Tampa Taxi Shots

There is a rather Bohemian type of cab driver that lives on his sailboat. It is anchored in the Davis Island Yacht basin. Good deal for him. It seems due to some quirky zoning, there is no rent for boats. They can live there free. This cab driver has a generator and potable water. He sleeps well at night with the mesmerizing sounds of the waves cascading of the hull if his boat. That does sound peaceful. But it won't last forever. Most drivers have the wanderlust, and so does Charles. He will soon literally sail off into the sunset on his way to Key West, and all points south. He has many ideas on how to make money. One thing he knows for sure is he does not want to drop anchor anywhere. Perhaps, a mistake I have made. posted from Bloggeroid

Nice large images which I like. A real media formatting for mobile devices Go to the Typepad blog www.TimFasano.com where Tampa Taxi Shots has been before this blog. Its all about mobile formatting today. The Typepad just seems to be more responsive with the bigger images and snap to screen format. I like it better then Blogger which has always looked carton to me. It will also allow me to consolidate to one blog. My interest may change but my name will remain the same.

Night drivers of taxi cabs have no choice but to sit and watch Uber pick up in Hyde Park. Uber driver has more rights than taxi driver. This is not right. Taxi divers must pay for their hack license and follow all rules and regulations. We contract through heavely regulated companies that must comply with HCPTC and meet insurance regulations. Uber does none of that. We can't pick up on Howard ave while Uber does. We can't pull into the terminal at the airport, Uber does. They just do whatever they want, and mayor Bob Buckhorn supports them. How strange a democrat would support an enterprise that was as legal as a speak easy while letting our industry (and the poor in Tampa) suffer. It is becoming obvious to any observer that we have lost over half our business. Did you know my company recently raised our leases to $100 a day and I have to by the gas. That is a nut that is hard to reach, much less, make any money for myself. I hear there is a waiting list to be a driver. ...

An Uber driver was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon Sunday in an alleged road rage incident with a bicyclist at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. According to police, the incident happened at 1:30 p.m. at North Point and Taylor Streets. Police said the bicyclist rode up to the Uber driver’s black 4-door Toyota Camry and started yelling at him and pounding on the window. He continued swearing at the Uber driver, identified as 38-year-old Emerson Decarvalho of Daly City, and pushed his side-mirror in. After a heated exchange, the bicyclist peddled off, but the Uber vehicle sped up and struck the back of the bike, police said. The bicyclist was thrown from his bike and suffered a punctured lung, broken ribs and a broken collar bone. “I saw a man being hauled onto a stretcher and he was turning bright blue and purple,” said Nicole Brooks, who works nearby. She told KPIX the crowd quickly turned on the Uber driver. “I heard the screams of peopl...

Chet Yorton began lifting weights after he was badly injured in a car accident as a teenager. He only had two dumbbells to work with, and no information on how to do it. He essentially invented the push/pull split. He eventually defeated Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Mr. Universe contest in London. Just shows that things can lead in other directions if you just do what you love. You can see this was when JFK was president. Great results were obtained without drugs or Smoothie King. posted from Bloggeroid

Tom and I went to Tampa Bay Downs to get in our annual trip before the Kentucky Derby. I was interested in the system Tom has used in the past to cash big tickets. All was set and I was ready to race. We met at the main entrance. Paid the two bucks to get in. Then, paid for the program. I got the Daily Racing Form because back in the day, it had all the handicapping information. I should have just stuck with the program. I used to love the track but a lot has changed. The program now has detailed info crunched from computer software. They have pace, speed, class info, that basically steers the general public onto the best horses. Years ago, a horse player could get an edge by burning the midnight oil. It was worth it because there would be real value in his picks. Now, they are all chalk. I found that disappointing. The track handicapper would come on the jumbo screen and basically underscores the computer picks. I did cash some tickets but they were low pay. Frankly, I have bee...

