Ralf, I know this isn't strictly KL FD, so let me know if this is an inappropriate place for this topic.

I travel very regularly to AMS on business, and have had increasing problems with taxis, which have got to the ridiculous recently. I am going to word this carefully, as it's also based on allegations.

Firstly, there has been an increasing number of taxi touts at Schiphol. I assume the travellers on this board are savvy enough to know to avoid this. Some of these are private cars, but others are non-Centrale taxis who do not have an airport permit (FYI a 'Centrale' is a loose taxi company that regulates taxi and gives drivers jobs in return for a regular fee). OK, this is simple to avoid, and the airport rank taxis are well regulated. However, getting to Schiphol is a different story.

OK, the facts first.

Taxi drivers in Amsterdam generally (but not always) are owner-operators. Since deregulation a few years ago, they are free to set rates (within limits) and operate independently (with far fewer regulations).

I stay regularly in a major hotel in central Amsterdam. There is a rank directly outside. The drivers here know each other. The taxis tend to look a little battered. It is very hard to get them to take a direct route to Schiphol, and their fares are more expensive than the inbound. You can expect to pay ?50-?60 for a trip to the airport, versus ?35 on the inbound. In most cases, the driving has been appalling.

Now, this is where it gets ridiculous.

In the last 3 taxis I've got to this hotel, the drivers have refused to drop me outside, or anywhere near the rank. I've had some explanations, which it would be inappropriate to post here. I have seen a taxi driver outside this hotel apparently threatened by other taxi drivers waiting.

On another recent journey, the driver appeared to hide a block of receipts, instead insisting that my female colleague give him her room number for the receipt to be delivered. She, of course, refused.

I have even been driven almost via Leiden to get to Hoofddorp from Amsterdam. I had a lot of trouble in refusing the ridiculous ?80 fare.

Now for the allegations, from colleagues and Centrale-based taxi drivers.

Allegedly, the ranks outside many major hotels in AMS are 'protected' for certain groups of drivers.

Allegedly, the concierges at certain major hotels (although far from all of them) receive payment from these groups of drivers to maintain this status.

Allegedly, some of these drivers have overruning meters.

Allegedly, a colleague of mine was attacked for not having anything smaller than a ?50 note in payment.

Very allegedly, some of these drivers carry weapons in their cars. Very allegedly.

So, I would encourage the following:

Don't assume that a 'taxi' sign on top of a car means that the driver is associated with a company.

Don't assume that the price in every taxi is going to be reasonable.

Be wary of using a taxi that does not belong to a known Centrale, but...

...beware of taxis sporting logos very similar to the best-known Centralen, but which are made up.

Get to know a reliable Centrale, and call them directly for cabs, even if you're by a rank (unless the rank has cabs from known Centralen).

Don't assume your hotel's concierge will use a reliable Centrale when you ask them for a taxi. I know good hotels that will, and good hotels that won't.

The standard fare from the inner canal belt to/from Schiphol is ?35. It is rarely more than this even in the heaviest traffic. If you're getting charged ?50 or more, you're being ripped off. If this happens, subtly note the name and number on the Chauffeurs Pas, which must legally be on display.

Complain to your hotel if you observe this practice.

Again, apologies if this is inappropriate, but I feel the need to warn other AMS travellers about this. It appears to have got significantly worse in the past couple of months.

INote, however, that the taxis on the rank at Schiphol are regulated and reliable (although often grumpy if you want a short journey...) Also note that I would not recommend against staying at the hotel in question by any means - I will continue to stay there - just against using rank taxis outside. I won't post the name of the hotel or any Centralen here.

Does anyone here have similar experiences?