I live a short and direct distance from the airport. Our house was bought so that we could taxi to the airport when needed. Now being a local and being picked up from my home, you would THINK that cabbies wouldn't be BOLD enough to try and scam me right...WRONG!
After picking me up for an early morning flight, the cabbie tried to go the opposite direction to the airport and tried to convince me it was shorter. I told him to do a u-turn and take me the way I wanted. I mean, I live a very direct route to the airport. There is only one logically conceived route to the airport, it cannot be mistaken. My husband has walked to/from the airport from our house when he didn't want to wait in the taxi line. No sidewalks though. I wouldn't dare do it.
Then returning from Christmas vacation, I read the amount on the meter and had my money and tip out and ready. I handed him the money and he added the airport fee on top of the meter and said it verbally. I told him I thought the fee was already on the meter, then he changed his story as I was getting more money out to add to the tip, but yet he hurriedly said no problem and left. Do they add the fee on top of the meter or is it added at the beginning? I try to take a cab as minimal as possible due to their behavior. I only take one if I have an extremely early flight or no one is available to bum a ride. Sometimes I ask my neighbor to avoid it.
But yes, if they are picking me up from my house or hitting the breaks before a green light for me a local, that lives a few direct miles from the airport, I can't imagine what they do to tourists.
Except that I give direct directions, I really would like to see if they would dare attempt to take me through the tunnel to get home. I can see one doing it.
