I wish I could tell you that a real appreciation of taxi drivers and their contribution to America's overall transportation is nigh but unfortunately reality is much different, Uber's transcendence a telling sign, signifying that many potential customers could care less if the cab industry altogether disappeared, merely a quaint memory not dissimilar to the horse and carriage, something anecdotal related by your grandparents before a winter's blazing fireplace. Yesterday a cabbie recounted a story how, after a woman stiffed him for sixty dollars, and pulling a "big gun" on him, the Renton city police decided pursuing the assailant wasn't their first priority. Of course you can instead imagine their response if she had pointed her gun at one of them.
When you don't care, you simply don't, and that is what me and every other cabbie in America faces daily---a defined lack of caring except perhaps for our money. Coming back from vacation in the mail I found a notice from the City of Seattle requesting $100.00 dollars, saying I had underpaid my business licence for the years 2013 and 2015. But of course I don't mind, understanding, like the bad Bachman-Turner Overdrive song, any kind of attention is good attention. Yes, that must be the answer, the City of Seattle loves me too. Ain't I gratified?
The Rush to the October 1st Sea-Tac Deadline
That it makes little sense to compress a process normally taking months into 2-3 weeks should be obvious but the Port of Seattle appears not to understand this. With Saturday October 1st a mere three days away, Eastside is attempting the impossible in meeting the Port's deadline. Few if any of the Yellow Cabs transferring to Eastside (E-Cab) have been repainted, potentially bringing in question whether cabs representing one company can now pretend ( least with its surface color) to claim to be another entirely different company. Yes, the owners are, like me, independent contractors but it does appear potentially to be an interpretative stretch.
But of course, expanding limitations or just plainly ignoring them is part of taxi tradition, where rules always apply to someone else but not us. I have openly wondered about insurance considerations but have been reassured that all the transferred cabs will remain insured. Given my own recent experiences dealing with insurance companies and their cohorts I can only hope that is true. Beware of any entity whose sole concern is profit despite any and all rhetoric stating their prime concern is your safety and protection.
Though regardless of initial confusion, I am sure it will work itself out somehow given that money is involved. Each transferring taxi is paying Eastside a non-refundable $3,975.00 to achieve their new/old position at Sea-Tac. While a lot of money, compared to the believed $10,000 paid by the drivers to Yellow during the last Sea-Tac transition, I suppose it can be termed a bargain.
There have been various ongoing conversations between the primary involved parties but acrimony having destroyed any constructive negotiations, like Israel and Palestine, the argument never ending. Who do we ultimately have to blame for the current state of affairs? While knowing full well who bears the responsibility I will say this: the sleeping owner/driver population allowed the mice to play, our dreams becoming nightmarish. Oh so it goes, so it goes.
And making for a nice postscript, Eastside has to pay over $60,000 to rebuild the holding lot restrooms. Like I said, so it goes, so it goes.
A List of Hot Springs
I think both of us got a little dizzy, trying to dip in as many hot springs as humanly possible during a 12 day long journey. Forgetting to write down my initial mileage, I still estimate we drove between 1500-1700 miles, which at times made for hectic hours.
Regardless, our efforts plying down the byways introduced us to country new to us in both Idaho and Oregon, for me the Hart Mountain National Antelope (Pronghorn) Refuge being my personal favorite. In order I am listing the hot and warm springs we visited. While experiencing some disappointments, I would return to the hot springs trail in a split second but this time allowing a minimum of 30 days exploring the mountains and plains of Idaho and Oregon. I hope you too are inspired to join the hot/mineral springs hunt and soak your cares away. You will be glad you did, soaking in a hot pool next to a wild rushing river, life, not at its worse but its best.
Cougar (Terwiller) Hot Springs---Very nice pools but extremely popular. Located 53 miles east of Eugene, Oregon in the Willamette National Forest.
Burgdorf Hot Springs---A very rustic, commercial hot springs offering both cabins and day-use. Day-use fee is $8.00 for all day usage, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. A very good deal. Family-oriented for the most part. Located 30 north of McCall, Idaho. Cabins are a bit worn out but there is a very nice forest service campground nearby, Jeanette, where we camped.
Trail Creek Hot Springs---Three medium sized pools just off the Warm Lake Highway 19 miles NE of Cascade, Idaho. Nice water but fatal for the small cold-blooded frogs floating in the pools. Nice forested setting and reasonably quiet.
