More Sea-Tac----The Stranger Article August 30th, 2017: The Same Story Now And Then & Flat-Rate And Cabbie Death Penalty: Is It Necessary ?

A friend sent an article dating from last year written by The Stranger's Heidi Grover, outlining what was going on with Eastside versus "everyone else," confusing me at first as it was nearly identical to what is occurring now, meaning little has changed in eight months, the shouting, if nothing else, gaining volume and range. Last week the leaders of South and North Korea physically embraced in yet another display of solidarity and commitment toward a peaceful and lasting political solution between their two countries.  One then might think that if they can do it, then it should be an easy matter for Eastside and the Port of Seattle to come to agreement and stop fighting over what, in comparison, is a very small matter.

But I must say it appears that some in the taxi community want to end Eastside's Sea-Tac contract now, and not later, which would fully explain their "tooth and nail" tenacity, Eastside literally fighting for its Sea-Tac life.  For what it's worth, my advice is for everyone to just back down, cooperate like the business partners they are, and attempt to operate peacefully for the remaining 1 1/2 years.

And why not, the world not ending if taking that route, allowing everyone to save face and get on with their lives, proceeding to the next chapter.  While complex, let it be simple, turning off the stove and walking away, knowing that when you let the water boil everyone will be scalded. It just isn't necessary regardless of all rhetoric and anger, it just isn't, much better ending both the argument and story, instead giving the commonsense God all the glory, turning out the lights and saying "good night!" to a nonsensical fight.

Lying to the Trademark Lawyers

The Turkish attorneys told me they were charged $75.00 by the ESFH flat-car from Sea-Tac to their downtown hotel.  The normal fare ranges from about $47.00 to $55.00. so clearly they were intentionally overcharged, something I heard multiple times during the week-long convention---that the flat-rate driving were lying to the lawyers.  Why any of them felt this was a reasonable approach is only something that can be answered by them.   But what is clear is that they drove many potential taxi and flat-rate customers straight into Uber's waiting arms, translating into lost income for everyone regardless of your honestly or inherent morality.  One fool even tried to charge a Seattle native $30.00 from DT to the Hillside Motel, an at most $15.00 cab ride.

Given this, I believe it is time for some kind of final directive be issued to all cabbies and flat-raters, telling them beyond all doubt that this kind of behavior will result in only one outcome: permanent termination from our industry.  This is more or  less what should be said to all those ciphers and fools masquerading as legitimate business operators as opposed to who they truly are: thieves and societal ruffians.

This is what should happen if a theft of any amount is confirmed by the City of Seattle and/or King County: the thief should be fired.  And then the City and County should permanently suspend his/her for-hire license.  The offense should be referred to the relevant police department for prosecution.  If convicted of a misdemeanor, all major American city licensing departments should be notified.  And if you really want to be nasty, tell ICE and see what happens to the fool, deportation becoming a possibility.  My guess if all the local associations took this stance, this kind of behavior would instantly vanish.

And if you wonder why I sound so harsh, I too receiving a backlash, passengers now not trusting me.  Hey, I resent being painted with the same stripe, looked at askance when instead, completely innocent, having done nothing personally to create suspicion.  I don't like it.

Another Cabbie Suicide in NYC

$700,000 in medallion debt, 56 year old NYC cabbie Yu Mien "Kenny" Chow jumped into the East River and drowned.  Missing since mid-May, his body was discovered this week.  He was reported to have been despondent over his inability to keep up his payments, thus resorting to taking his life rather than suffer further beneath the top-light.  Again, no cab anywhere is worth that kind of money.

Seattle Cab-Jackers Arrested

Ted told me that his assailants have been captured and await trail.  His cab remains in police custody.

Postscript 06/04/18

A Yellow Cab cashier (and current cabbie) took notice of my ICE comment, and I couldn't agree more, that the last anything I want to occur is for someone, anyone to be involved in having their immigration status questioned.  All I was doing, in shorthand, was stating that actions are consequential, and to not understand that the overcharging of a customer can lead to bad results is more than naive, it is dangerous, posing a direct threat to both the individual and his/her family. 

Due to the cashier's comment, I am inspired to to write a very quick and short history of America's history of blatant discrimination against ethnic minorities and people of color, meaning anyone who isn't "whiter than white" as the old laundry detergent jingo went.  By readying this brief history  I am posting this week, all recent immigrant cabbies will understand beyond a doubt why it is very unwise to think that America's current Federal administration has your best interest in mind.  To the contrary, and exact opposite, is far closer to the truth, meaning a very stern Santa Claus is watching to see if you are being "naughty or nice" and what that means to your immediate future.  Trump and friends are not playing games, doing anything they can to impede the future of anyone with an income under  a million dollars.  They want to "kick ass" and that is simply the way it is.