Lema's Generosity---Giving All His Medallions Away

Yes, that's him, Lema, the same Lema Woldegeorgis, the legendary taxi mechanic who, twenty-five years ago, parlayed 50 plus cheap taxi medallions into a multi-million dollar fortune gathered from the sweat and blood of untold numbers of cabbies, to whom we have before us today: an owner no longer needing the bother and is giving his golden goose away.  Why, one might ask, is Lema doing this, what is his motivation for tossing away what once held an combined equity of over 12 million dollars?  How does this make any sense disposing away his taxi monopoly?

The answer is simple.  The medallion "treasure chest" no longer exists, current prices ranging between 3-5 thousand dollars for something worth $250,000 a mere six years ago.  Yes, Uber changed the market but let us collectively remember that the Seattle City Council had initially capped all TNC (ride-share) companies at under 500 operators each.  But as many might also recall, the newly elected Seattle mayor Ed Murray decided that "it couldn't be so," pressuring the Council to reverse itself to completely uncap the TNC market while simultaneously enticing Lema and company with a deal: go along with this and all those leased medallions becoming real property, just like all those million-dollar medallions in NYC, providing a new World packed with renewed and wonderful opportunities.

Personally, I read the taxi tea leaves, and in a presentation to BYG/PSD/Yellow Cab, I said we have to sue the City of Seattle or we are doomed.  And the response to my warning?  David Friend, Lema's financial confidant, walked out of the room, telling me then it was all over,  and now for Lema, it is over,  at least owning a large fleet of worthless and troublesome cabs. it's done, with millions in the bank and monthly income flowing out of Yellow's Puget Sound Dispatch.  Yes, that's correct, Lema's generosity coming with one major precondition: that this free medallion must become a Seattle Yellow cab, thus generating a weekly $180.00 weekly dispatch fee circulating, after PSD overhead, directly into Lema's and David Friend's, along with a few other minor stakeholders, pockets.  

Yes, this is the reality, this is what is occurring in real time.  And also true is the opportunity offered to those who otherwise would not own a cab.  Work hard and you will make a small fortune, living a relatively good life while sending all the kids to college.  It's all true, and Lema should be thanked regardless of motives one way or the other.  Why speak of morality when, business-wise, taxi remains a cutthroat, dog-eat-dog affair.  Celebrate, then, Lema's altruism and let the taxi chips fall where they might---upon heads and hearts and long-suffering cabbies too exhausted to know up from down or who is the clown?   Who are the taxi clowns?  All of us of course.  How could it be any other way?

Yellow Cabbie Rebellion, Part 2---More Of The Untold Story Of An Unsatisfactory Revolt

There are so many corresponding implications of last week's labor action at Yellow that I barely know where to begin, starting instead with the NY Times 05/19/2019 headline article, "Driven to Despair---How Reckless Loans Devastated A Generation Of Cab Owners" by Brian M. Rosenthal, an extremely thorough examination of how New York City's taxi industry was impacted by unscrupulous banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, their questionable loan actions sanctioned, by of all people, the NYC Taxi Commission.  With 950 mostly immigrant owners losing their investments and medallions, it speaks to how the immigrant cabbie operates in a bubble not fully connected to the new and alien culture he/she finds themselves in, explaining to me what I saw in Seattle as a gross overreaction to Puget Sound Dispatch's request for prepayment for our new dispatch system.

As noted last week, PSD bears responsibility for not adequately, over the past six-eight months, updating all of us over what was occurring or not with the new system.  But it can also be said, that when PSD management did reach out to one group reporting to represent a large percentage of single owners, PSD was either ignored or misunderstood, resulting in what we saw: a misguided work stoppage hurting only the operators and our customer base.  And given that most of our customers were served minus truly serious delay, these 80-100 cabbies proved the opposite, showing they were expendable, for the most part PSD operating efficiently without them, that over capacity is our current reality. Only now is business picking up after our winter doldrums, the worst taxi season I have personally experienced.

Again, I don't fault anyone for being angry, years of abuse and stonewalling taking its toll.  But it is all important to read the situation correctly, and I see a misreading in their response.  Perhaps if I had made it to some of their recent meetings, I could have explained to them what the current situation was, and the where, why and how to what PSD was doing.  Minus real guidance, other than rumored encouragement from the Teamsters, they rashly rushed into action without the support of the remaining 300 or more single owners.  Obviously they should have attempted organizing all of us before going forward, along with alerting local media.  None of this was done.  And picking the same day Uber and Lyft was striking made no logical sense, potentially adversely impacting more customers.  While often irritating, our customers should not be made to suffer for our dysfunction.

