TRUMP ON SHARING ECONOMY, -OPINIONS

Original Article By Iain Murray, vice president for strategy for the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
http://www.insidesources.com/five-ways-president-trump-could-jump-start-economic-growth


"Five Ways President Trump Could Jump-Start Economic Growth

Too many Americans feel left behind by the weak economic growth and diminished job opportunities under the Obama administration. Too many people have seen their income stagnate and opportunity disappear since the financial crisis of 2007-2008. "

AGREE

"As the 2016 election upset has proved, people want a president who does things differently, a president who wants to “make America great again.”"

AGREE

"President-elect Donald J. Trump now has a huge opportunity to make some big changes that improve people’s lives and livelihoods. Over the last eight years, the Obama administration heaped piles of regulation on top of businesses and their financiers. Trump can help get the economy moving again by implementing some meaningful regulatory relief, by himself and with Congress. Here are five simple ways he can do that: "

WRONG, OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO REGULATE CROOKED BUSINESSES

"(1) Fire Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He’s issued regulation after regulation that made it harder for people to get access to funds. Banks have in many ways stopped lending to people who lack perfect credit or to small businesses because of the new bureaucracy involved. President Trump should exercise his appointments power, fire Cordray, and install a director who will get consumer and small business credit moving again."

WRONG, BANKS STOPPED LENDING TO SMALL BUSINESS NOT BECAUSE OF OBAMA'S REGULATIONS BUT TO KEEP PRESSURE ON ECONOMICAL GROWTH AND COSTS OF LABOR, WHICH IN RESULT ENRICHED EVEN MORE BIG CORPORATIONS AND WALL STREET.

"(2) Rescind the Department of Labor’s overtime rule that looms over America’s employers and threatens job opportunities. This rule, which will come into effect in December, will force businesses to pay time-and-a-half to salaried employees who earn up to $47,476 a year. Instead of getting a raise, many employees will see their work terms changed or switched to hourly status as businesses scramble to avoid the sudden, budget-busting mandate. The new rule will affect around 5 million employees, many of whom work at universities, nonprofits or startups that rely on dedicated people working longer hours out of love for their job and mission. If left in place, the effect on startups alone — one of the bright spots of economic growth — could be devastating."

SAY WHAT? ACCORDING TO THIS TWISTED LOGIC, AMERICAN EMPLOYEES SHOULD KEEP WORKING FOR LESS BECAUSE OF LOVE FOR THEIR JOBS ??!! AND BECAUSE BUSINESSES (GOD FORBID) WOULD MAKE LESS MONEY ??!!

"(3) Encourage the sharing economy. Platform apps like Uber, Airbnb and Handy have allowed people to make up income shortfalls or earn extra cash by making better use of their cars, homes or skills. Unfortunately, regulators at the Department of Labor and elsewhere have been moving to restrict these opportunities, for example, by having Uber drivers declared employees of the app firm. That increases labor law liability and significantly reduces the number of those jobs available. The new president should call off the labor regulators and allow sharing economy firms to expand. He should appoint an official in charge of looking out for people in the sharing economy throughout the regulatory process."

OK, PART #3, IT IS A PROVE THAT AUTHOR HAS HIS HEAD BURIED DEEP IN HIS ASS, HE WANTS TO BUILD "GREAT AMERICA" BY MAKING AMERICANS WORK LONGER HOURS, IN SWEATSHOP CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT PROPER PROTECTION FROM LABOR REGULATORS.

"(4) Work with Congress to repeal Dodd-Frank’s notorious Durbin Amendment. It restricts fees banks can charge merchants for use of their debit card networks — which just meant banks passed on these extra costs in the form of higher annual fees, offered fewer free checking accounts, and ended debit card reward programs. By one count, these extra costs may have forced a million poor Americans to stop using bank accounts at all. It’s time to recognize the Durbin Amendment is a failure and get it repealed."

NO WONDER WHY OUR POLITICIANS ARE SO IGNORANT, AFTER READING COUPLE OF ARTICLES LIKE THIS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "TRUMP ON SHARED ECONOMY" AND ACCEPTING THEM AS A LEGIT ANALYSIS.

