Tampa Taxi Shots

Pennies from heaven on Christmas Eve

In the post below, I said I had won a $50 gift certificate. Wrong. It was a $250 Visa card from Wall Mart. Now how cool is that!

The new owners of United Cab know how to do this right. I heard they gave out ten of these cards. What a good thing to do for guys that could really need it, especially the guys that have children. 

This could have not come at a better time. I am dead broke and this will make my Christmas. I may be able to treat myself to somthing. I may even get some food. 

Merry Christmas to all!

 

Tampa Bay Economy Recovering

The economy in Tampa seems to be making a comeback, at least the tourist economy. There has been an improvement that is noticeable. Events and conventions seemed to be lined up well into the spring. These are all good signals. In 2008 when the economy collapsed there was no hope. There were no good days; all days were bad. Hope was gone; the suffering was on. I mean that. The tourist economy reached a flat line and it was going to take years to recover. 

Weekends are now rocking and rolling. The expansion of the cruise industry has been a benefit for us. Tourist are now calling United Cab from many hotels for rides to the port. This is something they were not doing in the last three years. Multiple trips on Saturday and Sunday can be expected. 

Now that our GPS dispatch system is working well, we are getting our regular riders back. The business people that use us to go to the airport in the early mornings are coming back. They had left us last year. Now, when they call for a cab, one shows up. 

I talk to people that work in the hotels and they say advance bookings are way up and they are full through March. Major conventions are booking now through the Republican National Convention in August 2012. 

I am knocking on wood becasue I may now get my life back and stop living like life was on hold.

Tampa Epoch Newspaper Helping The Homeless Get Around Bob Buckhorn's Ban

A street newspaper in Tampa

"This is a noteworthy time for the Tampa community." - proclaims the publisher of Tampa Epoch.

A new Newspaper is now being circulated in Tampa by the homeless community. The newspaper has a unique business arrangement with them. They get to keep the profits off the street sales and the publisher keeps the profits off the advertising. This is a legal (ethical and moral) way for homeless people to make an income, without panhandling.

The publisher of the newspaper is Bill Sharpe. I have not been able to interview him yet, but I would believe that his main concern is first amendment rights. The homeless have been marginalized by local politicians who have made it illegal for people to express their right to free speech. They said that holding a sign informing others of  your plight was a crime. It is free speech; It is protected by the Constitution.

Now, homeless (and formally homeless) can get around what Bob Buckhorn wants, and still find a way to make a living - the only way they can right now with an unemployment rate close to Great Depression levels.

The newspaper I bought today was from a vendor at the 'Occupy Tampa' sight. I felt the dollar was worth it and in twelve pages it had more content then the Tampa Tribune (which will soon be out of business). I support this effort and wish them well. The vendor seemed very happy to make a sell and I was happy for him to provide a service to me.

Street newspapers work well for the homeless and there are over 100 world-wide. They provide employment for the unemployed (something Obama has been promising for years). They provide information to the public that they will not get anywhere else. The main thing is they financially help people. Tampa Epoch is sort of a stimulus plan.

Way to go Bill Sharpe. You are one guy that is trying to make a difference by helping people that others have giving up on.

Taxi Medallions Outperform Stocks, Oil and Gold In New York

Taxi medallions are now being traded on the stock exchange

A taxi medallion recently sold for over one million dollars in New York City. There is a reason for that and it underscores how the dynamics are so different in New York that to try and bring that to Tampa would be foolish, for the drivers. There is a year round demand for thousands of cabs in New York. Taxicabs are a vital part of the city's infrastructure. They are not in Tampa. Read this article from Bloomberg and you will see how investors will eventually own every damn medallion there is. The hack will still remain poor.

The surging price of New York’s taxi medallions and their promise of steady cash flows have sparked investor interest in the licenses and bolstered shares of a company that finances their purchase to a four-year high.

Investors are pooling funds to buy the six-inch-wide aluminum disks affixed to the hoods of cabs after two of them sold for a record $1 million each last month, said Andrew Murstein, president of Medallion Financial Corp. (TAXI) Shares of the New York-based firm have climbed 17 percent since the Oct. 19 sale, compared with a 6.4 percent gain for the Russell 2000 Financial Services Index.

“A lot of people have been loading up recently on medallions because they think it’s a safe asset,” Murstein said in an interview last month. The New York-based company owns about 300 medallions and plans to buy “several hundred more” in New York and other cities, he said. “These are little cash cows, constantly taking in fares and spitting out money to the owners.”

A regulated supply has helped taxi permits outgain equities, oil and gold for the past two decades. With New York City unemployment at about 9 percent for over a year, more drivers will fill shifts and pay garages to drive cabs, giving medallion owners a profit of about $2,500 a month, said Simon Greenbaum, a broker at NYC Medallion Brokers Inc. That’s about a 3 percent return for a $1 million medallion.

via www.bloomberg.com

The video states that taxi cabs are a vital part of the New York city infrastructure. Taxis are not that vital in the Tampa Bay area. They seem to be the transportation of last resort. The culture is very different down here. That is why having a medallion system in Tampa is madness. Eventually, the rich people will own them and have even more power over the little hack.

Taxi Business Picking Up for United Cab Of Tampa

The Westshore Marriott Tampa

For the first time in years I have spent a weekend without the wheels of my taxi stopping (I have been able to get my internet back up). There are some reasons for this.

