I managed to isolate the problem.

If there is a front to back play in the tranny linkage, then the linkage bushings is one of the suspects.

What I found was there was east - west ( driver door to passenger door ) play in the linkage screwed to the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS).

I jammed a nylon tie between the linkage and the NSS and that solved the problem.

If u have to move ur gear shaft up and down a few times to start ur car, try this next time. Keep ur ignition key at the max position and hold it there with one hand. Use the other hand to slowly move the gear shaft slowly in Park (move it slowly down, about an inch, and then back into park again).

If that does not work try the same in Neutral.