"(5) Negotiate a free trade deal with Brexit Britain. The president-elect may look askance at trade with China and Mexico, but he has no such worries about Britain, one of America’s biggest mutual trading partners. And as luck would have it, Britain is now looking to conduct its own trade deals following its exit from the European Union. Mutually beneficial exchange of goods and services could easily generate billions of dollars of wealth on both sides of the Atlantic, instill market confidence, and help quell worries about a global trade war. President Trump’s new U.S. trade representative should invite U.K. Secretary for International Trade Liam Fox to Washington for talks, ASAP."

WITH US/UK TRADE AT FRACTION OF TOTAL US INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE, #5 IS OBVIOUS SMOKESCREEN TO COVER SMELL OF BS THIS ARTICLE IS ALL ABOUT,

"Trump could set these measures in motion very quickly, and hard-strapped Americans would start to see real change. We must begin to lift at least some of the $1.9 trillion burden regulation imposes on the economy every year. All Americans, whether they voted for Donald Trump or not, could get behind that."

VOTERS CAN NOT POSSIBLY GET BEHIND IT, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY IN FRONT OF IT GETTING SCREWED BY SHARING ECONOMY, OWN POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT.

Commentary, by local taxi driver in Tampa Bay

Uber Plays Stupid in Tampa Bay

Uber Plays Stupid in Tampa court hearing. "we don't use taxi meters, we just use "stupid" phones, which computes distance, time and price somewhere on servers in California and that's how drivers get paid and customers get charged" ..................IS THIS FOR REAL?  ..........DO UBER THINK, THAT PEOPLE IN FLORIDA ARE STUPID?

picture by techcrunch.com

Uber-and-Ptc-square-off-before-hearing-officer-over-tickets

"...............Much of Monday's hearing centered around determining if a smartphone app can be considered a meter. If so, regulators argued Uber's drivers are operating in the same fashion as cab drivers, and thus subject to the same rules. But Uber representative Matthew Gore, general manager in Florida, said the rate is calculated by an algorithm on the their servers in California, not in the app.

"The vehicles are not taxicabs, and there is no meter installed," Gore said after Monday's hearing. "It's a new category of service that the regulators never wrote into their laws."............"

>>>Read More

Uber Lies and Uber BS email

This email was accepted from one of Tampa uber drivers and in our opinion it is worth publishing
 by Independent  Uber's Driver Blog.

"Email from Uber to Uber drivers,  filled with Lies and Uber BS.........
.....hey!!!, if I was making any money with uber and able to pay my bills,  I wouldn't be complaining about some Uber's "cheerleading" , but I don't make any money with them, so, I AM REALLY PISSED OFF,

a  FORMER UBER DRIVER in Tampa Bay

p.s...........is anybody out there  willing to dig in in this pile of uber crap and share uber experience?
PLEASE GO AHEAD, this blog is YOURS



"TAMPA
PARTNER WEEKLY
Hey Karl,

We are seeing demand go off-the-charts in Tampa. We've even seen many drivers working weekend nights making literally HUNDREDS of dollars due to surge pricing! Each unfulfilled request is money being left on the table.  That's why this weekend, we brought back Hourly Guarantees, see below for details!

WEEKEND HOURLY GUARANTEES
To satisfy this sky-high demand, we're making our partners a SPECIAL HOURLY GUARANTEE!!  This weekend you can make at least $150 in Gross Fares for being on the road during peak demand times!

Guarantee Details:

$15 per hour Friday and Saturday night if you are logged-on during one of these shifts:
1:00am to 3:00am (Guarantee of Gross $30 in total fares)
12:00am to 3:00am (Guarantee of Gross $45 in total fares)
11:00pm to 3:00am (Guarantee of Gross $60 in total fares)
10:00pm to 3:00am (Guarantee of Gross $75 in total fares)
We will guarantee you the hourly guarantee in average gross fares over the time period indicated. So you will get either: the gross fares you earn or the gross $15/hour over the sessions less commission– whichever is HIGHER!

