he was so demanding and aggressive so I left the job and came back to taxi driving and on the first day back I had a smile from ear to ear I had never appreciated my job as a taxi driver before this
I am 50 years old and I became a Taxi driver 3 mths ago. Its the best job I have ever had and I wish I had started a good 10 years ago. I get to meet some amazing people.
It doesn't matter what career you choose, once you experience the benefits of working for yourself you'll never work for someone else again. It comes with its challenges, everything in life does, but once you get into your routine of making your own decisions then you'll find your happy place.
A very inspirational video Tom. I'm on the knowledge myself but definitely lost my way a bit and I haven't been putting enough work in to get it done. This has inspired me to work harder to get the green badge. Thank you Tom
How you getting on with the knowledge. I started a month ago. I’ve been a bit hit and miss with it this week tbh. But just stick it out. As they say. Rome wasn’t built in a day. How you getting on ?
@@jimmybaldwin737 I'm at the pointing stage mate. Hopefully I'll be able to book my map test in a few months 🤞. I just need to do the work and make sure I have enough points. Doesn't help that I live about 30 plus miles from London.
I was visiting London this weekend and got in a cab. It was a lady driver and we got chatting. She has been out for a year now but was saying it took her 8 years to do her knowledge. She said it was the best decision she had ever made to stick it out. Keep going internet stranger every cabbie I've spoken to say it is 100% worth the effort. I think this video backs it up.
Guys, don't ever give up on the Knowledge. I finally finished about a year ago, took me just over 3 years. 100% worth it, it really is the best job in the world. Wish I'd done it a long time ago.
3:19 Breaks in call centres are defined. I still have the same habit I had in hospitality and retail where I have a meal before I go to work (I work afternoons and evenings), and pre-buy my dinner and snacks. The only thing I drink during work is water before there may be times where the drivers may need telling off before I brief the dispatchers (effectively my supervisors as well) on what happens, or if I had to raise my voice just so I can cut through wind noises, so there is that.
Another GREAT Video ... all makes sense ....Believe me, after 10 / 20 / 25 Years, You will NOT speak to a Punter, unless they speak to you ... Wait till the novelty wears off after 5 years .. When you finish your shift, do you find it hard to 'Wind' Down ( Is your head still in Taxi mode ) ? .. The worst thing about it, is, People keep speaking behind my back, and Telling me where to go 🙂( and also that 'Sickening feeling at Night, when you know you've got a 'Wrong-Un' in the back, and driving with Him / Her for a reasonable Journey .. Horrible Feeling !!! )
We had an amazing Tour with the family and learned so much of London... Certainly will be back Tom in a slimmer version of my self so we can even do more 🙂
6:56 Our company prohibits that. If you get a job across town, take you out of town for 3 hours, you must have a meal break. If you work a 10-12 hour shift, I think you also have to rest at least 10 hours. In a call centre, however: I know people that worked 12-hour shifts. I had 3 10-hour shifts just before Christmas as well. Money is fine and all, but my voice was almost gone.
1:20 Not quite as free in my company. They answer to head operator (dispatcher) and the compliance department, which basically disciplines them for poor practices before the cops do. They CAN technically just work the streets, but if dispatchers send them account jobs and special needs customers from hospitals, school runs for kids, they ARE obliged to take those jobs before jobs at the taxi ranks (other than in airports).
13:26 Not in my company. Taxi drivers have to be in uniform, but call centre people don't have to. Although: My "uniform" is my blue jacket with pockets on both sides to match by company colours, and also trackpants with zipped pockets for extra storage. I prefer to keep my hands free as much as I can.
I work carmarthen, West Wales. 2 celebs that I've encountered were Jamie Owen, BBC News reader - he wasn't actually in my car but I was working control that night and I spoke to him on the phone confirming his booking. A colleage drove him. The other is Konnie Huq, former BBC Blue Peter presenter. Took her from Haverfordwest to Swansea train station
2:34That's 100% the most frustrating part of being in call centre or dispatcher. The office must run with a minimum of 3 people: A head dispatcher, a radio channel operator and a call taker like myself, and one specifically take care of special needs and account clients during daytime. Because of drivers work their own hours (within reason): I get many calls of customers asking where the cabs are even though the booking was made hours, even months in advance. It is especially bad on Sundays afternoons onwards.
Tom , you're a pro . The way you directed that tourist indicates your professionalism and courtesy - you are a star and may prosperity and inner peace be you with always ( sorry for sounding like Yoda ) , peace .
I spent nearly 25 years driving Hackney and private hire (same badge covered both)in the city of Bath and have to agree with just about everything you have said about it being the best job in the world.
@Tom the taxi Driver, this video was so inspirational. I was checking your videos to see if you had a one about your story when you decided to become a cabbie, but i didn't find none; i would love to see that kind of video. Greetings from Medellín-Colombia and you have a new subscriber.
Thank you watching! I did make this video if you are interested, I have linked it here Why Did I Become a London Taxi Driver? ua-cam.com/video/7pZp5T3nz_8/v-deo.html Happy new year!
