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Vec Est. 2003 November 14th 08 10:18 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services

The book on a taxi trip to the airport from Gatwick to Heathrow from Stansted; from Luton to Gatwick. Transfers cheap shuttle/bus to London Airports. Online booking available. Book a trip air-conditioned car service in London with a qualified guide city of London Gatwick, or just check the online arrivals with travel and family visits to London and tourist attractions, hotels in London.
London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services provide comprehensive solution and ultimate transport to Heathrow.

Mike Hughes November 15th 08 09:20 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , Vec Est. 2003
writes

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services

The book on a taxi trip to the airport from Gatwick to Heathrow from
Stansted; from Luton*to Gatwick. Transfers cheap shuttle/bus to London
Airports. Online booking available. Book a trip air-conditioned*car service*
in London with a qualified guide city of London Gatwick, or just check the
online*arrivals* with travel and family visits to London and tourist
attractions, hotels *in London.
London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services provide comprehensive solution and
ultimate transport to Heathrow.


There are several indicators that this is not all they would have you
believe.

First of all this appears to be a Private Hire (minicab) service and not
taxis. The way that they present themselves is also illegal as they are
not allowed to suggest that they are a *taxi* service.

The fact that everything is pre-booked with money up front (no
exceptions) seems a little suspicious.

If they are licensed why don't they say that and if they are not then
there is a strong likelihood that they do not have the proper insurance.
Would you take a chance or let your mother / sister / daughter /
children loose with such an outfit

Finally if the ad above is an example of the attention to detail then
heaven knows what they are really like.

Take a *proper* licensed (black) taxi - you know you are insured and
safe.

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

Walter Briscoe November 16th 08 08:39 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message of Sat, 15 Nov 2008
21:20:47 in uk.transport.london, Mike Hughes
writes
In message , Vec Est. 2003
writes

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services

The book on a taxi trip to the airport from Gatwick to Heathrow from


[snip]


There are several indicators that this is not all they would have you
believe.

First of all this appears to be a Private Hire (minicab) service and
not taxis. The way that they present themselves is also illegal as they
are not allowed to suggest that they are a *taxi* service.


Mike,
If you feel rules are breached, I am sure you have contact details for
the Public Carriage Office.

[snip]

Take a *proper* licensed (black) taxi - you know you are insured and
safe.


Strangely, they don't always follow the rules either. e.g. unlawfully
refusing an unattractive fare when plying for hire. Sadly, the PCO seems
to have a policy of warning rather than prosecution for a first offence
which used to happen when the police were in charge of complaints.
There is also the small matter of working wheelchair ramps.

I've never used a Private Hire service. I strongly approve of the
quality of the service offered by London's taxis. I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.
--
Walter Briscoe

RobWilton November 16th 08 09:17 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 

"Walter Briscoe" wrote in message
...
In message of Sat, 15 Nov 2008
21:20:47 in uk.transport.london, Mike Hughes
writes
In message , Vec Est. 2003
writes

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services

The book on a taxi trip to the airport from Gatwick to Heathrow from


[snip]


There are several indicators that this is not all they would have you
believe.

First of all this appears to be a Private Hire (minicab) service and not
taxis. The way that they present themselves is also illegal as they are
not allowed to suggest that they are a *taxi* service.


Mike,
If you feel rules are breached, I am sure you have contact details for the
Public Carriage Office.

[snip]

Take a *proper* licensed (black) taxi - you know you are insured and safe.


Strangely, they don't always follow the rules either. e.g. unlawfully
refusing an unattractive fare when plying for hire. Sadly, the PCO seems
to have a policy of warning rather than prosecution for a first offence
which used to happen when the police were in charge of complaints.
There is also the small matter of working wheelchair ramps.

I've never used a Private Hire service. I strongly approve of the quality
of the service offered by London's taxis. I much prefer a black cab to the
green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.
--
Walter Briscoe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not suprised black cabs refuse to pick up fairs especially at night,last
night in Goodge street I witnessed two drunken stoned "slags"trying to flag
down a cab while one of them was actually ****ing in the street when one cab
refused they shouted "****" at him & gave the ****** sign, I cannot think of
a more dangerous & unpleasant way of making a crust then driving a cab I
would rather be a street begger then do that job.


No Name November 16th 08 11:51 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
"Walter Briscoe" wrote in message
...

