Meet The Cab-Challenge Cast
Four volunteer firefighters are testing their endurance by living in this New York City taxicab for the next three days with only a 10-minute break every two hours.
The survivors will win a trip for two to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.
Meet the contestants:
Jimmy Sands - Born on Nov. 16, 1972, in Queens, N.Y., Sands attended Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, N.Y. Soon after graduation, he began working in construction. He started training for his real passion in Rochester, N. Y,. as a volunteer firefighter. After Sept. 11, he returned home to be closer to his family and to volunteer in the city he cares most about.
Sands is employed by a private contracting company that does general home improvements. His free time is spent as a volunteer firefighter for the West Hamilton Beach department. He plans to continue his training in hopes of becoming a paid city firefighter.
Jimmy is confident he'll win the challenge because of his years in Rochester, where he spent many snowy days indoors. A bachelor, Jimmy lives in Howard Beach, N.Y., with his parents, sister and brother.
Timmy O'Brien - Born on Feb. 5, 1982, in Breezy Point, Queens, O'Brien studied marine transportation at Maritime College. Since school didn't seem to be the right fit for him, O'Brien began to pursue his real dream – to become a firefighter. He joined the New York City Fire Cadet program, which allows students to earn college credits while training for the FDNY. After completing the eight-week program, he enrolled in the E.M.S. academy and graduated in September of 2002.
O'Brien currently works as an emergency medical technician for the FDNY and is looking forward to becoming a firefighter in the future. The inspiration for his goal came from his grandfather and uncle who were New York firefighters, and his father who is a New York police officer.
O'Brien's sure he will be able to stay in the taxi the longest because he has the drive to win. He lives in Breezy Point with his brother, Kevin, mom, dad, and the family cat, affectionately named "Rer" for the sound he always makes.
Thomas McGoorty - Born on May 29, 1984, in Queens, N.Y., McGoorty is a recent high school graduate. He lives in Breezy Point with his parents and younger brother and sister and works as a clerk for the Mercantile Tile Exchange. In his spare time, McGoorty is a volunteer firefighter at the Point Breeze department. His uncle was a volunteer at the same firehouse. McGoorty considers his fellow volunteers his extended family and appreciates the constant support they offer one another.
He enjoys playing basketball and baseball, and going out dancing with his friends. As a side job, he is a DJ for private parties. McGoorty says he plans on catching up on much needed rest while in the Taxi Challenge.
Brendan Johnson - Born on Dec. 25, 1983, in Yonkers, N.Y., Johnson comes from a family in which firefighting is a tradition. Brendan's grandfather was a captain and his father a battalion chief in the FDNY. Following in their footsteps, Johnson is a volunteer firefighter at the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department in Queens and aspires to join the FDNY in the future. In addition to his firefighting duties, Johnson is studying to become a paramedic at Westchester Community College.
He says he s confident he and the other contestants will get along perfectly during their three days locked in a taxicab because of all the experiences they've shared as firefighters. If he wins the Taxi Challenge, Johnson will take his girlfriend of two years to Orlando with him. Johnson lives with his father in Westchester.