<p>I haven’t ridden in one in years, and this evening i’m going to have to because i’m visiting with a relitive that just came into town. Anything i need to know? Where i’m going is about 15mins from my school, so it shouldn’t cost much right?</p>
<p>Maybe i’m overthinking things >< but i like to have everything layed out before i do something. </p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>They all take credit cards nowadays, but drivers appreciate tips in cash.</p>
<p>Be friendly. A grumpy driver can screw you in several ways that will cost you time and/or money.</p>
<p>If you’re using a call-ahead cab company, call at least an hour ahead. If you know exactly what time you need to be picked up tonight, make a reservation right now.</p>
<p>Have fun.</p>
<p>Call the cab company ahead of time to find out how much it is. It’ll vary based on where you are (NYC cabs are $3.00 + $2.00/mile, LA are $2.50 + $1.80/mile I think).</p>
<p>Just make sure you have at least $75 in small bills and printed directions if you are going somewhere “off the beaten track”—all will be good.</p>
<p>Its the regulare yellow cab company. Should i still call ahead?</p>
<p>Many cabs have the rate listed somewhere where you can see it - a base price plus the per mile price. Sometimes they will overcharge you or take you the long way, so when you get into the cab, tell him where you want to go and mention how far it is. Mapquest it yourself first if you don’t know. Something like, “I need to go to the Hilton on Main Street - it’s just about 5 miles north of here.”</p>
<p>it’s not like they need the directions, but then they know that YOU know how far it should be.</p>
<p>its only about 7 miles, how much should i tip?</p>
<p>Ice: Call ahead and arrange the pick up. They can give you an estimate of the fare. Have cash ready. Round the price of the “flag” thats the cost on the meter, up around 2 to 3 dollars to make it even ending in 5’s or 10’s. Unless you live in an area where gas is over $3,00 a gallon right now, then add one more dollar for gas. </p>
<p>Most take cash, credit cards and bank debit cards. But always ask when you call in for a pick up.</p>
<p>So is it okay if i call about 2 hours ahead of time?</p>
<p>(also can you tell that i’m really nervous about this ><?)</p>
<p>^^Two hours seems excessive. Unless you live way out in the sticks you shouldn’t need to call for a cab any more than 30 minutes ahead.</p>
<p>Icedragon, it’s probably too late but you’re getting all sorts of info because no one knows in what city you’re taking this cab. In NYC with a regular yellow taxi cab you don’t call ahead, you walk into the street by a corner, raise your hand, and get in when one stops. You pay what the meter says either by credit card or cash.</p>
<p>Don’t know what you do in other cities but if you tell us the city it will be a lot easier to give you advice!</p>
<p>When I am in an unfamiliar city, I often mapquest the directions to and from my destinations…it is sometimes helpful to the cabdriver, and also the fact that I have the directions with me—including the mileage—means that I don’t get taken advantage of.</p>
<p>Oh, from what I understand, tipping is expected (like when at a restaurant).</p>
<p>Update:</p>
<p>Everything went well. Drivers were nice, i tipped :D</p>
<p>Stuff like this is really hard for me to do. It physically makes me sick.</p>
<p>(Not the taking the cab part, i’m no prude or anything. I have major problem with calling someone i don’t know and doing such things. It stresses me to the point where my stomach starts acting up. :()</p>
<p>I tip cabbies 15%. I’ve only once had a problem with a cab - I was trying to get from O’Hare to my aunt and uncle’s house in Evanston. The cabbie had no idea how to get there, and didn’t have a map and was indignant that I didn’t know the way. (I could tell when he started going north along Lake Michigan that we couldn’t possibly be going in the right direction.) Many extra miles later he wanted to charge me what was on the meter. Luckily I’d talked to my cousin the day before to ask about how much change I should have on me. I told the cabbie that was what I’d pay and that if he had a problem he could talk to my uncle the tax lawyer.</p>
<p>We live in NYC suburbs and you definitely have to call cabs here!</p>
<p>Nice job, icedragon!</p>
<p>
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<p>Well, since Evanston is north of O’Hare and located on the lake, his route doesn’t seem entirely implausible. Your uncle the tax lawyer? Haha, poor cabbie probably just wanted to get rid of you and move on.</p>
<p>^At that point I recognized something in downtown Evanston and the lake was on our right. I don’t understand though how someone who drives a cab would not have a map in the car. He got his $11 or what ever it was. (This was a long time ago - I was in college!)</p>
<p>There’s also no shortage of rude, unshaven, unwashed cab drivers, and it doesn’t surprise me that some of them don’t carry maps. (I lived in Chicagoland for ten years and am pleased to say that most of my cab drivers were excellent.)</p>
<p>I can’t count the number of taxi drivers I’ve had who didn’t know where major streets or buidlings were, which is absurd. US taxi drivers should be required to master The Knowledge the way London taxi drivers do.</p>