On Augest 4th I called St. Paul Yellow Cab inquiring about a job as a driver. I had privious experience as an Over The Road (OTR) driver associate for Schneider International and In my previous jog I escorted prominent University officials, staff and students to off campus location like the airport and hotels, apartments.
Therefore I was not a novice to driving. I have a perfect, PERFECT, driving record no tickets no accidents. And this is a 30 year driving history.
I spoke with a gentleman at the company itself he game me Mike's phone number. He informed me that I had to speak with Mike about it. So I called Mike he asked what experience I had as a professional driver. I told him. He never asked about my driving record. Mike then asked where some tiny street (I looked it up) in a residential area was and when I could not tell him he asked me "HOW OLD ARE YOU?" i explained that I was around 50 (53) he stated "Look I'm not about to hold some OLD ladies had and teach her how to do the job".
I was shocked by the blatant Age Discrimination and replied "Wow, that is real professional of you". With that he hung up. I called him back and tried to explain that what he had said was discriminatory. He hung up on me. I called the company directly and spoke with the gentleman I had originally spoke with and informed him that Mike had told me I was too old to teach the job to. He thanked me.
This man has belittled me in a way that can not be put into words.in an economy where older people who are not of an age to get Social Security but find themselves suddenly without employment not due to their inability to do or learn a job but due to down sizing.
In my opinion working with the public requires tack and sensitivity. This man Mike has neither. This man Mike has shown that there is no respect for people or the law. This man represents the company and if he is what you get when you call a cab I'd rather walk.
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