I've never used a Private Hire service. I strongly approve of the quality
of the service offered by London's taxis. I much prefer a black cab to the
green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Some of the drivers of black cabs can leave a great deal to be desired, as
I'm sure that many on this group could tell you.




No Name November 16th 08 11:54 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
"RobWilton" wrote in message
...

I'm not suprised black cabs refuse to pick up fairs especially at
night,last night in Goodge street I witnessed two drunken stoned
"slags"trying to flag down a cab while one of them was actually ****ing in
the street when one cab refused they shouted "****" at him & gave the
****** sign, I cannot think of a more dangerous & unpleasant way of making
a crust then driving a cab I would rather be a street begger then do that
job.


Many cab drivers tell me that they refuse to pick up groups of young women,
particularly on a Friday or Saturday night, as they can be verbally abusive
and just as physically abusive as men.



Neil Williams November 16th 08 12:00 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
On Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:51:24 -0000, wrote:

Some of the drivers of black cabs can leave a great deal to be desired, as
I'm sure that many on this group could tell you.


Not so much in London as elsewhere, though.

In Milton Keynes, you will get far better service (and a lower price)
from the private hire companies, particularly early mornings and
during the day when some very nice cars (Mercs etc) are in use. I
used to get a leather-seated new Merc saloon on a Monday morning for
the same price as a normal private hire car. Sometimes even got a
V-class minibus to myself.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

Mike Hughes November 16th 08 01:50 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , Walter Briscoe
writes

I've never used a Private Hire service. I strongly approve of the
quality of the service offered by London's taxis. I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


I agree with you which is why I now drive in London rather than Brighton
but I still renew my licence every year just in case I ever need to use
it again - I made that mistake by not renewing my London licence for 20
years and then having to re-do the knowledge!

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

Mike Hughes November 16th 08 01:54 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , RobWilton
writes
----
I'm not suprised black cabs refuse to pick up fairs especially at
night,last night in Goodge street I witnessed two drunken stoned
"slags"trying to flag down a cab while one of them was actually ****ing
in the street when one cab refused they shouted "****" at him & gave
the ****** sign, I cannot think of a more dangerous & unpleasant way of
making a crust then driving a cab I would rather be a street begger
then do that job.


Goes with the territory but you quickly learn how to size up the
situation. Hard to explain but any cab driver will know what I mean.

It's always a judgement call. Sometimes I can see some 'undesirable'
nearby and wrongly assume that they are with the person flagging the
taxi. In those cases I just drive straight past and I'm sure the flagger
will think I'm just being bloody minded as s/he can't see the whole
picture.

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

Mike Hughes November 16th 08 01:59 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message ,
writes
"RobWilton" wrote in message
...

I'm not suprised black cabs refuse to pick up fairs especially at
night,last night in Goodge street I witnessed two drunken stoned
"slags"trying to flag down a cab while one of them was actually ****ing in
the street when one cab refused they shouted "****" at him & gave the
****** sign, I cannot think of a more dangerous & unpleasant way of making
a crust then driving a cab I would rather be a street begger then do that
job.


Many cab drivers tell me that they refuse to pick up groups of young women,
particularly on a Friday or Saturday night, as they can be verbally abusive
and just as physically abusive as men.

Very often *more* abusive and whereas you can give a bit of verbal back
to a group of men it's absolutely impossible with women as they will
immediately complain, even when they are at fault.

Years ago taxi drivers would usually pick up a woman on her own first to
make sue she was taken home safely. Now they would be the last to be
taken, particularly late at night when they are going a longer distance,
tired and drunk - can you imagine the uproar if they fall asleep and you
try to wake them up! At least with a man you can usually wake them by
shaking as a very last resort!

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here
http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

[email protected] November 16th 08 02:02 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In article ,
(Walter Briscoe) wrote:

I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Others prefer saloons as easier to get into, my mother for example, a
typical older person who has difficulty with the high step into black cabs.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Mike Hughes November 16th 08 02:03 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message ,
writes
"Walter Briscoe" wrote in message
...

I've never used a Private Hire service. I strongly approve of the quality
of the service offered by London's taxis. I much prefer a black cab to the
green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Some of the drivers of black cabs can leave a great deal to be desired, as
I'm sure that many on this group could tell you.