I think the tourism that has been lacking since the economic collapse in 2008 is now coming back. I also believe that the new computer dispatch system we use makes us more efficient then any other cab company in Tampa. I have told people to call 911 and then call us, and we will get there first. That is good.

If things continue like this, I should be able to get my life back in order. I am so far behind. I hope it is not just a good weekend. Hell, like I said, I have not seen one of them in years. The Super Bowl was good in 2009, but you would expect that.

I am also working the hotels more because that is where the people who have money and credit cards are staying. You can work the old ladies at the grocery stores, or work people who may really be going somewhere.

Occupy Tampa Movement Is Not Giving Up Under Police Harassment

Occupy Tampa Protesters before sunrise

Ronald Reagan once saw a hippie holding a sign that said "Make love, not war." Reagan said to Nancy that he did not believe that man was capable of either. He was no threat, and either are the Occupy Tampa protestors. 

I know harassment when I see it. I was driving by Curtis Hixon Park at six in the morning, on my way to the Howard Johnson's to drop off a fare. There were police lights in front of the park - where an hour earlier I saw protesters sleeping. They were not disturbing anyone. The police were now disturbing them.

They do this every morning. Lets just say they are an over paid wake up service. This is a shame.

I dropped my fare off and went right back and parked across the street and pulled my camera out. With all the humidity in the air, my lens fogged. Too bad. I go some great shots of the cops harassing the kids. Unfortunately, the images were too blurred to see anything.

After the cops finished their civic duty for the day, they left in a hurry. They know people have digital devices with them and they don't want any images going viral. Plus, it was a Saturday morning and that is when the cops like to set up speed traps to right cheap tickets to make their quota's. I wonder if these guys can actually earn their pay by having a shootout with a real criminal.

What Dennis told me was after the cops made them get rid of all their water and food Friday, they came back latter and said they could now have this stuff again. The cops are not following any city ordinances. They can't site any code violations. They are not civil rights lawyers. They are mealy people who are paid to screw with the public.

These kids will not be deterred. We have been dealt a bad hand, and they know it. These movements will not just go away. They were 'flyiing their signs' as soon as the cops left. It was cold; it was wet; I felt a little sorry for them. However, they are more determined then ever.

Occupy Tampa May Be Over With Police Clearing The Park

The police went to downtown this morning and cleared Curtis Hixon Park of the Occupy Tampa crowd (there was only a dozen of them). This movement may have taken hold if the people who showed up for the marches actually 'occupied Tampa.' I guess they had to get back to their jobs and continue to be exployeted by the corporete world.

This is what I saw last Sunday when I interviewed many of the crowd.

------------------------------------------

I stopped by the Occupy Tampa movement downtown at Curtis Hixon Park. I wanted to talk to the demonstrators and find out some of their views. Where they a bunch of liberals hanging out in the park? Where they a bunch of unemployed college students who voted for Obama in 2008, and now, can’t find a job? Speaking of Obama, why do none of the signs across America not mention Obama? I wanted to find this out for myself.

Notice the red tape on the sidewalk

I found a parking space (Sunday the only day you can do that) and walked over. I met a group of people who had set up a make shift open air office and logistical center on the sidewalk in front of the park. The people seemed friendly and easy to talk to.

I noticed the amount of food, sandwiches, and bottle water they had. They said many people come by all day long and give them supplies. Without that, they would not be able to camp out. I asked them if they needed anything and blankets was something they could really use. The last few nights have been cold. That was not their primary concern, however. It was the Tampa police.

They told me they were clearly the victims of police intimidation tactics. The police were making up the rules as they went along. There were clearly maked boundries on the sidewalk where they must sleep. The protestors don’t like sleeping there because they are afraid a car might jump the curb at night and kill someone. They have had a beer bottle thrown at them which hit a girl. They want to be able to sleep further back on the grass, but for some reason, the cops won’t let them. Someone does not want them there.

Most of the people had an individual story of being under employed or out of work. Many had large student loan debt and were finding it hard to make payments on a seven dollar an hour job. They were frustrated with an economic system they felt was corrupt with the deck stacked for the privileged.

Nick with a hot coffee donated by the publc

I talked with this young man Nick, who after college found himself delivering pizzas. His belief was that the pizza company was raising the price of delivery (which cut into his tips) to cover the cost of insurance that Obamacare was requiring him to pay. Nick believed all companies would only pass the cost of doing business onto the customers, so nobody benefits. He clearly did not have good things to say about Obama. That surprised me. They 'End the Fed' signs they had are from the Ron Paul Alex Jones playbook.

some of the signs they are using

I asked him why none of the signs mentioned Obama. Another guy interrupted by saying the ‘illuminati’ runs people’s lives. Nick and others were Ron Paul supporters and he believed that was true nationwide. Obama has been marginalized by other forces, and is a non-player at this point. Interesting.

Nick, and others, are followers of Alex Jones and his website Prison Planet. This was not what I expected.

Occupy Tampa Takes Over Downtown Tampa Protesting Wall Street Greed

The protesters began to show up after the lunch hour. I thought they would be out all day; I thought they would be camping in Gaslight Park. I hear the police will not let them, so they have to leave and return the next day. No problem, this means they can drink in the bars all night.

Most of them seem to be coming from the University of Tampa. Could it be they are just young, bored and looking for a little excitement? They should be studying finance so they can become part of that 1% they are railing about.

Hippy protesters seen from the taxi downtown Tampa

I picked up a fair that wanted to go downtown Tampa and see the protesters. At the time we were there, we really had to look hard to see them. I think for this demonstration to work, they will have to really "Occupy" the downtown area but that would mean they cannot drink, screw and order pizza. Protesting comes with sacrifice.

