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Junior Lex · A Forum Supporter

RE: Weekend Relief Driver can join Parlingo?

Niteowl · A Forum Mentor

junior lex where is ur location?

Junior Lex · A Forum Supporter

Niteowl, Eunos/ Geylang Serai/ Joo Chiat.

Looking at Day Shift - Mon to Fri

Time: 4am to 4pm OR 5am to 5pm

Can start relief from 14 Feb onwards.

Only Comfort. I've checked with CDG today, CDG and CC different account in terms of deposit.

Junior Lex · A Forum Supporter

Also, may also go relief long term.

Interviewer said can cancel in the event if I'm call up to collect my taxi.

Rom · A Forum Mentor

Yup, I'll also advise you to start off as a relief driver first. This is to at least confirm you are able to make a decent income through this trade. As a relief, you can choose to stop any time without tying down by your own taxi. If you can find a good hirer, no harm stick with him and yes, you can choose not to take the taxi when they call you up, no contract bond so no obligation.

Niteowl · A Forum Mentor

that's true bro rom, my hirer worried i cant break even.. cos i take full rental with slight discount on weekends...got make la :)

Rom · A Forum Mentor

Niteowl wrote:
that's true bro rom, my hirer worried i cant break even.. cos i take full rental with slight discount on weekends...got make la :)

IMHO, I've suggest that even you guys have plans to make full use of the taxi, be it as an earn tool or for family transport usage, do not forget that LTA will sooner or later pin down people with own usage. Some hirers will find a relief to help them clock up the required mileage. Anyway, and most important of all, get enough experience to really ensure that you are capable to be OMO before rushing into taking your own taxi.

Of course you can do so if you already have many advise, suggestions and life experience talk from your friends or relative (please do not just only listen to comments like "aiya, dun worry la, sure can make it one" without giving you any further advise). My friend's friend just got his TDVL last month & straight away started off with OMO and he is making decent income. I can say that he learned at least 80% from my friend's talk. So, it's very individual...

Reason for being so naggy is purely because I really hope newbies can be really sure about this trade before stepping. Do not follow my footstep & bang hard on the wall. If you really do, pull yourself out & go relief asap before you start to owe the company rental fee. To be OMO, earning $30~$80 per day is consider very jialat liao. You get what I mean? Well, I'm getting lost myself by my own words... @_@

Taxilim · A Forum Supporter

Last Sat, I had the chance to extend my shift hours. I ended at 10pm instead of the usual 6pm. What I earned was more than my usual 12 hr day shift, even after deducting full rental. So, if I drive full time, I might consider OMO. Of course, one event does not represent everything.

Driving shift always tend to restrict my desire to earn more. If I am hardworking, full of drive (no pun intended) and can chiong type, I will start as OMO. More flexibility in timings. If things don't work out, can always find relief later on.

Just offering a different perspective...

Rom · A Forum Mentor

Taxilim wrote:
Last Sat, I had the chance to extend my shift hours. I ended at 10pm instead of the usual 6pm. What I earned was more than my usual 12 hr day shift, even after deducting full rental. So, if I drive full time, I might consider OMO. Of course, one event does not represent everything.
Driving shift always tend to restrict my desire to earn more. If I am hardworking, full of drive (no pun intended) and can chiong type, I will start as OMO. More flexibility in timings. If things don't work out, can always find relief later on.
Just offering a different perspective...

True enough and I also agree with you. For now, I have liaise with my friend that he is able to help me cover OMO if I'm away from Singapore for a few days. Just have to bear in mind that being OMO, rental fee will be deducted daily without fail. In terms of restricting your timing as a relief, I'll say you need higher control level & discipline to restrict yourself being a OMO.

We TD need enough rest to be able to let us last longer, minimize the chances of falling sick, and reduce the risk on the road. True that we can work longer hours during 'hot' days but no one will know how long can you last. We need to earn, we also need to monitor our health & spare some quality time with our family. 休息是为了走更长更远的路

There are many ways to offset our earnings, likewise the saying 拉长补短。For example my earning for day 1, 2 and 4 is below or merely hit target, but day 3, 5, 6 & 7 I hit above my target. average out for the week, I may still earn above target. If day 1 I'm not willing to keep as per usual planned hour, I may not have enough rest on day 2. This is just one example and it's up to individual to look at things. Different people have different body condition and everyone has different level of commitment. So no matter how much advise is given to you, you are your own decision maker. Look at what you need and not how other people look at you. All I wish to every one here to take good care of yourself and drive happily. aww

Chiku · A Forum Mentor

Rom is a very wise man.

Just to share with you my case, I am OWO (one-woman-operation). My drive hours 7 am to 9 pm (OT if I dont hit my self-set daily target) Monday to Thurs.

My hours are extended till late (12 mindight or 1 am) on Friday since its a hot hot day.

Sat usually start at 10am till late (but usually about 12 midnight +, no later than 1 am)

Sundays I cover rental nia.

My hours are consistent and I have familiarity with work conditions.

