I always do silver bird. Ignore the touts as you exit the terminal and look for the the silver bird podium. In the international terminal it will be to your left. There will usually be one or two of the silver birds (black Toyota Crown or mercedes) in a queue.

A little more than $10 these days with the exchange rate the way it is, but with tip it should run you around $15.

The high end hotels in Jakarta will generally just book a golden bird for you -- and then charge $40 to your room. Not worth it, as then you have to try to find your driver among the hundreds of sign waving drivers mixed in with the bandit cab touts and guys selling fake watches.

Around town I generally look for cabs from the blue bird/silver bird group, or express taxis.

Enjoy the madness, TJ