Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 14/02) - "Good evening, car 24," says a disembodied voice.

Allison Staff books on for duty Wednesday night, after driving the day shift a few hours earlier.

Staff pulls down her visor, blocking the blaring rays that are her devoted companion all summer long.

The sun illuminates her shock of white blonde curls, attracting the attention of two men walking by.

Staff is used to being noticed.

The sprawling cracks on her silver Impala's windshield resemble the spider's legs tattooed on her upper chest. The cracks are a badge of honour from many $150 cab fares to Rae; the tattoo, a request from her 18-year-old nephew who wears an identical black widow.

"I never dreamed I would be a cab driver," says Staff, 39.

She admits to loving it, though. The flexibility, the excitement of meeting new people, the time it allows her to spend with her kids Ragge, 2, and Meaghan, 17, are necessary perks to this single mother.

"In August I will take two weeks off to potty-train Ragge," says Staff.

Staff seems to take in stride the unsavoury aspects of her job.

The most common problem is people who can't pay their fare.

"The best thing to do is not cause them grief; let them go," says Staff. "Most times they will pay me back later. You have to remember, people don't want their cab driver mad at them when it's 40 below."

Driving in Yellowknife for two-and-half years, Staff is on a first-name basis with most of her clients.

She is a favourite with teenagers who need a lift home late at night. Empty pockets or not, Staff will help whenever she can. Three young faces stare out from photos affixed to the cab's interior.

"Those are some of my favourite kids around town," says Staff, telling a little story about each. On the weekends, Staff has driven up to 16 hours straight. Trips to Tim Horton's for a large cup of Joe with four sugars and two creams seems to keep her lively.

The biggest misconception about cab drivers, says Staff, is they are reckless.

"The last thing I want to do is harm a pedestrian or damage my car," says Staff.

"Our reaction time and judgment is better than the average driver because we are always on the road."