June 8, 2007: Cyndi Heads For Vacation

Story By Joe Zlomek

A St. Louis taxi operator's license posted on the dashboard identified her as Cynthia Webb, passenger bus operator for the Budget car rental office at Lambert International Airport. The nametag she wore simply said, "Cyndi." The smile she offered said "ready to go!"

In the bus. And on vacation.

On this Friday morning (June 8, 2007), Webb had already been on duty for several hours. Her job -- shuttling preoccupied passengers from the city's airfield to their rented vehicles and back -- started at 7 a.m. By 10:30 she had made the run several times, but cheerily acted as though each one was the day's first.

She was nonetheless looking forward to her last run later in the afternoon. "I'm going on vacation today," she announced to one rider. "A whole week!"

A week's vacation. Seven days to explore new places, see new things, enjoy new views, taste new dishes.

Or, in Webb's case, dream new dreams. "Mostly, I'm going to sleep late," she explained when asked of her plans. When on the job she rises at 3 a.m. to prepare for and reach work on time.

But for the next seven days, she would take her time, she said. Rise leisurely, breakfast later, do little, and relax a lot. Maybe even take her kids to the community pool for a swim, she added.