It's true. During the blackout, nobody wanted to tip, although they all got home. And basically, if they give 26 dollars for two rides that would have paid 20 each, who wins? Not you, you probably would have gotten 22-23 with the tip. Only the customer wins.

But who loses? The other driver out there who now has to hunt around for another fare- since he just lost out on the 23 fare also. The only time the flat rate fare makes sense is at 79th street, when they are all going to the same place.

Screw that. Why when times are good nobody really gives a s--t about drivers, and when times are bad ideas like this flat rate fare goes through?

Oh yeah, one more thing. Flat rate pickup spots like 79th are LOVED by TLC inspectors. As in take me to 86th & East End Please, even if you are the front car at 79st. They will set up these spots, and then send TLC inspectors out there to screw over the first person on line, who has been waiting like 20 minutes only to get a $5 ride. And by the way, they don't even pay. If you agree to take them to whereever, they just stop you, show the badge, and then you are supposed to be happy and kiss their ass that you didn't get a ticket, not pissed that you didn't get paid .

Antolin