To qualify you must:

- Accept 80% of requests for the entire duration you are online during the guarantee period
- Complete at least 1 trip per hour for the duration of time you are on the road during the guarantee period
- Must be logged in and ready to accept requests for at least 90% of the period
- Be located near Downtown or St. Pete
- OPT-IN to the Hourly Guarantee HERE

The top-up guarantee will show up on your next pay statement! Please let me know if you have any questions.
GENERAL SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Both lanes of the Park Boulevard Bridge will be closed starting on September 29 for repairs.  It is expected to remain closed for the entire month of October.  Drivers will have to take the Indian Rocks Causeway or the Tom Stuart Causeway instead.
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

What: Luke Bryan Concert
Where: Mid Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre (4802 N US Highway 301)
Drop Off: 6-7:30pm
Pick up: 10-11:30pm
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

What: SeptemBEERfest
Where: Southern Brewing & Winemaking (4500 N Nebraska Ave)
Drop Off: 4-6pm
Pick up: 7-9pm
HOTSPOTS
ST. PETE'S IS HEATING UP!

In addition to Downtown Tampa and Clearwater, we are seeing more requests than ever in St. Petersburg. Head to these locations to find rides!

As always, weekend evenings from 6pm-3am are the busiest, but we are expecting high demand all throughout the weekend. Below, you'll find a map of where we're seeing the most requests!

USE YOUR OWN iPHONE
Many of you have told us that you would rather use Uber on your personal iPhone instead of a separate device.  To qualify, you must:

- Have an iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, or 6
- Have iOS 7 or 8 (to check go to Settings > General > About > Version)
- Have a data plan that allows you to use at least 2GB/month of data for Uber
- Use any major phone carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint)

If you are interested in seeing if you qualify, CLICK HERE and fill out the required information.  If you do qualify, we will automatically send you a return envelope so you can return the Uber iPhone.
SURGE PRICING
Surge Pricing is in Effect!

During high demand times, fares can be as high as 3 times the normal rate! Surge pricing rewards you for staying logged online during high demand times by earning higher fares on each trip you take (check out this video for more info). Check your Driver App to see if surge pricing is in effect and where it's surging!
REFERRALS

Referring a friend, family member, or colleague to Uber Tampa will get you both $100!  THAT'S RIGHT, you AND the referred partner get paid!

This incentive will be paid as soon as the referred partner completes 20 trips. The person being referred MUST sign up for Uber using the link sent to their email from the BLUE BUTTON seen above.

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not see the Blue Button on your App, press the 'Home Button' on your iPhone and then reopen the Uber Driver App.

The incentive will be in effect for LIMITED TIME ONLY. Take advantage while it lasts!...."

How much money can you make being an Uber driver?

Watch this video first, before you sign up with Uber or Lyft for unrealistic earnings promises, which will turn out to be slave wages.

How much can you make as a Lyft or Uber driver?

Is  driving for Uber or Lyft legal in Tampa Bay? Can you really make $35/hour driving for Uber in Florida? Can you really make $70,000 a year driving for Lyft in Tampa Bay? What are your weekly expenses when you drive for Uber or Lyft? Is it safer in Tampa Bay to take Uber or Lyft than Taxi? Why people hate taxis in Tampa Bay and love Uber and Lyft? Is it tip included in all Uber and Lyft fares? Who has better cars and better drivers, Lyft, Uber, Taxi? How to improve Uber, Lyft service? Why Uber drivers refuse to take my call?  

feel free to comment as a anonymous person

Taxi Driving in Downtown St Petersburg, FL

picture by TampaBay.com

St Petersburg's thriving bar scene fuels cabbie wars

By Claire Wiseman,  Tampa Bay Times

It's a warm Friday night, a few minutes after 8, and Douglas Osterman-Burgess is maneuvering his cab around Red Mesa Cantina. He pulls up out front, on Third Street N, where a red and white sign says "Taxi Stand."

"Look at this," he exclaims. "I've been asking for this!"

The spot looks unremarkable but for him represents a victory. He says he has been "agitating" for this kind of change for three years. With extended bar hours and the ever-increasing lure of downtown, the city's entertainment district has turned into a taxicab battleground.

As patrons spill out at closing time, those who need a ride home might have to wait 45 minutes for a cab. Despite the demand, fights for fares often erupt.

