Not a Bad Trip: A Pittsburgh Cab Story

Join us for a discussion of Howie Ehrlichman's book, Not a Bad Trip: a Pittsburgh Cab Story. This history-filled memoir is all about life in the front seat of a Pittsburgh taxi, from the era of Yellow Checkers with jump seats through the evolution of the Uber world we now live in. The book also offers an analytical and critical assessment of the transportation-for-hire business. While we will meet some colorful characters along the way, Pittsburgh remains the star of the show. As part of the program, Howie will read a chapter and/or excerpts from the book, and encourage an open Q & A and interactive discussion with the audience.

Howard (Howie) Ehrlichman, born in 1957, is a Pittsburgh lifer. A 1979 Penn State graduate, he resides in the 'Burgh's eastern suburbs with his wife, Christina, a dog, and some cats. Chris and Howie are proud parents of four grown children. 

Howie's taxi career began in 1977. In 1984, he took a twelve year "break" to operate a dynamic food store  in an iconic city neighborhood. After selling the business in 1996, he returned to Yellow Cab. In 1998, he fulfilled his childhood dream, becoming a Port Authority bus operator, and later, a dispatch/supervisor, retiring after 24 years of service. Throughout his transit career, he remained a dedicated weekend warrior at the cab company. Not a Bad Trip is Howie's first book. In late 2016, he turned his cab in for the last time, ending his forty-year long love affair with taxicab life. Although "officially" retired, he still dabbles in the gig world of rideshare and food delivery.