Ubers exponential growth has not been without problems. After amazing advances throughout the United States and Europe, they have hit a roadblock in Florida. Uber is now fighting it out with Miami and Tampa, where they are currently illegal. Understand it is against the law to ride in an uber car in Tampa. It's currently against the law for an uber car to be dispatched in under an hour. Tampa and Miami classify ride-share as a limousine company. The rules are a $50 minimum, and 1 hour advance notification. Why? This rule is to protect taxi ccompanies and drivers, who've invested in medallions. Travis Kalanick says these rules are crazy. he says he is spending too much time fighting the officials in Florida. he says he would rather be at the Miami Shore Club. that is a swanky boutique hotel in South Beach. google it and see if you have the money to stay there. As much as people say they like uber, they are contributing to the demise of a regulated industry that serves the ...

I went to the horse races at Tampa Bay Downs Sunday. It had been years since I had been there. Not much had changed except the Daily Racing Form is now 9 bucks. I paid it because I am from the old school, and want more comprehensive information then the track program. It did not seem to do me much good. The horse above was a maiden claiming horse. She had the top jockey and trainer on the track. Even one of the handicappers in the DRF picked the horse. So, I bet her across the board. She came in dead last. I mean I took a photo of her chasing the other horses. They not even in the frame. I actually felt sorry for the horse. Anyway, Tom could not make it, so I only stayed for a few races. I even managed to win a race. As you can see it was a nice day, so I enjoy the sights and sounds of the racetrack. They had a good crowd and most people seemed to be having fun. Of course, at the track, you see the same characters that you find at most tracks. There are the wandering around re...

Uber first denied this had happened until Jewish Political News reported this. Uber is now in damage control A 51-year-old Uber driver was caught stealing $5,000 worth of jewelry from a Jewish couple, who took a ride with him from Borough Park to Williamsburg 9 days ago, JP has learned. The driver, identified as Morales Juan, 51, from Brooklyn was driving an Orthodox Jewish couple in their 30’s on Friday April 3rd from the Borough Park section of Brooklyn to Williamsburg to celebrate the first two days of the Passover holiday. Two hours after they left the car the woman realized that her bag of jewelry is missing, but they couldn’t contact the police since it was after sundown. On Sunday after sunset, the couple contacted Juan who denied taking the jewelry. After another attempt on Monday, the driver agreed to come down to a location in Borough Park and return the the jewelry in exchange for a cash reward. The family ...

This cat waits for me every morning at my specials house. She is so used to seeing me, she doesn't even get out of the way, completely blocking the driveway. I had to get out and move her aside. Black cats are not bad luck. This cat has been bringing me luck for a long time. And she's also very friendly. posted from Bloggeroid

I am now doing something positive for my health..I'm swimming and lifting weights. I have a long way to go but there is no goal. Fitness is a lifestyle that should be maintained for life. I am making it a priority. The beauty if Florida is this pool (Bobby Hicks) is now open year long. They have a heater but may not even need it untill October. I just hope I am still doing it then. Got to stay motivated. posted from Bloggeroid

This is what happened to an Uber driver in Germany. I hope Hillsborough County can shut Uber down to avoid potential violence. .. The request for a cease-and-desist order, which names 53 drivers in addition to the company, says Uber behaves like a taxi service but operates outside of the PTC's legal purview. "They have to agree to operate by the rules and regulations that we put in place," said PTC chairman Victor Crist. He said that includes commercial liability and personal injury insurance, vehicle safety inspections, and Level 2 fingerprint background checks on their drivers. Ride-share companies Uber and Lyft have long quarreled with PTC regulators over whether they must meet those and other requirements. The companies, which use smartphone apps to connect riders with private drivers, started operating in Tampa in April 2014. Almost immediately, the PTC began issuing tickets, calling the services illegal. The cease and desist order does not mention Lyft. And...