Molly Hot Springs---Just off a forest road. Pools were too shallow.
Warm Springs warm springs near Cascade. Short walk down a dusty road. Too shallow that day for any real soaking.
Skinnydipper Hot Springs---Closed! by the forest service. This famous springs located 5 miles west of Crouch, Idaho has been permanently closed due to misuse. Some fools started a major forest fire there in 2012, and three idiots died (ODs) in the pools. One unfavorable aspect we discovered is that a small percentage of hot springs users think it is "party time!" when soaking. We were sorely disappointed but avoided checking them out due to official notices threatening fines and imprisonment.
Pine Flats Hot Springs---Temporarily closed due to forest fire danger. Near Crouch but closed for the moment due to nearby forest fires. We were tempted to check it out but did not want our car to be towed away.
Kirkham Hot Springs---Campground with hot springs just off Idaho Sate Route 21. The water is good but the setting isn't. She soaked her feet and off we went down the road. Located 4 miles east of Lowman.
Bonneville Hot Springs---Nice pools located next to a roaring creek. We camped nearby for two days where we had our best "soaking" of the entire trip. Very popular on the weekends. Located 19 NE of Lowman on Route 21.
Sacajawea Hot Springs---Series of pools on the South Fork of the Payette River. Good water but no privacy, located just below Forest Road 524. Some good views of Sawtooth Mountains.
Barnes Warm Springs---Beautiful pool in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. My favorite of the all the springs we visited. Not hot but a great setting, surrounded by trees and grassy reeds. Located near French Glen, Oregon.
Antelope Hot Springs---Two pools, one developed, one not, located in the wonderful Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. Good water but beware of numb skull campers! Nearest town is Plush, Oregon where you can get much needed gasoline.
Summer Lake Hot Springs---Like Burgdorf, Summer Lake is a very rustic commercial hot springs but, unlike Burgdorf, located in a big barn-like structure. There is one large swimming pool with two smaller pools located outside. Day use fee is $10.00. It is located on Oregon State Route 31 six miles north of Paisley. Nice water but it appears to draw "alternative types" who don't respect commonplace civility and behavioral limitations. Drive and park to see if the pool is empty. If so, don't hesitate, jump in!
McCredie Hot Springs---Just off Oregon State Route 58. Pools on both sides of Salt Creek. Too close to the roadway. We dipped but left soon after. To be avoided unless you are desperate.
Wall Creek Warm Springs---We walked to it but found 5 people crowded in the pool drinking cheap beer. We waited for them to clear out but they decided to stay and keep drinking. Located near Oakridge, Oregon, which has a good coffee shop. The springs is worth checking out. Maybe you will have better luck. We stayed at the Salmon Creek campground which has a great swimming hole. Return in the summer and jump off the rocks, having a good time!
There you have it. Last two nights out we were rained upon. Nothing like a wet tent! Note that these hot springs are just some of many dotting the Oregon, and especially, Idaho landscapes. Also remember that these are medicinal springs, with very potent waters. For very specific healing I suggest travelling to Budapest, Hungary and checking out their baths. They know what they are doing.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
It's Official: Eastside-For-Hire Takes Over Sea-Tac Outbound Services October 1st
Having just arrived back mere hours ago from our Idaho & Oregon car-trip, my day driver alerted me to an Evan Bush written Seattle Times article announcing that Eastside and the Port of Seattle finalized their five-year $22.5 million contract last week. So despite all rumors and hand-wringing, the new agreement is going forward. Factually put me down as completely surprised that the agreement truly went forward, understanding as I do taxi economic realities. The article notes that the contract requires that 75 % of vehicle operators are previous Yellow Cab operators, thus ensuring that most will survive though under different colors.
The Port's message behind these actions are clear and blatantly obvious. That they cared about the current Yellow independent operators and their families while repudiating the Yellow Taxi-Cab Association rings through its decision making. Call it muted revenge or being knocked upon the head by the proverbial Velvet hammer. That this is one big economic headache for Yellow should not be underestimated. If anyone is considering buying a taxi medallion, the time is now. Before I left on the 12th I was told of a 2009 Prius and City of Seattle medallion going for $30,000. Not a bad deal, and I predict they will only get better.
