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Old 12-14-2019, 02:52 PM   #61
Alan
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I still don't think you're getting it, Alan. It's not about the card existing or being valid in some states, but not others.
I am completely getting it ... it makes sense to understand the reaction now that I know other people didn’t know it existed ...

Last edited by Alan; 12-15-2019 at 06:26 AM.
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Old 12-14-2019, 05:26 PM   #62
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It *is* a fucked up thing. I don't judge anyone too harshly for taking advantage of it, as it really is the norm, but I honestly don't think I could. It just feels so wrong.

I'll go to court and hope the cop doesn't show up, or plea down, or whatever, no problem with that. But the card thing really does just feel like bribery, and I've heard stories my whole life from friends about using them. It just skeevs me out.

It should be stopped.
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Old 12-14-2019, 07:56 PM   #63
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You know what works as good as a PBA card besides hospital scrubs/I.D. ??

Military clothing.

Many years ago, I mailed my cousin in NJ a 101st Airborne Division t-shirt. I bought it at the base PX while stationed in Ft. Campbell, KY, so it was official-looking.

Anyway, he told me that one time, he was stopped by a local LEO for speeding. The cop checked his usual credentials/documention: license, insurance and registration.

He returned from his squad car, handed him back his papers and said, "All your things check out". He glanced at my cousin's shirt and said, "By the way, were you in the Army ??"

Thinking quickly, my cousin replied, "Yes, but it was a while ago".

The cop then decided NOT to give him a a ticket and lets him go with just a warning. I think many LEOs are prior service, and it's kind of an unwritten rule not to give a ticket to your brothers-in-arms.

The funny thing is, my cousin never served.
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Old 12-15-2019, 10:22 PM   #64
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That was my question some posts ago. I think it's heavily used in NY/Long Island and probably in NJ... Never heard of it anywhere else. Since I'm not really "connected" here, I've heard only a couple of PBA stories and they are all similar.
It isn't (wasn't?) just the PBA. Here's a 1985 "get out of jail free" card from Passaic County, NJ. No, I never used it. It is pretty much a "If you have the audacity to bring this guy up on charges, once it gets to court it is pretty much dead". I have no idea where the limit was - obviously you couldn't kill someone and get the charges dismissed, but I know of cases of public disorderliness with minor property damage where the case just died in the county legal system.

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Old 12-15-2019, 10:32 PM   #65
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Related rant: As someone who had a legitimate handicap tag for a few months following an awful ankle injury, it is enraging to find no handicapped spots because they are all taken by seemingly able-bodied people. I had surgery a week ago to have the hardware removed and didn't want apply and get a tag for about a week of use. Not having one I parked in a regular spot and went to get lunch with my crutches as I walk past two people getting out of handicapped spots while having no issues.
Alternatively, I'd like to mention that not all disabilities are visible.

Also, the law does not distinguish between the potential number of users for each space - as my father (an architect) said, "chemotherapy centers and bowling alleys are both required to have the same percentage of handicap parking spots". Sometimes the medical facilities designate additional spaces beyond what is required, sometimes not. The doctors' office building where my spine surgeon has 1/2 floor has 3 handicap spaces. For the whole building. Yeesh. The theater where Sue and I go to see movies occasionally has far more spaces.
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It is so abused, it is ridiculous. I know several people who acknowledge not having any issues, but happened to know a Dr. who got them one. It really bothers me.
At one end of the scale, the person who insists on flying with their "emotional support emu" is obviously abusing a loophole in the system. At the other end, it is sometimes really hard to tell, particularly as it is not allowed to inquire about the nature of someone's disability in most cases.
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Old 12-16-2019, 08:36 AM   #66
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Alternatively, I'd like to mention that not all disabilities are visible.

Also, the law does not distinguish between the potential number of users for each space - as my father (an architect) said, "chemotherapy centers and bowling alleys are both required to have the same percentage of handicap parking spots". Sometimes the medical facilities designate additional spaces beyond what is required, sometimes not. The doctors' office building where my spine surgeon has 1/2 floor has 3 handicap spaces. For the whole building. Yeesh. The theater where Sue and I go to see movies occasionally has far more spaces.

At one end of the scale, the person who insists on flying with their "emotional support emu" is obviously abusing a loophole in the system. At the other end, it is sometimes really hard to tell, particularly as it is not allowed to inquire about the nature of someone's disability in most cases.
This is all true, but when all 8 spots are taken at BJ's and as I wait for one to free up I see people load up heavy items and move with a hop on their step, I call BS.

I agree that there may be other disabilities, but if handicapped spots cannot be used by the guy with one leg, then what's the point?

The number of handicapped spots taken compared to people with the faintest visible disability is such a huge ratio that logic tells me that the system is being abused.

I'm not saying it is easy for some elderly (but not THAT old) or some heavy people to walk longer distances, but that should be a different level of priority if at all. I also depends massively on the size of the parking lot.
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Old 12-16-2019, 08:38 AM   #67
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I hardly ever see handicapped spots being taken
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Old 12-16-2019, 08:46 AM   #68
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I hardly ever see handicapped spots being taken
It may well be a Boston area thing, but it sucks.

I think in smaller lots with one or two spots it doesn't get abused. The whole lot is small enough that people just park in other spots. But when large lots get fuller and the prospect of a long walk is present (never mind if there are just few spots left) that's when they all seem to disappear.
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Old 12-16-2019, 08:50 AM   #69
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This is all true, but when all 8 spots are taken at BJ's and as I wait for one to free up I see people load up heavy items and move with a hop on their step, I call BS.

I agree that there may be other disabilities, but if handicapped spots cannot be used by the guy with one leg, then what's the point?
Thank you for your input, Dr. Fern.
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Old 12-16-2019, 09:23 AM   #70
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Thank you for your input, Dr. Fern.
Any time.
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