A long trip out of the airport

I was the first one sitting on the deck at Tampa International Airport when Mack, the starter, called me down to pick up my fare. There is a lot of anticipation when you are rolling down. You have no idea where the fare is going and is the time spent waiting going to justify a short fare, which drivers hate. I know people have to get places but most of the time when they are going long, they find another way. When they are going short, they apologize by saying "they told me its real close." Thanks for rubbing it in guy. This fare today was not analogizing for nothing.

He had to get south of Sarasota and he had cash in hand! Lets go. I'm your man. It seems he works for an auto dealership out of Ohio and needed to pick up a truck and drive it back to the Buckeye State. The estimate Mack gave him was $180. He did not bat an eye (its only short fares that complain). All I had to do was figure the fastest way to get there. That's when it hit me....I would have to cross the Sky Way Bridge! I hate that bridge and have a real phobia about crossing it. I almost close my eyes when I have to go over it.

Approaching the bridge.

So we take off down the interstate. I have a nice conversation but I know we are getting closer and I am now freaking out. The last thing I want to do is alarm my fare so I try to act brave. There the bridge is looming in the distance.

near the top

There isn't much to see on the bridge, but bridge. The water is way down there and I tried not to look down. Anyway, I just kept talking to the fare and we were finally on the downside of the bridge. I did manage to get off a few images to record this historical event.

Made it to the other side

I got the guy to his destination and it ran $185. He gave me $200. I was on my way back to Tampa.

Comments

AnonymousJanuary 24, 2014 at 7:24 AM
You'd have hated the old Skyway Bridge even more. Narrow two lanes, with you looking right out the side over the water.

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AnonymousJanuary 25, 2014 at 8:56 AM
Nice trip Tim. Ah Sarasota now that bring back memores. Seems if my memory is correct I once had a trip to said town from the ship terminal. Larry 157
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