Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Aug 28/00) - Flip Perkins once drove a $400 Yamaha 750 motorcycle from Kelowna to Thunder Bay.

He gave away his bike when it was over...

Perkins' story is interrupted as a call comes over the CB radio. It crackles something about a pick up for Car 26 at Browne Building.

Perkins, who's been driving cabs in Iqaluit for 16 years, left for the North right after his motorcycle trip in 1984.

His father was a cab driver here for a while and didn't like it, but still recommended it to Perkins.

Last year Perkins wore one of those white masks people in smogged-out cities wear. He said he did it in protest of Iqaluit's dusty streets.

"The town passed a no smoking in taxis bylaw to protect people's health, but still it's OK to breathe huge wafts of dust," says Perkins, who is currently driving for Nanook Taxi.

"Next year they'll fix these streets, every year it's 'next year'. They have stuff they can spray to keep the dust down," he adds, shaking his head.

The red sun glares through a cloud of dust kicked up by a delivery truck. Perkins cuts through the orange hue which envelops the cab for a second.

Perkins says he's only driving cabs for three more years. He plays the guitar and wants to buy all new equipment and make a living as a musician again.

He's been driving cabs for 16 years. But now he's getting married in December and his partner is finishing nursing school.

The future of the job

Perkins continues telling stories about crazy Friday nights years ago, but through it he admits he's a little worried about Iqaluit's taxi business becoming flooded with drivers.

"A lot of the drivers from the south have an attitude of making the fast buck. They treat people like (crap) because they have no bond with this place," says Perkins.

"So the town made it a priority to give taxi licences to people who live here."

"So now (everyone) is getting licences," says Perkins. "There's over 40 cabs on the road."

Cab drivers are their own bosses. They lease their cars and pocket the difference at the end of the day. Some drive as independents.

Perkins says over the years traffic congestion has become worse but pedestrians still act the same way they did 10 years ago.

"I've seen many a close call," Perkins says, adding that there needs to be more traffic safety education for children.

He's picked up six passengers in an hour, his white Nanook cab streaked with dirt.

A veteran driver, he only drives the day shift now.

"I've paid my dues," he says, laughing.