SoylentNews

Ethanol-fueled writes:

A local subsidary of CBS reports:

Body odor is among 52 criteria that officials at San Diego International Airport use to judge taxi drivers. Cabbies say that smacks of prejudice and discrimination.

For years, inspectors with the San Diego Regional Airport Authority run down their checklist for each cabbie -- proof of insurance, functioning windshield wipers, adequate tire treads, good brakes. Drivers are graded pass, fail or needs fixing; but any cabbie who flunks the smell test is told to change before picking up another customer.

One problem with the test methodology is that, even by the Airport Authority's admission, there is no standard for what exactly constitutes an offensive odor, and cab drivers suspect that the inspectors sniff inconspicuously during friendly conversations.

Reactions have been mixed: Cabbie Negus Gebrenarian said the stench is just as likely to come from the back seat as it is from the front. "If you're going to say cab drivers, shouldn't you also say waitresses and anyone else who deals with the public?" a woman said after returning from San Antonio. However, Daniel Johnson from Flint, Michigan, said it's fair to grade on body odor-- especially considering the $70 fare to get to his base. He has felt trapped in smelly cabs in other cities:

"The smell puts a sour expression on your face and you're thinking I just don't want to be in here," he said.