Missing in Vegas

Originally posted by: jstewa22

Kevin, have a look on Google Maps; South Nellis BLVD is the most direct route to Sam's Town from Tropicana.

 

In that instance, the driver argued with me for a while but ultimately followed my requested route after threatening to call the taxi authority.


The way you stated it, it sounded like you wanted to take Nellis from the airport, which is impossible. 

 

I know what you're referring to. If you're traveling east on Tropicana, you have the opportunity to cut north on Nellis. That will ostensibly save you about half a mile.

 

But here's why the evil intransigent cab driver argued with you. First, that route leads you squarely into the busiest intersection in that part of town: Nellis/Flamingo/Boulder. The traffic is always heavy and the signals take forever. Then, you're north of the entrance to Sam's, so you have to drive south on Boulder, make a U-turn, and double back. It would have been far easier to continue on Trop and turn left on Boulder. Straight shot to the casino entrance.

 

I know of whence I speak. I used to work there. I've found that Google Maps doesn't take stuff like this into account. The number of times it's led me all over hell's half acre are too many to count. I'll bet cab drivers absolutely hate it when the turistas in the back seat whip out their phones and tell them what the "best" route is.

Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis

When I lived in Vegas, there was this constant bitching after the freeway connection from the airport to the 515 loop was completed. The cabs took everyone to the Strip via that route, as opposed to surface streets, because the latter, though physically shorter, took much longer. The new route was essentially a buttonhook, and everybody screamed that they were being "long-hauled." That eventually resulted in the flat rate/zone policy.

 

I don't really know the subtle differences between Uber and Lyft, but I do know that they operate pretty much the same way: contract drivers, "surge" pricing, etc. I have no urge to use either.

 

I quite frankly am very, very tired of having to download an app to do every goddamn thing. I anticipate having to download the Crap App before I can use a public toilet. And as far as providing my credit card is concerned--I've had dozens of attempts thwarted to loot my bank account, post fraudulent charges, etc. I can't see putting my card ON FILE for someone else to use, even a noble rideshare company. Call me paranoid.

 

I think it's a myth that taxi drivers don't take the best route. The driver knows factors that the passenger doesn't. Particularly in the traffic nightmare than is Vegas, the best route may not be obvious, and it may not be obvious that the driver is taking the best route.


you mention "Crap App" and it made me giggle.  the local Metro train stops here in Los Angeles have a portable bathroom you text a phone number to unlock, and it texts you when its unlocked.  We're THIS CLOSE

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