"It gets very competitive," said St. Petersburg police Lt. Gary Dukeman, who oversees the downtown entertainment district at night.

Osterman-Burgess, 55, deals with it in part by reporting his fellow cabbies if they don't follow the rules.

From the driver's seat of his white and orange van, he sips from his 7-Eleven Big Gulp and points out the many ways cabbies break the rules. They don't bother to register. They steal fares. They park illegally.

"There are rules, people," he says. "If you don't like the rules, fight to get them changed.

The city extended bar hours until 3 a.m. in 2010, setting off an expansion of the downtown bar and club scene.

The city doesn't have taxi records back to that year, but in 2011, 573 taxicabs were registered to pick up and drop off within the city. So far this year, 549 have registered.

>>>Read More

Want to be a taxi driver? Read This

Safety tips for new taxi drivers in Tampa Bay, Florida and not only........

picture by wnyc.org

TAXICAB DRIVER SAFETY

by Gord Barton

Taxi Training Instructor

GOAL:

To maximize personal safety for taxicab drivers
OBJECTIVE:
To ensure that all new and veteran taxi drivers fully understand and comprehend the basic safety rules that they need to follow and embrace.
MODULES:

• Understanding the inherent dangerous nature of the industry
• Understanding the nature and personalities of people.
• Learning to "read" your customer.
• Learning and understanding the basic safety rules.
• Police relations.
• Weapons - the none use of and why.
• Prostitution - your legal guidelines
• Needles - the extreme danger of drugs/disease
• Hostility and negativism
• You and your part.

Foreword:

It is extremely important that all taxi drivers, especially those of you that are new to the business, to understand the dangerous and complex nature of the industry itself, to understand some of the dynamics, to learn how not to become a victim.

Module 1: The danger of the industry

The taxicab business is a very different one from most occupations, and there is a very real and high risk of personal danger to each driver, and it appears to be getting steadily worse each year, and the statistics bear this out.
The last report on workplace violence and homicide places TAXI DRIVERS in the unenviable spot of #1 most dangerous occupation in North America at the present time, and this danger is rising. There are 20 homicides where taxi drivers are victims to every 100,000 drivers. Convenience store clerks are #2, being out 15 homicides to each 100,000 workers. In contrast, the police ratio is only 7 homicides to each 100,000 officers. This alone should tell you something.
The reasons for this are actually very simple in nature, seemingly unrealistic, but they are true, and they are as follows:

• You work alone
• You work all types of long, 12 hour shifts
• You work in isolated areas.
• You always have ready cash
• People perceive that you have the lowliest job of all, and therefor you are of no human value.
• You are always dealing with strangers.
• The very nature of your business, service, requires you to deal with everyone.
• Very often, you have a language barrier, which is difficult to deal with.
• Your own peers often cheat the public, thus raising disrespect and contempt
• Racism plays a factor

Module 2: Understanding the nature and personalities of people

• No two people are the same, in body, or in mind.
• Some people are psychopaths with no emotions, feelings, or remorse.
• Most people you deal with are nice, but we all have our bad days
• People judge other people by their own values, with little regard for reality

Module 3: Learning how to "read" your customer

• You must read up on and become familiar with "body language". This goes hand in hand with "active listening" to what the people are really saying versus what their "body language" is telling you.
• You must never, ever, underestimate your customer and what they may be capable of doing to you.
• You must never let your guard down when you have a fare in your taxi, irregardless of who they are, or how they are dressed or appear to be.

Module 4: Learning and understanding the basic safety rules.

1) Radio and the dispatcher

• The most important piece of equipment in your taxi is your radio, as it connects you to your dispatcher. The dispatcher is "your lifeline".
• They are the ones who will get you help if you are in trouble.
• They are the ones who will give you accurate information when you need it.
• They are the ones who will "sense" when you are in trouble and assist you.
• They are the ones who will dispatch you for trips in a fair and equitable manner with all the other drivers.
• They are the ones which will keep you informed on what is happening.
• Have a good relationship with all dispatchers - you need them on your side.                                                                                                                                                                                          
• 2) Be alert and aware.

