The Niceties of Cab Hiring.
Page 44
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THE question as to whether the leading cab in a rank should always be selected is really more a matter of fair play than anything else, although the inconvenience of rnanceuvring a closely parked vehicle out of position also enters into the problem. In England we have become quite accustomed to the queue system, and it seems to us to be just as unfair to take any bat the first cab as it would be to give tickets to people at the end of a queue, ignoring those at the beginning.
There are, however, exceptions. For instance, a person in a great hurry seeing a slow and decrepit-looking vehicle at the front might well be excused for choosing a more modern type, but as better vehicles are brought into service this trouble should no longer arise.
In many ranks it is the practice that the first cab shall have its engine either running or kept thoroughly warmed up ready for an immediate start. In many instances, also, only drivers of the first few vehicles are in imme
diate attendance, the others taking the opportunity for spending part of their time in a shelter. This is not such an important matter in good weather, but it would be exceedingly cruel if, during inclement weather, the driver of each vehicle on the rank were compelled to be in his driving seat. As it is, he usually has to leave the shelter quite often to move his cab up as other vehicles depart.