[Robert357]

We have no more right to travel on one of those ferries than to walk into a five star restaurant bare footed and bare chested and claim to have a right to eat when the maitre d tosses your butt out the door for not meeting the dress code.

Since I usually enjoy your comments on the California Power Crisis, I am reluctant to point out that the ferry system is something regulated under federal law as a "common carrier." There are lots of requirements on "common carriers" having to do with access to all, no favoritism, and rules to make sure that commerce is fairly served. Based on my limited business law knowledge, there is a huge difference between a "common carrier" and a typical private company.

[Grampa Dave]

My point is that no one rides for free. You pay your fee or don't ride.

I'm sure that if I pulled up with a leaking Propane Delivery Truck, they would not allow me drive it on and park it on one of those ferries if they knew that I had a slow propane leak.

I hope that random searches are used. If one does not want a random search, they don't have to ride the ferry. Same thing applies in our airports. You have a problem with a search, then don't fly!

[Edmund Burke]

I don't know if they can be regulated as a common carrier since they are not engaged in interstate commerce. With a few exceptions, I think all their ships merely ferry people and vehicles between various locations in the State of Washington. Perhaps Uncle Sam has no jurisdiction? It's not like a trucking company, e.g., Roadway Express.