One reason amongst many for this is exemplified by statistics presented in the article, stating that in August of this year 70,115 people utilized Uber and Lyft while taxis carried 72, 479 riders, representing a 16.6 percentage decline in ridership from last August 2015. Depressing but you get what you get. Over two 1/2 years ago Yellow declined to hire me as the then GM's special assistant. My taxi buddies know that we would now be looking at a different taxi landscape if that had occurred, our various lawsuits just about now coming to fruition. Instead of roadkill, we would instead be running down the road like those wonderful pronghorn antelope we saw running up and down the hills of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in southeastern Oregon. They can maintain a constant speed of 45 MPH, one fast and beautiful animal.
Taxi Sucks in Boise?
When gassing up in Boise, Idaho I talked to a cabbie (six years on the taxi road) who was grabbing something cold in the 80 plus F. heat. You know his reply.
The Port's message behind these actions are clear and blatantly obvious. That they cared about the current Yellow independent operators and their families while repudiating the Yellow Taxi-Cab Association rings through its decision making. Call it muted revenge or being knocked upon the head by the proverbial Velvet hammer. That this is one big economic headache for Yellow should not be underestimated. If anyone is considering buying a taxi medallion, the time is now. Before I left on the 12th I was told of a 2009 Prius and City of Seattle medallion going for $30,000. Not a bad deal, and I predict they will only get better.
One reason amongst many for this is exemplified by statistics presented in the article, stating that in August of this year 70,115 people utilized Uber and Lyft while taxis carried 72, 479 riders, representing a 16.6 percentage decline in ridership from last August 2015. Depressing but you get what you get. Over two 1/2 years ago Yellow declined to hire me as the then GM's special assistant. My taxi buddies know that we would now be looking at a different taxi landscape if that had occurred, our various lawsuits just about now coming to fruition. Instead of roadkill, we would instead be running down the road like those wonderful pronghorn antelope we saw running up and down the hills of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in southeastern Oregon. They can maintain a constant speed of 45 MPH, one fast and beautiful animal.
Taxi Sucks in Boise?
When gassing up in Boise, Idaho I talked to a cabbie (six years on the taxi road) who was grabbing something cold in the 80 plus F. heat. You know his reply.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Greetings From Bend, Oregon---All I Did Was Answer The Call
Sunny here in Bend. I am on my way to Idaho and the Sawtooth Mountains where hot springs await. This morning "she-who-can't-be-named" and I soaked in Cougar Hot Springs near Blue River. Great water and great pools. I am away from taxi for 12 days. For shame! How could I?
But getting back to said subject, after coming back from a post-Seahawk to downtown Kirkland fare, I innocently accepted a fare on Capital Hill located on Summit Avenue. What I didn't know but soon found out was that a previous cabbie had driven away, leaving the three passengers waiting for another 45 minutes. I was wondering why the guy jumped on 478's hood, spreading himself out like a flying bird. I guessed there had to be some explanation and that was it: they were pissed and now I would have to share their combined anger and disappointment.
Ignoring the tattooed eagle I got out and found they had a pile of stuff to be taken to their storage locker. Once the trunk was filled to bursting, I was told to take all three of them to the storage facility on 12th Avenue. "Oh you mean the one on 12th and Madison, I asked" And after receiving some odd affirmative reply from the chap once residing upon the hood, I set off.
Immediately I stated getting flack because they wanted the one at 12th and East Howell but somehow it was all now a big issue tough both facilities were only separated by about 5 blocks. Finally I told them that I was about to take them back to Summit and they could start all over again. It was just too crazy to continue.
That silenced them along enough to get to the storage entrance, all the while telling them I had nothing to do with the previous cab, that I didn't deserve what they were dishing out. Taking five and five only from the ringleader, there were nothing further said. All this bullshit was for a 7 block-long ride! It made no sense but there you have it once again, taxi and humans-not-so kind: not always the best combination.
Can I now go soak my head?
But getting back to said subject, after coming back from a post-Seahawk to downtown Kirkland fare, I innocently accepted a fare on Capital Hill located on Summit Avenue. What I didn't know but soon found out was that a previous cabbie had driven away, leaving the three passengers waiting for another 45 minutes. I was wondering why the guy jumped on 478's hood, spreading himself out like a flying bird. I guessed there had to be some explanation and that was it: they were pissed and now I would have to share their combined anger and disappointment.
