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Long hauled... again!

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Sklem211, Oct 2, 2013.

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  1. Sklem211

    Sklem211 High-Roller

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    I was recently long hauled on my last trip to Vegas on Sept. 4th. A previous account about my long hauling journeys can be found HERE

    Since the time in that post I've managed to avoid being long hauled despite twice being told that they were going to take "the back roads" and I told them to take the shortest route and they quickly got back on the road to Swenson. This time when leaving the airport, I was with my friend and this was her first trip to Vegas, so I didn't want to have to deal with the hassle, so when we got into the cab, I said "I'm going to Mandalay Bay please, take Swenson". My friend being excited and naturally talkative was talking back and forth with the driver as he asked questions and she even said a couple times that I had been to Vegas multiple times before but that she was a newbie. I was watching the road like a hawk and noticed that at the last moment he switched lanes and started heading for the tunnel. I was thinking WTF!!! I even told you the direction to go!! So I started writing a note on the note app on my phone to tell my friend that we were being long hauled and when we get to the hotel, to get out of the car and get the bags and then after we have the bags, I'll tell him we're not paying him because of what he did. She was confused but played it cool and when we got to the hotel, he's like "that will be $23.50 for the airport surcharge" I just said yep, and motioned for her to get the bags while I looked like I was fumbling in my wallet, he wouldn't get out until she did. Once we got the bags, I told him how I noticed how he took the tunnel despite me even telling him to take Swenson and after my friend told him I had been there 13 times. I asked him if he thought I was stupid and that he should be ashamed for ripping people off like that. He was like, "oh so that's how you're going to be, just pay $15" and then I unleashed on him and was like fuck you how dare you tell me to pay you $15, you get nothing!. He again was like "just $15!" and I told him "do you want me to call the taxi authority on you and have them decide, because I can do that, I have no problem calling them on your stupid ass!" he just slithered away back to the drivers door and I said "and you think about that the next time you pick people up from the airport!" and walked into the hotel, got a $20 tip upgrade to THEhotel which was paid for by what I saved for the cab ride. I hope it happens again in November! Free cab rides are the best!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2013
  2. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    I know you'll get a lot of support, cause there's a sizable contingent that HATES long-hauling... I guess I just don't understand why it's OK for you to decide your ride is FREE?
     
  3. Aftermath

    Aftermath Low-Roller

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    These asswipes need to be taught a lesson. Good job. I wish people were more informed so that these long-haulers will think twice about pulling this shit. :thumbsup:
     
  4. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Although the driver was wrong, I agree with the above poster, I don't think you should have gotten a free ride. Should have gave him what the fare would have been according to the taxi cab authority website which would have been around the 15 he asked for, and I am sure the TA would have made you pay that fare. I don't know you but it seems like you are wanting them to do this so that you can get a free ride :nono:

    http://taxi.nv.gov/Rider_Info/Approximate_Minimum_Rates_-_McCarran_Airport_to_Las_Vegas_Strip_Hotels/
     
  5. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    Agreed. Personally I don't give a shit if I'm long hauled, as I'm fine with paying a few extra bucks to get to my hotel 5-10 minutes early. It's fucking peanuts. But $15 is a fair price no matter which way the cabbie takes. Maybe it's just the American way, the need to find something to bitch about, no matter how insignificant...
     
  6. hundth

    hundth Low-Roller

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    Whenever I take a cab from the airport, I just get in and tell them where I'm going. If they long haul me, I inform them I'm a frequent visitor and how much the ride should have cost. That's what I pay them and no tip. If they argue I show them that I have a picture of there license info and will be reporting them. I don't belive I should get a free ride, but I save the money I would have tipped.
     
  7. DOUBLE B

    DOUBLE B Tourist

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    I think because you do not pay him he will think twice about next long haul!!!!
     
  8. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Legally, you were probably wrong for totally stiffing him. Ethically, however, I think you did right. :)

    I really wonder what I would have done. I certainly would have said something. If he got p*ssy, I would have phoned the Taxi Authority. If he 'fessed up, I probably would have offered to pay the fair fare :) for the ride, sans tip, of course!
     
  9. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    While I don’t necessarily agree with stiffing the driver (I probably would have given him the bare minimum the trip could have cost with no tip), I don’t understand how anyone could think that the OP unilaterally decided that the ride would be free.

    Are you guys saying that the OP had no right to call the Taxi Authority (assuming it went down as he claims)? Sounds to me like the driver is the one who made the decision that the ride was free, in lieu of dealing with the TA.
     
