I always wonder about micro-long-hauling anytime I go to new areas of Brooklyn or visit new cities. I pretty much know where I am, but if they went a little out of the way I would not notice.
If you drive a cab for 40 years, do 25 fares a day and "reroute" 4-8 extra blocks (~=$1.25) you'll see an extra ~$30/day or even if he/she does every other fair $15/day.
Depends. The starting fare means that if you have a decent chance of getting another hail (which is the case in many parts of NY at most times of day) it's actually more profitable to get to your destination as efficiently as possible and be able to pick up another fare than to draw out the one you have. There's a reason cabbies hate sitting in traffic even though the meter is running.
If you drive a cab for 40 years, do 25 fares a day and "reroute" 4-8 extra blocks (~=$1.25) you'll see an extra ~$30/day or even if he/she does every other fair $15/day.