Taxi Driver Protests To Snarl LAX Travel

LOS ANGELES, CA — Travelers heading in and out of Los Angeles International Airport should expect delays Monday due to a taxi driver protests slated throughout the morning and afternoon. The drivers are demanding the right to resume curbside pickups, and their protests are expected to clog up the arrival curbside.

The demonstration is expected to impact travellers between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to airport officials. Last year, taxi and rideshare drivers were prohibited from curbside pickups and relegated to an authorized pickup lot to make travel in and out of the airport smoother. While the change has eased congestion at the airport, it hasn't been popular with taxi and Uber drivers nor their passengers.

The drivers will rally at 10:45 a.m. at the Authorized Taxicab Supervision lot at 6150 W. 96th St., then march to the Clifton A. Moore Administration Building at 1 World Way for a 12:30 p.m. news conference, according to the Taxi Workers Alliance of Los Angeles. They are expected to walk on the sidewalk around the arrival level.

TWALC spokesman Leon Slomovic was asked if the event is a rally, protest or demonstration. "It seems to be all of the above and perhaps a work stoppage," he replied. "They will walk with banners and signs from Terminal 1 through the LAX horseshoe to Terminal 7 and will assemble at the administration building," Slomovic said.

"While the demonstration is not expected to impact flight operations, the activity may impact traffic at and around LAX," airport officials said in a statement. Additional officers will be on duty to try to keep traffic flowing.

City News Service and Patch reporter Paige Austin contributed to this report.