I don't have a car, so I probably use cabs (and the CTA for that matter) more than most people, and I am really getting tired of these clowns.

[Begin rant]

They are ALWAYS on the phone. ALWAYS. That is just unsafe - I don't care if they have a hands-free or not. And so many of these guys are such bad drivers already. I don't even mind the aggressive ones - I'm all for getting where I need to go quickly. But, I mean some of these guys seem to barely have a basic understanding of the operation of a car.

Secondly, they almost NEVER get out of the cab to help you with luggage if you have any.

Third, the cars are dirty and they smell. Do some of these guys LIVE in their cars? How much does an air freshener cost? 99 cents?

Fourth, I know the quickest way to get to my house. Don't argue with me and try and take me a different direction or a different exit off the freeway. Even if my way IS longer, that's the way I WANT TO GO - so take me there. If I want to know your opinion on the fastest route, I will ask for it.

Fifth, keep your gas tank filled up you cheap ........ And if you don't have enough gas to get me where I need to go, tell me that FIRST so I don't have to accompany you to the gas station - I don't have time for that!

Lastly, they're just plain rude. TWICE recently, I had some jerk drive me from ORD to the West Loop. Both times they were on the phone, talking loudly, the ENTIRE trip. I gave him a $2 tip (he was lucky to get that) and he got pissed off that I didn't give 'em more. What are we tipping these guys for again?

[End rant]

I agree about the phone - but I cut them a break because I know that they work a lot of hours and are disconnected from their families. If you don't want them on the phone, the passenger rights listed on the back of the front seat give you the right to tell them to get off the phone - so just tell them.

I have never had one not get out of the cab to help with luggage - but usually I don't want their help - just open the trunk.

Other than a little attitude once or twice, they always take the way home that I direct them to (live on the north side, right off of Lake Shore Drive).

Tipping - that is your perogative and if they get upset, so be it. A tip is never guaranteed.

They are annoying; fortunately that's been my experience with taxi drivers in all major U.S. cities so at least it's not just a Chicago thing.

I suspect it will be a while before we get educated taxi drivers like Singapore.

and report them.

Most consumers I know rant but never actually do anything concrete about it. As a result the person(s) with the problems (cabbies in this case) never get the feedback/correction that they should have.

FWIW, I have only had two very negative experiences in 12 years of taking many cabs in Chicagoland or to/from ORD.

--

I''ve had some very helpful cabbies, i.e., helping me with my luggage and waiting (with the meter running) for me to run up to the office and get my mail. Flash cab is best.

As for the phone, it's hard to conduct business on a cellphone with someone rambling in a foreign language or listening to reggae music in the background. I've had clients ask me "Where the hell are you?" while I'm on the phone. Now I tell the cabbies to turn down the radio and be quiet when I have to make a call.

Steve

I also have had only a couple of serious problems, but they ARE always on the phone, usually handheld.

I usually take cabs to the South Side, so they have no choice but to follow my directions.

My biggest gripe is that they never take your credit card. I only ask when I am coming from the airport (i.e., when the ride will be $40ish, not $10ish) and they always say yes (because they have to) and yet somehow the machine never seems to work when we get to my place.

I was always in the habit of asking as soon as I got in the car if the driver knew the route or if I should direct him, so I never really ran into that issue.

Most of them have been helpful with luggage, but then I am a smallish looking girl, so that may be why.

Some of them have been really really wonderful. Most have been so-so. I've only run into a few awful ones.

I guess I've just been on a cold streak with these guys lately.

I AM going to start telling them to hang up the phone though - that is a safety issue.

So how much do you tip these guys anyways? I usually will give up to $5 for an airport run if they are polite and I'm chatting with them, but obviously less if they're on the phone the whole time. For short rides around town I usually just add a $1 and change to the fare. Is that about right?

I usually give a few bucks tip, often it's determined by the cab fare. For example...$7.50 cab fare, I leave a $10. $11.15 cab fare...probably will give $13.

I have a friend who, when she gets into the cab, if the driver is on the phone, asks him to hang up. If he doesn't, she gets out. If he gets on the phone while driving, she asks him to hang up. If he doesn't, she asks him to pull over, pays and gets out. Granted, this is all "in town" driving, so that she'll be able to get another cab. I've been with her and seen this happen, so it's not just something that she talks about.

I always use Niles cab and stay away from the city cabs. Call when you get off the plane and they will pick you up.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/niles-flash-...ociation-niles

Will they pick-up/drop off in the city?

Yes, I live in Jefferson Park on the NW side. I just called them and there is no extra charge to Downtown.

Wait a minute! Didn't Chicago pass a law that you could not use hand held cell phones within the city limits? I thought you could only use speaker phones.

And isn't the Kennedy Expressway considered part of the Chicago Corridor all the way to O'Hare?

If so, this is a legal issue.

Are you close to the Niles border? They might think you live in Niles. It's not legal for any cab other then a city cab to take a ride that begins and ends in the city, including the airport.