17:04 I realize that I CAN learn to be succinct and straightforward in my speech patterns because when I'm not working, I could pin very unrelated things together. 18:14 I may work in a call centre, I still rely heavily on my contacts from stadia and venues to prompt drivers of events or possible delays coming up. If and when I can still catch a bus or even just book a taxi to get home at night, I am thankful that I don't have to wait as long as some do on Sundays. 18:54 Of course: The air-con debate is the second debate we have in the office. The first is whether to turn the lights of after 4pm. I'm on the "lights off" camp, but my colleagues are always lights on, but I can't comprehend because the computer screens, even at their dimmest, are quite bright. 19:43 In my case in call centres, I become quite cold because the calls of similar nature somehow are grouped together, even driver queries to supervisors are group together at times, so I had to compartmentalize or have really short memory and not let anything snowball.
Agree with so much of this video Tom, I have never been a London cabbie but do spend a lot of time in London for my clients as I own an Exec Travel firm in Cambs/Norfolk (Private Hire licenced). Truly think you guys who have done the knowledge are the ones I most respect, will always take a black cab when I’m in London on personal stuff, usually out of King’s Cross, 99.9% of drivers I meet are helpful, polite & top class. Always look out for T11 TXE whenever I see a black LEVC TX too, keep up the positive videos!
Spot on Tom...Best job in the WORLD... I got my badge Oct 1987 and loved every second... love your videos mate... put your names forward for London mayor 🤔👊
Cabbie here in Australia’s capital, Canberra. I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said in the video Tom! I love my job. In Australia our politicians can use government provided vehicles called Comcar (Commonwealth Car), however in the last two years I have had a couple of politicians. A notorious Senator from the state of Tasmania, and just 3 or 4 weeks ago I had our 18th Deputy Prime Minister. I’ve also had two fairly well known sports stars, former Canberra Raiders player Mal Meninga, and Tennis star Nick Kyrgios. I’ve also had a bunch of random journalists who were interesting as well.
Instant money is a part of the job not often mentioned, tom! well done. Example: one friday evening i got a text from my mate asking me did i want to go out saturday night on the town with the boys...no problem. Get up saturday morning at 8am by 1pm i've earned my saturday night spending money. £££
11:25 Depends on your definition. From a personal and individual point of view: I won't be so sure. I've had made bookings for special needs customers who were taxi drivers or were dispatchers in call centers, but they now call on relative rookies like myself because the eyesight is failing, or they are no longer fit to drive. 13:00 Exactly why I had to leave hospitality and wine retail to work in a taxi call centre. I can't stand still for long periods of time, although I can still jog 500m at a time if the road isn't too steep.
Great video, Tom. Quick one, watching this and hearing you talk about a job for life etc., would love to see you do a video on how you keep up to date with all the new developments, like Battersea Power Station and also new road layouts or closures. But yeah, not only that, but new hotels, restaurants, shops. Especially if you've been out of the game for a while, be good to know your process on keeping your knowledge up to date.
14:54 I had to do that. I got the booking part down. I prefer the kiosk and info centre part of the job, but when it gets really busy and our target is to get as many bookings done and get as many driver queries transferred to my supervisors, I almost become quite zoned in and has to be rather distant and having to shorten my calls a lot.
Get up when you want, but there are taxi drivers wanted at 5am. Not very nice if it is a snowy winter day looking for passengers with traffic problems and disruption.
I have driven a black taxi before love your videos but you have mentioned in previous videos that you are going to find it hard to get a mortgage on your wages to buy a decent house or flat if I’m not mistaking, I have driven a cab over 20 years ago I did love the job but I found it it can be an unhealthy job stress lack of exercise sitting in the cab taxi back problems that some older taxi drivers have always complained about and seriously after taxation on your wages it works out about £18 ?? an hour after you paid for your cab maintenance overhauls twice a year sadly the part-time taxi drivers have been left out of the trade because the expense of a London taxi and as you know with the price of a cab you could never own one after five years like the old diesel taxis, what are used to love about the taxi trade was the freedom , what I hated was the health on my body still love the videos and I love London
A great video as always. Much to agree on here. When you park the car, you are finished also mentally. When I finished the television journalist school in 1998 I had very high blood pressure. It was so high I could not give blood. After three months in a taxi, it was normal. I am also an introvert. I would suggest you read Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.
Great points made about the positive side of the job. When's the video coming out about all the negative parts of the Job.. But to be fair you do a fantastic job taking about being a London cabbie.. Keep the videos coming
Tom, do you generally work the day with a plan in mind like, set yourself a earnings target or, a time frame or, do you just work to your mood. I always thought you had to earn so much to cover the costs of the cab and anything over that would be your pocket. Are the cabs costs daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, a video on this would be interesting. Also who is the most famous person you have had in your cab
This is a great video tom and just what I needed to hear. As I'm considering starting the KOL. My dad is a black cabbie and the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives.
I agree Tom , best job in the world. I gave up a professional career to return to driving a London taxi , because I'm selfish and wanted to live each day how I wanted it to be .👍👍
When it's busy! But the best thing is having no responsibility not even about not having a boss it's the shutting the door of the cab and it's done. You don't really have to run a business but we do need to worry about TFL they really don't want us around anymore. Have you seen what they want to do to Islington?
Tom mate I so absolutely get your point 8!! You ain’t saying necessarily you minted but more it’s about constant cashflow. I too have struggled massively with cashflow and at times get quite annoyed with bill companies when you try to explain that You’ll have the money the next day or day after and they or the bank still charge you anyways. All they do is make life even harder!! To be honest I never had this issue pre-pandemic/2020. Budgeting seemed easy back then, but now in the present - January 2023 - prices keep going up, energy prices/bills are high, the cost of living generally is high across the board and so daily things keep changing. So yeah if we thinking the same I think you meaning cashflow steadiness and the ability to react fast to increase revenue when and as needed. Of course on the flip side the autonomous nature of the job, being your own boss you can equally decrease your revenue when and if necessary.