On days I feel good, i will continue to drive even though i already hit my target. This is my "rainy day" strategy i.e. excess earnings to covers days of shortfall, car in workshop, illness. There are days I feel good and energetic and biz is there.

But remember one thing, we are running a marathon, not a 100m dash. So dont qiong qiong one day and then no energy to drove for the next few days.

Rom is right, it needs a lot of discipline if you are OMO.

Good Luck!

Rom · A Forum Mentor

Chiku wrote:
Rom is a very wise man.
Just to share with you my case, I am OWO (one-woman-operation). My drive hours 7 am to 9 pm (OT if I dont hit my self-set daily target) Monday to Thurs.
My hours are extended till late (12 mindight or 1 am) on Friday since its a hot hot day.
Sat usually start at 10am till late (but usually about 12 midnight +, no later than 1 am)
Sundays I cover rental nia.
My hours are consistent and I have familiarity with work conditions.
On days I feel good, i will continue to drive even though i already hit my target. This is my "rainy day" strategy i.e. excess earnings to covers days of shortfall, car in workshop, illness. There are days I feel good and energetic and biz is there.
But remember one thing, we are running a marathon, not a 100m dash. So dont qiong qiong one day and then no energy to drove for the next few days.
Rom is right, it needs a lot of discipline if you are OMO.
Good Luck!

Think I'm more of a 'rice' man. biggrin

Very true and a very good description used. Take care & all the best aww

Junior Lex · A Forum Supporter

Nice sharing. And I shared exact sentiment. To be a hirer are after much discussion with spouse. In fact, the above are already withi expectations.

So far, i merely drove 4 days on 2 separate weeks. These are 'total experiences' exposure sake which was benchmarked with a min. target if im a hirer. Unfortunately i have no chance to test out wkdays.

These 4 days:-

Sat 1st week VS Sat 2nd week (Night only - as Relief rental & diesel)
Sat 1st week (6pm - 2am)- drove 5.5 hrs mostly advance & current bookings and otr 80% town including rws and airport

Sat 2nd week (5.45pm - 7am) - drove 12hrs with 1 advance booking on 1st and last trip and 90% otr neighbourhood.

Sun 1st week VS Sun 2nd week (Day only - as Hirer rental & diesel)
Sun 1st week (10am - 5pm) - drove 6.5hrs with 4 current and 2 advance bookings and few street fetch.

Sun 2nd week (11.45am - 5pm) - drove 4.5hrs with 1 advance and total street fetch in neighbourhood and 2 current when slow in street fetch in certain neighbourhood.

Have also tried airport queue and different timing of approaches towards town and outskirt.

Nevertheless, above all the above, LUCK plays a vital role.

While the whole ongoing processes taking place, was online fone via LINE apps almost throughout during whole otr with another transcab TD whom have drove only 3 yrs+ though. We compared our income in takes and compete in pax vs pax fetches.

All these are just merely have a quick feel on few scenarios as a hirer and relief. Then again, just wkends. Looking forward to wkdays.

Discipline are basic fundamental of a TD be it with or without commitments.

while the rest of the experiences are mostly hearsays from old birds which still...need experience it personally as a newbird even u have knew it. This will put yourself in a clear and decisive actions in all otr activities.

Junior Lex · A Forum Supporter

But then again, 事事务绝对。

smoothrider · A Forum Supporter

Well said, Rom and Chiku.

Yes Junior Lex, listen well to your peers as well as seniors. Everyone gives individual testimony. Eventually, you'll learn and observe that experience counts as much as strategy, shared info and techy gear.

In life, I've always stayed true to the School of Hard Knocks. I've grown accustomed to the shocks and uncertainty it brings. Of course it is an individual "thing". Quite often, I'm used to being a loner, so it's not difficult to do that. But I survived.

When I got my TDVL, times were different. I didn't "go to school". Meaning, I had no course-mates or instructor. It follows that I had no mentor and no one to turn to when I faced problems. I simply took the manual, went home to do self-study, and took the online test, whilst others went to class and took the written exams.

I have 6 years (cumulative) experience (excluding a long break). Today, even though I benefit from joining the Parlingo group. my income is more or less the same as before. However, having helpful friends is something quite refreshing and keeps you more alert and falling into boredom. Info sharing and the camaraderie in the group is definitely a plus point - especially if you're a new bird.

Cheers and good luck and see you on the roads !

Junior Lex · A Forum Supporter

Always excited to hear everyone's experiences and views. Ultimately, we still gonna try to understand indepth. As everyone view half cup full or empty differently. :)

Whereas for Parlingo, i has less urge to join like before. But definitely its a plus channel like others, to share info together. Anyway i'm still mastering the process reading gps while focus on driving and listening and chit chat with my pax.

Like u said, in addition, helpful friends motivates one another, not otherwise. New bird or old bird im just stating out of recognition due to their experiences and respect. :) Then again, let's minimise such to the minimal, does no good..increasing politics flavourings...lol.