The Anti-Tourist
Apr 4th, 2009, 05:57 PM
#63
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I've learned two new tourist abbreviations on another travel website - One I hate, the other I love
BAG - short for Big Apple Greeter - wonderful New York Volunteers who take visitors around their neighborhoods for a few hours - Gets me crazy to see first time visitors discussing what they are going to do with their BAG
HOHO buses - I think that's a great description for Hop On Hop Off buses - First time visitors often think the buses are a magic cure for all of their back brain discomfort about visiting NYC - For them, there should be a sign on the door saying "Welcome to the Egress" - The buses can be a great overview but they are not transportation (I'm addicted to the view which is why I continue to give tours)
BAG - short for Big Apple Greeter - wonderful New York Volunteers who take visitors around their neighborhoods for a few hours - Gets me crazy to see first time visitors discussing what they are going to do with their BAG
HOHO buses - I think that's a great description for Hop On Hop Off buses - First time visitors often think the buses are a magic cure for all of their back brain discomfort about visiting NYC - For them, there should be a sign on the door saying "Welcome to the Egress" - The buses can be a great overview but they are not transportation (I'm addicted to the view which is why I continue to give tours)
Apr 7th, 2009, 06:24 AM
#64
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Lisettemac, my parents both worked for PanAm and my dad kept an office in the building long after he left the company. It will always be the PanAm building to me!
Re. the cabs, I wish they'd change the shift times. It drives me nuts that they change shifts at, what, 4:30 - 5:00? Seems silly that they'd change shifts right before rush hour.
Re. the cabs, I wish they'd change the shift times. It drives me nuts that they change shifts at, what, 4:30 - 5:00? Seems silly that they'd change shifts right before rush hour.
Apr 7th, 2009, 09:01 AM
#65
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Some cab drivers try to pick locals versus tourists since some tourists (esp from Europe) don't know how to tip. Also, some cabs will not pick up people with luggage if they don;t want to do an airport run - or people who look like they might want to go to a neighborhood the cabby doesn't like (or will have trouble getting a fare back). This is all illegal - but once they sail by you have no recourse.
And yes, off-duty cabs returning to their garage will often take fares going in the right direction - but not in any of the other 3.
And yes, off-duty cabs returning to their garage will often take fares going in the right direction - but not in any of the other 3.
Apr 7th, 2009, 09:21 AM
#66
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"Also, some cabs will not pick up people who look like they might want to go to a neighborhood the cabby doesn't like. This is all illegal - but once they sail by you have no recourse."
Why should a cabby go to a dangerous neighborhood? I don't blame them one bit for not doing so. Forget about legalities, one's life is more important. I don't blame the cabby one bit for scrutinizing potentional passengers. If I were a cabby, I'd definitely choose an elderly woman or a "gangsta" looking young man anyday of the week. Common sense people common sense. Some populations DO have much higher crime rates.
Why should a cabby go to a dangerous neighborhood? I don't blame them one bit for not doing so. Forget about legalities, one's life is more important. I don't blame the cabby one bit for scrutinizing potentional passengers. If I were a cabby, I'd definitely choose an elderly woman or a "gangsta" looking young man anyday of the week. Common sense people common sense. Some populations DO have much higher crime rates.
Apr 7th, 2009, 09:33 AM
#67
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According to the taxi rules (always keeping in mind that what is in the rules and what actually happens may differ), when a taxi goes off duty, the cabbie must write "off duty" in the next spot of the trip sheet. The cabbie must head to the garage to turn in the taxi. The cabbie may pick up one fare along the way, continuing in the same direction, and the trip must be logged on the trip sheet just below the "off duty" marking.
The rules also state that the trip sheet must be in pen and that the cabbie should not record your destination until the trip is completed in case you change your mind along the way--they're not allowed to cross out. NYers--how many times have you seen the cabbie wait to record your destination? Now you know why they get annoyed when you change your mind.
The rules also state that the trip sheet must be in pen and that the cabbie should not record your destination until the trip is completed in case you change your mind along the way--they're not allowed to cross out. NYers--how many times have you seen the cabbie wait to record your destination? Now you know why they get annoyed when you change your mind.
Apr 7th, 2009, 10:10 AM
#69
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In 2009, racial profiling is illegal.
Of course, that's true, but in reality, if a cab driver passes you by for that reason, what are you going to do -- you don't really know that's the reason, plus he's passed you and you probably can't even get the cab no.
Of course, that's true, but in reality, if a cab driver passes you by for that reason, what are you going to do -- you don't really know that's the reason, plus he's passed you and you probably can't even get the cab no.
Apr 7th, 2009, 10:14 AM
#70
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corli33 -
In NYC taxi rules are administered by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Taxis CANNOT discriminate against passengers based on race, gender, age etc. Neither can they refuse to take people to any neighborhood within the 5 boroughs of the city (good, bad or indifferent). If they do either they risk losing their license.
