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Is Just saying "no tunnel, please" enough?

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Happygirl21, Feb 21, 2016.

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  1. Happygirl21

    Happygirl21 VIP Whale

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    Only one out of the six times that I have taken a cab from the airport to a strip location, have I been tunneled (which happened to be my last trip.) So with that said, is it enough to throw out the "no tunnel please" or should I give a specific route? I'll be spending the first few days at Linq.

    Thanks:beer:
     
  2. Krh2o

    Krh2o MIA

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    That's fine. Also had to get tunneled staying at the Linq. It's way longer in both time and distance.

    If you do get tunneled don't tip him. Will prob be the same amount of money. Don't stress about getting tunneled.
     
  3. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    I'd suggest the route you'd like

    The google maps app on iPhone will show you the best way. Open that and use your location and then type in your hotel name and it will show. As will the cab fare estimator on the VegasMate app. The good thing about google maps is it shows traffic so if he's trying to run game about traffic you'll know if it is true.

    I give them the streets I want them to take. Sometimes I want the back roads. Other times I want to ride the strip.
     
  4. FullBoat

    FullBoat VIP Whale

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    You just saying no tunnel is good enough. If they still take the tunnel, then you can refuse payment. If they start yelling at ya, just take a pic of their license with your phone, and say you'll let the taxi cab authority settle it. That'll shut them up since they know they're in the wrong. Or, if you don't want to fight it, like Krh2o said, don't tip them. If they give you any heat, just say "No tunnel" and walk away. Put the tip money in the first slot you see. :)
     
  5. bignig135

    bignig135 Low-Roller

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    We were tunnelled for the first time in 19 visits this year! We only even heard about the con trick of drivers going this way a few years ago, but immediately started firmly stating " no tunnel" ever since. This year however we were exhausted from the flight and desperate to get to the hotel. Our driver said " do you want me to go by the highway because the traffic will be crazy just now? " The time was about 3 pm, we just answered to go the quickest and cheapest way, but didn't say the magic words " no tunnel"

    One of the things they are counting on is that even if you realise they have swindled you, that you don't want to start off your holiday with a big confrontation.In future we will revert to those two magic words ( no tunnel, not f--- you!) but be prepared to report them and argue if necessary.
     
  6. Bommen

    Bommen High-Roller

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    The quickest way usually means the tunnel! Its not the cheapest but to a lot of strip properties it will get you there faster then the cheapest route. Also when a driver ask you to take the highway because of traffic its a good indication he/she wants run up the fare a few extra dollars.
     
  7. wigwam_salesman

    wigwam_salesman VIP Whale

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    Yeah, the 15 usually backs up before the back roads so that's always a red flag.

    When you should spring for the extra few bucks for the 15 is between 5pm and 6pm. It's when all the housekeeping staff get out and it clogs up the surface streets around the big hotels like you can't imagine.

    Most other casino staff are on different shifts so there isn't such a mass exodus as housekeeping who all get out around the same time.
     
  8. Irishwake

    Irishwake Low-Roller

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    Just saying "No tunnel" doesn't prevent a long haul.
    Last time I said "no tunnel" and to take Swenson to Trop.
    The ****** decided to take Spencer to Trop instead.
    When I called him on it he got belligerent and said it's the way all the cabbies go.
    I told him "just the dishonest ones" it went downhill from there.
     
  9. nhcris

    nhcris VIP Whale

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    There are so many ways for them to longhaul you that just saying No Tunnel really isn't enough. As mentioned above, tell the driver the exact route you want him to take. Unless there is an accident or obvious construction on that route, there is no excuse for not following your instructions.
     
  10. DenvertoVegas

    DenvertoVegas Tourist

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    I find the "slow" surface roads to be slow only because of how many lights you get "stuck" at. Coming up in May, I'm just not going to worry about it. Just get me to the Paris.
     
  11. CALELLA

    CALELLA Low-Roller

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    Quick question on cabbies running the fare up by going by the tunnel or any other non-direct route.

    I thought most of these guys worked for taxi companies and are paid a wage, so how does inflating the fare directly impact on what they make(or are they on a % of every fare?).

    Or do they just expect a bigger tip on the inflated fare?
     
  12. william142

    william142 MIA

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    I'm surprised we still have this discussion with uber in play now. Uber is way cheaper plus no tip plus if they long haul you all you got to do is reply to the email you receive after the trip and uber will credit your account.

    Why would anyone take a taxi from the airport nowadays?
     
  13. NewOrleansSlimm

    NewOrleansSlimm VIP Whale

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    there is a list online, cant find right now but ive seen on this website and i think they have it at the airport too. it list how much fare you should expect to pay going to that destination and back

    rarely take cabs but oneday I did and I just told the guy, I know its $17 to CP...he got to the hotel for $17.30...going back I told the next cabbie, its $17 from CP to the airport, he burned a couple redlights and got me there for $15.50
     
  14. Happygirl21

    Happygirl21 VIP Whale

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    To be honest, I have never used (an) Uber and as silly as this will sound, I don't even know how to use it,lol. But I suppose I could look into it. I think I may even need to update my phone, every time I try to load a new app I get the "not enough space" message. (It's old but I love it!)
     
  15. william142

    william142 MIA

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    IMO well worth. I use it all over the world and have never had an issue.
     
  16. Kimsa70

    Kimsa70 High-Roller

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    No, it's not. I said that to a driver at the airport once, and he refused to take me anywhere. If I wasn't buzzed from 5 drinks on the plane, I should have taken his # and reported him. I just took the next cab in the line.
     
  17. touche22

    touche22 Low-Roller

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  18. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    I used Lyft my first time New years Eve in Vegas and was fabulous and quite a deal too. (I had to remove some space on my phone for the uber and lyft apps too, learn something new all the time:) Do a quick search here and read some 'stories'. I will never take a cab in Vegas again! Don't have ride share fear, it's great and easy! Highly recommend. Good luck have fun!

    So adding a copy paste of my post on using Lyft.

    "Used Lyft First time arrival NYE Vegas...
    It was fantastic! Highly recommend. We arrived at LAS 10:30AM so was early but was so smooth. I have 10 ride - 5$ off coupons each ride and the ride with the 5$ off from LAS to Flamingo was 6.53$! What a deal and fast!! No tunnel worry. We gave a 5$ tip. So $11.53 all in with that tip.

    Yesterday we left from Bellagio at 11AM. Was busier with the CES goings on. A bit of surge charge. Bellagio to LAS charge with another coupon was $14 this time. Another 5$ tip so $19 total but slick, and fast as we watched the Taxi line just grow and grow we were out of there. Super Nice drivers both times too.

    Just wanted to share for any one as we were that never used ride share services before. It's great so do it."

    jj
     
  19. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    As others have mentioned, tell the cab driver the route you want him to take. This isn't a difficult concept.

    And you don't need to give turn by turn directions. For example, if you're going to PH, saying "take Koval to Harmon" is plenty, the driver will know what to do.
     
  20. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I must assume you don't resemble your avatar or no cabbie would ever turn you down no matter how buzzed! (Okay, go ahead and tell me it's a pic of some celebrity, but I wouldn't know.)
     
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