The movement is new and perhaps it will work, with time. I am already making some money off of this event, so that is cool. I shot a video and put in up on Youtube. You can see it here.

Sleeping On The Job

With business slow this time of year, drivers often take naps. Sleeping works out much better now with this Blackberry GPS dispatch because it will scream at you when there is a bid. You can awaken and push a button and go back to sleep. It will then scream at you again if you get the call. 

Work is tough enough without having your sleep interrupted. With the old system, you had to stay awake you you could work the microphone and pay attention to the next bid coming up. Not now, just sleep, sleep, sleep.

The taxi driver sleeping here is Richard. You can tell its hot, he has his shirt open. You really don't want to idle at four dollars a gallon. You long time guys should know him. This image was shot on the old stand 21. Even without stands, 21 is a good central location to grab calls from.

It cost more to run a taxi during the hot season. You spend more on drinks, gas and food. You are working more hours to try and make up for the lack of business. It sucks and that is why drivers can't wait for the cooler weather.

I Made It To September

In 2008 I lost my internet service in August and I was not able to restore it until February on 2009. I have at least made it to September. I have, however, lost my cell phone because I did not have the money. Perhnaps this weekend I can get it back on. It has been off for a month. Oh well, things should get better, right? It is morning in America again.

Computers Were Down For A While...We Had To Use Voice

When the computers went down at Unied Cab for a while, Ruben had to dispatch calls the way we used to do it - by voice. I had no idea how slow that was in getting calls out. Thre are drivers that cannot understand English, so dispatch has to repeat constanly what they are saying. Guys will lie about their location; calls get backed up. This is not a good way to get calls off the board.

When the computer came back up, you could tell a world of difference. This system is here to stay. When you consider the additional features, such as atomatic text messages to alert customers of the taxi's arrival, how can you beat this. 

We will have this system for the first season coming up in the Fall/Winter season. I can't wait. All things being the same with the economy, I beleive I will make much more money. I am really looking forward to that. 

It has been a long road to go. I started this blog in 2005 and by 2007 the recession hit. Many of my post for the last four years have been dire and depressing. Sorrry about that. I really do want to move onto a more postive footing about cab drivng and my taxi stories. 

Paying The Man

I had to go to the Downtown Tampa courthouse today. I really did not want to but I was in a little bit of trouble, and could not allow this to go much further. I had an outstanding ticket that needed to be paid. I drive for living so I needed to take care of this fast.  None of this was my fault because I was a victim of circmstances, and a ticket hungry cop.

Last February I picked up a fare at Memorial Hospital in south Tampa.It was around sunrise on a Sunday morning. The fare came out and he had a black eye. It really looked like someong had beat his ass. He said a cop did it to him . I did not beleive his story.                                                                                                      

In a situation in which a police officer would have to use such force, the guy probably would have been arrested. Moreover, they don’t send Baker Acts to Memorial Hospital. There is an intake center on the east side of town for that. Another thing that made me nervous was he was paying cash. A rule of thumb about Emergency rooms in the early mornings is the fare, for whatever reason, never has any money.

He was not going very far, so I decided to take the risk. I started heading down Henderson boulevard toward Gandy. The guy was sitting behind me and starting to act a little weird. There are many things the cab driver must focus on while driving to ensure safety. Unfortuanlty, looking over our shoulder at a stranger sitting behind us can cause a distraction and I was distracted.

I saw the blue lights in my rearview mirror and thought they must be for someone else. I was wrong.

The cop pulled up right behind me and I put on my turn signal while I pulled over.
I wanted to tell the police officer that I had a weirdo in the back seat and plead mitigation under these circumstances but I saved my breath. When cops stake out certain intersections on a quite Sunday morning - The Are Going to Write a Ticket. That is the only reason they are there. They are reviewed like any other employer on any other job. He has a quota to meet and there is no better way to get cheap tickets then lay in wait when nobody is on the roads, and by definition, nobody is in danger. 

He gave me a ticket for going 50 in a 35 zone. The cop was wrong. The speed limit on Henderson is 40. The cop lied on the ticket and I was not going to let him get away with it. I decided to take it to court, and I did. 
The judge agreed with me because he lives in south Tampa and was familiar with that stretch of road.

He did, however, lower it to going ten miles an hour over the speed limit instead of fifteen. That meant a $240 ticket was reduced to $120. The judge even cut that in half, withheld adjudication, withheld points, and gave me sixty days to pay the fee and court cost. This is the kicker. Court Cost are $93...wow! I still won, sort of. 

You can see in the photo that I had until August 12, to pay the fine. I hate August. Nothing good happens in August. That is the slow time of year down here for the service industry and August puts the slow in slow season. Bottom line was I could not come up with the money. 

I finally made some good money today because of the Special Forces convention that is town this week, and got down to the courthouse to pay the fine. 

They told me my driver’s license would have been suspended on September 13 if I had not paid it today. I forked over the 173 bucks. That hurt.

I hope you are happy Mr. Police Officer. Is that all you have to do is screw with law-abiding people. Was it that important to do this to me? There is a recession gong on and I really needed to use that money for other things. 

Go shake down a real bad guy you punk.

 

There Is Something I Need to Do Tuesday

There is something very important that needs to be done Tuesday. Its nothing bad, or like I'm in trouble or something. It may be in trouble, but I doubt it. I just need to take care of something. Times are bad and Peter needs to be robbed to pay Paul.