You must keep yourself very alert and aware of what is going on around you at all times, whether you are parked or driving. Take good care of yourself, be rested, eat well, and get lots of exercise. The exercise and movement around you will get by handling peoples luggage, going to doors to get your customers, opening and closing doors all contribute to the enrichment of oxygen in your blood, which is what keeps up your energy and awareness.

>>>Read More

Round trip St Petersburg - Tallahassee for $1.5 K

Picture by Tampa Bay.com

Charlie's Luck and round trip to Tallahassee

"A few weeks before Thanksgiving, staff at the Loving Care assisted living facility in St Petersburg realized something had changed in Malcolm Ramsey's life.

Relatives who had never paid much attention to Ramsey, 55 and mentally incompetent, suddenly started showing up in droves. Bulging bags from T.J. Maxx and Bealls filled his half of a tiny, shared bedroom. Boxes of new athletic shoes — Nike, New Balance, K-Swiss — towered against the wall.

Then there were the rumors that Ramsey had hit it big in the Florida Lottery.

Ramsey's legal guardian got involved. So did St Petersburg police, an adult protective services worker and, eventually, a judge. And slowly, the story came out.

Sometime in October, Ramsey had won "$500 a week for life" on a scratch-off Florida Lottery ticket. With the help of a cab driver, he had gotten an ID, a copy of his birth certificate and a ride to Tallahassee to claim the prize. He took it as a lump-sum payout — $403,288........."

>>>Read More

Why would I visit Saint Petersburg ? dream vacation

By Angela Doherty 
If  you are like me and looking to escape the rain, winter, or find a white sand beach to stretch out on, your search might quite naturally lead you to the warm climes of Florida, the Sunshine State. I was looking for a sunny, warm slice of heaven, with a great mix of outdoor recreation, culture, dining and shopping and I think I have found it in St. Petersburg. Here’s what I've found out about this great city.

With on average 361 sunshine days per year, St. Petersburg is not called “The Sunshine City” for nothing. Situated on the west side of Tampa Bay, a trip to St Pete could not be complete without a day on the beach. And with over 240 miles of shoreline including a number of keys, islands, bayous and some of the best beaches in the country (including Fort De Soto beach, twice ranked number one in the country in 2005 and 2008) you are spoiled for choice in St. Pete.   I think a day on the beach, lazing under the palms or swimming in the crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico on the beaches of Treasure Island is the first order of business for any visitor to the city. However, if it is action you are after, diving, snorkeling, fishing and canoeing are just some of the choices available to you in, on and around the waters of the city.

When you are sick of the beaches, it’s time to head across town and Beach Dr and the waterfront where you can find amazing dining, overlooking the marina and the gorgeous Tampa Bay. I think I’ll start with drinks at the famous Fresco’s and head down Central Ave and the surrounding streets to find some great food, live music and dance spots to enjoy the long, hot nights of St. Pete. The city is also home to over 2 dozen art galleries, and if you time your visit right, on the second Saturday of each month, the Downtown Arts Association hosts a Gallery Walk around a number of downtown galleries and studios. St. Pete also plays host to a series of festivals and cultural celebrations all year round, for everyone from the foodies at the “A Taste of Pinellas” festival in May, to the Tampa Bay Blues Festival in April and every March, downtown is transformed into an Indy Car track for the Honda Grad Prix! And of course, if you are looking for sport, Tropicana field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, is also within easy reach of downtown.

Shopping in St. Pete, like the rest of the city’s activities, is also all about choice. Check out the Saturday Morning Market, down by the Marina, for fresh local produce and goods. Or, if you are looking for something a little more up market, the BayWalk shopping complex is located downtown, along with a host of artisan shops and studios.

Now where to stay… Well. Let’s be honest, there are so many choices from the 5-star resorts of Clearwater and downtown to the hostels and camping grounds at Fort De Soto Park, there is something for every budget. And one of the best things about St Pete is that it is compact, making travel around it easy either through the public system, or by cab, where your friendly cabbie can suggest more things for you to do in the Sunshine City. I’m looking forward to my trip to St. Petersburg, time to stop dreaming about it!

