Picture a cab driver. You know . . . loud, impatient, a little rough around the edges. He's got a heavy New York accent and his best friend is the yellow checkerboard cab he maneuvers recklessly through the streets.

Think what you will, but this is not exactly the image that local cab driver Eric Winkler upholds.

Wink, as he is called by friends and co-workers, sat comfortably last Friday night in a navy blue mini-van that sported the Taxi by Handy Delivery logo. He exhaled a drag of cigarette and ran his fingers through the mess of blond hair atop his head. He was waiting for a call.

Wink did drive an original yellow cab once in Key West, Fla., but he said the six passenger mini-van he drives now is much more practical.

"A couple drivers lay claim to this car -- I'm one of them."

Wink, though not attending the University now, said he's returning next fall and plans to major in theater with an electronics emphasis. He said he's been driving cabs for about a year and a half.

"It's a friendly place to work, which is what makes most jobs," Wink said.

Wink said Taxi by Handy Delivery, 2197 HighTech Rd., employs an interesting mix of drivers that range from those who make a full-time career of taxi driving to people with doctoral degrees.

Taxi driving is one of those occupations where most people get a nickname slapped on them somewhere along the line. "Shovelneck" got his name from a drunk passenger who shouted the name at him when exiting the cab and a driver who "sharks up all the calls" has been named "Shark," Wink said.

The service employs about 30 drivers who moonlight as students at the University, said Jim Byers, co-owner.

On weekends students seem to be the most frequent customers.

Ken Bruni (junior-marketing) and Rich Powers (junior-accounting) made good use of the spacious van as they piled in with three of their friends at around 10 p.m.

"Can you open up the top?" shouted Bruni.

Wink pushed a button and the stars were in sight. Within minutes Bruni's hat was out the roof.

"Oh well," Bruni shrugged.

"Taxis are where it's at," said Powers, "They take us where we wanna go . . . and these drivers are cool. See? He opened the roof for us."

Bruni and Powers said they take cabs often on the weekends.

"It's better than walking home in a druken stupored state," Powers said as he climbed out of the cab.

Wink laughed.

"They were cool," he said.

Wink said he has come to expect drunken passengers on the weekends.

"If it wasn't for alcohol, I bet we'd have a whole lot less business," he said.

One of his most memorable rides happened during a football weekend when he picked up an intoxicated woman. When Wink stopped the cab at a busy intersection, the woman quickly rolled down the window and threw up on someone's shoes.

"Some (drunk people) are fun, some are annoying; pretty much the same as sober people," Wink said.

The dispacher's voice sounded over the static-filled, two-way citizens band radio, "Wink, got one for ya at McLanahan's, East College."

Mike Johnson, professor of sociology and women's studies, boarded. He had just come from a performance at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Johnson, a Lemont resident, said he has no car. When the buses stop running he has to take a taxi. Or weather permitting, he said, he rides his bike.

Wink said there are three reasons people usually take cabs -- they are lazy, they have no other choice or they can afford the convenience.

But as a driver, he certainly doesn't mind. With the Handy Delivery system, drivers lease cabs for their shifts -- a cab costs $44 for eight hours. They keep all the fare money, which means that at $1.50 a mile, he clears about $55 a night.

Mostly, Wink said he likes driving in town where there are more "fares" or passengers. But he said it's the fares out of town that usually bring in the most money. The most he made on one ride was $225, when he drove a passenger to Allentown.

Wink said he's only been "stiffed" a few times. One of those times he said he followed the passenger into a party and threatened to call the police if he was not paid. He was given $20 for a $15 fare.

For the most part, Wink said, the drivers are in a position of authority and are rarely threatened by passengers.

"Normally I'm wearing a seat belt and they're not. That automatically puts me at an advantage," Wink said, displaying his confidence in his driving.

The dispatcher interrupted, "Got someone at University Terrace. It's yours, Wink."

"Okee dokee," answered Wink.

Beers in hand, four men got in the cab.

One described it, "Wow, this is beautiful . . . There's a place to put your feet, this is great . . . Cedarbrook, please."

Wink smiled and stepped on the gas. Another ride, another night.