I can't argue with that. The same is true for every occupation. Trouble
is the bad ones will always get the publicity. I doubt if there are many
on this group who know about the weekend outing to Disneyland with 100
taxis which took place in October all at no cost to the disabled and
disadvantaged kids and their carers. If just one taxi driver says or
does something that upsets someone then there is often a great furore.
Unfortunately life just isn't balanced.


--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here
http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

John Rowland November 16th 08 02:24 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
wrote:
In article ,
(Walter Briscoe) wrote:

I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Others prefer saloons as easier to get into, my mother for example, a
typical older person who has difficulty with the high step into black
cabs.


Black cabs have a removable step and a fold-out ramp which the driver will
use if asked.



John Rowland November 16th 08 02:34 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
Mike Hughes wrote:

Years ago taxi drivers would usually pick up a woman on her own first
to make sue she was taken home safely. Now they would be the last to
be taken, particularly late at night when they are going a longer
distance, tired and drunk - can you imagine the uproar if they fall
asleep and you try to wake them up! At least with a man you can
usually wake them by shaking as a very last resort!


Mike, recent events have made you forget the real reason you have a fire
extinguisher under your seat!



Tom Anderson November 16th 08 02:39 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
On Sun, 16 Nov 2008, Mike Hughes wrote:

In message ,
writes
"Walter Briscoe" wrote in message
...

I've never used a Private Hire service. I strongly approve of the
quality of the service offered by London's taxis. I much prefer a
black cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Some of the drivers of black cabs can leave a great deal to be desired,
as I'm sure that many on this group could tell you.


I can't argue with that. The same is true for every occupation. Trouble
is the bad ones will always get the publicity. [...] If just one taxi
driver says or does something that upsets someone then there is often a
great furore. Unfortunately life just isn't balanced.


Based on my experience as a cyclist, it's not a minority of bad apples.
Black cab drivers are almost universally aggressive and inconsiderate
drivers.

I doubt if there are many on this group who know about the weekend
outing to Disneyland with 100 taxis which took place in October all at
no cost to the disabled and disadvantaged kids and their carers.


I didn't - that's a sterling effort.

I'm reminded of the annual charity trip the Woolwich ferry crews do, which
takes one of the ferries up through Tower Bridge. I wonder how many other
transport modes in London do things like that? I can't quite see how it'd
work with the trams!

tom

--
Understanding the universe is the final purpose, as far as I'm
concerned. -- Ian York

John Rowland November 16th 08 02:50 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
Tom Anderson wrote:
On Sun, 16 Nov 2008, Mike Hughes wrote:

I doubt if there are many on this group who know about the weekend
outing to Disneyland with 100 taxis which took place in October all
at no cost to the disabled and disadvantaged kids and their carers.


I didn't - that's a sterling effort.

I'm reminded of the annual charity trip the Woolwich ferry crews do,
which takes one of the ferries up through Tower Bridge.


I bet the crews don't pay for the fuel, so it sounds like as much of a treat
for the crew as for anyone else.




Richard J.[_2_] November 16th 08 04:46 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
Mike Hughes wrote:
In message , Vec Est. 2003
writes

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services

The book on a taxi trip to the airport from Gatwick to Heathrow from
Stansted; from Luton to Gatwick. Transfers cheap shuttle/bus to
London Airports. Online booking available. Book a trip
air-conditioned car service in London with a qualified guide city of
London Gatwick, or just check the online arrivals with travel and
family visits to London and tourist attractions, hotels in London.
London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services provide comprehensive solution
and ultimate transport to Heathrow.


There are several indicators that this is not all they would have you
believe.

First of all this appears to be a Private Hire (minicab) service and
not taxis. The way that they present themselves is also illegal as
they are not allowed to suggest that they are a *taxi* service.


Last night I mailed the contact address given on their site to ask what
their operator's licence number was, as I couldn't find it in the PCO
database. They replied today to say that they are in the process of
obtaining the licence from the PCO, and until they get it they can't accept
direct bookings. But they'll try to help anyone individually by passing
them on to a suitable licensed operator.

So why did the OP start this thread at all, and why did he say "online
booking available"? The online booking page now says in large red letters
"Quick Quote & Booking System is temporarily offline. Sorry for any
inconvenience caused." Does anyone know if it said that yesterday before I
wrote to them?
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)



John Rowland November 16th 08 04:49 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
Richard J. wrote:

Last night I mailed the contact address given on their site to ask
what their operator's licence number was, as I couldn't find it in
the PCO database.


