Fortunately my fare is still alive and well...
I went to work around 7:00pm to get a cab and work a 12 hour shift. The only cab available when I arrived had an inoperative meter, so the cab was pretty much useless. I waited around, and finally got a cab at 8:45. I waited 1 hour and 45 minutes, which by comparison is a short wait. I have waited over 5 hours at times to get a cab (on weekend nights).
The cab I received had come out of the repair shop earlier in the day, and the supervisor had double checked it's status before issuing it to me. When I started it, I noticed a little exhaust noise, but nothing too loud. The computer and meter were functioning. and my only initial concern as I started was the steering. It was a little looser than I was used to, but as long as I paid attention it would work. The other problem it did have, I would find out on my first fare, was far worse than a broken meter.
My computer showed a fare available just south of downtown in a rich historic area that is encroaching on the less than great areas around it. I was about 10 minutes from it, and was worried that the customer would just hop in one of the many cabs that frequent the main street he was on. When I arrived, he was still there. He was an employee at the carryout I was dispatched to and was on his way home, about 8 blocks away. He only had limited use of his legs, so he walked with crutches. I got out of the cab to open the rear door on my side, I discovered the door would not open. No big deal, I thought, maybe the electric lock doesn't pop this door - which is not uncommon. I slid the lock up & down a couple of times, to no avail. This door was not opening from inside or out which actually adds a little safety for me as it prevents people from sitting directly behind me.
I recently talked with a friend who lives in Atlanta about the side of the cab people get in/sit on. He said that he always sat on the passenger side, and I commented that I had a lot of customers who would go so far as to walk to the other side of the cab just to get in on the passenger side. I had thought they were being considerate and sitting where I could see them, when my friend pointed out he chose the pasenger side so he could keep his eye on the driver, which given the many reputations of cab drivers makes sense!
He got in and a friend of his closed the door. After about 3 blocks, as I made a left turn, I heard his door swing open, and saw him almost fall out! He was able to recover quickly and close the door, and I just assumed that his friend had not shut it properly. On the next left turn, instant replay. I stopped the cab and determined that the inside door latch was sticking in the open position, and was able to secure his door so we could get to his destination safely (or as safely as possible?!?). Needless to say, I returned the cab that just got the OK from the shop and went home for the night.
It is always good to end your shift alive, of course, but your passengers should all be alive and uninjured as well!