Tampa Bay Taxi Business History / part "Tampa"

How taxi companies Yellow Cab, United rose to dominance in Hillsborough

TAMPA — In 1967, the manager of the only cab company in town told the Tampa Taxicab Commission his drivers made about $112 per week. Adjusted for inflation, that's $742 in today's dollars.

Taxi drivers were employees then, with health insurance, vacations and bonuses, city records show. But in 1975, the Yellow Cab Co. jumped on a national trend and made its drivers independent contractors. The agreement cost cabbies their benefits but let them keep whatever they made.

At the time, Yellow Cab manager Nick Cambas told the Tampa Times: "This should be the answer to those squawking about the little man not having a chance to make it in business."

Thirty-six years later, the little man still awaits his chance.

Drivers today say the system leaves them poor and at risk. Their predicament is compounded by a lack of choices: Two companies control 87 percent of the county's permits..............

>>> Read More

Glory Days in Tampa Bay taxi / limo industry

Super Bowl Gives Florida Operators Big Boost

TAMPA, Fla. — Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa had the potential to be a true shot in the arm for limousine operators and transportation companies in the Tampa and Orlando metro markets.

But as the big game approached, events began to vanish. Playboy and Sports Illustrated canceled their annual parties while many corporate events were scaled down. The economic downturn was extending its reach to America’s favorite pastime.

So with all of the festivities now over, how exactly did the event turn out for operators?

Marcos Lopez, owner of Tampa-based Embassy Limousines and Sedan Service, said the Super Bowl was an overwhelming success. Lopez normally runs 19 vehicles in his fleet. He supplemented it with six additional rented SUVs and brought in 13 additional vehicles from out of town affiliates (Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando).

“We went after the corporate business early and got a good portion of our business months before the event,” explained Lopez. “The Super Bowl hasn’t been a stretch limousine event in the past couple of years. Stretch limousines were the last thing for us to book. The corporate.......>>>

>>> Please Read more

Legalization of Marijuana in Florida Around the Corner ?

Medical marijuana battle coming to Florida

By STEPHEN NOHLGREN
Tampa Bay Times

PARRISH — Sitting at the kitchen table in her wheelchair, arms useless at her sides, Cathy Jordan begins another day with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease.

She turns expectantly to her husband, Robert, who fires up a pungent joint and holds it to her lips. Smoke curls through her blond hair as she inhales, holds and exhales.

Jordan is well into her third decade with a disease that often kills within five years. She credits marijuana with slowing progression of the condition that destroys nerve cells, ultimately leading to total paralysis and death.

"This is keeping me alive,'' she says. It also eases her symptoms such as muscle stiffening, drooling and chronic lung congestion. How does she know it's working? Whenever she is hospitalized and can't have pot, the symptoms come back.

Jordan, 63, is a medical anomaly for how long she has survived with ALS.

She is also a criminal, breaking the law with every puff.

And she is a symbol of a fight unfolding this summer that could redefine Florida not only medically, but politically and culturally, too. Legalizing marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, might seem an extraordinary step in this state. But polls show support for the measure crosses political party lines. And as baby boomers who may have used pot in their youth feel the impact of age, they may add to the push for legalization.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana use for medical purposes. But for the most part they are in liberal Western and Northeastern areas or in Rocky Mountain states with libertarian bents. None is in the South.

Florida is a national bellwether, says John Morgan, the Orlando attorney familiar to millions from his "For the People'' TV ads. He has stepped onto a new platform: the push to legalize medicinal marijuana..........

>>> Read More

How to become taxi driver in Tampa Bay

Taxi Drivers
You'll have to check with your local government offices or a taxi company. As a general rule, taxi drivers only need to have the standard, Class E driver's license. However, local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements.



>>> Read More

Viva Gay in St Pete !!! Viva Taxi Business !!!

St. Pete Pride drawing gay tourists to Tampa Bay area

From Tampa Nay Times 

ST. PETERSBURG - With 100,000 people at last year's St. Pete Pride event, the Tampa Bay area is gaining a high profile among travelers expected to come this weekend for the state's biggest gay pride festival.

Organizers have added art shows and concerts leading up to Saturday's parade and street festival in St Petersburg's Grand Central District; adds aiming to lure tourists for the event suggest a vacation with beaches, museums and gay-friendly hotels, restaurants and bars.