Gatwick is not in London and so would not be controlled by the PCO anyway.



Richard J.[_2_] November 16th 08 05:18 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
John Rowland wrote:
Richard J. wrote:

Last night I mailed the contact address given on their site to ask
what their operator's licence number was, as I couldn't find it in
the PCO database.


Gatwick is not in London and so would not be controlled by the PCO
anyway.


But they say they are based in Croydon, and offer transfers from Heathrow
too, so they are certainly advertising journeys wholly within London.
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)



No Name November 16th 08 05:39 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...

Very often *more* abusive and whereas you can give a bit of verbal back to
a group of men it's absolutely impossible with women as they will
immediately complain, even when they are at fault.


I actually heard that hte concern is that they can go ballistic, rather than
complain.

Years ago taxi drivers would usually pick up a woman on her own first to
make sue she was taken home safely. Now they would be the last to be
taken, particularly late at night when they are going a longer distance,
tired and drunk - can you imagine the uproar if they fall asleep and you
try to wake them up! At least with a man you can usually wake them by
shaking as a very last resort!


One cabbie told me that he had to ask the police to wake up a female
passenger for him. When the male officer did that, however, she started to
swear at him.




No Name November 16th 08 05:40 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 

wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Walter Briscoe) wrote:

I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Others prefer saloons as easier to get into, my mother for example, a
typical older person who has difficulty with the high step into black
cabs.

--

What happened with the Tuk-tuks that were puttering around Brighton a couple
of years ago?



Mike Hughes November 16th 08 08:27 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , John Rowland
writes
Mike Hughes wrote:

Years ago taxi drivers would usually pick up a woman on her own first
to make sue she was taken home safely. Now they would be the last to
be taken, particularly late at night when they are going a longer
distance, tired and drunk - can you imagine the uproar if they fall
asleep and you try to wake them up! At least with a man you can
usually wake them by shaking as a very last resort!


Mike, recent events have made you forget the real reason you have a fire
extinguisher under your seat!

ROTFL

Spoken as a true taxi driver :-))
--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

Mike Hughes November 16th 08 08:28 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message ,
writes
"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...

Very often *more* abusive and whereas you can give a bit of verbal back to
a group of men it's absolutely impossible with women as they will
immediately complain, even when they are at fault.


I actually heard that hte concern is that they can go ballistic, rather than
complain.

You are right but I was trying not to exaggerate!

Years ago taxi drivers would usually pick up a woman on her own first to
make sue she was taken home safely. Now they would be the last to be
taken, particularly late at night when they are going a longer distance,
tired and drunk - can you imagine the uproar if they fall asleep and you
try to wake them up! At least with a man you can usually wake them by
shaking as a very last resort!


One cabbie told me that he had to ask the police to wake up a female
passenger for him. When the male officer did that, however, she started to
swear at him.

It's lucky that's all she did :-)

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here
http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

Mike Hughes November 16th 08 08:31 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message ,
writes

wrote in message
m...
In article ,
(Walter Briscoe) wrote:

I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Others prefer saloons as easier to get into, my mother for example, a
typical older person who has difficulty with the high step into black
cabs.

--

What happened with the Tuk-tuks that were puttering around Brighton a couple
of years ago?

They went bust. The owner Dominic Ponniah went on Dragon's Den to get
money and lasted less than 10 seconds (on the televised bit). The
Dragons saw that it was not a good business model, let alone the
problems with safety issues.
--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here
http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

Mike Hughes November 16th 08 08:33 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , John Rowland
writes
Richard J. wrote:

Last night I mailed the contact address given on their site to ask
what their operator's licence number was, as I couldn't find it in
the PCO database.


Gatwick is not in London and so would not be controlled by the PCO anyway.


The original address given on their web site is Croydon which is
controlled by the PCO. The easiest airport to get to (by Road) from
Croydon is Gatwick which is possibly why they mentioned that one first.

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

[email protected] November 17th 08 12:25 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In article ,
(John Rowland) wrote:

wrote:
In article ,
(Walter Briscoe) wrote:

I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.


Others prefer saloons as easier to get into, my mother for example, a
typical older person who has difficulty with the high step into black
cabs.


Black cabs have a removable step and a fold-out ramp which the
driver will use if asked.