Taxis are public vehicles, and as such, must take any passenger not obviously drunk/drugged/mentall ill etc. If the cabbies don't want to do this - then they should work for a car service instead (the despatcher will weed out the obviously weird and driver can choose to accept calls or not based on destination).
In NYC taxi rules are administered by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Taxis CANNOT discriminate against passengers based on race, gender, age etc. Neither can they refuse to take people to any neighborhood within the 5 boroughs of the city (good, bad or indifferent). If they do either they risk losing their license.
Taxis are public vehicles, and as such, must take any passenger not obviously drunk/drugged/mentall ill etc. If the cabbies don't want to do this - then they should work for a car service instead (the despatcher will weed out the obviously weird and driver can choose to accept calls or not based on destination).
Apr 7th, 2009, 10:47 AM
#71
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Just because there is limited or no recourse, doesn't make it right. It seemed to me that the op was suggesting that cabbies should profile. Despite the fact that a cabbie's job can sometimes be dangerous, that attitude is unacceptable to me. It promotes racism.
Btw, it's happened to me many times. Just last Friday afternoon, dh and I were bypassed near USq. I have no idea why it happened, but if I thought it was because of my race, it would be even worse.
Just because there is limited or no recourse, doesn't make it right. It seemed to me that the op was suggesting that cabbies should profile. Despite the fact that a cabbie's job can sometimes be dangerous, that attitude is unacceptable to me. It promotes racism.
Btw, it's happened to me many times. Just last Friday afternoon, dh and I were bypassed near USq. I have no idea why it happened, but if I thought it was because of my race, it would be even worse.
Apr 7th, 2009, 10:51 AM
#73
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I have not seen a cabbie complete a trip sheet in a long time. I think they all have a GPS device that records their whereabouts.
When the cabbie shared his take with the owner it was the practice. When it changed and the cabbies pay the owners a flat daily fee, I did not see the sheets as often.
Are my observations correct?
When the cabbie shared his take with the owner it was the practice. When it changed and the cabbies pay the owners a flat daily fee, I did not see the sheets as often.
Are my observations correct?
Apr 7th, 2009, 10:58 AM
#74
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sf - we're in agreement; I really didn't like the tone of that other post. There is something to do though. Frequently, you can catch the number. I could have on Friday and then filed a complaint with the TLC. If enough people did that, it might stop. But the truth is most of us are too busy or too lazy to do it. And appearing for a hearing is NOT pleasant. I once did it with an reckless driver. It's not something I would look forward to doing again. When it's over, you're actually asked if you would like an escort out of the building. The whole atmosphere is scary.
Apr 7th, 2009, 11:03 AM
#76
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I laughed out loud at that comment. My daughter recently went on a sweet sixteen trip to NYC (from Boston area)with friends to go shopping. I thought to myself when learning of the trip "great - a chance to shop somewhere other than American Eagle". She came home with bags of stuff from... you guessed it...American Eagle. Oh well, she's only sixteen. There's no excuse for anyone older.
I laughed out loud at that comment. My daughter recently went on a sweet sixteen trip to NYC (from Boston area)with friends to go shopping. I thought to myself when learning of the trip "great - a chance to shop somewhere other than American Eagle". She came home with bags of stuff from... you guessed it...American Eagle. Oh well, she's only sixteen. There's no excuse for anyone older.
Apr 7th, 2009, 01:05 PM
#77
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The rules I posted were from AFTER the system changed. The trip sheet isn't only about the money, but also about monitoring passengers. I'm sure the GPS device requires a similar "off duty" designation. In fact, after writing my post I left my office and caught. . . and Off Duty cab on it's way back to the garage. He said I was on his way . . .
And into the other discussion, I had a friend ("artistically" dressed Haitian man) who always asked me (innocuously dressed white woman) to hail him a cab after we'd been out together, since most taxis would pass him by. . . sad but true.
And into the other discussion, I had a friend ("artistically" dressed Haitian man) who always asked me (innocuously dressed white woman) to hail him a cab after we'd been out together, since most taxis would pass him by. . . sad but true.
Apr 8th, 2009, 03:03 AM
#78
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"In 2009, racial profiling is illegal."
Some populations DO have higher crime rates for example, men commit 90% of the violent crime in this country so as a group, men are more dangerous. This isn't sexism, it's reality and if a woman is more nervous that the person behind her on a dark night is male rather than female, her feelings are absolutely reasonable based on this. If a cabbie prefers picking up a female over a male, his views are perfectly reasonable. It would be sexism only if the rates of violence between men and women were the same. If men don't like it, don't blame the woman or the cabbie, blame their fellow men for committing more crime. The same goes for other groups that have much higher crime rates, blame the members of your group for committing more crime because in a situation where you are not personally know, people have every right to react based on a law of averages. Let's be real, everyone here on Fodors would rather meet two old ladies on the street alone late at night than 2 young men in hoodies because the old ladies are far less likely to attack them.