Making bad even worse, there are reports calls were made to local school districts stating we would not be picking up students both Thursday and Friday, prompting panicked telephone calls to Yellow/PSD.  That this kind of sabotage is illegal didn't appear to stop some to disrupt operations, along with harassing drivers picking up at the schools.  I wonder if anyone knows the definition of "felony" and how getting one impacts your life?

What all this portends for the immediate future I don't know.  If anything was truly gained, I don't see it but at least single owners can now pay their nearly $700.00 in 3 payments.  And why strike over this when the much bigger issue of adding an additional 150 airport cabs is looming over us, along with the city granting this past week 25 more WAT van licenses.  Does Yellow need another 175 cabs?  Not with our current business.  Now this issue does concern me.  This requires discussion.  Along with a reduction in our weekly dispatch fees.  We need frank and honest conversation, all senseless shouting into the air unhelpful.

And if anyone if interested, in 1973, at age 19, I was fired from my job working in a warehouse when attempting to organize an union, the seamstress' in the shop making $1.00 per hour, meaning I do endorse labor actions.  I once paid the price and glad I did but your actions must be justified.  That is all I request.

Seattle Yellow Cab Single Owner Rebellion & What To Do If Your Uber Or Lyft Driver Is Kidnapping You

Frustration with Yellow/Puget Sound Dispatch boiled over into an impromptu labor action this week, 80 or more single owners turning in their tablets/computers in protest over PSD's mishandling of its new system prepayment request.  As mentioned last week, PSD bungled the process by not communicating adequately over the past few months what was pending, what monetary amount would be requested.  Unfortunately, the walkout put everyone who didn't, including myself, under incredible pressure to serve our accounts, especially our morning and afternoon school runs, with hundreds of children requiring transportation to regional schools.  While intending to send PSD a message, in turn it wasn't wise to punish the innocent who have nothing to do with Yellow's inherent dysfunction.  What occurred both Thursday and Friday was an concerted effort to serve the bells, and for the most part, we were successful, with the majority of the school children arriving to class on time.  Sympathy aside, there has to be a better way to address single owner concerns, and I only hope their actions opened more productive communication channels addressing current and future issues, making everyone's sacrifice meaningful.

One startling, related response was the verbal attack directed at me yesterday when doing "my turn" at the cashier's office, D_____, YC 8 _ _, angrily bombarding me with allegations I had betrayed the drivers by joining with Amin, the PSD general manager in a scheme to somehow skim, embezzle money from MTI, the new system contractor.  Requesting him to stop, saying repeatedly he was insulting me, he kept on until, losing my temper, I turned  around and shouted "Shut up!" sending the message my tolerance quickly fading.  On top of accusing me, Amin and PSD of Federal crimes, he clearly said my motivation was due to being white, implying I am racist.  Amazing, concerning all this nonsense, is that, other than making the initial trip down to Portland to review the system, and writing two system review blog posts, I have had nothing to do with PSD implementation and planning, this particular driver's paranoia spilling over me.

Again, there is long history to this, and with everyone struggling to make money, it puts all of us on edge, with some obviously leaping over the cliff into psychiatric oblivion.  What D______ seemed not to understand is how his performance endangered himself, opening up potential libel suits by me or PSD.  Sad is how we have always been friendly, which is what I said yesterday walking out the door.  But for anyone reading my blog for the very first time, this is what taxi does to people, it makes you crazy, prompting behavior later regrettable.  Such is taxi as I know and hate it, and hate it I do! Screw taxi!

Just Don't Sit There in the Backseat Allowing Yourself to be Victimized

In the various accounts of female passengers attacked by Uber/ Lyft and ersatz Uber/Lyft drivers, all say the victim sat there waiting for the outcome whatever that might be, never detailing the kind of response required when you are being kidnapped.  Instead of waiting, the proper response is to attack---turning off the key, grabbing the steering wheel or poking the rapist in the face and eyes.  With the driver facing forward, it is the victim who holds the advantage, and I advise anyone finding themselves in that awful situation to be instantaneously aggressive, quickly disabling the driver and car.  What you don't do is allow yourself to be killed or raped.  Once it's clear you are under threat, attack, attack and attack again, ending the situation quickly.  Don't be afraid. Act!

More Thoughts And Info Concerning Yellow's Upcoming Computer System & Dear Dow, Is King County Enabling Gambling Addiction?