I've been to a lot of Florida beaches and I only saw something like this in the late 1970's on Lido Beach. This beach was once a favorite if nudist ans open minded people. The bible thumpers got it shut down. Oh, hell no. We don't want European tourism in this area. They are rich, and do spend money. God help us is a naked lady is spotted. Florida was more advanced 40 years ago then it is now. posted from Bloggeroid

Don't ride with Victorious52 if you use Uber. This gavone has been fired by every cab company in Tampa for reasons they will not say (one could only guess the horrible acts he committed). He is with Uber now. This dumb shit has been a failure at everything he has ever done in life. He now thinks he will find success with Uber. Life doesn't work that way. A loser is a loser. posted from Bloggeroid

This blurb in the business section of the Tampa Times pretty much confirms my worst fears. Uber has cracked the last vestige of protected business that the taxi companies have. If that percentage is even close st TIA, then the writing is on the wall. The authorities at the airport are extending their middle finger at the cab companies and drivers. They charge an outrageous fee for the right to serve them, force drivers to follow stupid rules. Then, they allow an unlicensed and uninsured Uber to operate at the airport. That is wrong and I swear to God we Will stop it. posted from Bloggeroid

Its about time they started using this excellent facility. On the south side of Tampa is a long course pool called Bobby Hicks. The problem has been in recent years, it just remains closed. Don't know why. Florida is the place where there is a demand for a pool. You have fitness folks and your 26.2 folks. I will try to get there soon and start regular exercise. You know I will stop about as soon as I start. Lets see what happens this time. posted from Bloggeroid

Duncan Burton served 14 years for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, according to court records and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. He was convicted by a jury in Houston and served time in Beaumont, Louisiana and Georgia before being released in 2012, according to the federal prison agency. Although sentenced originally to 18 years, he had earned nearly three years of good conduct time and had about two years of jail time. Burton, 57, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of sexual assault, a second-degree felony. If convicted, Burton faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He remains in the Harris County Jail without bail. Uber spokeswoman Debbee Hancock said Monday that  Burton passed the company's background checks. She could not immediately be reached Tuesday to respond to the disclosure of Burton's drug conviction. Someone with a negotiated drug conviction on his or her record would not be eligible for a city-issued permit, ...

I heard Ron Seaman was fired after a group of airport drivers went into the office to complain. It seems the rules he implemented (that would make us more efficient in the Uber era) were more then the guys could stand. Face it, the taxi industry has received bad press in the last year for dirty cars and poor service. We have lost accounts to Nancy, and business to Uber. The airport is our last vestige of protection. Zellow app was a good idea but the drivers wanted to go back to the old way..everyone loses. ..Uber wins..Mark My words. posted from Bloggeroid

This is a tradition that needs to be upheld. The cheek of the week is something most men, and cab drivers can enjoy. I have taken many cheek images myself BUT I cannot claim this one. Nothing sagging or bagging on these yoga pants girls hanging low. posted from Bloggeroid

Tony Dungy (just blocks from Uncle Toby's) Two future NFL Hall of Fame guys were photographed by me on the same day, with the same roll of film, that the Uncle Toby images were taken with. How cool is that! Tony Dungy and Warren Sapp were leaving the old training camp at the University of Tampa and I got there shots. We had no idea back then what an impact they would make to Buc and football history. Warren Sapp was in shape back then The Bucs practice field was in the shadow of downtown Tampa

Uncle Toby was very proud of what he was cooking up. If you drove cab in Tampa in the late 1990's and early 2000's, you may remember "Uncle Toby's HOT & ALOT" diner. It was home cooked gourmet diner food. I used to eat there because I  like that type of food. Toby would pile it on and I was in my glory. Toby was a retired Navy guy who always wanted to open a restaurant. He found the vacant building three blocks down from United can, and just around the corner from Yellow Cab. The location was ideal for many industrial business were in the area and many lacked a chow hall. Toby would pack them in for breakfast and lunch. The place did well for a long time. Toby had a simple formula. Feed people decent portions without a high price and they will come back. Repeat customers will make or break a business. His claim to fame was meatloaf on Tuesdays. This photo of me is eating his award winning meatloaf with mash potatoes, green beans, and roll. ...

A Denver Colorado Uber driver has been arrested for burglary on the house of a fare he dropped off at the airport. It seems the Uber driver had found an angle for his life of crime, become an Uber driver. They don't screen drivers and it gets you in close proximity to hot women, and knowledge of people's whereabouts. This is scary folks. Uber drivers are committing crime on a daily basis. Why do people think they are safer? Because they are mostly American born? posted from Bloggeroid