I was in Mobile – a city I’d never visited before – to speak at the SETA (Southeastern Employment and Training Association) conference. Grabbing the first cab available to get to my hotel (Renaissance Riverview – lovely place), I was pleased to find an upbeat driver.
Since she seemed willing to chat, I asked how she came to drive a taxi driver. “Miss Angela” informed me that she’d been driving a taxi for over a decade; and before that she had been a waitress/bartender – a job she also loved.
Why did she quit? Arthritis was making it difficult for her to stand for long hours behind a bar. Her dad had been a cab driver in Mobile for 32 years; and it was her dad’s cronies who suggested she give taxi driving a try. She shrugged it off – she wasn’t that knowledgeable about the streets. They asked if she knew the main roads – she did. And did she know how to read a map? Sure. And a taxi driver was born.
What’s your favorite part, I asked? Miss Angela smiled, “I never know who’s going to get in or where they’re going.” Since both of those things would terrify me, I asked her to elaborate. Miss Angela smiled warmly and talked about picking up a surprise fare a few days ago – driving a mother and daughter to Albany, GA.
Also, there are sports stars trekking in and out of Mobile. She always asks for their autographs for her grandsons, and they’re usually willing to sign: “Except for the pitchers.” But Miss Angela understands that.
She remembers when Under Siege 2 was shooting in town, and three guys got in her car: Gary Busey lit up a foul-smelling cigar (and complained his manager kept buying cheap ones (making Miss Angela laugh), Tommy Lee Jones was one of the funniest people she’d ever met, and Steven Seagal? All she’d say is, “He was quiet.”
What was the worst day she’d had as a taxi driver?
Late one night, she picked up this group of she’d been ferrying around during spring break. The whole slew (about 10 kids) piled into her large cab, sitting on laps, in good spirits – pun intended. But when she pulled up to the where they were staying, the security guard wouldn’t open the gate. Miss Angela was confused, certain he should remember her.
The security guard explained, he couldn’t let her in with that kid lying on top of her car.
Miss Angela was horrified, jumped out of the cab, grabbed the kid by his ears, pulled him off the top of the car and gave him what-for for doing something so dumb!
She got even more exasperated when “Bob” insisted, he just didn’t want her to leave him behind – like she’d ever do that.
She had nightmares of that kid rolling off the top of that car into the path of a car – especially her own. You can tell she’s still shaken by the experience. But her smile returns quickly enough as she remembers another special passenger: A young, blonde woman who asked if she could sit up front?
After a while, Miss Angela ventured: “Can I ask you a personal question?” The young lady smiled, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you Carrie Underwood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Carrie was traveling with her manager, and their hired ride didn’t show up). Miss Angela shyly asked for an autograph for her granddaughter. Carrie Underwood gave her two: One for the granddaughter, and one for Miss Angela.
The granddaughter’s reaction? “Nana, you should have called me!”
If you’re ever in Mobile, I hope you get to the chance to join the club of Miss Angela fans. She’s living proof dream jobs really do come true.