Not offered to my mother at Earl's Court the other day. Doesn't resolve
the problem that you can't place feet onto the pavement while still
sitting on a seat.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

[email protected] November 17th 08 12:25 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In article ,
(Tom Anderson) wrote:

I can't argue with that. The same is true for every occupation.
Trouble is the bad ones will always get the publicity. [...] If
just one taxi driver says or does something that upsets someone
then there is often a great furore. Unfortunately life just isn't
balanced.


Based on my experience as a cyclist, it's not a minority of bad
apples. Black cab drivers are almost universally aggressive and
inconsiderate drivers.


One only tends to notice the obnoxious ones, though I agree there are too
many of them.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

David Cantrell November 17th 08 12:34 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 01:54:53PM +0000, Mike Hughes wrote:

It's always a judgement call. Sometimes I can see some 'undesirable'
nearby and wrongly assume that they are with the person flagging the
taxi. In those cases I just drive straight past and I'm sure the flagger
will think I'm just being bloody minded as s/he can't see the whole
picture.


If it's me that you drive past, I'll write down your number and be on
the phone to the PCO the next morning.

--
David Cantrell | Official London Perl Mongers Bad Influence

engineer: n. one who, regardless of how much effort he puts in
to a job, will never satisfy either the suits or the scientists

David Cantrell November 17th 08 12:36 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 08:02:51AM -0600, wrote:
In article ,
(Walter Briscoe) wrote:
I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.

Others prefer saloons as easier to get into, my mother for example, a
typical older person who has difficulty with the high step into black cabs.


Of course, while it might be harder to get into a black cab, it's harder
to get *out of* an ordinary car!

--
David Cantrell | Minister for Arbitrary Justice

fdisk format reinstall, doo-dah, doo-dah;
fdisk format reinstall, it's the Windows way

Mike Hughes November 17th 08 02:41 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , David
Cantrell writes
On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 01:54:53PM +0000, Mike Hughes wrote:

It's always a judgement call. Sometimes I can see some 'undesirable'
nearby and wrongly assume that they are with the person flagging the
taxi. In those cases I just drive straight past and I'm sure the flagger
will think I'm just being bloody minded as s/he can't see the whole
picture.


If it's me that you drive past, I'll write down your number and be on
the phone to the PCO the next morning.

There is absolutely no offence committed by not stopping, even if you
have your for hire light on. Even then it is common practice for a night
driver to keep the doors locked until s/he has established that the
customers are 'reasonable' i.e. they are not eating and drinking, are
not likely to throw up, not just stopping the cab to put another,
comatose person in the back and then leave them, etc.

Only after that will I ask where they are going. Personally I don't care
where I go but there is a legal right to refuse any fare which is going
outside the licence area, going more than 12 miles or is likely to take
more than 1 hour. That last part could be especially important on some
occasions as there may well be serious traffic jams.

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

RobWilton November 17th 08 05:05 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...
In message , David Cantrell
writes
On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 01:54:53PM +0000, Mike Hughes wrote:

It's always a judgement call. Sometimes I can see some 'undesirable'
nearby and wrongly assume that they are with the person flagging the
taxi. In those cases I just drive straight past and I'm sure the flagger
will think I'm just being bloody minded as s/he can't see the whole
picture.


If it's me that you drive past, I'll write down your number and be on
the phone to the PCO the next morning.

There is absolutely no offence committed by not stopping, even if you have
your for hire light on. Even then it is common practice for a night driver
to keep the doors locked until s/he has established that the customers are
'reasonable' i.e. they are not eating and drinking, are not likely to
throw up, not just stopping the cab to put another, comatose person in the
back and then leave them, etc.

Only after that will I ask where they are going. Personally I don't care
where I go but there is a legal right to refuse any fare which is going
outside the licence area, going more than 12 miles or is likely to take
more than 1 hour. That last part could be especially important on some
occasions as there may well be serious traffic jams.

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are taxi drivers still allowed to take a pee on the rear nearside wheel of
their cab?finding a public karzi in London is rarer then hens teeth it is
scandalous, I suppose cabbies have to take a plastic pee bottle with them to
work


Mike Hughes November 17th 08 09:14 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , RobWilton
writes
----
Are taxi drivers still allowed to take a pee on the rear nearside wheel
of their cab?


