Comments on: Taxi Strike - NYC and Philadelphia http://www.guidephilly.com/2007/09/05/philly-news/taxi-strike-nyc-and-philadelphia/ Commentary on the city of Philadelphia from an outsider Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:23:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Vik http://www.guidephilly.com/2007/09/05/philly-news/taxi-strike-nyc-and-philadelphia/#comment-12 Vik Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:20:45 +0000 http://www.guidephilly.com/2007/09/05/review/transportation/taxi-strike-nyc-and-philadelphia/#comment-12 Ronald- Great point, and I see where you are coming from. I never said being a taxi driver wasn't easy, it's hard, grueling work. I know some drivers in NYC and conditions they live in and live through. My question is how does that affect whether they get credit card machines and GPS systems? Why do they oppose these things? Seems like they would be a useful tool to me. I recently took a cab about 40 miles north of the city and my driver had no clue where I wanted to go - but his GPS did. If he didn't have that, he would have lost my $80 fare. Ronald-

Great point, and I see where you are coming from. I never said being a taxi driver wasn’t easy, it’s hard, grueling work. I know some drivers in NYC and conditions they live in and live through.

My question is how does that affect whether they get credit card machines and GPS systems? Why do they oppose these things? Seems like they would be a useful tool to me.

I recently took a cab about 40 miles north of the city and my driver had no clue where I wanted to go - but his GPS did. If he didn’t have that, he would have lost my $80 fare.

]]> By: ronald blount http://www.guidephilly.com/2007/09/05/philly-news/taxi-strike-nyc-and-philadelphia/#comment-11 ronald blount Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:23:47 +0000 http://www.guidephilly.com/2007/09/05/review/transportation/taxi-strike-nyc-and-philadelphia/#comment-11 Over 80% of taxi drivers are 1st generation immigrants and either them or someone they are supporting are in the naturalization process, which means they must show taxes. How would you like it if you work all day and when it's time for you to punch out the clock is broken. Next your employer tells you that you won't be paid for today. How would you like to give total strangers a loan at their request and you take the 5-10% lost. Everyday is a crap shoot on whether the meter will crash during a fare. These driver all already working 12-16 hours per day with no benefits that most people enjoy. Because of cultural and language barriers, it's difficult to find other work. I know it's hard to put yourself in their shoes, maybe if you can imagine if your father or children had to do this work, you may then understand. Over 80% of taxi drivers are 1st generation immigrants and either them or someone they are supporting are in the naturalization process, which means they must show taxes. How would you like it if you work all day and when it’s time for you to punch out the clock is broken. Next your employer tells you that you won’t be paid for today. How would you like to give total strangers a loan at their request and you take the 5-10% lost. Everyday is a crap shoot on whether the meter will crash during a fare. These driver all already working 12-16 hours per day with no benefits that most people enjoy. Because of cultural and language barriers, it’s difficult to find other work. I know it’s hard to put yourself in their shoes, maybe if you can imagine if your father or children had to do this work, you may then understand.

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