Houston Cabbies Protest Required Airport Security Checks

May 10, 2007
Mayor White said the city would "deeply examine" the issue of badges, which would have been required within the next three months but, after the protest, are now on hold.

Mayor Bill White held up new security rules Tuesday aimed at taxicabs serving Houston's airports, after hundreds of frustrated drivers descended on City Hall to protest.

Toting handmade signs and loudly chanting demands for "justice," the drivers marched around the reflecting pool at 901 Bagby before filing inside to vent their concerns in front of White and the City Council.

At issue for the drivers are new rules requiring them to get photographic identification badges and submit to more stringent federal background checks in order to pickup passengers at George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports.

The drivers brought with them a list of other concerns, some of which could be the result of confusion about the city's policies, but said they most feared losing access to lucrative airport fares crucial to their business.

"We don't believe that they've done anything to deserve what's being heaped upon them by these new rules," said Deric Muhammad, of the Millions More Movement Ministry of Justice, a group helping represent the drivers.

Speaking to a crowded City Council chamber, White responded that the city should study the drivers' concerns, as well as those of airport-security officials.

White said the city would "deeply examine" the issue of badges, which would have been required within the next three months but, after the protest, are now on hold. White said he wants a public hearing.

"That way, you have the same opportunity to discuss this publicly," White said. "Let's make it a matter of public debate."

The city has for years required a seven-year background check through Houston police for drivers seeking a license. But the council changed the rules in February, substituting the airport system's existing 10-year check by the FBI's automated fingerprint-identification system.

Airport-system officials said the badge plan was driven by a desire to boost security, noting that everyone else doing business in their facilities is required to wear a badge and undergo a criminal background check.

"We believe that security is something everyone needs to be focused on in this day and age," said Mark Mancuso, the Houston Airport System's deputy director for public safety.

Before the public session, so full that some drivers watched the proceedings in an overflow room across the street, the City Hall grounds were crowded with frustrated drivers shouting in protest.

Under the watchful eye of Houston police officers on horseback, the drivers repeatedly shouted "no badge, no badge, no badge." At one point, they gathered together on the City Hall steps and collectively raised their hands, some holding small American flags.

Mistreatment claimed

Some of the complaints appeared to stem from a lack of understanding of the city's policy, airport officials said.

Some drivers told reporters that minor misdemeanor crimes, for example, would disqualify them from airport business. Some also said airport officials would track them with tiny global positioning systems attached to their badges.

Mancuso said neither concern is accurate.

Some drivers said there is a high level of distrust of airport officials among their colleagues. They also complained about disparate treatment, saying limousine drivers are allowed inside terminals to use restrooms. They are not.

J.W. Masseh, president of the Association of Taxicab Owners & Drivers, a group representing small companies, promised to fight the city's effort.

"We will stand up forever until the issue is resolved," Masseh said. "We want to stop the lies."

Solomon Oluoch, who drives for Houston's largest company, Yellow Cab, questioned whether airport officials respected the protesters' concerns.

"If they are going to take a position, they have to involve all stakeholders, cab drivers included," Oluoch said.

Yellow Cab backs plan

Robert Rugg, president of Yellow Cab, said the company supports the airport system's plan. He said it actually is an easier, faster method for getting a cab license.

"Not one driver has come to me and told me what the problem they have with it is. I really don't understand what the concern is," Rugg said. "Again, background checks have been a part of getting a cab license forever."

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.