I really don't want this, but it must be done. I don't like letting people down, but it is not avoidable. I will let you know more about it soon....a lot more about it. 

I have had real problems in my life before, seemingly impassible rivers in life. Moments when fording ahead cannot be done. The real problems of life involve loss. A divorce or a death of a loved one is something you can only just deal with. There is no way you can buy your way out of it. Problems involving money are not real problems. They can be solved in an instant. 

I'll be glad when the recession is over. I just want to move forward and start back on all the projects that are important to me. Just need some money, that is all. 

Nobody is sick or dead, just this economy we live in. Recessions steal and rob you. They take you spirit if you let it. Sometimes it just beats you down. 

Anyway, I will let you know more soon. 

United Cab Has A New Gas Policy

This notice is posted on the front door to United Cab: "All drivers be aware you will need to bring money for gas.Due to the fact that 95% of all cabs come back empty. We are changing our policy of FULL TO FULL when leasing a cab to a EMPTY TO EMPTY GAS POLICY. All drivers should bring money for gas when changing a cab and when leasing one."

Wow! I can tell you what is going on here. The economy sucks, and drivers come in to work a tweleve hour shift, and at the end, they have $40 left. They realize it will take $40 to fill the tank but they need the money; so they turn it in empty (They are also dirty...they guys don't have the 75 cents to use a vac). 

Take a look at the photo of the United Cab lot and it is full of cabs. I don't think they can get another one on it. Just remember, none of them have any gas in them and they are dirty as hell. I think the general public expects and should get better then a cab on empty and dirt all over the floor, and a driver wearing dirty clothes. 

This is clearly a sign of the times we live in. It has never been this bad. The stimulas plan has failed to stimulate anythiing down here. I am glad the Republican Convention will be down here next year. I will like to ask those Republicans what they plan to do to get things moving again. No matter what you think, the economy is stuck on empty, just like the gas tanks at United Cab.

A United Cab In Need Of Oil

The taxi I am driving has over 300,000 miles on it. The shop changes the oil every month as specified by the the owners manual. These cars will run for almost eternity. They do, however, start to use oil. That is what is happening with my cab.

 The fare I picked up said they could smell oil burning. After I dropped them off, I checked the oil and I could see I needed at least one quart. Considering the oil had been changed last week, that meant I was burning oil. In the sixteen years I have been with United Cab of Tampa, I have never had a new car.

 I see other drivers get a new car every year and I wonder why they treat me any kind of way. I need to ask Paul Hinton That. I would like to have a new taxi by the Fall time of the year.

 You can see a taxi with its hood up at an Advance Auto Parts store on Dale Mabry is not good advertising for the cab company. We need to build up riders who have confidence in the ability of us to get them to where they are going.

 

I Was A Real Taxi Driver Today

I just walked in the door after being out since four in the morning. I did make some money today by being a 'real taxi driver.' As you know, cab driving is not a nine to five job. The only way now to make money is work the hours of a pimp. If you can do it, you should make money, even in this economy. They hours are brutal, but what other job will let you work like this. Go to KFC and tell them you are willing to work 90 hours a week and see how fast they put you to work. I just hope I have it in me to do the same tomorrow. Let me eat some supper and get to bed. Time will tell.I guess that is what you have to do in this Great Recession. I will let you know.

The Economic Reality Of Driving A Taxi In Tampa Florida

The St. Petersburg Times ran an article about the state of taxi cab companies and drivers in Hillsborough County. They quoted me (Tim Fasano) in the article because of this blog. I believe the article hit hard on some very real aspects of the current state of cab driving. 

Jack Nicas went all over Tampa talking with taxi drivers and cab company owners. He went to the holding area at the airport, the major hotels downtown, the club party areas on the weekends and he saw first hand what goes on in our work. This is what he saw at Tampa International Airport.

"For hours under the sun in a lot near Tampa International Airport, a harsh course in economics plays out.

Dozens of taxicabs snake into a queue. Men shout and engines start. The line barely budges.

Rene Jeune is up front now, having waited two hours for one customer. Farther back, Jean Bourdeau watches birds fight. He has just $25 in his pocket for five hours of work.

A few men play cards. Others read. Some doze off.

All tell a similar tale: They work 80-hour weeks, yet take home what a waiter earns in tips — about $200 to $300. Some are said to be homeless, sleeping in their cabs and living for their next fare.

This is the taxi business in Hills­borough County." via www.tampabay.com

Unlike waiters, many taxi cab drivers are barely able to survive. This was not the case before the recession. The economy was good then. That is why I stayed with it for so many years. When the Great Recession hit OUR EXPENSES REMAINED THE SAME AND EVEN WENT UP! 

There is no other way to say it-United Cab use to have a call count of over 2,000 on weekdays, and over 3,000 on weekends. There are days now when we don't crack 700, and with 262 cabs, you figure that out. 

We need the meter to be raised so we can recoup what we have lost. In other business (even transportation) they pass the cost off to the customer. However, with taxi leasing companies, the driver is the customer and we bare all burdens and cost. 

You would think that a cab company would want all of its drivers to prosper and be successful. I believe that if they marketed the company to increase the base line of customers over time. The drivers and the company would all share in a cash party. However, when accountants run companies, their shortsightedness becomes contagious, and whatever visionary may be at the helm, he will shortly be converted by a spreadsheet.

