At 82, ‘Jack the Hack’ Dym is hanging up his license after serving as a cab driver in New York for 62 years and 2 million miles of driving.
Jack (the Hack) Dym – likely the city’s most veteran cabbie – has traded traffic lines for line dancing, bowling and yoga.
Dym, 82, who got his hack license in 1947 and first picked up passengers in a Packard, has turned in his keys at a Manhattan fleet garage for the last time.
“After 62 years and 2 million miles driving, I’m done driving,” he said. “I’m free. If someone needs me, I can come. If my friends have a party, I can go. If I want to go anywhere, I can go.”
Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Matthew Daus honored Dym with the TLC’s Lifetime Achievement Award and hailed him as the “gold standard” for cabbies: “Aside from being a truly wonderful person, Jack represents the living history of the taxi industry,” Daus said.
Dym was born on the lower East Side to Jewish immigrant parents from Hungary and Poland. His father became a cabbie, as did Dym’s three brothers. After the Packard, Dym, an Army veteran, drove a DeSoto, then a Checker and an array of big Chevrolets and Fords.
His passengers over the decades included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Sharon Stone.
Dym said he’s never had trouble with passengers, but once narrowly escaped a robbery, thanks to his daughter, Eileen.
In the late 1970s, the art student thought passengers might be cheered if her dad gave them her flower drawings. She made a sign that offered a flower and said: “Sit back and relax and enjoy a safe, pleasant ride with my dad, Jack the Hack.”
Dym gave away thousands upon thousands of flowers, he said. One day, two passengers he dropped off on a darkened street told him the sign persuaded them not to rob him.
“‘We were thinking of holding you up,’” he recalled one of the passengers saying, but instead they said they were just not going to pay him.
“‘Lock your doors and get out of the neighborhood before we change our minds,’” one of the crooks snapped.
Dym and his late wife bought a house in Howard Beach, Queens, where they raised four children on his modest income.
He has driven part-time for the past five years, but said he no longer wants to fight traffic.
Dym now tools around in his 1994 Toyota, which he drives to the Queens senior center where he takes yoga and dancing classes. He also likes to bowl.
He summed up his last six decades driving a cab: “I did it because I enjoy people,” he said. “I love people.”
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
lwilliams 10.16.09 at 2:48 pm
Driving 62 years, and has to turn is keys at a fleet garage? Wow!! I hope he was able to save enough money up. One would assume that he would’ve owned his medallion or something..
RadioFreeTaxi 10.17.09 at 10:39 pm
Dym, did you received the Golden Parachute or an Extra Bonus from the TLC? We, the drivers also proud of you, and wishing you all the best! We would like read your interesting cab driving stories in all those years!
EDDIE LOKSHIN 10.18.09 at 5:43 pm
I hope you remember me. I am Moe Katz’s nephew. I knew your Dad and brother. Jackson Maintenance. I remember when your family owned the Gas Station on Queens Blvd. Your brother was very active in a hospital in B’klyn. I remember when you took your cabe to 42 street during one of our strikes. I am still active I have my cars with Linden Maintenance. I am 85 years old and still work 3 days a week .. My son and daughter are watching over my cars. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR RETIREMENT.
ED
DANA MOSSMAN 10.27.09 at 9:08 am
JACK I’M PROUND TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT HAS MEN OF YOUR CALIBER. YOUR WORK AND EDUCATION FOCUS IS WHAT MADE AMERICA , GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
NINO RUSSO 10.27.09 at 12:03 pm
MET JACK IN MY LOCAL PIZZA PLACE FOR MY SON’S BIRTHDAY,ONE DAY IN HOWARD BEACH,WHAT A NICE GUY ,HE GAVE MY 3 KIDS PINS,PENCILS ,THAT READ “JACK THE HACK ,HAVE A NICE DAY” AND THE KIDS WERE AMAZED LIKE THEY MET A SUPER HERO,HE WAS A VERY NICE MAN AND KNOW I SEE HE’S A LEGEND,THEY DONT MAKE PEOPLE LIKE HIM ANYMORE ,GOD BLESS HIM…
frank 12.31.09 at 1:41 pm
Good luck jack and stay active.
Roger Lamm 02.23.10 at 11:29 pm
Mr. Dym, I am trying to restore a 1948 Packard taxi that was used in NY city. I would like very much to talk to you about some of the details of this taxi. There are a lot of parts missing but there is very little information about these taxis. I own a restored 1947 Packard taxi also. Congradulations on your retirement.
ViDRive.com 02.24.10 at 11:56 pm
Amazing career. great job Jack
good luck