It comes down to earning for as long a period as possible. Sitting on ranks doesn't earn money. That's why they'd prefer it. Short runs may provide more money per km but at least on a 25 minute run, the meter is on for 25 minutes.
I agree re sitting on ranks - same family member never used ranks as he hated sitting around waiting for a job, worked off radio and street pick ups only. A lot of taxi drivers wont go to a rank outside of peak times.
But on the 25 minute run - the car could empty for 25 minutes on the way back too - so no money earned on the return journey.
I suppose it depends on an individual taxi drivers attitude to the job, some guys work it in such a way that they stay out a particular number of hours per week and take the good weeks with the bad - others stay out til they have earned a set amount of money - all depends on personal circumstances, if the taxi plate is rented or owned, if its feasible to mix night work with daytime work etc...
I doubt you would be seeing a true reflection of attitudes on a bulletin board for taxi drivers either - there is a large percentage of older drivers out there who probably dont know how to use the internet.
