Betty and Bob Matas are retiring from NYC to Arizona. Though the next big hurdle for them will be the move, the couple has already hired movers to haul their stuff. But wait: how will they get their cats to Arizona? Though they could’ve shipped the cats via airliner, the Matas didn’t want to force their cats to endure a trip in the cargo hold. They’ll just drive, right? Well… no… they don’t drive. Consequently, in order to cross the country, they decided to do what they know best: hail a cab.
Cab driver Douglas Guldeniz agreed to drive his yellow SUV cab the 2400 miles 10 hours a day for a flat fee of $3000, plus gas, meals and lodging. According to David Pollack, executive director of the Committee for Taxi Safety, the standard fare would’ve been about $5000, but city Taxi and Limousine Commission rules allow drivers and passengers to negotiate a flat fare for trips outside the city.
Novel solution — or stupid? What are the Matas going to do when they arrive in Sedona, a city NOT noted for having extensive taxi services?