Ignoring the tattooed eagle I got out and found they had a pile of stuff to be taken to their storage locker. Once the trunk was filled to bursting, I was told to take all three of them to the storage facility on 12th Avenue. "Oh you mean the one on 12th and Madison, I asked" And after receiving some odd affirmative reply from the chap once residing upon the hood, I set off.
Immediately I stated getting flack because they wanted the one at 12th and East Howell but somehow it was all now a big issue tough both facilities were only separated by about 5 blocks. Finally I told them that I was about to take them back to Summit and they could start all over again. It was just too crazy to continue.
That silenced them along enough to get to the storage entrance, all the while telling them I had nothing to do with the previous cab, that I didn't deserve what they were dishing out. Taking five and five only from the ringleader, there were nothing further said. All this bullshit was for a 7 block-long ride! It made no sense but there you have it once again, taxi and humans-not-so kind: not always the best combination.
Can I now go soak my head?
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Making It Happen---What Taxi Is All About!
Needing to move, really move down the roadway is rare but when it is necessary, the cabbie's only alternative is to hit it, and hit it hard zooming down the byway. There I am, sitting exhausted and half asleep on the train station when two young men stepped up, asking if I could get them to the Edmonds/Kingston ferry terminal by 2:00 PM. It was then 1:32 PM and I said, "I think so," but there could be no hesitation, get in. In they jumped and off we maneuvered through the congested station and 4th Avenue traffic to the Cherry Street I-5 on-ramp. As luck would have it the north-bound express lanes remained inexplicably closed. Initial thick traffic quickly dissipated and once past the I-5 ship canal bridge we were flying north free and relatively clear.
A Labor Day holiday scheduling mix-up meant the bus they expected to find taking them to Port Angeles and then Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, did not arrive at King Street Station but instead would be waiting at the ferry terminal. They were anxious but I was focused, "performance taxi" fun when called upon, blowing up usual tedium into something close to exciting, making taxi almost enjoyable despite the obvious stress of having no time but "making time" nonetheless.
At 1:54 PM we were there, everyone relieved to see that the ferry was still unloading its previous run. Getting $60.00 was great but secondary, success over an at least 20 mile city/freeway combined stretch the real point of a victorious taxi moment. For 22 minutes I can say I had fun. I never, almost ever can say that when driving the cab, good to know I passed taxi's instantaneous test, awarded an "A" on the taxi report card. And as every cabbie knows, taxi is a stern teacher, no fooling around come exam time.
On Robert's Behalf, Thank You!
Last night I picked up the second week's collection for Robert Stanstell, this time coming up with $183.00, making for a total of $329.00. I delivered it this morning. Thanks to everyone who donated, your taxi brother appreciating your kindness and concern.
No One Likes Being Called Names
Yesterday on Pier 69 an enraged cabbie recounted how, when stopped near Pike Place Market finishing up a credit card transaction, an insane road-rager jumped out of his car and called the driver a n _ _ _ _r! The cabbie couldn't stop expressing his anger and disbelief. As I keep saying, welcome to taxi as it really is, not as it isn't!
A Labor Day holiday scheduling mix-up meant the bus they expected to find taking them to Port Angeles and then Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, did not arrive at King Street Station but instead would be waiting at the ferry terminal. They were anxious but I was focused, "performance taxi" fun when called upon, blowing up usual tedium into something close to exciting, making taxi almost enjoyable despite the obvious stress of having no time but "making time" nonetheless.
At 1:54 PM we were there, everyone relieved to see that the ferry was still unloading its previous run. Getting $60.00 was great but secondary, success over an at least 20 mile city/freeway combined stretch the real point of a victorious taxi moment. For 22 minutes I can say I had fun. I never, almost ever can say that when driving the cab, good to know I passed taxi's instantaneous test, awarded an "A" on the taxi report card. And as every cabbie knows, taxi is a stern teacher, no fooling around come exam time.
On Robert's Behalf, Thank You!
Last night I picked up the second week's collection for Robert Stanstell, this time coming up with $183.00, making for a total of $329.00. I delivered it this morning. Thanks to everyone who donated, your taxi brother appreciating your kindness and concern.
