Downtown Austin
Accountability Is Essential
RECEIVED Thu., April 30, 2015
Dear Editor,
After apps like Uber and Lyft underwent scrutiny from the city, it became disappointing that other app services like Favor and Postmates have stayed under the radar. Just as cab drivers were pissed about having more competition in their field, so are those in the service industry pissed at third-party delivery services. The disdain comes from all positions: delivery drivers losing out on deliveries, servers losing tips that go to the app driver, and kitchen staff being harangued for food quality that is the app driver's fault. The worst part is that app drivers are not held to the same standard as the rest of the service industry. I have asked app drivers if they need a food handler certificate, which they don't. The potential risk that this poses is disconcerting considering that most of these drivers don't have hot bags for keeping temperatures, let alone the knowledge of proper food management. Accountability is essential in keeping a kitchen running smooth; this new arm of the city's kitchens needs to be held to the same standard.
After apps like Uber and Lyft underwent scrutiny from the city, it became disappointing that other app services like Favor and Postmates have stayed under the radar. Just as cab drivers were pissed about having more competition in their field, so are those in the service industry pissed at third-party delivery services. The disdain comes from all positions: delivery drivers losing out on deliveries, servers losing tips that go to the app driver, and kitchen staff being harangued for food quality that is the app driver's fault. The worst part is that app drivers are not held to the same standard as the rest of the service industry. I have asked app drivers if they need a food handler certificate, which they don't. The potential risk that this poses is disconcerting considering that most of these drivers don't have hot bags for keeping temperatures, let alone the knowledge of proper food management. Accountability is essential in keeping a kitchen running smooth; this new arm of the city's kitchens needs to be held to the same standard.
Paul Tardie