playdaball
Heritage Member
Would be an interesting Uber ride.
Graeme West drove a taxi, as did Lowie and of course, Ewen Chatfield( CorparateCabs).
Last edited:
Staff Brian Smith
- Thread starter mt.wellington
- Start date
Would be an interesting Uber ride.
Graeme West drove a taxi, as did Lowie and of course, Ewen Chatfield( CorparateCabs).
He is 66
Retired
Great career
Uber driver - doubt he’s doing it for the $ but to engage with the fans
He must have some juicy stories to tell over a long ride..
Investigative reporting - find out what happened with the SK saga and him and Corvo leaving... they seem like the type who would be in the payten no BS type character..
bruce
Contributor
I guess the question one could ask is that if you are 66, basically unemployable compared to before, and need some cash flow, is there anything to be sniffed at in driving a cab? It is an honest living compared with some so called successful businessman like Eric Watson.
My only concern for Brian, who I think is a nice guy, is that Uber is a failed business model. He would have been better off going like Graham Lowe and Ewen Chatfield and getting into a proper taxi business. I never take an Uber, I always call one of the reputable companies. Just saying like.
On the plus side, like Chats and Lowie he would not be short of customers because the stories could flow thick and fast.
That should get things moving.
I guess the question one could ask is that if you are 66, basically unemployable compared to before, and need some cash flow, is there anything to be sniffed at in driving a cab? It is an honest living compared with some so called successful businessman like Eric Watson.
My only concern for Brian, who I think is a nice guy, is that Uber is a failed business model. He would have been better off going like Graham Lowe and Ewen Chatfield and getting into a proper taxi business. I never take an Uber, I always call one of the reputable companies. Just saying like.
On the plus side, like Chats and Lowie he would not be short of customers because the stories could flow thick and fast.
That should get things moving.
All true Bruce, but as a person who likes to and has skills to engage with the public Uber might be that way to engage and get a few bucks as well. Also I know in Melbourne a Taxi Licence costs around half a million. So will not be much cheaper in Sydney.
bruce
Contributor
I knew I would get a bite
.I didn't know what a taxi licence costs in Melbourne. I guess that is just a hangover from draconian closed market syndrome.
NZ used to be just as stupid. A taxi licence cost the same as a house here once...FFS.
I think New York is even worse.A taxi licence costs virtually nothing here, but you have to pay for a franchise or shares in a co-op like Blue Bubble. I don't know what that runs at but it would be minimal, probably around $6000.
The problem with the Uber business model is that it encourages people who quote below cost just to get cash. That isn't just with taxis either, Uber are into anything they can.
Taxi companies charge a set fare rate. The flash outfits like Corporate have big nice cars so charge more than the small companies from west and south Auckland who cater for the less affluent.
So yes Uber would have an attraction in Oz, but the income issues would still be the same.
Pity Smith didn’t switch to an Uber career a couple of years earlier and bypassed his stint at the Warriors. Delivered nothing positive while here.
With all his credentials, past success and experience, the question is why?
playdaball
Heritage Member
Showing your age there Bruce.
Past his best, formerly an elite coach but had had no success since Roosters made the 2010 GF. Was a key player in Shaun Johnson’s departure.
bruce
Contributor
Everybody has a use by date, even taxi drivers, but most can make it into their mid 70s anyway.
With age comes wisdom...you will find out...one day.
Wasn’t it a POS power play with CG, they are in Robbo’s ear.
playdaball
Heritage Member
Everybody has a use by date, even taxi drivers, but most can make it into their mid 70s anyway.
With age comes wisdom...you will find out...one day.
From Kung Fu TV series,
“Yes, Grasshopper. But can any man afford such arrogance?”
Nah Smith was heavily involved, Kearney was against the ‘test the market’ message, however was outvoted by the others.
Remember when that old dude taught David Carradine how to dodge bullets with the power of his mind? We can learn a lot from Bruce, that's how he survived Passchendaele.
Was reading through this after seeing bumped and had a good hearty laugh at this. Almost feel sorry for the guy having to read what we say about him on here.
Almost.
Can’t remember exactly how his role was defined at the club, similar to Gus Gould wasn’t it? I read Kearney didn’t bother him for any advice - much to his detriment as it turned out.
Its fine now with Uber as the drivers have GPS. The days before GPS Brian Smith would of been a great taxi driver. He was always well prepared as coach, great attention to detail as he used to drive his players mad.
As a taxi driver he would of studied the maps of the city like crazy. He'd get you there on time.
As a taxi driver he would of studied the maps of the city like crazy. He'd get you there on time.