Dear Editor,
I am a business man; I have been travelling for years. Nowhere in the world have I seen people screaming out for jobs like at the St. Maarten International Airport.
A gentleman comes down to the airport everyday stating that he’s hired by Great Bay Express to pick up tourists from the airport to transport them to the Harbour to catch the ferry to St. Barth’s.
I am a local business man on the island and I have been harassed by him quite a few times, and I also know quite a few friends that pick up people, but this gentleman stands outside the airport with their names on a paperboard.
This guy with an orange shirt yelling, “Great Bay Express, Great Bay Express!” For me, I find it very disrespectful and inappropriate at the airport. On many occasions I saw a few ladies walk over to the guests and ask, do you need a taxi? And, then there jumps the guy with the orange shirt saying “Great Bay Express, Great Bay Express!”
On Saturday, July 9, I drove with a male taxi driver and we had a discussion, I also saw signs saying “Shuttles for Oyster Bay Hotel.” I turned around and I ask the taxi driver how do you all earn an income? The taxi driver turned and says all we have to do is work hard!
I think is time to put a stop to it because I find that the local taxi drivers aren’t making enough of income.
Name withheld at author's request.