It's a constant working lifestyle relating to your expenses and debts There is as many negatives to the positives to make money you have to put in the hours then you have to run the vehicle move which costs more in running costs and added tax to pay at the end of the day which means yes you have to work more hour's less quality lifestyle time, your on the wheel, the taxi owns you I have to work at least 70 hours a week in Edinburgh to get by and drive the same levc
I was thinking about buying an old London Taxi, in blue, until I saw the cost of the tax for it. I was going to use it instead of a van, for a Gardening business, in North Wales. I know Colwyn Bay, and Llandudno very well, and am thinking about trying to do the equivalent of the Knowledge, but for this area. I am sure that there are many disadvantages of being a taxi driver, but I wanted to drive many things, one of which is a proper taxi.
Tom, may I just add, the following you are correct and all the positives you mention, you just forget to mention commitments of life, you seem to be single if I am not mistaken, but what if you have kids, mortgage, rent, taxi rental, loan, overheads insurance etc, did you just forget to mention these, or are they not on your radar. I have never worked longer hours than when I personally was a black cab driver. I am getting on a bit now, but for the last 12 years I have been working for a Estate/ Lettings Agents, as a Accompanied Viewing Agent showing potential tenants around properties, meeting mostly lovely people all day and different ears to tell my same stories to. I get paid when I am off sick, paid holidays, bank holidays, I can’t believe it, after working for myself for over 40 years honestly.
Another awesome video.. So informative and in-depth .. Had my first box of yfood arrive this week..can see why you rave about them. Keep up the great work.
Inspiring as always Tom,great content and excellently edited videos,always watch your uploads and thanks so much for creating them. You’ve really helped and inspired me to explore this avenue of becoming a taxi driver,thank you 👍
10:38 ... unless there are "dark-grey-listed" customers that show up on my screen because they owe a certain driver money, or to prevent them from being black-listed, their next rides must be paid, in cash or debit card, upfront before driving off.
The current Duke of Marlborough was once banned from taking taxis, by the court as part of his sentence. Do you get a list of people banned from taxis, or is that very rare?
Hi Tom. You remarked on artificial intelligence/ driverless vehicles and how you think they won't impact London cabs. I'm curious to know how much of a draw the London black cab is for tourists? I'm guessing that for many visitors (especially from overseas), riding in a black cab is part of their experience of London. It would be a shame if driverless vehicles were to take that away.
Hi Tom, It's really interesting to hear all this points, you never think about all these issues people may have with normal jobs. It sounds like having so much flexibility is a dream come true. But the main problem I see with the job is, I don't see any possibility for a raise or advancing the career. Since your pay is set by the TfL and only adjusted for inflation, you will earn the same amount of money in 50 years as you do today for the same amount of time worked. Is this how it is or is there more to it? How do you see this aspect?
I think the idea is that flexibility equals your own advancement. You're asking this as someone looking at it from a career point. A point raised in video is that you have the time and flexible to start whatever path / skill you want around the cab. That in itself is the biggest advance there is
It is insane to me that it is legal anywhere to pay an employee monthly. Where I am from it is completely illegal unless the employee requests it in writing.
@@coopa2002 Massachusetts and Rhode Island (US), in MA monthly is legal if the employee requests it in writing and is salaried. In both states it is illegal to pay hourly workers on a monthly basis.
Best of luck John! It will get tough, it will be difficult and it will test you. Just ensure you have a very strong why to get you through it and a reliable schedule! Also get a call over partner and get on The Knowledge Facebook groups asap.
Thank you mate, I'm already on the knowledge groups on Facebook, my dad is a cabbie so he helps and I'm going to get a call over partner when I start getting more through the books. I'm also lucky I can do it full time and I'm doing about 16 runs per week at the moment 👍🏻
Thanks mate, yeah remembering all the runs. I know 16 off by heart now and I went out to do the next 4 today which I still need to learn to call fluently which I'll be doing throughout tomorrow before I go out again Monday for next 4
Hi Tom Yes the best thing about being self-employed you can work whenever you want you can wake up anytime you want. The most important thing you didn't mansion is balck cab driver like to claim everything back from the Taxman😂💰. Keep bringing the amazing vlog it put a smile on my face when ever I am feeling down.
People are asking what are the negative side of being a black driver. Every job has pros and cons but being a black cab driver the pros out way the cons. You have a job for life i personally know many cab driver who own their own businesses if it don’t work out for them they can always go back to the cab. The main reason why a lot of people won’t want to do the knowledge is the amount of time it takes 3 to 5 years depending on how many hours you put in. At the end your guaranteed a job. unlike university it takes 3 years 30k in debt and no job at the end the decision is yours.
@@Gordon.. My dad was a GP and he had a doctor friend who worked Saturdays in his girlfriend's hairdressing business looking after the customers and doing the books. He liked the change of pace. A couple of years ago I met a surgeon who in his off hours made coffee and tea in a friend's cafe. He said it allowed him to enjoy "ordinary" interactions with people. Mind you, these examples aren't really about deriving a second income.