 

"In 1967, the manager of the only cab company in town told the Tampa Taxicab Commission his drivers made about $112 per week. Adjusted for inflation, that's $742 in today's dollars.

Drivers were employees then, with health insurance, vacations and bonuses, city records show. But in 1975, the Yellow Cab Co. jumped on a national trend and made its drivers independent contractors. The agreement cost cabbies their benefits but let them keep whatever they made.

At the time, Yellow Cab manager Nick Cambas told the Tampa Times: "This should be the answer to those squawking about the little man not having a chance to make it in business."

Thirty-six years later, the little man still awaits his chance.

Drivers today say the system leaves them poor and at risk. Their predicament is compounded by a lack of choices: Two companies control 87 percent of the county's permits.

via www.tampabay.com

Adjusted earnings have not followed the taxi cab drivers nationwide that work on a lease system. All the major cities (except Las Vegas) use a lease system. Most of their drivers struggle to make a subsistence living. I can deal with being poor but as I get older, it would be nice to have some health insurance or Workman's compensation. If I am injured in a car accident today, I have no coverage. I have no pension or retirement. I have nothing, and I am one of the better drivers with over sixteen years experience.

I thought Obamacare would cover me but it will only cover the employees of the cab company. They call that "a prohibited cost" so they will pass that on to the drivers and raise our leases again forcing us to work 16 hours a day 7 days a week. With the price of gas, where is the tipping point?

When the economy collapsed a few years ago, drivers say they shouldered the burden. Their customers vanished, but the companies prospered. With unemployment rising, more people decided to give taxi driving a try, which meant more revenue for the companies.

"There was no concession on their part," said Tim Fasano, a United Cab driver who blogs about the industry. "Times have never been better for them. They have more drivers than before the recession and they're getting higher leases now."

Yellow and United managers say lease prices increased because they invested in better dispatching technology.

They also dispute drivers' claims of poverty-line earnings and say their business model is not as profitable as depicted. Their overhead and risk is high, they say. Searcy says Gulf Coast can't fill all its cabs and is "barely paying our bills." Yellow Cab co-owner Louie Minardi said Yellow isn't far behind.

But the most recent statement of income for either company on file with the commission show Yellow Cab reported $451,211 in profits for the first half of 2006.

The company filed for bankruptcy just four years earlier.

via www.tampabay.com

 One thing that I will never understand and my experience in life still leaves me with no reference point to make a judgement, is why do so many grown men continue to work under these circumstances? I am one of them but I truly believed that over half these guys would quit when the recession took hold. That does not seem to be the case. They know how many hours they will have to work and that kids at MacDonald's make more money. Are they just a collection of little boys? 

Many of them do come from third world countries so they have adapted to poverty and seem to have a real tolerance for it. They just keep driving every waking minute of their lives. Many  have died and they still keep going. I will never understand that. 

I do want this stated for the record: The old manager of United Cab was fired a few months ago and Rob Searcy and Paul Hinton took over. They have a completely different management style. They are very accessible and Paul keeps his door open at all times so any driver can walk in and state whats on his mind without any fear of reprisal. That could not have happened under the old regime. These new managers are what I call "drivers managers." I have not seen moral this high in years. The new GPS dispatch system has been a blessing. I know many drivers have had issues. I have not. I can't wait to the Fall time of the year because I just may be able to go on the Camping/fishing trip I have wanted too for years. 

What Is The Breaking Point?

Here are the facts and it has nothing to do with George Bush: Oil is traded in dollars and tends to rise when the greenback falls and makes crude cheaper for investors holding foreign currency. Oil also climbed to $112 per barrel because of violence in Nigeria ahead of the national elections which could lead to a supply interruption. If crude prices keep rising, experts say, gas could go over $4 a gallon across the U.S by summer. I believe it will be here sooner. 

At what point will taxi drivers, who buy their own gas, not be able to operate the cabs? I think we are very close to that event. The only hope we have is that the cab companies will lower our lease (never happen) or the meter will be increased (the companies will then raise our leases). I see no hope. I can be homeless without working these many hours. For ten bucks I can buy a vest and fly a sign. At least I wont owe the taxi company or the gas station a dime.

I don't want to turn this into the "gas price" blog but this is about the only thing on my mind right now and I can see no real way out of this crisis. I am open to suggestions.

Borders Books Is Closing...I Take My Coffee Black

The meter is running and the taxi is in park. Normally I’d be outside of a strip club or message parlor, this time it’s a book store. I’m waiting for my passenger to return. 

The large poster declaring 20% - 40% off looms over my cab parked outside of Borders Books on N Dale Mabry which is closing as soon as they sell all their stuff. This well publicized sale has brought customers to this store in record amounts. The idling of my engine cuts through the conversations of happy patrons leaving with newly prized possessions. 

It’s just after sunset. I’d normally be home drinking beer at this hour - a well ingrained habit since the economy fell apart like a two dollar watch.  Habits are hard to change as you get older. 
I turn the radio down as a motorist asks if I can move up a bit. In over fifteen years of coming to this store I’ve never seen it this busy. I guess I’m not the only one that read the newspaper article about the store closing.

Then it hits me - Why does Tampa (whose economy is supposedly tied to tourism) have so many people that read books. We are not supposed to be Boston? 

I think back over the last decade or so. I have spent a lot of time in Borders. Coffee, reading, chess, browsing, music, liberal lap toppers, this place had it all, a great way to kill a Sunday afternoon and relax. You could have a bit of a repose from the ‘real world’ as books took you to other places and experiences that you one day planed to get around too, one of these days. 