Several elected officials, most notably Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, plan to participate in this year's festival, and community leaders are hopeful that gay pride events will take hold on both sides of the bay in coming years....

>>> Read More

Saint Petersburg FL Taxi Etiquette & How to Flag a Taxi

By Danielle Antosz

Whether you are native to Tampa Bay or just in town visiting, taxis are a convenient way to get around town and avoid dealing with parking fees, terrible traffic or unfamiliar public transportation system.
If you are in the Saint Petersburg FL area (or most any major cities) and want to get where you are going fast and without an issue, you need to treat your  taxi driver well! Here is how to successfully flag a taxi and get where you are going quickly.

1. Pretend you aren’t as drunk as you are. Your friend told a joke, and it was just plain hilarious. Awesome, but while you are bent over double laughing it up,  taxis are driving right past you. Picking up drunk people is part of the job, but if we get the idea you are going to be a huge pain then you aren’t worth it. We will keep on driving.

2. Know where you are going and be able to communicate it clearly. We can’t hear you when you mumble. Be ready to tell the driver where you are going, preferably with an exact address.  Please don’t discuss it with your friends for five minutes and make me wait. (with that being said  don’t be afraid to ask. Tampa taxi drivers

Benefits of Being a Taxi Driver in Tampa Bay

By Danielle Antosz

People become taxi drivers for many different reasons. No one is born knowing they want to be a taxi driver, usually circumstances push them to the job. With that being said, there are a lot of perks of being a taxi driver, and most of us love what we do. The hours are long, and slow shifts are tedious, but there is a reason we do it year after year. If you are considering becoming a Tampa taxi driver, here are a few things you can look forward to.

Be your own Boss!
Starting a business is expensive – you have to pay for overhead, taxes, licenses, equipment, and product. If you are looking for an easy way to be your own boss, taxi driving is a great place to start!

Your employment situation can vary based upon how your company is set up, but most Tampa taxi drivers rent their car from a taxi company or they own their own car and pay for dispatches from a company. There is no boss leaning over your shoulder all shift, and once you cover your fees the rest of the profit is yours. Which means the harder you work, the more money you make. And, unlike other startup businesses, the startup costs are relatively low.

Every Day is Payday
Instead of waiting for payday, you get to take home cold, hard cash after every shift. No more extreme budgeting to make sure you can last to next payday. However,

Are you talking to ME?!- What Taxi Drivers Don't Like about Passengers

Are you talking to ME ?!!!

10 Clients Taxi Drivers Hate 
By DA

Driving a taxi in Tampa Bay is different than in Manhattan or Chicago, where clients just flag a taxi down on the street. That gives drivers the chance to ignore people they can tell will be trouble.
Here in Tampa Bay, we mostly rely on dispatching systems to get us calls, either old fashioned radio dispatching or computer system based on GPS. Some companies are toying right now with taxi booking applications for smart phones which supposed to connect potential passenger to nearest cab. The point being, most taxi drivers in Tampa Bay don’t get to choose their customers, which allows Manhattan drivers to avoid some particularly high maintenance customers.
At some point between calling a cab and getting in, many people seem to lose common sense and generally forget how to act like a human being. While many clients are polite and tip, there are a few that we all hate picking up. Here are the top 10 clients taxi drivers hate.


The “Executive”
This person is convinced their time is more valuable than anyone else’s. I get a call and get to the address in five minutes and blow the horn. The “Executive” shows up at the door and says “Give me a sec! I’ll be right there!” After another 5 minutes, I blow the horn again. They stick their head out the door “Give me another minute!” A full 10 minutes later they finally get in the cab with an attitude like I ruined their freaking day. WTF?!

Mother Knows “Best”
I pull up in front of a house and a lady with a baby in her arms tries to get in the cab. I ask, politely, if she has a car seat. She replies “I don't use car sit for my baby and nobody in your company ever ask me to have a car seat!” I say “Ma’am, I cannot take you and your baby without a car seat”. I hear slur of insults followed by "What is your cab number and what is your name? I am going to report you to your company! I am never using your company again!!" She doesn't realize, or doesn't care, that not using a car seat is not just unsafe for a baby, but also illegal!

