| The
Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association is proud
to announce that Waymon E Dabney, long-time driver for
Checker Cab Company of Atlanta, Ga.. has been voted
TLPA’s 2002 Taxicab Driver of the Year.
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| Waymon
Dabney was horn and raised in Atlanta, GA, and has lived
there his entire life. He became a professional musician
and played for many years with a jazz/blues/rock'n roll
quartet, The Royals. that he formed with three boyhood
friends. His talents included singing and playing the bass
and piano. The Royals played around the country, made
television appearances on Atlanta stations, had a regular
radio show, and recorded several record albums for
Columbia Records in the 1950s.
|
| The
Royals were stationed together at Randolph Air Force base
just outside of San Antonio, Texas, where they played in
the 633rd Air Force Band during the Korean War. After
leaving the Air Force, Waymon Dabney returned to Atlanta
with his young family and continued his career as a
professional musician. |
|
In
1971. Dabney decided that he was
ready for a change in careers and thought that driving a
taxicab sounded like a good way to meet people from all
the world. He began working for Rick Hewatt, Sr. at
Checker Cab Company of Atlanta. He has so enjoyed the job
and the freedom it
gave
him that he has now driven for over 30 years for Checker
Cab and three generations of Hewatts. |
| "Driving
a taxicab is the best way to meet people From all around
the world and front all walks of life.” Dabney says.
From the elderly to celebrities to athletes to the average
person on their way to work, you meet them all. Then
there’s the money, which is great, and you can’t beat
the flexibility. You get to make your own hours, come and
go as you please, and be your own boss.”
|
| Waymon
Dabney particularly likes being an independent contractor
driver at Checker Cab. “It’s the best taxicab company
in Atlanta,” he says. “They have the best onboard
equipment, the best and latest |
|
| model cars, the best
management
and they always keep up with changes
in technology and make that the drivers have the best
tools to work with to do their jobs. The Hewatts are good,
fair people and the take good care of the drivers. The
Hewatts and Checker Cab Company have become like a second
family to me.
|
| Since
he began driving a cab, Dabney says. “I’ve met a lot
of people. made a good living, and every day is different.
... I'm just thankful and feel blessed that I’ve had
this unique opportunity to be touched by so many lives.
And I just hope that maybe I’ve been able to help
someone out when they needed a ‘lift’ and I
don’t mean just a ride.”
|
| Waymon
Dabney says the biggest change he has seen in the industry
over the years has been the use of onboard computers.
‘At first. the hardest thing was getting used to not
really listening to the dispatch radio anymore but paying
attention to the computer,” he says. “Many drivers
couldn’t get the hang of it,
but
the best piece of advice I ever got during a computer
training session was from a dispatcher who told me that if
I wanted to keep making money, I needed to stop listening
to the dispatcher on the radio and pay attention to the
computer readouts. So I
quickly
got the hang of it. |
| Another
of the big changes in the industry, at least in Atlanta.
has been the change in the way minority drivers were
treated. Back in the 6Os arid 70s, there were
discriminatory state policies that regulated where black
drivers could pick up fares, but that quickly changed. and
the industry has become all the better for
it.
|
| "All
the changes, social, technological—have been for the
better. I’ve been lucky to he able to keep up with the
changes in technology’ and they’ve made things for the
drivers more efficient and convenient. So I cant say that
any of the changes have really been all that bad." |
| “I
was downright shocked and surprised,” Waymon Dabney says
of being selected as TLPA’s 2002 Taxicab Driver of the
Year. “I didn’t even know that I'd. been nominated, so
it
is
indeed an
honor |
|
 |
| that
the Hewatts thought that much of me
to make the nomination and that the TLPA chose to select
me for the award. I’m truly grateful and very proud to
be receiving this award.”
|
| In
addition to winning ‘TLPA’s Taxicab Driver of the Year
Award, Waymon Dabney has been selected as
the Checker Cab Driver of the Month at least 20 times
and Driver of the Year at least five times. He has also
received letters of thanks from such agencies as me
Department of Family and Children Services complimenting
him on his service to their medical patients. “I
consider these real honors and I appreciate the
recognition,” he says. “My driving record is
untarnished after 30
years—never
received a ticket or violation. In fact,
I got a copy of my driving record a few days ago and it
was
blank. With the way people drive today for someone who’s
been driving for eight hours or more a day for over 30
years, that’s a pretty
good accomplishment.
|
| Waymon
Dabney says the qualities that make a good taxicab driver
include “being courteous, patient. caring, and kind,
especially when the person is elderly or coming from the
hospital.
|
| “I
love driving a cab,” he say’s. “I make good money
and I meet lots of interesting people. If you don’t
learn public relations driving a cab you never will. And
if you name it,
if
you can imagine it, then believe it ... I’ve seen it, at
least twice”
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| Waymon
Dabney married his high school sweetheart in 1952, and
although they divorced in the mid-70's, they have remained
devoted friends and are the parents of a son, age 48. and
a daughter age 35 and have five grandchildren.
|
| For
his contributions to his profession, his clients, and
Checker Cab Company, the Taxicab, Limousine &
Paratransit Association proudly recognizes Mt. Waymon
Dabney as TLPA's 2002 Taxicab Driver of the Year. |
|
