I don't scare easily, after all I am a taxi driver. I do spend a good deal of time in or around airports though, and there is a new fear or caution that lurks in the back of my mind.
I was at SFO in the baggage claim area for American Airlines when I noticed a man staring at my Yellow Cab badge. He set a black bag down at my feet and said, "I'll be back." (Without the accent) as he turned and sprinted up the stairs.
The man didn't look like a cold-blooded terrorist. He was tall, thin, a dressed in blue jeans and t-shirt 30ish good-looking black man. After what were only a few minutes that felt longer, he returned; removed his backpack and placed it next to the bag. Again he went upstairs.
I did not appreciate being an unwilling accomplice to a possibly explosive situation, but he didn't look like a bad guy. Did he?
I had just about had it with the guy, and was about to walk away when he reappeared.
Digging into the backpack, he pulled out a small black computer. He set it on a chair, grabbed his other stuff and walked around the corner leaving me to go up in flames.
No loud boom and I didn't vaporize. Suddenly standing next to me, he said in a soft nearly inaudible voice, "Thanks" as he left for the last time with his final possession.
Why hadn't I said something to begin with? Why didn't I tell him, "Sorry, but you can't do that." I need to get over being polite, because the next time might be...might be the last time.
I got my first computer early in the Summer of 2004, and began blogging almost immediately. Thanks to blogging I have been a part of several newspapers and online blogs. By that August I was featured in the lead story of the Tech Section in the San José Mercury News. Then what a pleasant surprise it was to find that my blog, "Taxi Vignettes" was the reason I was chosen as the best local blogger of the year (2006) by the Metro Newspaper. Fall of '06, I was contacted by a reporter, asking if I would be willing to be the topic of her next story in The Willow Glen Resident. It was a cool two pages including photos. Am I having fun yet?
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Comments (8)
governments have installed fear into us all and have made us feel it's ok to have our civil rights removed as a result, I think it's time faith was restored in humanity!
Posted by Roy | Monday, November 12, 2007 7:21 AM
Posted on November 12, 2007 7:21 AM
Don't beat yourself up for being nice. You must look trustworthy or he wouldn't have left his luggage with you. And I really doubt a taxi driver in baggage claim is a pivotal part of any terrorist's plot..
Posted by Diane | Monday, November 12, 2007 6:57 PM
Posted on November 12, 2007 6:57 PM
I would have run for the hills!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Mad Cabbie | Saturday, November 24, 2007 2:33 PM
Posted on November 24, 2007 2:33 PM
I read the book that melisa plaute wrote, about new york taxi driving, the chick is tough, she gave me an Idea to start my own blog, Im the youngest taxi driver in Edmonton alberta canada edmonton is the murder capital of canada, i gots some crazy stories http://myfares.blogspot.com/ I'm new to blogging and my blog is real life check it out
Posted by Jacob | Wednesday, December 5, 2007 2:44 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 2:44 PM
where are you?
Posted by Doc | Sunday, January 13, 2008 4:43 PM
Posted on January 13, 2008 4:43 PM
Not sure - I may be lost?
Posted by Joann | Sunday, January 13, 2008 5:25 PM
Posted on January 13, 2008 5:25 PM
are you ever coming back?
Posted by dwightk | Friday, January 18, 2008 3:37 PM
Posted on January 18, 2008 3:37 PM
have you stopped blogging?
Posted by Doc | Monday, January 28, 2008 4:27 PM
Posted on January 28, 2008 4:27 PM