terrorist cab drivers -- The Late Flag

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Subject: terrorist cab drivers

Author:
Midnight

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Date Posted: 10:53:08 09/13/01 Thu

Non-native cab drivers have explained to me that they do not need any significant knowledge of the language or streets of Boston, New York or N.O. in order to get a taxi permit. All that is required is the desired amount of cash. I have heard $500 is the going price for applicants who have failed their tests to get a permit regardless. Cab regulators in all three of these cities have a history of accepting bribes, getting caught and getting convicted. The regulators have contributed significantly to the degredation of this industry. Their policies and practices are flawed in many cases and criminal in other cases.
Policy flaws; No guns, no refusals, little if any lease rate controls and partition requirements.
Practical flaws; Dogmatic, arbitrary, capricious, hamhanded treatment of cab drivers in violation of due process.
Betterment of the industry is counter to the self-interest of the regulators. If they can't keep the public convinced that drivers are terribly flawed... the public will wonder what the taxpayers pay the regulator's salaries for.
When customers gush with (solicited) complaints about the cab industry, I cannot resist the urge to ask these passengers "Just who do you think gave driving permits to these jamokes? Because, I guarentee you, I wouldn't degrade the industry by giving free rein to cab owners to charge as much as they like or to raise lease rates everytime the meter rates go up. I wouldn't degrade the industry by giving permits to unqualified applicants. But notice where the heat for substandard drivers is directed... at the drivers, not the regulators."

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[> Subject: Re: terrorist cab drivers

Author:
Smokin' Dave
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Date Posted: 16:09:25 09/16/01 Sun

>Non-native cab drivers have explained to me that they
>do not need any significant knowledge of the language
>or streets of Boston, New York or N.O. in order to get
>a taxi permit. All that is required is the desired
>amount of cash. I have heard $500 is the going price
>for applicants who have failed their tests to get a
>permit regardless. Cab regulators in all three of
>these cities have a history of accepting bribes,
>getting caught and getting convicted. The regulators
>have contributed significantly to the degredation of
>this industry.

Whoa, step back a bit. What evidence do you have that this is happening in New Orleans? That it's happening in Boston? That it's happening in NYC? You stated than "non-native" drivers have told you this, but I'd like to see a bit more credible evidence than "so and so told me".

As much as I sometimes despise the New Orleans Taxicab Bureau, I have neither seen nor heard evidence that they've accepted bribes for permits. Believe me, in my ten years of hacking, if it were possible to bribe a New Orleans Taxicab Bureau officer in order to obtain a permit, I would have heard about it by now.

That being said, until I see credible evidence on this matter, I shall render your statements (regarding New Orleans) as untrue, and I'm doubting your accusations about Boston and NYC as well.

But what's really troubling me about your post is the header "terrorist cab drivers". Where did this come from? Since your post did mention "non-native" drivers, I'm assuming you're impying that these people are all terrorists. So much for brotherhood in our industry.

--
Smokin' Dave's Taxicab Diaries
http://www.SmokinDave.com

[> [> Subject: Re: terrorist cab drivers

Author:
Midnight
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Date Posted: 12:19:56 09/17/01 Mon

Cab regulators in all three of these cities do have a history of accepting bribes,getting caught and getting convicted. The regulators have contributed significantly to the degredation of this industry.
I clearly was not offering my statements as proof. It took years in the N.O. cab business before I heard this, even once, and I have only heard it offered by one driver. However, several other drivers have said they believe it to be true also.

"Since your post did mention "non-native" drivers, I'm assuming you're impying that these people are all terrorists. So much for brotherhood in our industry."

THAT IS ONE HELL OF AN ASSUMPTION!!

BUT THERE ARE KNUCKLEHEADS EVERYWHERE. Like the guy who jumped out of my cab two days ago because of his presumption that I was a racist because of this; He wanted 5300 block of St. Chas. from the Double Play. I went out Barronne, on the way he seemed to not want to talk so I left him alone and put on some quiet jazz. At Howard I was in the right lane and looking for left lane traffic to clear in case he wanted me to cut over to Lee Circle there. He said go on up Barronne. I said OK, where do you want me to cut over to St. Chas.? He said (or so I thought) "first opportunity." So I turned left on King. I heard a grunt at the light at Carondolet and King. When I got to the 'Tavern' at St. Chas. he huffily said "I'll get out here." I asked if everything was OK. He said he didn't want to ride with a driver too scared to drive on Barronne. He was white, I have had white people freak out when I take expeditious routes through some of the grungier streets. I tried to play it be ear with this guy. I made an incorrect guess about his desired route.

As proof that I am not afraid to drive risky streets, I work Commanders every night and my usual route to the restaurant is Barronne to Brainerd to Third St. I do this as many as five or six times every night. This guy had my 'number' wrong as do you.
There is no direct or implied inference intended regarding non-native drivers being terrorists. The heading 'Terrorist cab drivers' was a 'title' not a blanket accusation of all non-native drivers being terrorists. I was suggesting that if the regulators cannot be trusted to be basically honest, how can we expect them to put quality drivers on the street? How can we feel comfortable with some of our co-workers? How can the riding public feel comfortable?
What prompted my original comment was; I was bothered by the recent news that Mohammed Atta was allegedly a Boston cab driver at one time.
I have always endeavored to relate to every driver I meet, no matter what their heritage or place of birth.