A Great video Tom, I wish sometimes I could VLOG about my Job but the whole Ethics & Consent thing is a bit of a minefield lol. Take care and keep clear of those Ambulances lol
There’s a company called Londoner Buses who are currently running a couple do routes using Routemasters. Arriva used to run the 9 and the 15 ‘heritage routes’ but I think they dropped them a couple years back. It’s also possibly a charter/tour.
Really enjoyed the video Tom. I love the idea of how flexible the job is and could definitely handle that side of it. Unfortunately, there is no way I could pass The Knowledge! 😄 Keep up the great work!
Yea it's always been a done thing. Plenty of time to practice calling over at the station, someone to call over with, and the shift patterns work great for sharing a taxi
As a cab driver in London for 26 years I found you a credit to our trade...Well done Tom
My duty Peter 🫡
You gonna do a reverse video about the WORST bits? 😂
Pee, vomit, traffic, terrorism, pollution, violence, tests, uneven income, and boredom pretty much covers it.
Aye. Still be good to know how often this stuff grinds his gears. Also the time it takes to qualify...
25 years one vomit,zero pee, zero violence and no boredom, keeping it real. I love the city history and it’s people love the madness of it, boredom for people who simply can’t appreciate simple things in life.
Can’t wait for it
driver got ear bitten off here in glasgow for £8.80 fare
Tom, as an Upstate New York taxi driver, thank you for reminding me why I got into this profession. I've been doing this for 14 years and the relationships that I have developed over that time have really made my heart melt. I love 90% of my customers and want to hear their story. I'm currently struggling with a lot of mismanagement with the company that I work for, but your videos remind me why I got into this profession and what there is at stake. People depend on us daily and not being able to be there for them would be an utter defeat
Seeing someone so content with their life is really heart warming. I have respect for anyone who puts their boots on & does a days work, but doing what you love & not living to work is great to see. Couldn’t be happier for you Tom!
Thanks, it isn't always sunshine and roses, but this video is almost like a gratitude list for me. Whenever I'm having a bad day in the cab, I try and refer back to it 😊
100% agree Simon! It’s lovely to watch and hear isn’t it! Especially given how rare it is becoming.
Physical human jobs seem to either be replaced by robots, computers, A.I. & automation or business and management “best practices” seem to focus on regulating the work done and the whole working day.
Used to work in a call centre where your toilet break times were measured, praised but never paid for overtime, strict and complicated rules for selling and processing enforced with no room for individuality allowed. Call times also expected to be kept under a certain length where calls that were too long resulted in an employees bonus thresholds getting further away and more unachievable.
@@marcz6838 completely agree Marc. It’s really sad to see the experiences you’ve mentioned echoed in the news lately with Amazon workers pissing in a bottle rather than take a toilet break & miss the targets set by our tech overlords.
That’s why we need to back cabbies & reject Uber or driverless cabs when they arrive, not everything can be reduced to convenience & efficiency. Let the corporations know we reject this Orwellian nightmare they have planned for us all.
I am a cab driver in Amsterdam. It’s the best job I ever had. I love people, also difficult people (they are a challenge),see the season’s changes, I have a lot of freedom. I drive also a LVC TX it drives superb. I love your channel and recognize a lot of things your are talking about.
Being a cabbie myself since 2007, thanks for reminding me about all the good stuff. I tend to take all of it for granted. My biggest problem with the job is feeling comfortable taking time off, since like you mentioned you could potentially be working 24/7 :/ Especially on Saturday nights, watching all the other cabbies drive by when you're a bit drunk, I can't help thinking "I could be making money right now". But that's just a mental thing I guess.
I’m doing the knowledge now I’m 18, please tell me how much you earn annually just an estimate I still don’t know how much I could earn
Tom made a video on this.@@JoshuaHall72
21:06 this happens so much, customers have no idea how much of an impact they have on our day.
It would be super interesting to see a video about something to do with cab drivers in other places. New York springs to mind because when you think of a taxi you think of a black cab in London or a yellow taxi in NYC. Maybe a conversation with a New York taxi driver about the similarities and differences between the job in the two cities
Brilliant idea 💡
Tom, I’d love to see a vid on cabbies that use cabbing as a second job. Some interviews. I’ve got cabbie mates that are: fireman, dj’s, plumbers. It’d be fascinating to hear how they use the badge and make it work for them.
All the best. Kev
This is definitely one of your best videos Tom.
Very informative of what a taxi driver goes through on a daily basis and what aspects of the job is all about.
I’ve been a cabbie for 18 yrs and this year I started my own long distance company and it’s exactly how we live our lives.
Yes I have slightly different days and times of work as each job requires their own time slots. Day or night.
Take care and keep up the amazing work you do in promoting our trade. 👍 🚕
Hey Tom, Great video and as a Fellow Taxi driver myself for 18years in the North East UK I think you have nailed every point. They is not many jobs we’re you can do what you like at anytime. The flexibility is endless, you can earn as little or as much as you need/want, work when you want and take time off when you need too as I do a lot of cycling and coach at my local running club. Most costumers are great people, you get to know your regulars over the years but your always going to get some idiots but once you drop them you’ll probably won’t see them again anyhow! Great channel you have got keep the videos coming 😁
I completely understand your journey of self discovery - colleagues and friends are always surprised when I tell them I detest public speaking and will do anything to avoid it. This is because, one on one (or two, or three) I can talk passionately and energetically about something I'm interested in and they assume I'm oozing confidence, but it couldn't be further from the truth! Great video Tom and so glad to see somebody enjoying their work!
