Thanks for weighing in on this issue Chisti. It's nice to have a little clarification on the ownership of the vans. I guess Lomas or whatever they're called might be the ones selling the transfes online for the really high prices. Not that buying van tickets at the airport is a bargain.
Things really have grown out of proportion. I don't think Cozumel is corrupt. I love Cozumel and I love the people there. I don't think the U.S. is any better where corruption is concerned. In fact, on average I would guess that it's worse here than in Mexico. The cooperation you speak of would most likely be the higher ups in the union deciding the rules, and everyone else having to follow them, or else. I don't agree with an over abundance of silly rules no matter where they exist. Is it right that people often have to tell taxi drivers that they're going somewhere other than Parilla Mission but in the same area because the driver won't take them there? Was it right in 2005 that the dive shop staff were afraid to give us a ride from the marina to our hotel in their truck when their boat broke down because it was either against the taxi union rules, or at the least made them afraid they would be attacked for doing it? Do I agree with the union not allowing taxi drivers to pick up airport passengers? No. Does that make me a bad person because I don't agree with the union setting things up that way? I hope not, but you tell me?
***EDIT***
P.S. Christi, I re-read what I wrote, and I should have worded one thing a lot better. When I said the local businesses have carved up the tourism, I should have said, It seams that local transportation businesses have decided who owns what turf. I wouldn't want to ever give the impression that I think all businesses in CZM are in on something, especially you, a really good dive shop owner.