elsajeni:

zevveli:

I still think that my favorite urban legend/folklore fact is that there are certain areas in New Orleans where you cannot get a taxi late at night not because it isn’t safe, but because taxi companies have had recurring problems of picking up ghosts in those areas who are not aware that they are dead and disappearing from the cab before reaching the destination and therefore stiffing the driver on the fare causing a loss for the company.

An occupational hazard of cab driving I had not previously considered

I’m just imagining the discussion between a new comptroller and an older one, as the new person is learning the ropes and a call comes in for a pick-up from one of those areas.

Trainer Comptroller: “Okay, you’re doing great so far. Now the night shift’s about to start, so remember to refer to the list of banned addresses before accepting fares or sending drivers out to pick someone up.”

Newbie: “Oh – why’re they banned?”

TC: “Well, some of them are just too dangerous to send drivers out to. You don’t want them getting robbed or carjacked.”

N: “Yeah, of course not. Hey, why are these addresses next to the cemetaries all on the ban list? What’s so dangerous about sending drivers out to there at night?”

TC: “Oh, those aren’t there because it’s dangerous.”

N: “Then why–”

TC: “They’re on there because otherwise you get ghosts trying to get a ride and vanishing before the cab gets to the destination, and not paying for the fare before they do that.”

N: “What the fuck.”

TC: “Anyways, you shouldn’t have any problems! Just remind the drivers that we don’t operate in the areas marked on the night shift map from 11 PM to 5 AM, it’ll be fine. And don’t send anyone out for a pick-up to those addresses, it’ll come out of your paycheck if the passenger vanishes.”