During covid I started another job working for someone he was so demanding and aggressive so I left the job and came back to taxi driving and on the first day back I had a smile from ear to ear I had never appreciated my job as a taxi driver before this
im waitin on my badge for phv carnt wait!!! hope its good just scared with mobile speed cameras lol
I am 50 years old and I became a Taxi driver 3 mths ago. Its the best job I have ever had and I wish I had started a good 10 years ago. I get to meet some amazing people.
Also, deliveroo you can work anywhere in the UK where there is a deliveroo zone, not restricted to a council local authority area
It doesn't matter what career you choose, once you experience the benefits of working for yourself you'll never work for someone else again. It comes with its challenges, everything in life does, but once you get into your routine of making your own decisions then you'll find your happy place.
A very inspirational video Tom. I'm on the knowledge myself but definitely lost my way a bit and I haven't been putting enough work in to get it done. This has inspired me to work harder to get the green badge. Thank you Tom
Thank you! Be lucky!
How you getting on with the knowledge. I started a month ago. I’ve been a bit hit and miss with it this week tbh. But just stick it out. As they say. Rome wasn’t built in a day. How you getting on ?
@@jimmybaldwin737 I'm at the pointing stage mate. Hopefully I'll be able to book my map test in a few months 🤞. I just need to do the work and make sure I have enough points. Doesn't help that I live about 30 plus miles from London.
I was visiting London this weekend and got in a cab. It was a lady driver and we got chatting. She has been out for a year now but was saying it took her 8 years to do her knowledge. She said it was the best decision she had ever made to stick it out. Keep going internet stranger every cabbie I've spoken to say it is 100% worth the effort. I think this video backs it up.
Guys, don't ever give up on the Knowledge. I finally finished about a year ago, took me just over 3 years. 100% worth it, it really is the best job in the world. Wish I'd done it a long time ago.
every day is payday on deliveroo and other apps too
Having spent 20 years in retail management, before becoming a (long distance) private hire driver, I would agree with nearly all your points.
3:19 Breaks in call centres are defined. I still have the same habit I had in hospitality and retail where I have a meal before I go to work (I work afternoons and evenings), and pre-buy my dinner and snacks. The only thing I drink during work is water before there may be times where the drivers may need telling off before I brief the dispatchers (effectively my supervisors as well) on what happens, or if I had to raise my voice just so I can cut through wind noises, so there is that.
Another GREAT Video ... all makes sense ....Believe me, after 10 / 20 / 25 Years, You will NOT speak to a Punter, unless they speak to you ... Wait till the novelty wears off after 5 years .. When you finish your shift, do you find it hard to 'Wind' Down ( Is your head still in Taxi mode ) ? .. The worst thing about it, is, People keep speaking behind my back, and Telling me where to go 🙂( and also that 'Sickening feeling at Night, when you know you've got a 'Wrong-Un' in the back, and driving with Him / Her for a reasonable Journey .. Horrible Feeling !!! )
We had an amazing Tour with the family and learned so much of London... Certainly will be back Tom in a slimmer version of my self so we can even do more 🙂
6:56 Our company prohibits that. If you get a job across town, take you out of town for 3 hours, you must have a meal break. If you work a 10-12 hour shift, I think you also have to rest at least 10 hours. In a call centre, however: I know people that worked 12-hour shifts. I had 3 10-hour shifts just before Christmas as well. Money is fine and all, but my voice was almost gone.
1:20 Not quite as free in my company. They answer to head operator (dispatcher) and the compliance department, which basically disciplines them for poor practices before the cops do. They CAN technically just work the streets, but if dispatchers send them account jobs and special needs customers from hospitals, school runs for kids, they ARE obliged to take those jobs before jobs at the taxi ranks (other than in airports).
13:26 Not in my company. Taxi drivers have to be in uniform, but call centre people don't have to. Although: My "uniform" is my blue jacket with pockets on both sides to match by company colours, and also trackpants with zipped pockets for extra storage. I prefer to keep my hands free as much as I can.
I work carmarthen, West Wales.
2 celebs that I've encountered were
Jamie Owen, BBC News reader - he wasn't actually in my car but I was working control that night and I spoke to him on the phone confirming his booking. A colleage drove him. The other is Konnie Huq, former BBC Blue Peter presenter. Took her from Haverfordwest to Swansea train station
2:34That's 100% the most frustrating part of being in call centre or dispatcher. The office must run with a minimum of 3 people: A head dispatcher, a radio channel operator and a call taker like myself, and one specifically take care of special needs and account clients during daytime.
Because of drivers work their own hours (within reason): I get many calls of customers asking where the cabs are even though the booking was made hours, even months in advance. It is especially bad on Sundays afternoons onwards.
Well done Tom . Cabbie of 14 years !
You speak so well . Your a very good advert for the trade
Tom , you're a pro . The way you directed that tourist indicates your professionalism and courtesy - you are a star and may prosperity and inner peace be you with always ( sorry for sounding like Yoda ) , peace .
I spent nearly 25 years driving Hackney and private hire (same badge covered both)in the city of Bath and have to agree with just about everything you have said about it being the best job in the world.
Love you tom. Love your honesty. I'm still looking out for u in town as I'm always there
8:17 I get paid weekly, but taxi drivers from accounts gets cleared up about weekly, but cash jobs are cleared daily.
Tom, this is the best vid so far. It was an absolute pleasure to watch. Me and my wife will be in London in 2 weeks and hope to catch you
@Tom the taxi Driver, this video was so inspirational.
