The London Knowledge

[TriggerTech]

Evening Gents,

Ok,

The 3 hour daily communte is getting to me and Ive had enough of working for someone else!

Im thinking of taking up the Knowledge around my 9-5. Although it will be a tough 24 months (For the 320 runs + 56's, 28's 21's etc), the rewards, (£/work when i like, More golf time) outweigh this.


Just wondering if anyone on here is a Green Badge Holder and what advise would you give me?

P.S I wont fall for the "Its a dying game, dont bother" Ive heard the stories from the other side!


Thanks in advance

TT

 

[RichardC]

No personal experience, but have a couple of good friends that have done it with differing results.

One took to it like a duck to water and completed it with no real issues, but the other ended up taking nearly 4 years

Whenever I went to play golf in London there were plenty of cabbies out playing

Good luck if you decide to do it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Always seem to be plenty of cabbies at places like Mitcham, Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common whenever I've been there so it can't be a bad life. They've even got their own black cab golfing society. Know a couple who have tried it. One got through after a few years and the other gave up the ghost. Losts of hours studying and getting out there and learning the runs but if you can do it I'm sure there is a living to be made.

 

[funkyfred]

Some of my best friends are/have been cabbies, and I know a lot more who I play golf with. Its very difficult to do the Knowledge around another job, because of the time involved. Like many things people learn at a different pace so I wouldn't put a time on how long it will take. You first have to make te decision if this is the job for you for the rest of your life?

To be fair many of my friends do make a very good living but they do put in the hours, but as you say they are their own boss and they have the facility to earn and work as much as they need. Like most people at work they all have good and bad days.

One of my friends didn't do the full knowledge (London etc) but done a regional one which took in the Sutton/Croydon area's, this was OK for a few years but my mate pulled out in the end because he thought there were to many cabs chasing to little customers.

I wish you all the best in your quest.

 

[TriggerTech]

Thanks for the replies gents.

A guy i work with has currently done all the runs and is on this 28's now. I would have to put 3 mornings in a week prior to work to follow his progress, which im happy to do.

Just weighing it up as a life changing (hopefully for the better) decision

 

[Aztecs27]

If I lived nearer London, I'd love to consider this.

I have a pretty good photographic memory when it comes to driving places. If I drive somewhere once, I don't forget how to get there again, and can re-trace my route without issue.

320 routes to learn is quite alot though! And I don't think I could cope with the central london traffic!

Best of luck with it though Trigger, keep us posted, I'd love to know how you get on.

 

[TriggerTech]

I will keep you posted - I live in Sussex and work in Hertfordshire, would be a case of getting to Swiss Cottage (where the bike is stored_ early doors (6am) calling 3 runs a day and going to work for 10:30am - Will be a tough year and HID isnt keen, but Ive told her as we are trying for kids next years at least I will be around to see the nipper grow up. as currently out of the house between 7am and 8pm anyway. Didn’t think it was the right time to mention bonus golf and mid week medals yet!