"Taxis CANNOT discriminate against passengers based on race, gender, age etc. Neither can they refuse to take people to any neighborhood within the 5 boroughs of the city (good, bad or indifferent). If they do either they risk losing their license."
I realize this may be true but IMO it's unfair to the cabbie. The truth of the matter, as I said above, is EVERYONE profiles and makes decisions regarding both their safety as well as other things based on a law of averages and probabilities which in turn is based on reality. It's necessary to do so for one's safety and well being. Every person here on Fodors profiles a neighborhood, for example, when looking for a place to live and raise their kids. Not one single "fodorite" is going to live in a neighborhood that has an overall crime rate that is say seven times higher than normal nor will they send their kids to school there because the likelihood is much higher that they and their children will be less safe, more likely to be victimized by crime and have a lower quality of life. Why shouldn't a cabbie be able to do the same? If a cabbie goes into a dangerous neighborhood and gets shot and killed, the law is not going to be able to bring him/her back to life so I can fully understand and feel the cabbie, like anyone, should be able to put safety first, the law be damned.
"In 2009, racial profiling is illegal."
Some populations DO have higher crime rates for example, men commit 90% of the violent crime in this country so as a group, men are more dangerous. This isn't sexism, it's reality and if a woman is more nervous that the person behind her on a dark night is male rather than female, her feelings are absolutely reasonable based on this. If a cabbie prefers picking up a female over a male, his views are perfectly reasonable. It would be sexism only if the rates of violence between men and women were the same. If men don't like it, don't blame the woman or the cabbie, blame their fellow men for committing more crime. The same goes for other groups that have much higher crime rates, blame the members of your group for committing more crime because in a situation where you are not personally know, people have every right to react based on a law of averages. Let's be real, everyone here on Fodors would rather meet two old ladies on the street alone late at night than 2 young men in hoodies because the old ladies are far less likely to attack them.
"Taxis CANNOT discriminate against passengers based on race, gender, age etc. Neither can they refuse to take people to any neighborhood within the 5 boroughs of the city (good, bad or indifferent). If they do either they risk losing their license."
I realize this may be true but IMO it's unfair to the cabbie. The truth of the matter, as I said above, is EVERYONE profiles and makes decisions regarding both their safety as well as other things based on a law of averages and probabilities which in turn is based on reality. It's necessary to do so for one's safety and well being. Every person here on Fodors profiles a neighborhood, for example, when looking for a place to live and raise their kids. Not one single "fodorite" is going to live in a neighborhood that has an overall crime rate that is say seven times higher than normal nor will they send their kids to school there because the likelihood is much higher that they and their children will be less safe, more likely to be victimized by crime and have a lower quality of life. Why shouldn't a cabbie be able to do the same? If a cabbie goes into a dangerous neighborhood and gets shot and killed, the law is not going to be able to bring him/her back to life so I can fully understand and feel the cabbie, like anyone, should be able to put safety first, the law be damned.
Apr 8th, 2009, 03:05 AM
#79
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"And into the other discussion, I had a friend ("artistically" dressed Haitian man) who always asked me (innocuously dressed white woman) to hail him a cab after we'd been out together, since most taxis would pass him by. . . sad but true."
Why is it sad? As a male, he is nine times more likely to be a robber than her, add other factors and it goes even higher. Can't blame a cabbie for avoiding more dangerous situations.
Why is it sad? As a male, he is nine times more likely to be a robber than her, add other factors and it goes even higher. Can't blame a cabbie for avoiding more dangerous situations.
Apr 8th, 2009, 03:29 AM
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WIth all due respect to those who feel that being choosy about pickups for a cabbie "promotes racism", my brother spent a year and a half driving a cab in NYC when he first moved here.
After he had a rider pull a gun and rob him just one time, he became choosy in who he was willing to pick up. And I supported his position all the way. After all, he had a wife and baby at home to support. And dare I say, I think anyone of you might become choosy too.
Being a cabby can be a risky business. I don't think it's fair to assume that taking necessary precautions to ensure one's personal safety makes someone a "racist".
I had a cabby (at the time- an artistically dressed caucasian woman in my 40s), refuse me a ride after dark from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Illegal? yes. Profiling? yes, because cabbies are by law prohibited from refusing a rides anywhere in the five boroughs. But I just ran off and hailed another one.
After he had a rider pull a gun and rob him just one time, he became choosy in who he was willing to pick up. And I supported his position all the way. After all, he had a wife and baby at home to support. And dare I say, I think anyone of you might become choosy too.
Being a cabby can be a risky business. I don't think it's fair to assume that taking necessary precautions to ensure one's personal safety makes someone a "racist".
I had a cabby (at the time- an artistically dressed caucasian woman in my 40s), refuse me a ride after dark from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Illegal? yes. Profiling? yes, because cabbies are by law prohibited from refusing a rides anywhere in the five boroughs. But I just ran off and hailed another one.