I have only one word, or term to describe Yellow/Puget Sound Dispatch and the single owner's collective response to our upcoming dispatch system change: self-defeating.  Like two warring, dysfunctional armies, they stand staring across a deep chasm, wondering what to do.  But to be fair, PSD is pressing forward with plans for fleet system installation mid-June, with a turn-on date of August 12th. While good news, I might be only one who knows it, PSD's recent communication about all this abysmal, two weeks ago asking everyone for initial start up costs minus any real specific information, PSD not realizing the cabbie majority having forgotten about new system negotiations begun last year.  As for the single owners, they remain disconnected from everything other than putting in the many hours plying the taxi road, essential of course but only half of the total taxi equation. Frustrating for me is both my isolated effort to provide necessary information and the obvious fact no one is reading it.  Nothing, and I mean nothing gets the driver's attention.  And when they do wake up to reality, complaint, not accountability their instinctive response. Yes, we stumble along, and I for one, hoping ultimately for a smooth transition come August, prayer perhaps our sole salvation.

Oh Dow! Holy Cow!

Dear KC Executive Dow Constantine,

As constant discussions concerning transportation funds dominate the news, I wonder how King County Metro/1st Transit can justify spending essentially $200.00 for round-trip cab fares 3 times weekly taking a passenger from Seattle's Phinney Ridge to the Snoqualmie Indian Casino near North Bend?  What can be the rationale spending nearly $2400.00 monthly facilitating an addict's gambling habits?  A reliable source tells me this isn't isolated, sometimes 7-8 fares originating upon a given day from Auburn's Muckleshoot Casino to destinations all over greater King County.  Why is all this an appropriate use of limited funds?  I await your response.  Or shall we just place a bet?

Signed,

Incredulous Cabbie

Can This Be True?---Is Uber & Lyft Recruiting New Operators In Seattle Homeless Shelters

It might, or can be said that the strange and unusual are occurring often these days in the ride-share country known as Uber & Lyft-land, but the oddest, if true could be Uber and Lyft's Human Resource employees actively searching for new independent operators in Seattle and area homeless shelters.  This is the report I got yesterday concerning an outreach meeting at Mary's Place, a Seattle Belltown/Downtown shelter for distressed mothers and their children, HR officials telling the women in attendance they too could be driving around Seattle making part-time money.  And displaying their full corporate  benevolence, were willing to provide everyone a car for only $200. 00 per week, this of course spoken to women struggling to survive and receiving welfare benefits.   Appropriately, one woman replied she couldn't even afford a driver's license, yet alone a new car, which brings up an obvious question: why are Uber and Lyft doing this?

Theoretically, I can understand why Mary's Place and the ride-share companies might team up, deciding this could be a favorable occupational opportunity but does anyone understand who they are talking to?  Having picked up passengers at 4 different Mary's Place shelters, many could potentially be described as "ill-prepared" for life challenges, and certainly not ready for the rigors presented by Seattle congested streets.  As recent reports of Uber and Lyft driver criminality suggest, driving a quasi-taxi can and will push you over the edge into personal lunacy, not a place where one wants to reside.

Too often in Seattle I am reminded of the biblical parable, "the Blind leading the Blind," which could certainly be cited here, only hoping  City and County regulators will question Uber and Lyft's tactics.  A few years back, the noble minds governing Seattle Yellow/Puget Sound Dispatch decided to fill entire shifts with women inmates from a prisoner work-release facility, an ill-conceived idea wholly unsuccessful, insolence suddenly dispatches' new demeanor, anger the new friendly hello.

As every taxi veteran knows, even the sane go crazy in this environment, meaning inserting weary, unhappy women into the local transportation hurricane unwise and cruel, something neither benign nor fair. While money is essential and important, situational stability, should I think, be the first goal.  As a former case manager, that would be my initial recommendation, anything else coming much, much later, these women requiring months and years of rehabilitation and support.  Life is not an inspirational movie, and reality not instantaneous fantasy.  Change is clearly incremental, a step by step process not somehow quickly accelerated by fast-moving cars looking to make a buck, making little sense moving further down a dead-end highway.  First and foremost, teach people to be themselves before trying to make them into someone else, an obvious tenet preached in Therapeutics 101.

And that is what Uber and Lyft were doing at Mary's Place, wishing Spring into Summer while forgetting Autumn and Winter's months of quiet regeneration, replenishing the soil before planting the seeds.  All farmers know this, green, bountiful fields testimony to patience, wisdom and care in both tilling the earth and the ever fragile human mind.

What taxi does to you

Mike, a taxi buddy at Yellow, was found unconscious in his cab on southbound State Route Highway 509 at S. 128th Street.  Initially breathing, his breathing stopped on the way to Highline Hospital, resulting in five days upon life support.  While his prognosis remains positive, his taxi days are over.  Some remain enthusiastic about taxi but not us who know better, knowing too well death in various forms lurking round the next corner.  And Uber & Lyft want to introduce more neophytes into this twirling maelstrom?  Unkind!