No

inding a public karzi in London is rarer then hens teeth it is
scandalous, I suppose cabbies have to take a plastic pee bottle with
them to work


You are absolutely right. the problem is compounded by the relentless
way that local authorities enforce the parking restrictions even when it
is obvious that the driver is in a nearby toilet. It happened to me only
this (Monday) morning at Regency Place (near Victoria). Went into urinal
and came out the find parking attendant with machine poised ready for
action, but fortunately didn't get ticket. However, if I'd walked across
the road to get a cup of coffee....

That is one of the reasons that taxi drivers are often seen in
McDonalds restaurants, especially those that have parking facilities.

We have been getting similar problems with stopping of red routes to
drop off passengers [1] who then walk across the pavement to get cash
from a machine. There have been some efforts to allow up to a maximum of
5 minutes for this purpose. It all seems to be just a money making
exercise, especially when you get a ticket at 4 a.m. in the morning when
there is no other car around [2]

[1] Taxis can stop on red routes for the purposes of boarding and
alighting only

[2] High Street Lewisham outside local takeaway with police car just in
front that was stopped wile the occupants got their meals. Cost me 60
quid!


--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

Ian Jelf November 18th 08 12:14 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message , RobWilton
writes

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...
In message , David
Cantrell writes
On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 01:54:53PM +0000, Mike Hughes wrote:

It's always a judgement call. Sometimes I can see some 'undesirable'
nearby and wrongly assume that they are with the person flagging the
taxi. In those cases I just drive straight past and I'm sure the flagger
will think I'm just being bloody minded as s/he can't see the whole
picture.

If it's me that you drive past, I'll write down your number and be on
the phone to the PCO the next morning.

There is absolutely no offence committed by not stopping, even if you
have your for hire light on. Even then it is common practice for a
night driver to keep the doors locked until s/he has established that
the customers are 'reasonable' i.e. they are not eating and drinking,
are not likely to throw up, not just stopping the cab to put another,
comatose person in the back and then leave them, etc.

Only after that will I ask where they are going. Personally I don't
care where I go but there is a legal right to refuse any fare which is
going outside the licence area, going more than 12 miles or is likely
to take more than 1 hour. That last part could be especially
important on some occasions as there may well be serious traffic jams.

-- Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/

------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
Are taxi drivers still allowed to take a pee on the rear nearside wheel
of their cab?finding a public karzi in London is rarer then hens teeth
it is scandalous, I suppose cabbies have to take a plastic pee bottle
with them to work


Tell me about it. You try finding somewhere for 40 people to pay a
visit in a group.

(Well, not literally in a group of course but you know what I mean!)

--
Ian Jelf, MITG
Birmingham, UK

Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk

[email protected] November 18th 08 12:51 AM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In article ,
(David Cantrell) wrote:

On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 08:02:51AM -0600,
wrote:
In article ,
(Walter Briscoe) wrote:
I much prefer a black
cab to the green and white saloons used by most Brighton taxis.

Others prefer saloons as easier to get into, my mother for
example, a typical older person who has difficulty with the high
step into black cabs.


Of course, while it might be harder to get into a black cab, it's
harder to get *out of* an ordinary car!


Not according to my mother (who has only just given up driving).

--
Colin Rosenstiel

[email protected] November 18th 08 01:58 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In article ,
(Ian Jelf) wrote:

Tell me about it. You try finding somewhere for 40 people to pay
a visit in a group.

(Well, not literally in a group of course but you know what I
mean!)


What you meant, of course, was 40 people in a group to pay a visit.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Ian Jelf November 18th 08 03:02 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In message ,
writes
In article ,
(Ian Jelf) wrote:

Tell me about it. You try finding somewhere for 40 people to pay
a visit in a group.

(Well, not literally in a group of course but you know what I
mean!)


What you meant, of course, was 40 people in a group to pay a visit.


As a (fairly regular) German speaker, I naturally speak backwards
sometimes. ;-)

--
Ian Jelf, MITG
Birmingham, UK

Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk

[email protected] November 18th 08 06:12 PM

London Gatwick Airport Taxi Services [OT]
 
In article ,
(Ian Jelf) wrote:

In message ,
writes
In article ,
(Ian Jelf) wrote:

Tell me about it. You try finding somewhere for 40 people to pay
a visit in a group.

(Well, not literally in a group of course but you know what I
mean!)


What you meant, of course, was 40 people in a group to pay a visit.


As a (fairly regular) German speaker, I naturally speak backwards
sometimes. ;-)


:-)

--
Colin Rosenstiel


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