Consolidated "Scenic taxi scam/longhauling - experiences, how to stop" thread
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,358
I don't see how it would be. Should be about $16 plus tip.
#94
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Cheaper? No way. Tunneling can add anywhere from 3-4.5 miles depending on the hotel and the terminal. As I mention in a past FT post, waiting time charges from taking surface streets are not going to come anywhere close to making up for this additional mileage.
Quicker? Depends on the time of day and the hotel location (both how close to the airport and on what side of the Strip). I doubt anything south of Wynn or so is ever quicker on the highway, with the possible exception of Mirage since there is a north entrance to the property on Spring Mountain just off the I-15 exit.
Quicker? Depends on the time of day and the hotel location (both how close to the airport and on what side of the Strip). I doubt anything south of Wynn or so is ever quicker on the highway, with the possible exception of Mirage since there is a north entrance to the property on Spring Mountain just off the I-15 exit.
#96
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: cleveland, oh, usa
Programs: HHonors Gold, Priority Club Plat, AAdvantage, Delta Skymiles, others including Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 786
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,358
Traffic will likely be heavier everywhere so my answer is no, it will all be relative. And I always mention it so they know I know.
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,717
Was at the Venetian and headed to McCarran on Sunday for a 1 PM flight. Shared a cab with some strangers who were dropped off at T1. The meter at that point after the cabbie had insisted on taking the freeway from the Venetian to T1 showed $32. The cabbie then drove and dropped me off at T3 for Virgin, and the meter showed something like $38. Felt like the cabbie ripped us off by insisting on taking the freeway.
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Don't let it get to you on your upcoming first trip to Las Vegas this winter. Assuming you are staying on the Strip, you can either tell them not to take the tunnel when you get in the car (at which point they will scoff at you as if you insulted their honesty, even though there is a good shot that they would have hit the freeway if you hadn't said anything) or, if you're feeling adventurous, not say anything and, if they take you on the freeway, either A) pay the cabbie the $13 it would have cost and tell them that they're lucky to get that or just tell them that you're not paying at all and they can take it up with the taxi authority.
And, having said all that, don't stress too much about it. Just go and have a great time!
Mike
P.S., It doesn't matter that Las Vegas is in the desert. It's cold in the winter, so dress for it!
#101
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO, UA, AA, WN, DL Gold
Posts: 2,981
It's been my experience 80% of the time, although I've generally found the cabbies to be pretty good going anywhere except from the airport to the Strip. In other words, I've never had them try to rip me off going from the Strip to the airport.
Don't let it get to you on your upcoming first trip to Las Vegas this winter. Assuming you are staying on the Strip, you can either tell them not to take the tunnel when you get in the car (at which point they will scoff at you as if you insulted their honesty, even though there is a good shot that they would have hit the freeway if you hadn't said anything) or, if you're feeling adventurous, not say anything and, if they take you on the freeway, either A) pay the cabbie the $13 it would have cost and tell them that they're lucky to get that or just tell them that you're not paying at all and they can take it up with the taxi authority.
And, having said all that, don't stress too much about it. Just go and have a great time!
Mike
P.S., It doesn't matter that Las Vegas is in the desert. It's cold in the winter, so dress for it!
Don't let it get to you on your upcoming first trip to Las Vegas this winter. Assuming you are staying on the Strip, you can either tell them not to take the tunnel when you get in the car (at which point they will scoff at you as if you insulted their honesty, even though there is a good shot that they would have hit the freeway if you hadn't said anything) or, if you're feeling adventurous, not say anything and, if they take you on the freeway, either A) pay the cabbie the $13 it would have cost and tell them that they're lucky to get that or just tell them that you're not paying at all and they can take it up with the taxi authority.
And, having said all that, don't stress too much about it. Just go and have a great time!
Mike
P.S., It doesn't matter that Las Vegas is in the desert. It's cold in the winter, so dress for it!
#102
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ontario, CAN
Posts: 5,813
Agreed. Thanks Mike ^
Wish I would have read more on longhauling years ago. I'm still sour from a longhaul 18 months ago.
LV gets enough money from visitors, they don't need to be scammed the minute they walk out of the airport.
Vegas needs a flat rate from LAS-Strip. Simple as that. Until that's in place, the city is complicit in the scamming of visitors IMO.
Wish I would have read more on longhauling years ago. I'm still sour from a longhaul 18 months ago.
LV gets enough money from visitors, they don't need to be scammed the minute they walk out of the airport.
Vegas needs a flat rate from LAS-Strip. Simple as that. Until that's in place, the city is complicit in the scamming of visitors IMO.
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Interesting article from a former cab driver on why long-hauling is so prevalent. Doesn't excuse it, but helps explain it. I've seen it posted elsewhere on FT, but here it is again.
Mike
Mike
#104
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NRT/PDX
Programs: Willamette Valley Cropdusters Silver Elite, National Tent Frequent Stay program, Ed's Rent-a-tractor
Posts: 3,357
Cabbie attempted to longhaul me a few days ago. Going from the Mandalay Bay the airport. 11am on a Friday. After getting in the cab, the cabbie started off by telling me "Roads crowded, everyone going home now. I use freeway." I told the cabbie to use surface streets. The cabbie started again with the crowded roads argument. I reiterated no tunnel, dropped a few street names the cabbie should use and the cabbie relented. Needless to say, the roads were not crowded and we quickly arrived at the airport.
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Cabbie attempted to longhaul me a few days ago. Going from the Mandalay Bay the airport. 11am on a Friday. After getting in the cab, the cabbie started off by telling me "Roads crowded, everyone going home now. I use freeway." I told the cabbie to use surface streets. The cabbie started again with the crowded roads argument. I reiterated no tunnel, dropped a few street names the cabbie should use and the cabbie relented. Needless to say, the roads were not crowded and we quickly arrived at the airport.
Mike