Nothing to do with Traveling folk, but a lot to with fake Private Hire/Mini Cabs. Story goes 4 older ladies out for night at the theatre leave the
performance a little early knowing they have a reputable private hire car booked to pick them up. The lady who booked the taxi isn't tec savy and
can't use txt. They stand on the steps of the theatre and are approached by a man of afro-caribean origin speaking poor english. Then the lady
who booked the car is getting txt on her granny phone from the real hire company say her car is 2 minutes away but she leaves them unopened.
To cut along story short when the real hire car firm phones them and the ladies start asking question but are so unworldy they feed the driver all
the answers they expect to hear.
The fact they had been hijacked only occurred to one of the ladies when she related her story to her policeman son telling him how wild the guys
driving was.
Clearly it was an unlicensed private hire car, probably with absolutely no form of insurance, likely driven by a driver who had never sat a driving
test, and more than likely an illegal immigrant.
So warn all your vulnerable relatives and friends young and old.
[Edited on 11/12/14 by britishtrident]
This happens all the time...
Standard practice at Bangkok airport when I went though is for the local touts to observe the reputable companies and how they collet their pre-booked
(and pre paid) customers... and then just abduct people as they get off the plane tired and confused pretending to be their contact...
They drive you to your destination and then demand an enormous fee.... one of the lads staying in my hotel had this exact issue....
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Clearly it was an unlicensed private hire car, probably with absolutely no form of insurance, likely driven by a driver who had never sat a driving test, and more than likely an illegal immigrant.
[Edited on 11/12/14 by britishtrident]
Unlicensed minicabs have been around, and will be around all the time there's mini-cabbing, but given how easy it is to get a private hire
licence (And ways around needing one) I don't actually think there's much of a problem in the UK and I've been in licenced taxis worse
than a lot of those and for the biggest rip off, leave a fixed price zone in a licenced Hackney, In Bristol as soon as you cross the county line you
start paying huge fares.
If you go to the cities in Russia, I'm told pretty much anyone will pick people up and negotiate a price to take them somewhere.
From the description of the driver and how he behaved, sounds like a proper taxi driver to me in London/Bristol/Birmingham 
quote:
Originally posted by daviep
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Clearly it was an unlicensed private hire car, probably with absolutely no form of insurance, likely driven by a driver who had never sat a driving test, and more than likely an illegal immigrant.
[Edited on 11/12/14 by britishtrident]
Are you sure you didn't read this in the News of the World or a UKIP leaflet?
I'm not saying it didn't happen I'm just amazed at how far you've managed to extrapolate, perhaps if you focus your mind you can come up with a make and model or even a registration number?
Cheers
Davie
quote:
Originally posted by daviep
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Clearly it was an unlicensed private hire car, probably with absolutely no form of insurance, likely driven by a driver who had never sat a driving test, and more than likely an illegal immigrant.
[Edited on 11/12/14 by britishtrident]
Are you sure you didn't read this in the News of the World or a UKIP leaflet?
I'm not saying it didn't happen I'm just amazed at how far you've managed to extrapolate, perhaps if you focus your mind you can come up with a make and model or even a registration number?
Cheers
Davie
quote:
Originally posted by daviep
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Clearly it was an unlicensed private hire car, probably with absolutely no form of insurance, likely driven by a driver who had never sat a driving test, and more than likely an illegal immigrant.
[Edited on 11/12/14 by britishtrident]
Are you sure you didn't read this in the News of the World or a UKIP leaflet?
I'm not saying it didn't happen I'm just amazed at how far you've managed to extrapolate, perhaps if you focus your mind you can come up with a make and model or even a registration number?
Cheers
Davie
Fake Taxis have been around since Taxis started.
Normal practice is to hang around town on a Friday / Saturday night and pick up the drunks. Seen it happen, drunk approaches a car says "Taxi for
.....?", driver says "yes" and away they go.
Not that a normal Taxi is any better. Workshop a couple down does a lot of Taxis. Drivers are rude and conversations reveal they see customers as
targets for all sorts, can't drive to save their life and the standard of workmanship is appalling. Twice in the last month, cars that have been
worked on, have had wheels drop off as they drive past our workshop!!!(all of 20m) Makes you wonder if cars are bolted together at all.
I think I would rather my daughter walk home, on her own, in the rain, late at night than get in one of these cars.
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
+1
No facts, lots of rumour = lazy right-wing jounalism
"gypsie" cabs exist in NY because it's so hard/expensive toget a cab licence.. no that hard here.
Get a grip people.
This is neither Left, Right or UKIP.
See it more as a public service message.
Illegal cabs been around since they were drawn by horses.
For those who can not see the light try living in an area of more than 12 houses or a cave.
Luton, Slough, Birmingham, London, Peterborough, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow.........
.... all have this issue
Unlicensed cabs are driven by all nationalities, illegal immigrant and otherwise, some more than others.
If you want a decent cab, get a black cab in London driven by a guy in a flat cap and an old cardigan.
If nothing else it will be opinion forming.
Because, if you had no opinions when you got in you will have received enough to last you a week by the time you get out.
quote:
Get a grip people.
This is neither Left, Right or UKIP.
quote:
and more than likely an illegal immigrant.
quote:
Originally posted by JacksAvon
For those who can not see the light try living in an area of more than 12 houses or a cave.
Luton, Slough, Birmingham, London, Peterborough, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow.........
.... all have this issue
I used to work with someone who frequently hired unlicensed cabs in London, get the driver to take him a mile or so from home in Essex then do a
runner 
ATB
Simon
"Glad the man from the heaving metropolis that is Lincolnshire pointed that out to me..."
Formerly of Acton, Shepherds Bush, Willesden and latterly the much more salubrious Putney
quote:
Originally posted by JacksAvon
"Glad the man from the heaving metropolis that is Lincolnshire pointed that out to me..."
Formerly of Acton, Shepherds Bush, Willesden and latterly the much more salubrious Putney
As others have already pointed out its been going on as long as there have been cabs, it doesn't make it right of course and could be downright dangerous How many females have been raped by " unlicensed drivers" ? Or worse? As in Cambridge a few year back when a young student was killed by a Scottish squady based just outside of Cambridge , he went on to top himself . At least licensed cars have some sort of safety check twice a year in Cambridge, but most mechanics do not hold the correct driving licence to road test licences hire cars(but can road test Hackney cabs) There have been cases in the last few years when women have been attacked by licenced drivers as well as Hackney cab drivers. Passengers should also take into consideration the fact that they are not covered by the vehicles insurance in the case of an accident