Thursday, January 12, 2006
The Trouble With Taxis
Last August, I went to visit my college roommate in San Francisco. She told me I could get a limo at the airport that would deliver me to her door, and it would only cost $15. Before I got into the limo, I asked if they went out to the Presidio, and was told yes, but it would be the last stop. A few more people got in, and off we went.
The driver delivered people to several hotels in downtown S.F. While he was unloading some suitcases, he got a call to pick up a party at a nearby hotel. He didn't hear the radio, but as we set off for the Presidio, his phone rang, obviously with the same message. I noticed his discomfort as he agreed. We were getting into a pretty seedy part of town -- strip clubs, a few winos, some tough-looking people hanging out on the sidewalks. Suddenly he announced "This is Presidio Park; this is where you get out." Now I don't know San Francisco well, but I do know what the Presidio looks like, and this was definitely not it. We argued a bit, but he was adamant: I was getting out of the limo. As he opened the door he said "I won't charge you anything" and I replied "It's a damn good thing, because I won't pay you anything." I may -- just possibly -- have added a few unladylike words.
So here I was, on the sidewalk with a suitcase in a not very nice part of town. Talk about a magnet for muggers! I spotted a run-down hotel and was heading for it, figuring I would call a cab and wait for it in the lobby, when I heard "Miss?" I turned around to see a tiny, elderly Chinese man. He was shorter than I am (and I am only 5') and about as big around as my arm. He flashed what I suspect was his driver's license, and told me he was a licensed taxi driver. I got no bad vibes from him, and frankly, I figured if necessary, I could whip him, so I got in his car. No meter, obviously not a taxi, but he agreed to take me to the Presidio for $15, and he did. He saw an opportunity to make some money, and I got where I was going, so it all worked out.
On Tuesday of this week, I flew to Baltimore for a meeting at our factory. I had been told that I could go check in at the hotel and they would give me a ride to the factory when I was ready. Well, the hotel informed me that they absolutely would not give me a ride (although I found out later that they had done it for another salesman the previous day -- guess he was a lot cuter) and they called me a cab. As the cab driver pulled out of the parking lot, I told him he was going the wrong way, but he assured me that he knew the way. Our factory is at most a 10 minute drive from the hotel. It took us 45 minutes . The driver finally admited to being totally lost, and it took the dispatcher and my rudimentary knowledge of the area to guide him there. The meter read $36; I gave him $10, and think I was probably a sucker for doing that.
You think maybe I should stay out of taxis from now on?
The driver delivered people to several hotels in downtown S.F. While he was unloading some suitcases, he got a call to pick up a party at a nearby hotel. He didn't hear the radio, but as we set off for the Presidio, his phone rang, obviously with the same message. I noticed his discomfort as he agreed. We were getting into a pretty seedy part of town -- strip clubs, a few winos, some tough-looking people hanging out on the sidewalks. Suddenly he announced "This is Presidio Park; this is where you get out." Now I don't know San Francisco well, but I do know what the Presidio looks like, and this was definitely not it. We argued a bit, but he was adamant: I was getting out of the limo. As he opened the door he said "I won't charge you anything" and I replied "It's a damn good thing, because I won't pay you anything." I may -- just possibly -- have added a few unladylike words.
So here I was, on the sidewalk with a suitcase in a not very nice part of town. Talk about a magnet for muggers! I spotted a run-down hotel and was heading for it, figuring I would call a cab and wait for it in the lobby, when I heard "Miss?" I turned around to see a tiny, elderly Chinese man. He was shorter than I am (and I am only 5') and about as big around as my arm. He flashed what I suspect was his driver's license, and told me he was a licensed taxi driver. I got no bad vibes from him, and frankly, I figured if necessary, I could whip him, so I got in his car. No meter, obviously not a taxi, but he agreed to take me to the Presidio for $15, and he did. He saw an opportunity to make some money, and I got where I was going, so it all worked out.
On Tuesday of this week, I flew to Baltimore for a meeting at our factory. I had been told that I could go check in at the hotel and they would give me a ride to the factory when I was ready. Well, the hotel informed me that they absolutely would not give me a ride (although I found out later that they had done it for another salesman the previous day -- guess he was a lot cuter) and they called me a cab. As the cab driver pulled out of the parking lot, I told him he was going the wrong way, but he assured me that he knew the way. Our factory is at most a 10 minute drive from the hotel. It took us 45 minutes . The driver finally admited to being totally lost, and it took the dispatcher and my rudimentary knowledge of the area to guide him there. The meter read $36; I gave him $10, and think I was probably a sucker for doing that.
You think maybe I should stay out of taxis from now on?
9 Comments:
It doesn't look like you have much luck with them. I remember one time when we went to Las Vegas, that we took a taxi down to the old strip. The cab driver drove all over the place just to run up the meter. My husband said that we were going to take a bus going back, and we did. Much cheaper and really kind of fun. Good luck next time.
omg, so funny you should speak of taxis. i think all cab drivers are scum. nothing personal, it just seems to be true. but then again i live in the greater seattle area! lol. but just last week i had a cabbie pull up in fron of my house and procede to drop his drawers and pee everywhere alongside of a tree....... hmm, wonder why he couldnt stop at a gas station? i guess a dead end is better??? grrrr.... i can't stand cabbies. you poor thing, no, i dont believe you should ride in a cab ever again! hmph! lol :)
i haven't had to take a cab for years, fortunately. maybe you need a personal chauffeur.
imagine a world without them ? ... damn, convenience and crazy convenience are cousins, avoid them as much as possible.
A cabbie that doesn't know where he's going is worthless. I've never had it happen and I've been all over NY & SF in cabs. Maybe you should call ahead for a cab and make sure the driver knows where your destination is.
Just be careful!!
OMG. It almost sounds like you were lost and taken advantage of in a foreign country!
I think you + cabs is definitely not a good combination.
Maybe you should hitchhike. Your odds of getting there are about the same!
I can't even remember the last time I took a cab. I know the ones here all look scary and the cars look even worse. No thanks.
Hey, I am only 5' tall too, isn't it great when you meet someone smaller, it makes me feel tall.
I had to attend a funeral In Bangalore Mitey Mite, about 350 KMs from Chennai where I live, I took a train, Reached Bangalore in the morning, gave the address and location to the taxi driver as I was not familiar with the town, this was in the 60's I reached the place after an hour's ride. and thetaxi fare was pretty heavy. After the funeral wanted to take the night train back to my place and I asked for a taxi, Why do you need a taxi ? some one asked, the
Railway station is just across the bridge. Less than 5 minute's walk, and in the morning taxi driver took me for an hour's ride. Felt like a fool
I am scared of taxis the last time I ws in one it cost me $45.
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