The Seattle’s Best Café. Yes, that was the first thing you saw as you walked in the door. Get your espresso and stare at twenty thousand square feet of wonder, knowledge and entertainment. In the next couple of hours, you would walk out smarter and more at peace with yourself then when you walked in. All of this augmented by a fresh cup of Joe (I take my mine black). 

Coffee in a book store is Popcorn at the movies. Would in not be a shame if one day all things are by Amazon or Kindle? To me it would be like going to a prostitute for love or eating steak with a balloon on your tongue. You would still get the same knowledge and nutrition - so what’s your problem? 

I do think it is a problem.

In the future they say you will just take a pill for everything you need or pick you kids out of a test tube (I prefer the old fashion way).

I once met Jack Harris at a book signing here. I once saw happy kids at Harry Potter night with expressions on their faces not seen since the family trip to Disney World. Do we really want all this to just go away?  It is just all about the discount? What ever happened to smelling the roses? 

Anyway, my fare comes back to the taxi and tells me there were at least eighty people in line with all the cash registers ringing. You hear that Borders….You finally figured out how to get Amazons money.  Perhaps there is hope for Western Civilization. 

Rob Searcy Addresses The Striking United Cab Drivers

Rob Searcy is one tough customer. He is the nicest guy you would want to meet, but when it comes to business he is as tough as nails. He told the 'angry mob' that he would not deal with United Cab drivers as a group.  We are independent contractors and he would talk to us individually. He is flanked by Justin and Paul as he states his position to the the crowd in front on the News Channel 10 and 8 cameras.

WW11 Veteran Flying A Sign In Tampa

You won't be able to read this cell phone image clearly, but this man is representing himself as a WW11 Vet.  I like to believe everyone and take them at face value. If it is true, how old would it make this guy?  Would he not be on Social Security or some kind of retirement?  Just wondering, not trying to be cynical. 

The economy is bad, and Hillsborough County has an unemployment rate over 13% but does that apply to this guy (sorry).  I do know many guys have come over from St. Pete after they outlawed panhandling and flying signs. I know business must be bad because of the glut. If you have driven around Tampa lately, you know what I mean. 

^{Oh, it seems Nancy Castellano needed new furniture and came by and took out the white benches out front of United Cab. She either is redecorating or needs firewood.  LOL}

Pittsburgh Steeler fan is now gone from Tampa. I always like it when the Steeler fans are in town. They are very down to Earth, love their team and are not arrogant like Patriot fans. Steeler Nation is welcome anytime.

O’Brien's Irish Pub & Grill defied the NFL’s blackout policy by displaying the web-based feed  of the Steelers v Buccaneers on TVs throughout the bar.  They used a 'legal' internet feed and switched the moniter to their TV sets in the bar.  The NFL blackout rules were created when most TV's had rabbit ears and you had to get up and walk to the TV to change the channel..We live in a new world now, something the NFL has no clue of.

Another Week, Another TV Blackout for NFL - TheStreet

the Tampa Tribune pointed Bucs fans to mascot-appropriate pirated live streams from ATDHE.net, Justin TV, BlipTV and Ustream. They don't have the expressed written consent of the NFL, whose representatives say they'll "vigorously protect our product" though cease-and-desist letters and takedown notices, but loyal, frugal fans are using the option anyway. Plus, with the NFL's free broadcasts shown in HD and a game from another market replacing the blacked-out hometown matchup, borderline fans are still offered a crisp view of NFL action for the double-digit cost of an HD antenna.

via www.thestreet.com

The NFL may try to force these alternative networks to cease and desist from shown the Tampa Bay Bucs in the Tampa market, but they have brought this on themselves. The internet, direct TV, digital this and that, people can find other ways to see an NFL game other than paying $25 to park and $10 for a paper cup of beer. Free markets folks. The NFL is literally pricing themselves out of fans.

The Black Cat And Obamanomics

 I got a call to pick up a fare named’ Mark’ this morning, just before sunrise. Mark is one of those guys that you look forward to picking up; he is smart, witty, interesting and gay - literally. He lives on a street north of Tampa in an older neighborhood which ten years ago was pretty much urban scare tissue. Then, a phenomenon happened. Mark, and many like him, began to move into the area, and with their flare for decorating and remodeling, the area was soon being re-gentrified into a marvelous and quant place to live.

Mark has a cat (I love cats). It is solid black (reminds me of a cat I had long ago named Amos).  The cat is usually involved in some kind of antics when I show up. This morning, he was just sitting in the yard near the driveway looking at me as I pulled in. His pale blue eyes lit up like demon eyes as I entered the driveway, the one true pointer that I was indeed at the right place. For time immortal people have acquainted cats with strange bewitching abilities. I think it has more to do with their female characteristics. Face it; you have cat women, not cat man.

Cats don’t need you, they can do fine on their own, they feign attention when they want something, they treat you like a servant, they are aloof and always looking for the next bigger and better deal, they don’t respond to auditory commands, and seem to prefer that you are not around, but will give you just enough love to keep you wanting more. I find all of these qualities to be female in origin. Again, I love cats. 

Mark hops in and tells me where he is going. He works at the hospital now, and no longer cuts hair. As he puts it, even the recession has taken its toll on hair cuts. He needed a steady gig and had some nursing experience. The steady pay check is important to him right now. Times were much better three years ago, and I remember him back then. 