I was checking your videos to see if you had a one about your story when you decided to become a cabbie, but i didn't find none; i would love to see that kind of video.
Greetings from Medellín-Colombia and you have a new subscriber.
Thank you watching! I did make this video if you are interested, I have linked it here
Why Did I Become a London Taxi Driver?
ua-cam.com/video/7pZp5T3nz_8/v-deo.html
Happy new year!
@@TomtheTaxiDriver Muchas gracias por tu respuesta; voy a ver el video.
¡Te agradezco los buenos deseos y lo mismo para vos en este 2024!
17:04 I realize that I CAN learn to be succinct and straightforward in my speech patterns because when I'm not working, I could pin very unrelated things together.
18:14 I may work in a call centre, I still rely heavily on my contacts from stadia and venues to prompt drivers of events or possible delays coming up. If and when I can still catch a bus or even just book a taxi to get home at night, I am thankful that I don't have to wait as long as some do on Sundays.
18:54 Of course: The air-con debate is the second debate we have in the office. The first is whether to turn the lights of after 4pm. I'm on the "lights off" camp, but my colleagues are always lights on, but I can't comprehend because the computer screens, even at their dimmest, are quite bright.
19:43 In my case in call centres, I become quite cold because the calls of similar nature somehow are grouped together, even driver queries to supervisors are group together at times, so I had to compartmentalize or have really short memory and not let anything snowball.
Agree with so much of this video Tom, I have never been a London cabbie but do spend a lot of time in London for my clients as I own an Exec Travel firm in Cambs/Norfolk (Private Hire licenced).
Truly think you guys who have done the knowledge are the ones I most respect, will always take a black cab when I’m in London on personal stuff, usually out of King’s Cross, 99.9% of drivers I meet are helpful, polite & top class.
Always look out for T11 TXE whenever I see a black LEVC TX too, keep up the positive videos!
Spot on Tom...Best job in the WORLD... I got my badge Oct 1987 and loved every second... love your videos mate... put your names forward for London mayor 🤔👊
Cabbie here in Australia’s capital, Canberra.
I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said in the video Tom! I love my job.
In Australia our politicians can use government provided vehicles called Comcar (Commonwealth Car), however in the last two years I have had a couple of politicians.
A notorious Senator from the state of Tasmania, and just 3 or 4 weeks ago I had our 18th Deputy Prime Minister.
I’ve also had two fairly well known sports stars, former Canberra Raiders player Mal Meninga, and Tennis star Nick Kyrgios.
I’ve also had a bunch of random journalists who were interesting as well.
I got into a taxi and he said it's great being my own boss, I said take the next left mate
Hahah! Yep, I guess no-one is truly their own boss, everyone is either a salesperson or in customer service!
Instant money is a part of the job not often mentioned, tom! well done. Example: one friday evening i got a text from my mate asking me did i want to go out saturday night on the town with the boys...no problem. Get up saturday morning at 8am by 1pm i've earned my saturday night spending money. £££
Exactly! The night shift is the only night out where you come home with more money than you went out with ahah!
11:25 Depends on your definition. From a personal and individual point of view: I won't be so sure. I've had made bookings for special needs customers who were taxi drivers or were dispatchers in call centers, but they now call on relative rookies like myself because the eyesight is failing, or they are no longer fit to drive.
13:00 Exactly why I had to leave hospitality and wine retail to work in a taxi call centre. I can't stand still for long periods of time, although I can still jog 500m at a time if the road isn't too steep.
with the deliveroo apps, you dont need a badge. no age restriction on the car neither
Another great video Tom!......Excellent!
Got my green badge in 2016. Gave it up 2021. Not for everyone
I got mine in 2020 and some days I feel.great , some days I feel.im at a crossroads so yeah I hear you
Love your videos Tom, I'm currently on the Knowledge and watching you is a great inspiration.
Tom, is the telegram thing for real?
Great video, Tom. Quick one, watching this and hearing you talk about a job for life etc., would love to see you do a video on how you keep up to date with all the new developments, like Battersea Power Station and also new road layouts or closures. But yeah, not only that, but new hotels, restaurants, shops. Especially if you've been out of the game for a while, be good to know your process on keeping your knowledge up to date.
14:54 I had to do that. I got the booking part down. I prefer the kiosk and info centre part of the job, but when it gets really busy and our target is to get as many bookings done and get as many driver queries transferred to my supervisors, I almost become quite zoned in and has to be rather distant and having to shorten my calls a lot.
Get up when you want, but there are taxi drivers wanted at 5am. Not very nice if it is a snowy winter day looking for passengers with traffic problems and disruption.
Hi tom i agree its a job you can do for life and make a very good living, nice one 👍
The Cut! I love that street. Always my home base when I’m in London
16:57 was it monty python had a sketch about conversation starts so idea have a list of convo started in the back of the cab maybe hobbies likes foods
I have driven a black taxi before love your videos but you have mentioned in previous videos that you are going to find it hard to get a mortgage on your wages to buy a decent house or flat if I’m not mistaking, I have driven a cab over 20 years ago I did love the job but I found it it can be an unhealthy job stress lack of exercise sitting in the cab taxi back problems that some older taxi drivers have always complained about and seriously after taxation on your wages it works out about £18 ?? an hour after you paid for your cab maintenance overhauls twice a year sadly the part-time taxi drivers have been left out of the trade because the expense of a London taxi and as you know with the price of a cab you could never own one after five years like the old diesel taxis, what are used to love about the taxi trade was the freedom , what I hated was the health on my body still love the videos and I love London
A great video as always. Much to agree on here. When you park the car, you are finished also mentally. When I finished the television journalist school in 1998 I had very high blood pressure. It was so high I could not give blood. After three months in a taxi, it was normal. I am also an introvert. I would suggest you read Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.
