3 ms·

You have to get inside the cab before you tell them where you're going, they are legally required to take you once you are inside

pavel_lishin 14y ago
They are legally required to take you anywhere whether you're inside or not. There are exceptions; they can refuse to take you to Texas, etc. But refusing to take someone to somewhere in the five boroughs while they are on-shift is not legal. Having said that, get in the damn cab before you tell them where you're going.
king_magic 14y ago
In theory, sure. In reality, during the day in midtown (and particularly around rush hour), you're more likely going to find a cab that pulls up to you with its doors locked, and a driver who rolls down his window to ask you where you're going. Especially if you look like you're going to the airport. If I have to get to the airport in NYC I book a car, every single time. I hate dealing with cabbies' bullshit, and so I simply don't. Even if I'm fairly certain I can get a cab. I'd rather pay more for a service I can count on over one that is a gamble and filled with drivers who are more than willing to deceive their customers. Edit: context - i live in NYC, work in midtown.
- mrb 14y ago
  They should build, at JFK, a taxi area only for people who want to go downtown NYC. That way, all the taxis driving from downtown to JFK, know that they can easily find a corresponding clients for driving all the way back.
- rwhitman 14y ago
  True. Though if we're going to argue what is the most reliable way to get to JFK from manhattan during rush hour I'd offer LIRR as the best option, since it doesn't get stuck in traffic...
  - king_magic 14y ago
    Yeah, good point. Several of my coworkers are from my company's offices in Canada, and when they are down here they always insist on getting a cab. It always turns out bad, because they always seem to be leaving at rush hour. I wish I could convince them to either just book a car or take mass transit.

pavel_lishin 14y ago

They are legally required to take you anywhere whether you're inside or not. There are exceptions; they can refuse to take you to Texas, etc. But refusing to take someone to somewhere in the five boroughs while they are on-shift is not legal. Having said that, get in the damn cab before you tell them where you're going.

king_magic 14y ago

In theory, sure. In reality, during the day in midtown (and particularly around rush hour), you're more likely going to find a cab that pulls up to you with its doors locked, and a driver who rolls down his window to ask you where you're going. Especially if you look like you're going to the airport. If I have to get to the airport in NYC I book a car, every single time. I hate dealing with cabbies' bullshit, and so I simply don't. Even if I'm fairly certain I can get a cab. I'd rather pay more for a service I can count on over one that is a gamble and filled with drivers who are more than willing to deceive their customers. Edit: context - i live in NYC, work in midtown.

mrb 14y ago
They should build, at JFK, a taxi area only for people who want to go downtown NYC. That way, all the taxis driving from downtown to JFK, know that they can easily find a corresponding clients for driving all the way back.
rwhitman 14y ago
True. Though if we're going to argue what is the most reliable way to get to JFK from manhattan during rush hour I'd offer LIRR as the best option, since it doesn't get stuck in traffic...
- king_magic 14y ago
  Yeah, good point. Several of my coworkers are from my company's offices in Canada, and when they are down here they always insist on getting a cab. It always turns out bad, because they always seem to be leaving at rush hour. I wish I could convince them to either just book a car or take mass transit.