Recession , "How long will market down run continue?"?

In office, while reading news paper i came across the following article

"Nicolas Cage took just a minute to vanish away with one car in the 2000 Hollywood blockbuster 'Gone in 60 Seconds', but the jobs seem to be disappearing at a faster rate, with companies laying off at least one employee every 10 second to cut costs and fight the economic crisis. " 

could not stop myself from writing the below interaction I had. 

This Mornimg while i was on my way to Airport to catch a flight for chennai, I was watching comic act of Abhiskek and John in Dostana movie on LCD screen, Chauffer had a intresting question for me.

"How long will the market be 'down' ? " 

He continued with his version of recession and how is it effecting him " As the new airport is far from city, I thought there will be huge demand for airport transfer, to cash in on this demand, I have bought a new car on EMI's" he continues looking into the rear mirror probably to check if i was paying attention to what he was saying " Due to the recent market 'down' situation , followed by terriorist attack ... , people are not traveling these days" . by this moment I was thinking , How many more professions has this economic downrun effected? . He continues in same breath" I didnot get any trips to airport from last 1 week. thank god that i got my first drop to airport last evening , since then you are the fourth passenger " . I told him that driving such long hours for a strech is not good for him, he needs to take rest. he was quick to reply" I usually sleep while waiting for passenger to arrive, usually there will be a gap of 2-3 hours from the time i drop one customer to to pickup another" . I asked him if he has another pickup after he drops me, "no sir, its close 6 AM now, people tend to take BMTC volvo services during the day light and today being tuesday, we dont have any business passengers" (i presume he meant business passengers usually come on mondays) " sir, Last month i arranged money for EMI with much difficulty, dont know what is going to happen this month, I hope to get more passengers once market is 'up' and people start traveling" . he said while looking over his sholder whith lot of hope in his eyes.

By this time we reached airport, he handed over his card to me, requesting me to call him directly if i need any further airport transfers.