No One Likes Being Called Names
Yesterday on Pier 69 an enraged cabbie recounted how, when stopped near Pike Place Market finishing up a credit card transaction, an insane road-rager jumped out of his car and called the driver a n _ _ _ _r! The cabbie couldn't stop expressing his anger and disbelief. As I keep saying, welcome to taxi as it really is, not as it isn't!
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Times And Travails Of A Sole Proprietor Taxi Operator & Taxi Industry Work List 2008
Last week all it would have taken was for someone to lift the caps off 478's battery to discover that two of the six holes were dry, missing the vital acid that filled the remaining receptacles. Night driver Raymond had called me last Wednesday, complaining of poor starting. Taking time out of his shift, he first went to the Yellow garage, then to the auto parts store where I have a full replacement warranty on the battery purchased only last February.
Instead of doing a full and thorough check, both my friend Taki (one of the world's great mechanics) and the O'Reilly's store manager said the battery was okay when it wasn't. Having no problems this past weekend I stupidly decided it wasn't a serious problem until day driver Tom called me yesterday morning saying "he was dead in the water." Directing him to yet another O'Reilly's, Tom again received the same verdict given to Raymond.
Telling Tom that "enough of all this," I threw on my clothes and drove down to Seattle (from Tacoma), taking 478 back to the garage where Randy ( working on cars since he could barely stand up) figured out what the issue was. Taking the car back to the White Center O'Reilly's I showed them the problem, and instead of paying yet another $144.00 I got another warranty covered replacement battery.
Tom now reports that 478 is starting better than ever. And tomorrow, after Tom's shift, I am taking the car back to the garage for front and rear brakes, a new radiator (Randy showed me the leak) and yet another oil change. How long does it take to put 3000 miles on 478? Two weeks more or less. 478 is a "real runner" and in appreciation I am attempting to "baby it" as much as I can. With over 500,000 miles I know I will be replacing it sometime next year. But for the moment it is our steady steed, truly a good taxi horse. Can you love a car? Yes I believe you can.
Taxi Work Sheet Circa 2008
Clearing out a storage room I came across a box containing reams of paperwork and documents from our (Seattle & King County taxi industry) legal disagreement with King County. In that box I discovered a work sheet I had composed (when president of the "Alliance of Taxi Associations") for goals spanning the years 2008-2010, outlining what I thought was and could be achievable. What it tells me is that at least one cabbie eight years ago was attempting to be constructive.
For your interest, I present this walk down taxi memory lane, keeping my comments brief because as soon as I finish this week's blog posting I blast off to yet a another past-due project. One humorous note was my conversation during the most recent TAG meeting with Eddie Cantu, the current KC Licensing Director. When I said that the Green Cab licensing situation remained unresolved, he said that wasn't the case at all, given that Green Cab had successfully completed the "pilot program" and were issued permanent KC licenses. How that occurred is a mystery, given that no "taxi driver employees" were ever hired per the KC agreement. Oh well! Last week I found out that the permanent Green Cab county licenses were issued in part of backroom "wheeling and dealing" during that Uber negotiation almost three years ago. As usual, I don't know whether to laugh or cry, or making a bad rhyme, sigh?
Work Sheet
Of Immediate Concern
---Green Cab & King County
---Mayor's New Taxi Initiatives
---Viability of the "Alliance of Taxi Associations"
---Schism between owner and driver groups
---L&I and other benefit issues
Longer Term Concerns
---Change license leasing model (City & KC) into actual property ownership (medallion model)
---Develop permanent lines of communication with the City of Seattle and KC
---Incorporate new driver training and preparation as functional and operational model
---All taxis City & County plates
---Recognition of taxis as transit (allowing HOV lane use, etc)
---Expansion of 24 hour taxi zones (City & County-wide)
---Maintenance of cars and equipment (MDTs, radios,etc)
---Development of mediation procedures between drivers and owners and company ( association) management
There you have it. Yes, medallions are now real property but in exchange we now have 14,000 Uber cars. This is a good trade off?
Instead of doing a full and thorough check, both my friend Taki (one of the world's great mechanics) and the O'Reilly's store manager said the battery was okay when it wasn't. Having no problems this past weekend I stupidly decided it wasn't a serious problem until day driver Tom called me yesterday morning saying "he was dead in the water." Directing him to yet another O'Reilly's, Tom again received the same verdict given to Raymond.
