Gothamist: The Ultimate Taxi Road Trip: Forest Hills to Arizona

weave

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:29:53 -0500

Meh, I've driven two cats across country (from Delaware to Los Angeles) and then back two years later. The first 10 hours were a living hell with them meowing constantly, but after that they settled into the routine and it became quite a lot of fun.

hopeless romantic

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 07:09:02 -0500

They didn't fly because the road trip was more interesting. They're old, they simply wanted to take in the scenery while they still can. I'm all for it.

indeed

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:35:00 -0500

"Why didn't they just fly?" I agree. I know everyone is charmed by this story but driving the cats for 4 or 5 days is bound to be much more stressful.

Brightliner

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 15:43:58 -0500

Why didn't they just fly? A quick check shows United, US Airways and Delta all fly from NY to Phoenix and they all allow cats in approved carriers in the cabin, like most airlines. It would have been a lot faster, with less stress on the cats than being cooped up in carriers for ten hours a day for four or five days.

anon

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:23:19 -0500

Driver's license or not, these two people are in their 70's and a 2,000 mile drive would likely be really hard on them. This is a sweet story and I hope it works out well for everyone.

.

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:14:37 -0500

But what you don't realize is that some people can't afford to have a car, period! But a taxi to Arizona is affordable I suppose. :) I was pretty poor growing up and basically drove rusty pieces of shit. I'm not talking about economic examples, because some people here will squeeze 10 people into a 2 bedroom and still have a vehicle (not that I think it's a worthy priority). I've heard plenty of middle to upper class people (mainly growing up in Manhattan) who take some kind of weird pride in not having a driver's license. Even if you don't have a license, it never hurts to be at least familiar with trying it once or twice in case of an energency situation. Should I even ask about stick shifts??

David McCaffredy

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:47:55 -0500

Funny story #6. That made my Monday slightly better.

La Leone

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:45:03 -0500

Driving is a good skill to have, of course. But what you don't realize is that some people can't afford to have a car, period! So they don't think there is a point to having a license. Especially in NYC. I mean if you get your license and have nothing to drive, you will forget how to use those skills. You will find it intimidating that one or two times in your life when you need to drive! Anyway, great story about the cats, the couple, and the cabbie!

.

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:29:06 -0500

Did you learn how to use the NYC subway when you were growing up? How is this relevant? Driving is a good skill to have, period.

gary

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:03:07 -0500

"I'll never understand why so many people don't bother to learn how to drive...I don't care where you grew up. " Did you learn how to use the NYC subway when you were growing up?

.

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 11:28:00 -0500

I'll never understand why so many people don't bother to learn how to drive...I don't care where you grew up.

me

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:51:44 -0500

reminds me of one of my favorite old jokes: a guy needs to get to paris, france, but he's deathly afraid of flying.... so he hails a cab and says to the driver "paris opera house, please". "what??? paris?? are you crazy???" "no, i'm serious. look – we drive across the country, up into canada, over to alaska, across the bering strait – it's frozen this time of year – into russia, across europe, down into france, and onto paris. i'll pay double the meter, plus gas and tolls, and give you the biggest tip you've ever seen in your life. whaddya say" "well", says the cab driver, "if you're crazy enough to do this, i'm crazy enough to take you!" so they set out. across the country, up into canada, over to alaska, across the bering strait, into russia, across europe, down into france, and they arrive right in the heart of paris. the passenger pays, they share a good laugh, and the driver sets on out of town when he sees someone with his hand in the air! "oh god", the guy on the street says, "i can't believe my luck! a new york city cab right here in paris!! i need to get to new york, but i can't fly! the driver is ecstatic – a return fare!! he tells the guy not to worry, that he knows just how to go... through europe, russia, alaska, canada, and back across the country. "where you going?', he asks. "park slope", the passenger replies. "sorry", the driver says, "i don't go to brooklyn!"

Peter

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:40:45 -0500

they realize that once they get to arizona, there's no way to get around without a car, right? And we'll omit the fact that Sedona is a grotesque tourist trap.

'sif

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:32:03 -0500

they realize that once they get to arizona, there's no way to get around without a car, right? I mean unless they're going to keep that taxi dude forever, the whole learning how to drive thing may be inevitable.

Rickster

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:29:49 -0500

Sounds awesome, wish I could go for the ride too.

DaveH

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:25:19 -0500

I'm picturing Ira Glass, jammed uncomfortably in the Escape's back luggage area with the Matas' belongings, occasionally offering wry narrative observations to no one in particular for 2,500 miles.

Jen Chung

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:20:42 -0500

In the movie, I'd like Jerry Stiller and Estelle Harris to play the Matases, with Tchéky Karyo as Guldeniz.