From the Chicago Dispatcher, June 4, 2008
Letters to the Editor
Getting Rid of Rude Cabdrivers
Drivers who own their medallions should not sell!
By: Salim Abunassar
According to Chicago's Department of Consumer Services (DCS), complaints about cabdrivers being rude have increased dramatically from last year. They want to fix this problem. The only thing is, they helped to create it.
I'm not surprised that complaints of rudeness have increased. Chicago's best cabdrivers are the ones who own and operate their own cabs. The price of medallions keeps going up but the amount of money these drivers make isn't materially changing. So they're selling out and investing their money elsewhere.
These medallions are going primarily to fleet operators. Thus, these same cabs are not being operated by seasoned drivers - drivers who work more efficiently and know how to deal with stressful situations and difficult passengers. Instead these cabs are being driven by inexperienced cabdrivers who have to work more hours to make the same amount of revenue and haven't learned to manage the demands of the job.
With more inexperienced drivers on the streets, is it any wonder that another complaint on the rise is drivers taking the long way? Allegedly they are doing it on purpose - an act of dishonesty. But if that were the case, why does DCS also say we have a reputation for returning lost items - an act of honesty?
How does the city know drivers take the long way on purpose? Do they establish intent at 400 W. Superior or do they just take the passenger's word over the driver's? What difference does it make to the city? They just throw us under the bus, further damaging our reputation with the riding public, just to justify raising revenue through increased fines. By publicizing that we take the long way on purpose, what is the next passenger going to think when he gets into a cab and the driver goes the wrong way by mistake? I smell a complaint. I smell more money for the city.
The situation now is that there are more drivers looking to lease cabs than in at least the past several years. That means more competition on the streets. That means maxed out lease rates.
Throw in the highest gas prices in the nation and you have a situation where lease drivers are $150 in the hole before they make a buck for themselves.
So the end result is that you have inexperienced, unprofessional drivers who have to put in a lot of hours to make a living. They get tired. They get cranky. It's not them. Most of us would be that way if faced with that situation.
That's not to make an excuse for rude behavior. But the best way to address this problem is not by imposing higher fines, making it even more difficult to make it!
Finally, with these lease drivers seeing no realistic hope of owning their own medallions, they tend to view taxi driving as more of a job than a profession and behave accordingly.
The city needs to address these issues by making sure drivers make enough money so that they don't drive to the point of exhaustion. The city must encourage individuals to keep their medallions by assuring them they'll get a better return by working the street than they will by selling out. The city needs to create a definite path to medallion ownership for lease drivers. This won't happen with the current system where cabdrivers on the street are competing with New York capital. The playing field needs to be leveled and only the city can level it.
sabunassar@hotmail.com
We could start with Mike Foulks.
Get a rope!
There is too much obsession with Mike Foulks on this forum. Maybe you can find something else to talk about.
Mr. Mirtz,
I agree, but I don't think some of them can.
-Mike Foulks
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Replying to:
There is too much obsession with Mike Foulks on this forum. Maybe you can find something else to talk about.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SHEEP DIP SUCKING BEGGARS WHO PRETEND TO BE HELPING CAB DRIVERS BUT ALL THEY REALLY DO IS TRY TO MANIPULATE US INTO THINKING THEY ARE OUR LEADERS.
OH, that would be the moratorium guy whose name starts with a F.
SCWatts,
I am not a rude cabdriver. Did you even READ the fine letter by Salim Abunassar? Try reading it again; I think you missed the point of it and this disucssion forum.
Maybe you could stay on the topic of Mr. Abunassar's letter to the editor.
-Mike Foulks
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Replying to:
We could start with Mike Foulks.
Get a rope!
YOU'RE IN DENIAL.
YOU ARE NOT A CAB DRIVER.
YOU'RE AND IDIOT WITH A CHAUFFEUR LICENSE.
THAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU A CAB DRIVER.
SHEEP DIP SUCKING BEGGAR!
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Replying to:
SCWatts,
I am not a rude cabdriver. Did you even READ the fine letter by Salim Abunassar? Try reading it again; I think you missed the point of it and this disucssion forum.
Maybe you could stay on the topic of Mr. Abunassar's letter to the editor.
-Mike Foulks
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Replying to:
We could start with Mike Foulks.
Get a rope!
Great points!
Thank you Mr. Mirtz. I am glad you liked it.
The City is not interested in a level playing field my friend.