Great points made about the positive side of the job.
When's the video coming out about all the negative parts of the Job..
But to be fair you do a fantastic job taking about being a London cabbie..
Keep the videos coming
Very good video, thanks for sharing
Well done Tom you are a real inspiration for many people
Tom, do you generally work the day with a plan in mind like, set yourself a earnings target or, a time frame or, do you just work to your mood. I always thought you had to earn so much to cover the costs of the cab and anything over that would be your pocket. Are the cabs costs daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, a video on this would be interesting. Also who is the most famous person you have had in your cab
This is a great video tom and just what I needed to hear. As I'm considering starting the KOL. My dad is a black cabbie and the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives.
I agree Tom , best job in the world.
I gave up a professional career to return to driving a London taxi , because I'm selfish and wanted to live each day how I wanted it to be .👍👍
11:15 Around the back of the Adelphi, near Charing Cross? And then the gardens beneath with the camel statue? I used to work for ACCA in that building
Indeed! well spotted!
@@TomtheTaxiDriver Those roads have been used in the Worder Woman movie, The Badyguard and MacMafia
When it's busy! But the best thing is having no responsibility not even about not having a boss it's the shutting the door of the cab and it's done. You don't really have to run a business but we do need to worry about TFL they really don't want us around anymore. Have you seen what they want to do to Islington?
Tom mate I so absolutely get your point 8!! You ain’t saying necessarily you minted but more it’s about constant cashflow.
I too have struggled massively with cashflow and at times get quite annoyed with bill companies when you try to explain that You’ll have the money the next day or day after and they or the bank still charge you anyways. All they do is make life even harder!!
To be honest I never had this issue pre-pandemic/2020. Budgeting seemed easy back then, but now in the present - January 2023 - prices keep going up, energy prices/bills are high, the cost of living generally is high across the board and so daily things keep changing.
So yeah if we thinking the same I think you meaning cashflow steadiness and the ability to react fast to increase revenue when and as needed. Of course on the flip side the autonomous nature of the job, being your own boss you can equally decrease your revenue when and if necessary.
I want the same car to work in a taxi as you have. Unfortunately, we do not have such machines in Russia.
10:27 Most companies won't be like this. You hear Uber and Didi taking commission.
Can you still park at rest ranks if you're using the taxi for personal use? What about other privileges like driving in bus lanes?
It's a constant working lifestyle relating to your expenses and debts
There is as many negatives to the positives to make money you have to put in the hours then you have to run the vehicle move which costs more in running costs and added tax to pay at the end of the day which means yes you have to work more hour's less quality lifestyle time, your on the wheel, the taxi owns you
I have to work at least 70 hours a week in Edinburgh to get by and drive the same levc
I was thinking about buying an old London Taxi, in blue, until I saw the cost of the tax for it. I was going to use it instead of a van, for a Gardening business, in North Wales. I know Colwyn Bay, and Llandudno very well, and am thinking about trying to do the equivalent of the Knowledge, but for this area.
I am sure that there are many disadvantages of being a taxi driver, but I wanted to drive many things, one of which is a proper taxi.
You'll never go short of a "fish n chip" dinner when you own you're own cab.
Thanks for the upload Tom!
✌️❤️
Great upload Tom. Thankyou.
Another good video tom that's why I like doing the taxis in Scotland freedom to work when u want .
Tom, may I just add, the following you are correct and all the positives you mention, you just forget to mention commitments of life, you seem to be single if I am not mistaken, but what if you have kids, mortgage, rent, taxi rental, loan, overheads insurance etc, did you just forget to mention these, or are they not on your radar.
I have never worked longer hours than when I personally was a black cab driver.
I am getting on a bit now, but for the last 12 years I have been working for a Estate/ Lettings Agents, as a Accompanied Viewing Agent showing potential tenants around properties, meeting mostly lovely people all day and different ears to tell my same stories to.
I get paid when I am off sick, paid holidays, bank holidays, I can’t believe it, after working for myself for over 40 years honestly.
I didn’t mention those things because everyone has them. Goes without saying
Don't take your health for granted Tom.
You can be struck down with ill health like me after 40 years and had to retire early at 61
Another awesome video.. So informative and in-depth ..
Had my first box of yfood arrive this week..can see why you rave about them.
Keep up the great work.
Thanks Richard! Great you like them 😊
Nice insightful video as always Tom. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a good week and a safe one. All the best!
Thank you 😊
Inspiring as always Tom,great content and excellently edited videos,always watch your uploads and thanks so much for creating them. You’ve really helped and inspired me to explore this avenue of becoming a taxi driver,thank you 👍
Thank you for making this video.
Tom your a really sound cool guy with great attitude and work ethic your channel has excellent content well done bro
10:38 ... unless there are "dark-grey-listed" customers that show up on my screen because they owe a certain driver money, or to prevent them from being black-listed, their next rides must be paid, in cash or debit card, upfront before driving off.
The current Duke of Marlborough was once banned from taking taxis, by the court as part of his sentence. Do you get a list of people banned from taxis, or is that very rare?