  10. casinoboy

    casinoboy Low-Roller

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    i dont agree, that makes you someone who can be rolled all over even by dumb cabbies who laugh at you. i think the OP did the right thing, he is just a stupid cabbie who purposly tried to steal from his customer and that is against the law! he tried to do it even when the customer told him not to try. the cabbie drove away when he said he they can call the taxi comission because the cabbie knew he would get in trouble. it doesnt matter if you think $15 is a fair price this isnt the old communist russia where people should get whats fair even if they dont deserve it. that cabbie deserves nothing but getting fired for being a scumbag. no way you should let him walk all over you like some kind of weakling. :grrr:
     
  11. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    A cab ride is another form of a contracted business transaction. If you include as part of your verbal contract not to take the tunnell, and the cabbie takes the tunnell he had broken the contract and you can do what you feel is right.

    Its more that an extra fare it costs you vacation time and honestly it just pisses you off. For this reason I find in favor of the plaintiff, you were justified in not paying. :beer:

    Our last trip the long hauling really started to get to me! Its out of control in LV, if more people just stepped up and called them out and stopped paying it would eventually stop. They thrive off people not wanting confrontation and just paying or just paying the minimum fare.
     
  12. Huddler

    Huddler VIP Whale

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    I typically take a limo from the airport, however the times I take a cab, Ive noticed they try to get around the long hauling problem by asking you if it would be ok if they take the freeway since "its quicker" or "much less traffic". Most unsuspecting tourists will agree to it and then the cabbie can tell the taxi authority that the fare wanted to go the freeway. Obviously, I do not agree to going the freeway no matter the destination. I will say something to the effect of "if you tunnel me, you better be able to fight and drive at the same time cause I am going to come across that seat fist first! They then laugh uncomfortably as they notice I am not smiling and not kidding. With my redneck broque it sort of freaks them out. They then try to squirm out of their deception and tell me again how its quicker because "traffic is terrible" no matter what time of day or night I arrive. I just end it by tell them the route to take, problem solved. We can then move on to talking about whats going in town that weekend, best strip clubs to visit, and whether I am interested in an Asian massage behind a gated community.:eek:
     
  13. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    We also limo from the airport largely because we dont want to start our vac. out w cab drama. My GF hates confrontation and after having to deal with me get pissed at cabbies on our last trip she is on pins and needles when we get in a cab. I have began to offer a similair speech minus the violence, although I like yours and may use it on the next trip! On our June trip, that is the exact speech we kept getting, freeway is closer, traffic is terrible, blah, blah blah. As many trips as I have made downtown all but one cabbie has jumped on the highway from the strip.
     
  14. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    I would've just paid the $15, got his cabbie info and inform him I'm contacting the TA and reporting him, and then do it. I don't agree with stiffing the guy, but I don't agree that guy should go scott free either. I'm sure he'll think more about short hauling the next guy more with him on record of shorthauling than stiffing him. If he's on record with the TA and they get multiple complaints he's in trouble. Not calling his record stays clean.
     
  15. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    It's ok because the driver was a thief, what he did was stealing and is against the law, as simple as that.
     
  16. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    You should come here to NY. Cabbies love guys with that attitude...otherwise known as easy marks.

    Yeah it would be pretty cool if clients were like that in our business. Intentionally rip off our investors and pad our fees....if they don't notice we just get more money, if they do notice we get our normal fees....win win! :evillaugh

    Kudos to the OP for not letting himself get took by some cab driver.
     
  17. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    Yeah it would be pretty cool if clients were like that in our business. Intentionally rip off our investors and pad our fees....if they don't notice we just get more money, if they do notice we get our normal fees....win win! :evillaugh

    Kudos to the OP for not letting himself get took by some cab driver.[/QUOTE]


    Exactly, if I am $30 off on a payment for a $250,000 purchase quote I have customers that threaten to walk!!
     
  18. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    Yeah, you're right. In fact after just reading some stuff online about long-hauling in Vegas the OP did exactly what they recommend passengers do - refuse to pay and call the taxi authority. The driver is the one who sped away when the OP was calling TA, because he knew he was in the wrong.

    The fact is what the cab driver did IS illegal...plain and simple. Here is the relevant statute from the Nevada Legislature:
     
  19. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    I should print this out in pocket size and hand it to the cabbie when I'm telling him where to take me.
    :evillaugh
     
  20. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    These rules should be passed out at the airport in the taxi line to let consumers know their rights.
     
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