Okay, this all started when I discovered that my van seats one passenger more than allowed on a taxi permit. Simplest solution I could come up with was to remove the front passenger seat to stay within that limit.
I discussed this with Motor Carrier Services, AND not one, but TWO state troopers, who saw no problem with this. I removed the seat a month ago. Nothing was said until two weeks ago, when the local airport authority did a surprise inspection and took issue with the seat being removed. They demanded I reinstall the seat and said I would not be allowed back at the airport until I did so.
I informed them that by doing so, they were requiring me to violate code and go against what the state told me was okay to do, and that the two authorities were going to have to work it out, as I had done as the state said was doable.
Now, Motor Carrier Services is agreeing with the airport authority, when THEY allowed this vehicle to be registered as a taxicab in the first place! Virginia's state government is full of shit. They can't even be consistent.
Of course, they wait until I have spent $200 having the van re-lettered. I figured, okay, throw the seat back in to please the airport, and just don't let anyone ride in the front seat.
Apparently, this is STILL not good enough for the airport authority. I thought the part of the seat belt that attaches to the floor was mounted to the seat, so it was forgotten when the seat was reinstalled.
Even though another driver running a 10-passenger limo was allowed to run after simply removing seatbelts, the airport is now taking issue on this. I am convinced that some people are a pain in the ass just to be a pain in the ass. And most of them have government jobs!
I think I am going to simply transfer my airport permit to another vendor who wants it. I am quite fed up with jumping through hoops for the "privilege" of waiting 10 hours to make maybe $40.00. Some might say that I have allowed those who want me gone to win, but I beg to differ. Just how much aggravation is it worth to make $40 a day after expenses?
I am working on offering service to the airport in the next city..... more info at the following link....
Taxi Service From Charlottesville To Richmond Int'l Airport For As Little As $30
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