From actual bomb attempts to gas cans in the back seat to garbage wrapped in tinfoil, it’s going to be a long summer.
BERNARD
Where I hailed him: Hell’s Kitchen
Where he hails from: New Jersey
Years as a cabbie: 7
Previous profession: Salesman
Obviously it’s upsetting, but from what I read, it seemed like a pretty half-assed attempt. I don’t really worry about it. You can drive yourself crazy worrying about that kind of thing and it won’t change anything. I’m more worried about credit card debt and paying for my kids to go to school. I mean, fuck those guys, but I have better things to focus on.
HAJENDER
Where I hailed him: Bed-Stuy
Where he hails from: India
Years as a cabbie: 3
Previous profession: Always a driver
I do not stay in Times Square long if I can avoid it. I’m not saying I’m scared. I drive anywhere. I picked you up here, didn’t I? But I don’t really want to stick around Times Square. Probably it’s safer at the airport. Why do you ask? Because of my hat? I am not trying to blow anything up, believe me.
MOHHOMAD
Where I hailed him: Bushwick
Where he hails from: Bangladesh
Years as a cabbie: 5
Previous profession: Gas station attendant
Even though it’s just tourists who go to Times Square, you could still kill a lot of Americans, and that’s what they want to do, I suppose. I would rather drive anywhere right now. Even here. Now there are even more police there, in that area, and they do not like us so much. They are always giving us tickets. So, bombs and police and tourists? I don’t really want to go to Times Square, no.
JIM
Where I hailed him: Times Square
Where he hails from: Queens
Years as a cabbie: 23
Previous profession: Always a driver
I think I’ve had about enough. Whether it’s a real threat or not, it’s too fucking stressful. I was born and raised here, but I think if it happens much more I’m going to move upstate.
CIARAN
Where I hailed him: Midtown
Where he hails from: Ireland
Years as a cabbie: 4
Previous profession: Student
[Note: this interview took place on the same day that an abandoned package prompted a brief evacuation of Times Square.] The whole thing is bullshit, and it’s terrifying. First that van and now this shit happening today. It’s too much. Everyone is saying that it’s been a decade since 9/11 so we’re due for something and it’ll probably be in Times Square. I think the government is doing a good job tracking down these people and stopping them, but it’s still really scary. I don’t expect anything to happen, but stuff could happen, and that’s the problem. There’s no way to ever completely get rid of the threat. I just thank God that all the attempts have failed.