Mark had taken advantage of the easy financing that was available a few years ago.  He, at one point, had over five houses that he had mortgages on, and was fixing them up and flipping them. His plan worked for some time and he made a profit on every house he sold. I should have bought one of them. I walked into a mortgage company office back then to pick up a fare (I had five bucks in my pocket) and they wanted to give me an ARM. How cool is that? 

“Sorry,” I said. 

“I don’t like packing my stuff up and moving six months later“. 

Perhaps I could have found a way to hold onto the property. Who knows?

Anyway, Mark got caught short - way short. He was holding the bag (many bags) when the economy fell apart like a two dollar watch and his life went down the drain like liquid Plummer. He says he is alright about this, and he knows who to blame. There is a villain and this man did him in like a back ally mugger…George Bush.  

Mark is convinced that “W” ruined his life. Like many fares I pick up, who are embroiled in domestic issues, the blaming is immense. Humans simply wont live what Socrates called “the examined life,” Instead, opting for “a life of quite desperation” seems more functional…some more quite, some more functional than others. 

The fact that he was done in by his own poor decisions is a concept that is anathema to this man. Was it Bush that forced him to take out those mortgages? I don’t think so. I think many people did enough to do themselves in. Mark also holds onto the mantra I hear often…”It took eight years to mess things up; it will take another eight to un-mess them.”  Really?  Is that right?

We were told the current occupant of the White House is a genius. Keith Olberman claims Obama has the highest IQ ever recorded (next to his, I imagine). My question to all my fares that hold onto this concept is this:

What can a moron do in eight years that a genius can’t undo in five minutes?  I am just trying to follow your logic. Because now I am hearing from the “unexhausted” Obama supporters that it is going to take time for the economy to get better with natural market forces needed to play out. Hummmmmmm.

Was that not the Republican plan all along?  Seems the horse is being changed in midstream. 

To be fair Obama has done this:

1) Bailed out the Banks (he did not have too because only the account holders money is insured)

2) Bailed out Wall Street (he did not have too…what was it Marcus Aurelius said that if Gordon Gekko has what you want, you do business with him). Politics is indeed a practical profession.

3) Bailed out GM.  They are now making a profit and millions of jobs were saved. How cool is that?

I am not sure John McCain would have done any of this stuff.

A floor was put under the economy and total collapse was avoided. However, none of this was George Bush holding a gun to your head so YOU would perform irrationally. 

Notice how cats will never blame anyone for anything. They just go with the flow, adapt, hunt and move on. That is what I, you, and America need to do. It’s time to turn the page and right our own destiny without ever mentioning George Bush again. 

A Man Named Joe

 The odds are long that you know Joe. If you are White, middle-class, or even work for a living, you don't know Joe. Joe is on the streets. He's a victim of hard times, a poor economy, and politicians who have no clue how to make things better, only protect their own special interest. 

Joe suffers. Nobody cares. 

I was sitting on stand 31 yesterday when this guy came walking by with a bucket and a squeagy. I said hi to him, like I do everyone. He told me he was hungry.  He told me was homeless. He told me he had no money. He told me he was running out of hope. He asked me if he could clean my windows for $1. Did you get that. ONE DOLLAR. Maybe a cheap hamburger at a fast-food joint is about all you can buy with that. 

I put him to work. Obama won't, or can't. I gave him $5 for his efforts. He did a great job and was attentive to details. He earned his money. That is all he is asking. To be able to go out and earn a living. Joe is a man like any other man. He wants to make his own way, and is probably wondering, like me, when are these hard times going to end. 

LandWarNet Is In Tampa

There is a massive Army trade show in Tampa this week called LandWarNet, and it is having a huge economic impact for the area. These are the kinds of events that will really put a few bucks in your pocket. This type of event has not been seen in Tampa in at least three years. I hope it is indicative of the recession coming to an end. knock on wood.

The military and defense contractors are at the Tampa Convention Center showing all their new high-tech gadgets to the brass, so they can use our ingenuity to kill the enemy before they kill us. A lot of computer guys, and hardware guys and everything electronic and james Bondish is for sell this week. The bad guys don't have a chance. It makes sense to have this in Tampa because the United States Central Command is located here at MacDill Airforce Base.

These people are also partying like animals at night, so we are busy round the clock. Talk about a stimulus plan.

...photo courtesy of US Army

2001 Nude Odyssey Tampa Florida

 Times are hard-even the strip clubs in Tampa. I noticed the a couple of letters in the neon sign of the 2002 Nude Odyssey were burnt out the other night. There was a time when it would have been fixed as soon as they saw it. I'm sure most business would have done this. Who has money? The strippers tell me that the guys are just not paying the money they used too, and even the high rollers are not coming in. (The strippers will still not back off of the standard $20 for a lap dance and $50 for three. They could get that during the good times. They are doing it to themselves) They have not made money since Tampa hosted the Super Bowl - Same for the taxi drivers.

The clubs used to pay the taxi drivers in Tampa a 'finders fee' if we brought them a cab load of guys. The standard fee was $5 a guy. They don't even do that anymore. The club 7 Seas actually went out of business and closed its doors. Times are tough. 

I, for one, am getting really tired and weary of all of this. I saw a documentary the other night that showed that all the previous recessions in United States history lasted bout 18 months. This recession is 37 months deep and not getting better (over half of that on Obama's watch). I know, what does Obama have to do with this? He did not cause it - it was George Busch. True, perhaps. But what has Obama done to make any of this any better? Does he even have a clue beyond the theory his Harvard professors taught him?