They want it as crooked and steep as they can make it so the money just roles in on their side. GOAL!!!!!!
Meanwhile, we collect airport taxes and we pay ground taxes every day so so we can have nice McCormick Place and so the city can find more ways to rob us blind and keep us poor.
If that airport stamp money went to pay for our health insurance, we would have one of the best health plans in the USA.
Instead it goes to political purposes and cabbies go to Stroger County Hospital to beg for help.
Get a rope! Get lots and lots of rope!
Salim,
Very nice story. Well written and you made really great points. I am torn though. Being a current medallion owner and a driver, I like to see the prices go up. It's nice to know that my investment isn't tanking like it did during the Shoenberger years! I have no intention of selling my medallion anytime soon but it would be nice to know that when I am ready to sell it that it'll be worth something so I can retire comfortably.
Mohammed
Hello Mohammed. Now can we get the city to stop taking blood money from us? This hasn't stopped and is getting worse. I spend 1300.00 to send my taxi to inspection last year and still got a citation. A/c hose in April. Have you been taken advantage of too? I still get rude comments from time to time from customers that read the signs we're forced to past. Does this happen to you?
Mr. Ahmed R. I am not interested in conversing with somebody who is as disrespectful and dishonest as you. I'm surprised Mr. Lutfallah gives you any attention at all.
Mohammed
this must be one of the beggar's friends
do you like sheep dip too?
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Replying to:
Mr. Ahmed R. I am not interested in conversing with somebody who is as disrespectful and dishonest as you. I'm surprised Mr. Lutfallah gives you any attention at all.
Mohammed
Sorry you feel this way. I believe I do know you( Lombard?) I'm dishonest due to George's response. Some believe all they read. The minister of Information for Sadaam wasn't very truthful. Our own Govt' isn't much better sometimes. What makes you believe and think so highly of George?For the record I was the first and probably the only one to advise George to turn into a leader of a drivers group. I feel that he makes a good impression and is a good speaker. I also said he makes a credible appearance. Newspaper men in this country as in all others are known to be misleading. The old saying applies: Never believe all that you read. What makes his writing more honest than mine?
If one cannot take an honest critique from an industry veteran he/ she isn't going to grow. George is a newer guy to this industry compared to several of the drivers I know. I bumped into a guy today that I remember seeing in my first years. He tells me he started in 1957. Too bad he doesn't want to participate. We all could learn something from him.
Mr. Mohammed:
I understand your position. I think that most people would like to "buy low, sell high." I am torn too. Friends of mine are selling their medallions. In a way I am happy for them because I know how much they suffered, as you said, during the Shoenberger years. At the same time, drivers were more able to buy medallions back then too. They bought low and are selling high. I'm just sorry to see them go.
SA
Salim,
What you say is very right. When I bought my medallion I searched to find the lowest price and hoped the price to go up by the time I was ready to sell. It didn't make sense to keep leasing since I decided I was going to do this for the long term. If I thought the price would decrease I would have waited but it's hard to tell when the right time to buy is. Sometimes you just have to jump in feet first.
Mohammed
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Replying to:
Mr. Mohammed:
I understand your position. I think that most people would like to "buy low, sell high." I am torn too. Friends of mine are selling their medallions. In a way I am happy for them because I know how much they suffered, as you said, during the Shoenberger years. At the same time, drivers were more able to buy medallions back then too. They bought low and are selling high. I'm just sorry to see them go.
SA
the city should have medallions just for drivers and other medallions just for cab companies.
I don't know about that. If they make medallions just for drivers then that will probably cheapen medallions that current owner/drivers have. That would be a big issue.
Big John if the city created a driver medallion I don't thing your medallion would automatically be considered one just because you are a driver. You would probably be able to sell your medallion to the fleets and buy the cheaper driver medallion.
I think it would still cheapen my medallion if there are more medallions on the road whether they are driver medallions or owner medallions. It all adds up to more cabs on the street. We don't need that. There's too much competition on the streets as it is.
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Replying to:
Big John if the city created a driver medallion I don't thing your medallion would automatically be considered one just because you are a driver. You would probably be able to sell your medallion to the fleets and buy the cheaper driver medallion.
The city should fix the price of medallions.
that is askeing for troubles
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Replying to:
The city should fix the price of medallions.
The city should just give medallions to drivers who have been driving for at least ten years.
Salim, please email me. merciful1@hotmail.com
