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October 11, 2006

US: Muslim Cabdrivers' Scheme To Discriminate Fails

We wrote on October 1 that at Minneappolis - St Paul airport, muslim cabdrivers had been discriminating against passengers whom they suspected to be carrying alcohol. This practice had started about 10 years ago, when Muslim cabdrivers were in the minority. Since then, with an influx of Somalis, the cabdrivers licensed to carry passengers from the airport's two taxi booths at Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminals were 75% Muslim.

The cabdrivers had been supporting a plan to have a special orange light on top of their cabs, which indicated that the car's driver was not prepared to carry anyone who was thought to have alcohol in their luggage. By having the orange light, which would have cost each driver about $45, the cabbies could openly refuse passengers without having to go back to the end of the line. Being forced to go to the end of the queue of vehicles could mean a wait of three hours before the cab once again reached the front.

The "orange light" plan was being considered for approval by the airport's taxicab advisory committee, even though it favoured discrimination against passengers who were not breaking the law. The scheme was being negotiated with the assistance of the Muslim American Society and taxi companies.

Now, according to Associated Press via Chron.com and from Pioneer Press, airport authorities have acknowledged that the public, who are the individuals who count in issues of customer service, have overwhelmingly given a negative response to the decision.

The executive director of the Minneapolis airports commission, said: "The bottom line is that no one should be denied taxi service simply because they have alcohol in their possession."

Patrick Hogan, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport spokesman, said: "Since then, we've heard from Australia and England. It's really touched a nerve among a lot of people. The backlash, frankly, has been overwhelming. People are overwhelmingly against any kind of cultural accommodation."

Muslim drivers intend to continue refusing to carry passengers, and being forced to go to the back of the queue.

In August, federal regulations were introduced, following the apparent plot to blow up transatlantic planes with liquid explosives. Since these laws were introduced, there have been fewer cases of passengers being refused rides on account of alcohol. Before the legislation, about 77 rides a month were turned down by Muslim cabbies. Recently, only about 4 cases happen a month.

What is heartening about this is that people wrote in and voiced their opinion, and the vox populi won. This should give hope in other situations. Letter-writing can work.

And for all those who travel by plane to Minneapolis-St Paul airport, there is always the duty free shop. If you buy a bottle and display the bag, you can inconvenience a surly Somali who has no respect for your culture, by making him wait three hours for his next chance of employment. If everyone bought bottles of alcohol at the duty free shop, maybe the Muslim cabbies would soon grow up and either accept alcohol, a legal substance, or find other employment.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at October 11, 2006 8:48 PM

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