Minnesota's Muslim Cab Drivers Face Crackdown

[mawilson 2,133]

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Muslim cab drivers at Minnesota's biggest airport will face

new penalties including a two-year revocation of their taxi permits if they refuse

to give rides to travelers carrying liquor or accompanied by dogs, the board

overseeing operations ruled Monday.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission, responding to complaints about the liquor

issue, voted unanimously to impose the new penalties beginning in May.

A large number of taxi drivers in the area of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International

Airport are Muslim Somali immigrants. Many say they feel the faith's ban on alcohol

consumption includes transporting anyone carrying it.

Some also have refused to transport dogs, both pets and guide dogs, saying they

are unclean.

The new rules cover any driver who refuses a ride for unwarranted reasons, including

those who refuse to take short-haul passengers in favor of more lucrative longer trips.

They can still refuse fares for certain reasons, including threats to their safety.

Under the new regulations a first offense would result in a 30-day cab license

suspension and a second in a two-year taxi license revocation.

The current penalty only requires that cab drivers who refuse a fare to go back to the

end of the taxi queue, costing them time and money.

Since January 2002, the commission said in announcing the new rules, there have been

about 4,800 instances where cab drivers refused to pick up people with alcohol in their

possession. Travelers arriving from international destinations often bring back duty-free

alcoholic beverages many in easily identifiable packages.

Source

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

[dora_david 0]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

:lol: :lol:

[homesick_american 1]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

No joke. If you can't do all the tasks that the job requires, you shouldn't be doing that job.

[hmm1 0]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

No joke. If you can't do all the tasks that the job requires, you shouldn't be doing that job.

Are you guys serious...there are pharmacist that will not issue BCP's...what about the patch...is it just a religous thing?

[homesick_american 1]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

No joke. If you can't do all the tasks that the job requires, you shouldn't be doing that job.

Are you guys serious...there are pharmacist that will not issue BCP's...what about the patch...is it just a religous thing?

Yes, we're serious. I never encountered it in Texas, though.

[mRx 16]

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Muslim cab drivers at Minnesota's biggest airport will face

new penalties including a two-year revocation of their taxi permits if they refuse

to give rides to travelers carrying liquor or accompanied by dogs, the board

overseeing operations ruled Monday.

Good. Hit 'em where it hurts.

[sereia 0]

amen!!!!!!!!!! hearing stories like this really pisses me off. get a new job if you don't want to fulfill the task!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Good. This is a melting pot, not a toilet.

[Reynaldo 0]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

[Robor007 0]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

No joke. If you can't do all the tasks that the job requires, you shouldn't be doing that job.

Are you guys serious...there are pharmacist that will not issue BCP's...what about the patch...is it just a religous thing?

1. Yep, there's been several cases where pharmacists refused to dispense BCP's.

2. Is it a religious thing?

[almaty 19]

Good. Now I hope they'll go after pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills.

amen to that..the metro east in illinois, had a dude who refused to fill birth control etc. he was at walgrens and kicked out....i also, agree with minneapolis in this issue too

[JohnK 0]

This is the first thing I've read in weeks that actually makes sense for once! Thank heavens!

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Good! And, yea, pharmacists next.