MARK WAITE / PVT Josh Cook prepares to make another delivery for Domino's Pizza. Advertisement

People who have to drive for a living have to face the impact of high gas prices more than the average motorist. Their daily mileage may amount to 200 miles on the job.

Reactions to each rise in the gas prices ranges from acceptance to anger among those drivers. It depends on their company policy toward reimbursement

When asked for a comment about the effect of high gas prices on her income, Pahrump Valley Taxi driver Jane Hoover said, "tell me about it."

"I can tell you it is rough on us. It kills our paycheck, let's put it that way," Hoover said, while picking up a passenger at Smith's Food and Drug Store on her 12-hour shift.

Claudia Gay, office manager of Pahrump Valley Taxi, said it now costs up to $90 to fill up a handicapped van for medical transportation runs. Taxi drivers normally receive half the fare, plus tips.

Drivers get a full tank of gas to start their shift and fill up the car when they return, leaving them responsible for paying the higher gas prices.

"It depends how much mileage they do," Gay said. Some drivers can put on 170 to 200 miles in a shift, she said, while those taking a passenger to McCarran International Airport in east-central Las Vegas could run up 250 miles.

When gas prices are high, Gay said, "They lose quite a bit of money, I would say at least 15 percent from their totals is lost." Gay said Pahrump Valley Taxi would have to get approval to raise the rates.

"We are allowed to raise our prices but I cannot really do it out here because it's already $2 per mile and we had the last increase a year ago," Gay said. The company charges $2.20 for the initial call, then $2 per mile.

On the other hand, Beth Dekin, a driver at Domino's Pizza for the last 22 months, didn't seem to have a problem with the high gas prices.

"Gas prices, it doesn't bother me at all. I think people should have their mind on bigger things, rather than a few pennies a gallon," Dekin said. "Our mileage increases with the price of gas. They pay us mileage for every run and it always covers the gas."

Scott Smith, owner of the Domino's Pizza restaurant, remembered when the Pahrump franchise opened in 1996 when drivers received 60 cents per delivery. They're now paid $1.50 per delivery, plus any tips they receive.

Smith said drivers were given an option and chose to receive variable compensation based on the price of gas rather than a fixed rate.

"They voted to do a sliding scale," Smith said. "They voted to do a good thing for them because it (gas) never went down."

Smith said he normally hires drivers at 25 cents above minimum wage, they then receive annual raises and their reimbursement per delivery.

"They get at least that much in tips," Smith said.