Telling Tom that "enough of all this," I threw on my clothes and drove down to Seattle (from Tacoma), taking 478 back to the garage where Randy ( working on cars since he could barely stand up) figured out what the issue was. Taking the car back to the White Center O'Reilly's I showed them the problem, and instead of paying yet another $144.00 I got another warranty covered replacement battery.
Tom now reports that 478 is starting better than ever. And tomorrow, after Tom's shift, I am taking the car back to the garage for front and rear brakes, a new radiator (Randy showed me the leak) and yet another oil change. How long does it take to put 3000 miles on 478? Two weeks more or less. 478 is a "real runner" and in appreciation I am attempting to "baby it" as much as I can. With over 500,000 miles I know I will be replacing it sometime next year. But for the moment it is our steady steed, truly a good taxi horse. Can you love a car? Yes I believe you can.
Taxi Work Sheet Circa 2008
Clearing out a storage room I came across a box containing reams of paperwork and documents from our (Seattle & King County taxi industry) legal disagreement with King County. In that box I discovered a work sheet I had composed (when president of the "Alliance of Taxi Associations") for goals spanning the years 2008-2010, outlining what I thought was and could be achievable. What it tells me is that at least one cabbie eight years ago was attempting to be constructive.
For your interest, I present this walk down taxi memory lane, keeping my comments brief because as soon as I finish this week's blog posting I blast off to yet a another past-due project. One humorous note was my conversation during the most recent TAG meeting with Eddie Cantu, the current KC Licensing Director. When I said that the Green Cab licensing situation remained unresolved, he said that wasn't the case at all, given that Green Cab had successfully completed the "pilot program" and were issued permanent KC licenses. How that occurred is a mystery, given that no "taxi driver employees" were ever hired per the KC agreement. Oh well! Last week I found out that the permanent Green Cab county licenses were issued in part of backroom "wheeling and dealing" during that Uber negotiation almost three years ago. As usual, I don't know whether to laugh or cry, or making a bad rhyme, sigh?
Work Sheet
Of Immediate Concern
---Green Cab & King County
---Mayor's New Taxi Initiatives
---Viability of the "Alliance of Taxi Associations"
---Schism between owner and driver groups
---L&I and other benefit issues
Longer Term Concerns
---Change license leasing model (City & KC) into actual property ownership (medallion model)
---Develop permanent lines of communication with the City of Seattle and KC
---Incorporate new driver training and preparation as functional and operational model
---All taxis City & County plates
---Recognition of taxis as transit (allowing HOV lane use, etc)
---Expansion of 24 hour taxi zones (City & County-wide)
---Maintenance of cars and equipment (MDTs, radios,etc)
---Development of mediation procedures between drivers and owners and company ( association) management
There you have it. Yes, medallions are now real property but in exchange we now have 14,000 Uber cars. This is a good trade off?
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Waning Full Moon Tales & GoFundMe Info For Terminally Ill Cabbie
I will always refer to that troublesome and mischievous moon when the unexpected occurs, shifting not only the tides but also the water composed blood surging through our veins and arteries. Yes, upon our internal physical seashores the moon's waves erode our fragile sanity, providing what I see and experience: a road-rage demented driver who actually stops and gets out on the Ballard Bridge and approaches my cab; to the woman who said she lives at 18th South and Yesler Way, and upon our arrival says she doesn't know where she is. Though living at 221 18th South for a full year, it seems not taking her usual route (Boren to Yesler, take a left turn) disoriented her though how I cannot tell you. "Why didn't you just give me your address?" I asked. She didn't have an answer.
On top of all the crazy drivers and aggressive passengers the full moon truly howled when I was approached outside the ReBar by a young woman who was in a five-hour search for her parked car. Having attended the Weekend Hemp Fest, she somehow forgot where she parked and had been walking in circles for hours. Listening intently to to her descriptions, off we went in search of the elusive parking lot. That it was already One in the Monday morning meant I was exhausted, making the assignment all the more difficult as we circled the greater area near the Seattle Center, having told me she had "seen the Space Needle." from the lot.