I've never heard of a definitive list, but the groups generally share known bilkers and other unsavoury characters
What a great video. Thanks Tom.
Im the same, i need a customer to initiate a conversation when i start a shift then im mr talkative for rest of day.
Hi Tom. You remarked on artificial intelligence/ driverless vehicles and how you think they won't impact London cabs. I'm curious to know how much of a draw the London black cab is for tourists? I'm guessing that for many visitors (especially from overseas), riding in a black cab is part of their experience of London. It would be a shame if driverless vehicles were to take that away.
Hi Tom, It's really interesting to hear all this points, you never think about all these issues people may have with normal jobs. It sounds like having so much flexibility is a dream come true.
But the main problem I see with the job is, I don't see any possibility for a raise or advancing the career. Since your pay is set by the TfL and only adjusted for inflation, you will earn the same amount of money in 50 years as you do today for the same amount of time worked.
Is this how it is or is there more to it? How do you see this aspect?
I think the idea is that flexibility equals your own advancement. You're asking this as someone looking at it from a career point. A point raised in video is that you have the time and flexible to start whatever path / skill you want around the cab. That in itself is the biggest advance there is
It is insane to me that it is legal anywhere to pay an employee monthly. Where I am from it is completely illegal unless the employee requests it in writing.
where are you from?
@@coopa2002 Massachusetts and Rhode Island (US), in MA monthly is legal if the employee requests it in writing and is salaried. In both states it is illegal to pay hourly workers on a monthly basis.
I started the knowledge about 2 weeks ago and I already can't wait to get passed out 👍🏻
Head down arse up be over before you know it
Best of luck John! It will get tough, it will be difficult and it will test you. Just ensure you have a very strong why to get you through it and a reliable schedule!
Also get a call over partner and get on The Knowledge Facebook groups asap.
Thank you mate, I'm already on the knowledge groups on Facebook, my dad is a cabbie so he helps and I'm going to get a call over partner when I start getting more through the books. I'm also lucky I can do it full time and I'm doing about 16 runs per week at the moment 👍🏻
@@john19welch that’s awesome John. . I started about a month ago. That’s good your doing 16 runs a week. Are remembering the runs after ? That’s good
Thanks mate, yeah remembering all the runs. I know 16 off by heart now and I went out to do the next 4 today which I still need to learn to call fluently which I'll be doing throughout tomorrow before I go out again Monday for next 4
Tom love your videos buddy! Keep up the great work!
Hi Tom
Yes the best thing about being self-employed you can work whenever you want you can wake up anytime you want. The most important thing you didn't mansion is balck cab driver like to claim everything back from the Taxman😂💰. Keep bringing the amazing vlog it put a smile on my face when ever I am feeling down.
Love your content Tom! every taxi I see i have a quick look to see if it you driving
Digmon is very underrated! 😊
People are asking what are the negative side of being a black driver. Every job has pros and cons but being a black cab driver the pros out way the cons. You have a job for life i personally know many cab driver who own their own businesses if it don’t work out for them they can always go back to the cab. The main reason why a lot of people won’t want to do the knowledge is the amount of time it takes 3 to 5 years depending on how many hours you put in. At the end your guaranteed a job. unlike university it takes 3 years 30k in debt and no job at the end the decision is yours.
My uncle works full time in the nhs as a gp in notting hill and cabbie by night / weekend morning! so it’s a good way to earn a secondly income too
Sounds like BS to me, why would a GP moonlight as a cabbie, if he wanted a second income then locum work pays very well.
@@Gordon.. My dad was a GP and he had a doctor friend who worked Saturdays in his girlfriend's hairdressing business looking after the customers and doing the books. He liked the change of pace. A couple of years ago I met a surgeon who in his off hours made coffee and tea in a friend's cafe. He said it allowed him to enjoy "ordinary" interactions with people. Mind you, these examples aren't really about deriving a second income.
You don't get holiday pay if your self employed
Unfortunately that is a downside
Don’t want to sound negative but no holiday pay /no sick pay /and if you stay in bed no pay but a great city to work in
Cab driver in Glasgow,enjoyed your video
A Great video Tom, I wish sometimes I could VLOG about my Job but the whole Ethics & Consent thing is a bit of a minefield lol. Take care and keep clear of those Ambulances lol
I cant think of ANY chance encounters im prepared to share with you Tom!! 😂
22:32 is that a route master as I fort they stoped using them
There’s a company called Londoner Buses who are currently running a couple do routes using Routemasters. Arriva used to run the 9 and the 15 ‘heritage routes’ but I think they dropped them a couple years back.
It’s also possibly a charter/tour.
Really enjoyed the video Tom. I love the idea of how flexible the job is and could definitely handle that side of it. Unfortunately, there is no way I could pass The Knowledge! 😄 Keep up the great work!
Why not?
@@CaboloNero Just seems like something my brain would struggle to process, as I don't have a great memory.
No need, it's outdated, use a decent sat nav job done
@@Gordon.. you’ve got no idea pal
@@Gordon.. YES and that’s why UBER have more Accidents in London than any other road users, (Looking at satnav not the road) and yes that is a fact.
I've noticed quite a few firefighters are starting to become taxi drivers now days they share the taxi
Yea it's always been a done thing. Plenty of time to practice calling over at the station, someone to call over with, and the shift patterns work great for sharing a taxi
You make me want to drive cabs dude.