Posted on 04/16/2007 2:06:51 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
The operator of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Monday approved tougher penalties for cabdrivers who refuse service to travelers carrying alcohol, as some Muslim drivers have done for religious reasons.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission voted to suspend a driver's airport taxi license for 30 days for the first offense and revoke it for two years for a second offense. The new penalties take effect May 11.
Airport officials say more than 70 percent of the cabbies at the airport are Muslim, and many of them claim Islamic law prohibits them from giving rides to people carrying alcohol.
Under the old rules, a driver who refused to transport someone carrying alcohol would be told to go to the back of the taxicab line. Airport officials said that since January 2002, there have been more than 4,800 instances of a driver refusing service because a customer possessed, or was suspected of possessing, alcohol.
The dispute has been simmering for months.
One pilot program had drivers who wouldn't transport alcohol display a different top light on their cab, but the public's reaction was overwhelmingly negative and other taxi drivers who feared it would make travelers avoid taxis altogether.
On Monday, cab driver Abdinoor Dolal called the penalties punitive and asked commissioners to take a measured approach. Other drivers urged the commissioners to vote against the new penalties and consider compromises.
However, commissioners said the new penalties were needed to ensure customers get safe and reliable taxi service at the airport.
"Today's action will strengthen compliance with our taxicab ordinance and ensure people who seek taxi service receive it," said MAC Executive Director Jeff Hamiel in a news release.
They know where their best chances to win are however.
Fantastic!
Thanks. And I am very glad that this has been put to rest and that people have the freedom to buy alcohol if they desire without risk of “no room at the inn”.
Yep, and I’ll count the hours until they back down.
To be honest I am a bit torn on this, do we force doctors to perform abortions?
One slight win among hundreds of losses.
This proves that vigilance and letter-writing can be successful.
“I’ll bet you a buck they start refusing rides to Jews next.”
And unveiled women.
Apples, oranges.
To the muslims, that would be considered discrimination for ALL muslims don't tote a seeing eye dog...(obviously)
Why is it that different? they are being asked to do something that violates their relirious belief, they think its a sin to transport Alcohol.
Im not saying I disagree with forcing them I am saying its not all that simple.
Punitive penalties. What a concept.
If there were nothing but unregulated gypsy cabs I may agree with you. But this is a tightly controlled, government regulated market.
You may as well say they can refuse white people if they want.
I refuse to tip Muslim drivers because it is against my religion. I’m sure they’ll understand ...
Maybe they’ll take a bottle of Jack in lieu of a tip?
Period.
They can for they are liberal minded and liberal thought dictates that all law and regulation is "living and breathing" right down to the constitution.
If they don’t want to transport people with booze or people with dogs, WHAT IN THE HELL ARE THEY DOING DRIVING TAXIS? Let them go get a job at Target. Oh wait...
Wow! I was under the impression the airport was run by libs. Guess I’ll need to reconsider. The commissioners took hammer and tong to the muzzies. Good for them and especially the passengers.
Appears to me that you aren't torn, your just a nut./snicker
Your an optimist....I think a number of them will quit and build some bombs to put in those cabbies that continue to drive!
They are under contract to serve ALL customers. It’s their job. No one is forcing them to drive airport hacks, or ANY cabs at all. They CHOSE to enter into a common carrier contract to provide a paid service to the public.
It’s that simple.
If they already have decided to go to work for an abortion mill, I suppose so. Of course doctors are perfectly free to work at a foot clinic without performing abortions, just as cabbies are perfectly free to drive a cement truck, and not deal with alcohol carrying passengers.
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