45 minutes later I was done in physically, drained from checking out every damn parking lot in a about a 1 1/2 mile circumference. But would you believe it because I still can't, driving south on Elliott near Bell she suddenly shouts "That's it!" and it certainly was, amazingly locating her 1984 white Honda. Getting $40.00 for the ordeal was great but achieving "Victory!" in the face of guaranteed defeat was amazing, making me happy for a few sleepy minutes, meaning she would make actually it home to Bremerton in time for her morning shift. Thank you, full moon, I think!
Money Donations Needed for Dying Cabbie
A friend of a terminally ill Seattle Yellow taxi driver located me through my blog, telling me Robert Stansell (YC 867) is dying from irreversible colon cancer. He can no longer work and is facing eviction from his Queen Anne apartment. Any and all monetary donations are appreciated. There is, as far as I know, a collection jar now sitting at the Yellow cashier's window. A more direct way to help is his "gofundme" account. Great thanks to Jenny to notifying me of Rob's dire situation.
https://www.gofundme.com/2k63ucsc
California Uber Driver Settlement Tossed
Last week a judge tossed out the settlement negotiated between California Uber drivers and Uber, saying it was too small, representing less than .01 of Uber's net worth. Stay tuned. And I must add the warning to please avoid all lawyers who do not understand the independent operator experience. The hotshot lawyer the drivers had hired clearly "sold them down the river!" I had sent her a email months ago. No response was what I got. Too typical, the Bhramin not touching the dalit, this bad story never ending.
On top of all the crazy drivers and aggressive passengers the full moon truly howled when I was approached outside the ReBar by a young woman who was in a five-hour search for her parked car. Having attended the Weekend Hemp Fest, she somehow forgot where she parked and had been walking in circles for hours. Listening intently to to her descriptions, off we went in search of the elusive parking lot. That it was already One in the Monday morning meant I was exhausted, making the assignment all the more difficult as we circled the greater area near the Seattle Center, having told me she had "seen the Space Needle." from the lot.
45 minutes later I was done in physically, drained from checking out every damn parking lot in a about a 1 1/2 mile circumference. But would you believe it because I still can't, driving south on Elliott near Bell she suddenly shouts "That's it!" and it certainly was, amazingly locating her 1984 white Honda. Getting $40.00 for the ordeal was great but achieving "Victory!" in the face of guaranteed defeat was amazing, making me happy for a few sleepy minutes, meaning she would make actually it home to Bremerton in time for her morning shift. Thank you, full moon, I think!
Money Donations Needed for Dying Cabbie
A friend of a terminally ill Seattle Yellow taxi driver located me through my blog, telling me Robert Stansell (YC 867) is dying from irreversible colon cancer. He can no longer work and is facing eviction from his Queen Anne apartment. Any and all monetary donations are appreciated. There is, as far as I know, a collection jar now sitting at the Yellow cashier's window. A more direct way to help is his "gofundme" account. Great thanks to Jenny to notifying me of Rob's dire situation.
https://www.gofundme.com/2k63ucsc
California Uber Driver Settlement Tossed
Last week a judge tossed out the settlement negotiated between California Uber drivers and Uber, saying it was too small, representing less than .01 of Uber's net worth. Stay tuned. And I must add the warning to please avoid all lawyers who do not understand the independent operator experience. The hotshot lawyer the drivers had hired clearly "sold them down the river!" I had sent her a email months ago. No response was what I got. Too typical, the Bhramin not touching the dalit, this bad story never ending.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Surreal (And That Is Putting It Mildly)
The definition of maelstrom is twofold at least, one being a violent or turbulent situation; or if upon the water, a whirlpool of the kind Jules Verne describes at the end of his novel, "Vingt Mille Lieues Sous Les Mers" (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). That taxi driving meets that first definition was exemplified Saturday night by a drunk mother and daughter team going home to West Seattle's Admiral District from a White Center tavern. The mother, in her mid-70's, was totally saturated while the dutiful daughter shifted from coherency to occasional mild incoherency. Initially the daughter was able to keep Mom under control but toward the rides' end Mom was actively tugging upon my right shoulder while repeating I was a member of ISIS.
How all this got started I can't tell you other than I appeared to not have taken their expected route (longer and more expensive) than the one chosen, taking them directly to their destination, 3303 California SW, turning right off SW Hanford onto California. Making this all the more surreal was simultaneously having dispatch (the Las Vegas Call Center) repeatedly calling me and asking about a very generic no-show occurring three or more hours previously.
