They are ABLE!

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Something you won't be ABLE to get because Oklahoma is Smooted:

http://growlerkingbeer.com/

http://growlerkingbeer.com/tap-list-growlers-medford-oregon.php

[patric]

Something you won't be ABLE to get because Oklahoma is Smooted:

http://growlerkingbeer.com/

Speaking of, guess what goatee is taking credit for bringing taxis to entertainment districts? (only to be crushed by Josh Royal's powerful beard)?

http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/New-taxi-parking-zones-in-Tulsa-hot-spots/TEmUIfC1YUOaAv8f3F8QyQ.cspx

[sauerkraut]

They may be able, but are they willing? That is the big question!

[AquaMan]

I never have a problem parking the commercial unit I drive around bars in Brookside, Cherry, or downtown. There are loading zones that are suitable for double parking if you are a commercial vehicle and downtown even has marked off areas in the middle of some streets for commercial units. The trolley uses them too.

I think it was a grab at attention by Smoot, an easy out for the bars and a freebie for the cabs. The cab companies are all over downtown during the late evening hours and park anywhere they want. They have no problem picking up fares. One group I carried got irritated that we wouldn't keep going past contracted time. A cab was there in less than 5 minutes.

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Regardless of the credit for getting Taxi Stands in the entertainment districts, I am curious as to how many cabbies there are in Tulsa, and how many would be willing to line up at the cab stands. If they are contract workers, when they sit they are not making any money, and are more likely to roam. Unless they charge a premium flag drop, like the ones at the airport (and yes those guys pay a premium for being an airport cabbie, the last time I took one from TIA to my house two miles away in the mid 90's and the flag drop was $25.00)

It would be interesting to hear a cabbies perspective.

[patric]

Regardless of the credit for getting Taxi Stands in the entertainment districts, I am curious as to how many cabbies there are in Tulsa, and how many would be willing to line up at the cab stands. If they are contract workers, when they sit they are not making any money, and are more likely to roam. Unless they charge a premium flag drop, like the ones at the airport (and yes those guys pay a premium for being an airport cabbie, the last time I took one from TIA to my house two miles away in the mid 90's and the flag drop was $25.00)

It would be interesting to hear a cabbies perspective.

That sounds worth pursuing.  If people come to associate the "Taxi Parking Only" spots as tourist-gouging rather than the "we're saving lives" soundbite doublespeak...

[RecycleMichael]

There are always cabs lined up on 2nd street just east of Boulder waiting for people at the Hyatt north entrance. They seem to be doing a brisk business.

[dbacksfan 2.0]

There are always cabs lined up on 2nd street just east of Boulder waiting for people at the Hyatt north entrance. They seem to be doing a brisk business.

From my experience, the cabbies at hotels, entertainment districts and say downtown locations usually don't have a minimum flag drop charge, it's usually at airports, and as I understand it, it's because they pay a "privilege fee" to the airport authority to have that access. The one I referenced that I took from TIA was not a typical Yellow/Checker cab, but it had the same rate schedule on the door, but it and the regular cab's had a notice in addition to that schedule that there was an "Additional Airport Fee of $25.00" on top of the regular fee schedule. (20/20 hindsight, I should have just jumped on the Thrifty Rent A Car shuttle that went to the Pine & Memorial location which was ~300 yards from my front door.)

With the new Best Western going in down town, and the growth downtown, it could prove profitable for the cabbies, and better for the locals for cab service, unless you get Smooted because the cabbie goes through a DUI Checkpoint and has a warrant, and you get nailed for "public drunk" because you are now on foot after losing your cab ride. (just the cynic in me)

[carltonplace]

(only to be crushed by Josh Royal's powerful beard)?

His beard became sentient last May.

[TheTed]

The notion that there's no parking for taxis is freaking ridiculous.

Nobody's giving out parking tickets at 1am. There are always a ton of semi-legal places for them to park. The problem isn't a lack of parking. It's the lack of taxis in general, Tulsa being a city where driving yourself is the only real option to get places when you're not drinking.

And what the eff does Smoot have to do with that story? Is there a new law that he be quoted in every story involving alcohol even if it doesn't really involve him or his department?

[TheTed]

Something you won't be ABLE to get because Oklahoma is Smooted:

http://growlerkingbeer.com/

http://growlerkingbeer.com/tap-list-growlers-medford-oregon.php

Love me some growlers! I have three as of now, all the sweet flip-top kind that stay good for weeks unopened.

Some cities/states just fill them and send you on your way. Some require them to be "sealed" (and in a very flimsy manner). I'm always amused when they apply a sticker across the lid or put a plastic ring around the top and heat-shrink it on there with a hair dryer to make it legally sealed.

[Hoss]

Love me some growlers! I have three as of now, all the sweet flip-top kind that stay good for weeks unopened.

Some cities/states just fill them and send you on your way. Some require them to be "sealed" (and in a very flimsy manner). I'm always amused when they apply a sticker across the lid or put a plastic ring around the top and heat-shrink it on there with a hair dryer to make it legally sealed.

How Smooty...

[AquaMan]

The notion that there's no parking for taxis is freaking ridiculous.

Nobody's giving out parking tickets at 1am. There are always a ton of semi-legal places for them to park. The problem isn't a lack of parking. It's the lack of taxis in general, Tulsa being a city where driving yourself is the only real option to get places when you're not drinking.

And what the eff does Smoot have to do with that story? Is there a new law that he be quoted in every story involving alcohol even if it doesn't really involve him or his department?

Those of us actually working downtown at those hours know your remarks to be true. It was a pr act for Smoot and a gimme for the cabs. No doubt limos and party buses are on their own finding pu and drop off spots. And they will find them.

[patric]

Look how thrilled these folks are that ABLE is protecting them:

http://www.fox23.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=4855266

[Hoss]

Look how thrilled these folks are that ABLE is protecting them:

http://www.fox23.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=4855266

It's a SmootStorm!