The $5,000 cab ride from NY to L.A.

Dan Wuebben was celebrating his 32nd birthday with investment banker pal John Belitsky when they hatched this crazy idea: Why not take a taxi to Los Angeles? Along with cabbie Mohammed Alam, they were in Vegas at last check and headed for California. From the NY Post:

The pair hopped in a cab to Dan's Astoria apartment and floated the idea to their driver, who was game -- though his dispatcher wasn't. "We needed a guy who had his own cab," Wuebben said. "We went to La Guardia, and John brokered the deal." Alam said his wife cried when he broke the news of his epic plans. "First, she was mad," he said. "Now it's OK."

Alam has a friend who will meet him here and help him make the drive back home. No word yet on the tip.