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

San Diego International Airport

SAN DIEGO — 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, the Associated Press reported.
For years, inspectors with the San Diego Regional Airport Authority run down their checklist for each cabbie, which includes proof of insurance, functioning windshield wipers, adequate tire treads, good brakes. Drivers are graded pass, fail or needs fixing. Anyone who flunks the smell test is told to change before picking up another customer, according to the report.
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