Here is the chaotic scenario, the crazed mother assaulting me while screaming I am an Islamic terrorist and dispatch haranguing me with "what are you talking about?" I never did quite understand what dispatch was doing other than perhaps conducting some kind of daily no-show audit that is now somehow required. I am only guessing because taxi no-shows are as common as rain in Seattle so why dispatch would be sorting through hundreds of daily no-shows is beyond me. That they were checking up on me in the first place is insulting. Why was any of this necessary? Yes, I know some of our drivers are awful but making a blanket sweep just builds resentment, no one wanting or needing to be treated like some kind of "taxi child." As an effective approach to a real problem it just isn't.
After getting the the drunk pair safely out of the cab I called dispatch back, trying to make sense of what they were requesting. They had even sent me a message asking whether ______ ______ had been picked up. Who? What? And all this happening in the middle of my personal maelstrom. Call it oddly hilarious. Call it completely nuts. But also always call it taxi as I know it, insanity rolling upon four hopefully inflated tires. Ain't it all fun? Not really!
Quick Taxi News:
---Last week the US Chamber of Commerce's anti-union lawsuit against the City of Seattle was tossed out, the judge saying they had no standing and can not show how they have been harmed.
---Yellow Cab has reduced its monthly medallion lease rate to $425.00, that from an initial one thousand per month. Good for people like me but indicative of something bad afflicting Yellow.
----NPR local radio station KUOW reported last week of more Sea-Tac cabbie grumbling at a Port Commission meeting, operators voicing further unhappiness with the Eastside-for-Hire outbound service award. Clearly the Port never considered that they are asking current Yellow operators to enter a system that does not have a clearly established "taxi" dispatch, meaning their money-making options are further diminished. I believe the Sea-Tac cabbies are being requested to pay up to $10,000 dollars each to just stay where they are while accepting a less-than-positive business environment, including competing directly with Uber at the airport. Eastside has reportedly told the cabbies that they can take Uber calls to make up for the missing dispatch. Isn't that funny?
How all this got started I can't tell you other than I appeared to not have taken their expected route (longer and more expensive) than the one chosen, taking them directly to their destination, 3303 California SW, turning right off SW Hanford onto California. Making this all the more surreal was simultaneously having dispatch (the Las Vegas Call Center) repeatedly calling me and asking about a very generic no-show occurring three or more hours previously.
Here is the chaotic scenario, the crazed mother assaulting me while screaming I am an Islamic terrorist and dispatch haranguing me with "what are you talking about?" I never did quite understand what dispatch was doing other than perhaps conducting some kind of daily no-show audit that is now somehow required. I am only guessing because taxi no-shows are as common as rain in Seattle so why dispatch would be sorting through hundreds of daily no-shows is beyond me. That they were checking up on me in the first place is insulting. Why was any of this necessary? Yes, I know some of our drivers are awful but making a blanket sweep just builds resentment, no one wanting or needing to be treated like some kind of "taxi child." As an effective approach to a real problem it just isn't.
After getting the the drunk pair safely out of the cab I called dispatch back, trying to make sense of what they were requesting. They had even sent me a message asking whether ______ ______ had been picked up. Who? What? And all this happening in the middle of my personal maelstrom. Call it oddly hilarious. Call it completely nuts. But also always call it taxi as I know it, insanity rolling upon four hopefully inflated tires. Ain't it all fun? Not really!
Quick Taxi News:
---Last week the US Chamber of Commerce's anti-union lawsuit against the City of Seattle was tossed out, the judge saying they had no standing and can not show how they have been harmed.
---Yellow Cab has reduced its monthly medallion lease rate to $425.00, that from an initial one thousand per month. Good for people like me but indicative of something bad afflicting Yellow.
----NPR local radio station KUOW reported last week of more Sea-Tac cabbie grumbling at a Port Commission meeting, operators voicing further unhappiness with the Eastside-for-Hire outbound service award. Clearly the Port never considered that they are asking current Yellow operators to enter a system that does not have a clearly established "taxi" dispatch, meaning their money-making options are further diminished. I believe the Sea-Tac cabbies are being requested to pay up to $10,000 dollars each to just stay where they are while accepting a less-than-positive business environment, including competing directly with Uber at the airport. Eastside has reportedly told the cabbies that they can take Uber calls to make up for the missing dispatch. Isn't that funny?
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