Watch Your Speed On Sundays

Check This OUT!

The Tampa police know that the only day of the week that you can speed on Dale Mabry is on Sunday. That is why they set up a speed trap north of Mlk Just south of Hillsborough. Now this poor guy just because he was up early Sunday will now have to hire Ty Trayner or pay the fine or go to school. In short, his life is inconvenienced because of the Tampa Police Department being involved in revenue generation for the city of Tampa


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St Pete Pandhandlers Flood Into Tampa - Are They Begging, Or 'Flying A Sign?'

 St. Petersburg, in my opinion, has illegally outlawed free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, in short, civil liberties by banning guys from standing on street corners 'flying a sign.' This is a great country we live in.  At least it used to be. St. Pete does not think so. There is, however, a real danger to doing this.  Let me explain.

In this great country a person with ambition and skill can rise as far as his dreams will take him. But what if his dreams are not to be an astronaut or a CEO or a doctor, or whatever people think you should be. Hell, what if he wants to be A TAXI DRIVER. What if he just wants to 'hang out' and drink beer with his buddies and go no further than that.  In this country that should be his God given right. Sadly, people don't think so. 

The problem with banning anything is that you move just a little closer to the banning of political expressing, and that is where the danger lies. That is why we uphold the rights of Larry Flint and Joe Redner.  That's right - porn is free expression.  If you ban it someone will come along and say they find a cable channel or a political party to be objectionable. Do we ban this stuff as well? 

Hell, we live in a country now where you can't even go into a bar and light up a smoke....WTF?

So when you see the guy on the side of the road and you give him a couple of bucks, you better believe it will go to fast food, a cheap motel, a quart bottle of beer (several) and a pack of cigs. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Things Are A Little Better

 Things seem to be a little better than they have been (knock on a forest of trees!).  I take that back - they are a billion times better than they were in the summer of 2008 when the recession was nearing its bottom propelling Obama into the White House.  I mean that. 

2008-2009 are what I call the 'lost years.'  Other than being alive and sucking air, that is all I can say about them.  Things seem to be stabilizing a bit.  Now, there is something we all need to worry about. OIL.

The only thing that could sink the Obama Presidency would be something unexpected that he would be unprepared for would come along.  It has. It has the potential to wipe out the entire economy of the Gulf region and leave us in a hopeless situation. We need leadership now like we did during the Iran hostage crisis during the Jimmy Carter years.  Sadly, we are lacking that. 

If you look over at my flash poll at the top of the right sidebar you will see Dick Cheney is leading by a mile in who people would want as President during this crisis. Unfortunately, Obama is in his second year as President and people seem to lack major confidence in his ability to lead. 

Obama Is Getting Worked By Tony Hayward 'Ja Blow Me Of BP

 "The Ocean is just a barrier to getting the oil we need. Kill the oceans. Get the oil" - Tony Hayward - CEO of British Petroleum

Everyone that lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States will have their lives changed in ways that we can only imagine now.  I live on the west coat of Florida and work in the tourist industry - I drive a taxi cab. Tourism is very important to me. People come down for our beaches, golf courses, and great defense (Bucs).  If the white sugar sand of the gulf becomes black sludge, kiss it goodbye. What is sad is that this could of been over by now if we had a President that had actually had a job before he took the highest office in the land. Did you hear him last night?  This guy can hardly speak without a teleprompter in front of him. REALITY IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE BELOW.

This is the Deep-water Horizon explosion.  This should have gotten somebodies attention. 

Within days giant sea turtles were washing ashore dead. Very sad.

Shrimp boat were out in the Gulf Of Mexico trying to bring in a catch.  They had no choice. This is shrimp season and their families are depending on them.

These dolphin are trying to find flipper and wondering why their home is now full of oil

The Gulf is on fire.  You would think that it would have got the attention of the President while he was in San Francisco at a fund raiser for Barbara Boxer. 

Former Obama voters and supporters are directing their rage at Tony Haward of BP.  It won't be long before their boy starts to get the blame. 

If this don't make you sad, what would?

This looks like something out of the ANDROMEDA STRAIN with these guys in hazardous material suits running up to the beach while Nero played his fiddle.

There are NO WORDS for this photo

More Andromeda Strain Guys along the Gulf beaches

On day 10 Obama met with "God" himself Bono of U2 in the White House. I guess this man has all the answers.  I would have been meeting with engineers and scientist...but what do I know?  I am just a taxi cab driver.            

Many ships are now dumping at sea to save cost.  I was out at one of our local beaches Sunday and the stink was beyond belief.  They say there is no oil here, but where did this shit come from?  What is happening to our world right under our eyes?  See this video I put on YouTube.

Signs Of An Economy Going South

  This photo was taken on taxi stand 23 on the corner of Columbus and Dale Mabry. The boarded up building is the old Miami Subs. This resturant failed to adapt to the recession and went out of business. Sam Seltzer up the road (a steak house) went out of business last week. Tampa is starting to look like a ghost town with these empty shacks standing as a monument to the success of the Obama administration to get this economy going. Is it not a shame that a dunce Bush could screw things up so bad that a Mensa Obama could not undue. Please.
  You can see by the odometer that I am not putting many miles on my taxi cab. There should be 140 miles not this measely 40. I only spent six dollars in gas today. I never could have imagined that it could get this bad. My friend Larry used to work stand 23 and would easily put on this kind of miles. I came out at four in the morning and did not get a ride until 6:14 am after the day dispatcher came on. I don't think that has ever happened.