Two New Restaurant Recommendations 

Taxi buddy Chris met me last Thursday at the Mizuki Buffet, an Asian-themed all-you-can-eat joint that is simply amazing.  While pricy, settle for lunch at $16.00 each.  I know Chinese and this is good and fresh, restaurant cooking.  You will not be disappointed.

Mizuki Buffet, 17950 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, WA .  206-575-6988

WWW.MIZUKIBUFFET.NET

And another terrific and authentic restaurant is Salva Mex----Pupuseria y Comida Mexicana.  One step into the door and you are in Mexico and Central America.  I love the place!  And yes, it is wonderfully cheap and good!  Head on down and enjoy.  Located more or less 2 miles west of the airport.

15019 Ambaum Blvd., Burien, WA .  206-988-8786

Keith Moon and NYC taxis

Back in 1967, the Who drummer rented 9 Yellow Cabs to block off both ends of a street.  Why?  So he could toss all the furniture from his hotel room unto the street.  Why I have no idea why.  The cabbies must have been amazed at the sight!

Verging Upon Anarchy---Honking A Horn (Or Alternate Title---Welcome To Seattle, The Punitive City)

Is it true that you never know when you are crazy, that everything seems normal despite it truly isn't, denial and non-recognition your only response?  I say this because both the City of Seattle and Seattle Yellow Cab appear to reaching a crisis, with chaos and anarchy the present reality but no one appears to understand that bedlam doesn't equate functionality or sanity.  Now I don't mean that Seattle and Yellow Cab are operating collectively, which isn't true.  From what I can observe, the City of Seattle cares little about what Yellow and the other cab associations do one way or the other.  But decisions made by the City does affect us in ways large and small, though as I said, taxis are not part of municipal consideration, little more than chaff in the bureaucratic wind.  A very small incident this week exemplifies this, when a honking of a honk set off a rage very much typical of Seattle---Seattle, a much smaller mind residing in a larger, urban body.

All I did was, after picking up a passenger at 1st & Pike, was proceed north until stopped short in the intersection when a panicked driver stopped on an angle in front of me, blocking me and all access forward.  Why the sudden response?  Because the driver found themselves in what is now a bus-only lane, and over-reacted, causing me to partially block the pedestrian crossing.  Though providing at least four feet for crossing Pike at 3rd, it didn't stop this older gentleman from pushing on 1092's hood while glowering through the windshield, my instinctive response hitting the horn. 

Anywhere else, this is where it would have ended but no, two days later he calls, identifies himself to Jeff the superintendent as a doctor, saying my honking startled him, causing him to further injure an already impacted leg.  As I later discussed with Jan, my passenger at the time, and someone having taken my cab daily the past two weeks, what we saw was different from the report provided to Jeff.  Irritated over this silliness, and tired of being victimized in the cab, we had a short, and for me embarrassing shouting match.  As I told Jeff latter, I just can't take it anymore, it is complete madness! and come next March, if I am still in the cab, I will be selling my medallion.  Enough is enough, isn't it?

A Primary Seattle Yellow Medallion Owner Returns His Licenses Back To The City

At one point, N____ owned 30 City of Seattle medallions, all of them Yellow cabs.  Now I have found out, that after selling an unknown number of these once very valuable licenses, he gave the rest back to the City of Seattle, divesting himself in a way I am sure he never thought possible.  And why did he do the unthinkable?   A shortage of drivers willing to drive a cab in Seattle convinced him it was time to get out of the business permanently.

How much money did he lose?  Given past value, quite a bit is the answer, his 30 cabs times $250,000 once equalling a combined equity of 7,500,000.  And how much is a medallion currently worth?  Anywhere between $3-5 thousand dollars.  You might also ask who is to blame for this?  Uber and Lyft and their municipal and county and Port of Seattle enablers.

While many local cab veterans might say "Good riddance!" to someone despised, I always had a good relationship with him, having known him for over 27 years.  He wanted me to take over the current lot, something I agreed to but was overruled by L___, who thought I deserved $1500.00 less than what I was told.  N____ also was the sponsor of the yearly Thanksgiving feast for Yellow drivers and their families, something I made every effort to attend.

In conclusion, he deserved better than he got, and now he has the pleasure of not having to deal with a bunch of crazed cabbies who don't and never will understand the underlying economics of operating a big cab company.  At its height, the BYG co-op (Seattle Yellow Cab) was an astoundingly efficient transportation machine, keeping a fleet of well over 500 cabs maintained and on the road.  That the current version, Yellow Fleet, is sinking into the taxi sunset is something I find sad, and worth shedding a tear over.   What we are witnessing is an end of an era, something not soon or ever again replicated.  Despite all its associated hardships, driving a cab can be both profitable and entertaining.

And what is replacing this fine tradition?  Oh my god! Uber and Lyft!  Oh my blessed Taxi God!