I notice that they have computer screens now with maps and ads and all kinds of what-not.

I thought about how easy it would be to have a secret web-cam and microphone going which could be monitored and your location pin pointed.

It's not a place where I'd want to have a private discussion anymore, or be seen with someone I shouldn't be seen with.

That sounds like where it's ultimately headed.  First you train and sensitize the cabbies on what to look for, then after that doesn't work, you hold them responsible when they fail to detect a crime that hasn't happened yet.

Albany is giving Sacramento a good run for their money in the race to see which legislature can be the most useless.  Actually, "useless" would be a big step up for Sacramento, I'm not sure about Albany.

Dave sent us this notice. Now the legislator who introduced the bill wants to turn cabbies into vice cops so they can recognize if someone is selling cats out of their cab or is underage or whatever. Did you ever see a guy (in pic) who looked like he needed to be laid or at least to have a anthony weiner in his mouth? Like cabbies do not know what is happening in their cabs and for the tips they get they should turn into cops? Give me a break. Viva the NY cabby!

http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2011/05/26/queens/qns_tlc_sex_trafficking_20110526.txt

...does this proposed law only apply to cabbies who are in the country legally? To the cabbies who actually match the photo id displayed in the cab? To the cabbies who are screaming in Pakistani into their cell phone at their girlfriend while they are racing up 8th avenue at 50 mph in order to catch every light between Penn Station and 86th street? Does this mean that they will now further add to their tip-extortion business model whereby if you don't tip them 15% they will snitch on you and then dump you off in Queens, somewhere under the 7 train where the sun don't shine? Just wondering.

I had a long cab ride through heavy NY traffic with a Muslim driver from Pakistan, he was very courteous and we talked about many things and he told me how difficult it was to make a living as a cabbie, I felt sympathetic, and when the ride was over, the fare was eight or nine dollars, I handed him fifteen. To my suprise he handed me back the fiver and the change sayiing, "I'm sorry but I don't accept tips."

1. Not speak english
2. not know the city
and
3. always be on your phone

Looks like it ain;t gonna happen

Lina