The “High Roller”
Sorry ass loser comes out of Derby Lane Poker Room and

Destination Saint Pete

By Sasha Brown

St. Petersburg: Old World Charm and New Spaces St Petersburg isn’t your grandmother’s sleepy little beach town anymore. There’s still plenty of sand here, but there’s also an established art community, a diverse restaurant scene and a newly gentrified downtown filled with park-side cafes. It’s now the cool sister to the neighboring city of Tampa. During the daytime, visitors dawdle between pristine beaches, art museums, farmers markets and waterfront parks. At night, locals and tourists alike flock to the city’s potpourri of restaurants for elegant seafood dishes orhamburgers in tiki bars dotted along the beach. St. Petersburg has grown up, but remnants of its Old World charm still remain. Graceful art deco buildings line St. Pete’s wide boulevards—a refreshing change from the urban sprawl and mega strip malls that dot Florida’s coast. For those who like a little culture with their sunshine, the impressive Dali Museum has an extensive collection of Salvador Dali works, representing every stage of his career. Considered a jewel on St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront is the Museum of Fine Arts which houses a wide range of world art from antiquity to modern times. Art buffs will also appreciate the permanent collection of Dale Chihully's unique glass artwork at the beautiful Morean Arts Center. There are a wide range of museums and galleries along the downtown waterfront parks, including the Children’s Museum and the Museum of History. Nature lovers will appreciate the Boyd Hill Nature Park which boasts walking trails, live exhibits and sneak peaks at alligators who call the park their home. The Weedon Island Preserve is a wonderful place to kayak, find a quiet path to walk or look for birds. For those who insist on spying an alligator, Sawgrass Lake Park delivers on the wildlife. Boardwalks bring you through scenes of swamps and woods, where gators and turtles and other wildlife are camera ready. A nice place to relax sprawled beneath the palm trees is the Gizella Kopsick Arboretum. It’s a quiet place to enjoy a bagged lunch and a book. And whatever you do, don’t miss out on Sunken Garden---a botanical paradise in the midst of the city and a cherished St. Pete icon. And what would a trip to St. Pete’s be without a little sand between your toes? Fort Desoto Park offers picturesque views of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay and clean, pristine beaches. There’s a snack shop there and tours of Fort Desoto are available for those seeking a break from the sun. There are two public beaches in the heart of the bustling downtown area, along with Maximo Beach and Park in South St. Petersburg. St. Pete’s boasts 361 days of sunshine every year with an average temperature of 73 degrees. These statistics, along with an array of activities for every taste and age group makes this lovely Gulf city the perfect destination for families, lovers and snowbirds. You might also be glad to know that Central Florida’s theme parks are a short drive away. Or you might be tempted to stay right where you are.

Island Escape / Tampa Bay

St Pete / Clearwater's 35 miles of coastline include many diverse island beaches that encompass the alluring, secluded feel of Florida in its natural state. C...

Health Insurance for Taxi drivers

Tampa Bay, Florida
Tampa Bay News: Extend health coverage to those who need it

They could be your neighbors. People who go to work every day in Florida — painting houses, opening the bakery, driving a taxi, waiting tables, working at a day care or running a small mom-and-pop business that's barely breaking even. • It could be you. • These are the faces of uninsured people in our state, of working Floridians who don't receive health insurance through their job and don't earn enough to buy coverage for themselves. • Too many of them have put off medical checkups and screening tests because they can't afford them, only to discover during a visit to the ER that they have an advanced disease that could have been caught earlier. Too many have learned the hard way that health is connected to your ability to work, and a vicious cycle begins when serious illness goes untreated......

Fort Desoto Park

Fort De Soto Park, one of the major attracions in Tampa Bay area
Fort Desoto Park and its Beatiful Beach


Whether you are sitting on the beach or kayaking near the still water's edge at Fort De Soto, you find yourself absorbed in the abundance of natural beauty for as far as the eye can see. The complexity of the ecology is not immediately apparent, but the park offers the greatest diversity of systems just about anywhere. Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wild life and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto.