Thank you for your answer about it being against the law for taxis to pick up passengers who hail them from a Strip sidewalk. But what about other streets, like E. Tropicana or W. Sahara? And your link to the results of the previous poll on view restaurants is at the bottom of the page.
Yes, it's a little confusing, so we called the Taxicab Authority for the final word and this is what we were told.
If there's a cab stand nearby, such as at a casino or another venue where people gather, that's where you should go, even if it's a short walk, to catch one.
If, however, it's a long walk to a cab stand, you're allowed to try to hail a cab from the street and cab drivers are allowed to stop for you, as long as they won't be blocking traffic (for example, stopping in the right lane of W. Tropicana near Decatur) or otherwise endangering the public safety.
Keep in mind that the TA discourages cabbies from picking up "flags," which represent the highest percentage of cab robberies. That's why they -- and cabbies -- prefer passengers at cab stands: At most, surveillance cameras are taping the action.
Plus, with the ubiquity of cell phones, it's a simple matter to call the cab company and have them dispatch a car to pick you up at your location. (And there's always Lyft and Uber if you've downloaded the apps.)
In the worst-case scenario where you're trying to flag a cab, it's best to try to position yourself in a place where the driver can pull off the street. The example our TA contact gave was a 7-Eleven with a big driveway. Obviously, you don't want to stand in the middle of the driveway, but enough in front of it that the driver will 1) see you, 2) have enough time to change lanes if necessary, and 3) be able to slow down enough so that he's not screeching into the convenience-store parking lot.
The TA also told us that drivers without passengers are always on the lookout for a fare, so you shouldn't wave your arms like you're desperate or have just robbed the 7-Eleven and need a getaway car. Raising a hand over your head and trying to make eye contact with the driver will suffice. Also obviously, don't try to hail a cab while you're standing in a bus stop.
Finally, a few years ago, the TA rescinded all restrictions on cab drivers in terms of geography. Before then, some cabs weren't allowed to pick up at the airport, Strip, or downtown; they could drop off in those places, but they were restricted from picking up. This gave passengers away from the tourist corridor a chance to get a cab. But when Uber and Lyft came along, the TA realized that the restrictions gave ride-share drivers an unfair advantage, so all restrictions were lifted.
Anyone wanting to see the results of the poll on restaurants with the best views in Vegas can click here.
