Taxi,taxi.

[TANGODANCER]

The taxi; that great institution of getting you from A-B with courtesy and as cheaply as possible. Well, er yes.

So the cost is no longer cheap, but the service always useful. One firm even asks you if you have milk and bread in after picking you up from the airport and will stop at a shop for you if needed. That's the plus bit. Here's the minus:

This morning, not for the first time, my wife had to take our small dog to the vets. She had to be there for 9 am. At 8-15 she tried to book a taxi with two firms only to be told they were having trouble finding a driver who would take a dog (albeit though the journey was only about a mile and a half and the dog would sit on her knee). Apparently, the drivers were all Asian extraction and flatly refused to do this. Eventually, time passing, she managed to get one sent. On seeing she had the dog, the driver claimed he hadn't been informed about the dog and refused to allow her into the cab. She had to contact a third firm who got her to the vets with one minute to spare (the dog had an op booked).

Now if the dog had been a great Dane or a St Bernard, I could understand the reaction; it's a twelve inches high, Shihtzu. What the hell is happening?. I am not discriminating against Asian drivers as some of them will take dogs, but against the firm owners who allow the drivers to make their own rules and lay down unreasonable demands. Not good enough in my opinion and again, I ask, what the hell's happening?

[blurred]

but against the firm owners who allow the drivers to make their own rules and lay down unreasonable demands.

In most cases the firms don't own the taxis, though (assuming this is Mr Mohammed Naved in his 150,000 miles on the clock Skoda Octavia). It is the drivers car, and their responsibility, they just pay the firm a fee for the radio license thingy and a rake of their takings. Fair enough it sounds unreasonable that a taxi wouldn't take a pocket-sized canine a couple of miles, but it's not really the fault of the taxi company I'd imagine.

[Gertie]

Tango, I do understand why some drivers aren't keen on taking dogs, what if it messes in the car? What if it bites etc etc. What if the driver isn't keen on dogs one bit, my friend is scared silly of and kinds dogs, no matter how small so driving round with one in car doesn't sound a good idea.


I've got a large cat carrier that I take my cats to the vet in, it's probably large enough to fit a small dog, that might persuade them that the dog wouldn't be a problem, if the dog is secured. I got mine from the pet shop on the Middlebrook complex. It's big enough for both my cats to fit safely in together.

That said the vets I use for my boys, it's opposite Queens Park on Chorley New Road and they advertise a taxi service especially for pets going to the vets. I have to go soon to get Sooty's annual injections so I could pick up a card for you with the details on, then you won't have problems in the future.

It's not just for that vets they will deliver to any practice in the area.

Hope your wee puppy is well

[TANGODANCER]

Tango, I do understand why some drivers aren't keen on taking dogs, what if it messes in the car? What if it bites etc etc. What if the driver isn't keen on dogs one bit, my friend is scared silly of and kinds dogs, no matter how small so driving round with one in car doesn't sound a good idea.


I've got a large cat carrier that I take my cats to the vet in, it's probably large enough to fit a small dog, that might persuade them that the dog wouldn't be a problem, if the dog is secured. I got mine from the pet shop on the Middlebrook complex. It's big enough for both my cats to fit safely in together.

That said the vets I use for my boys, it's opposite Queens Park on Chorley New Road and they advertise a taxi service especially for pets going to the vets. I have to go soon to get Sooty's annual injections so I could pick up a card for you with the details on, then you won't have problems in the future.

It's not just for that vets they will deliver to any practice in the area.

Hope your wee puppy is well

Cheers Gertie, that would be great and stop me moaning. You're a doll.

[TANGODANCER]

but against the firm owners who allow the drivers to make their own rules and lay down unreasonable demands.

In most cases the firms don't own the taxis, though (assuming this is Mr Mohammed Naved in his 150,000 miles on the clock Skoda Octavia). It is the drivers car, and their responsibility, they just pay the firm a fee for the radio license thingy and a rake of their takings. Fair enough it sounds unreasonable that a taxi wouldn't take a pocket-sized canine a couple of miles, but it's not really the fault of the taxi company I'd imagine.

Sign of the times I suppose... sigh... I'd still like to know how they get away with some of the rules though, like:

"It will be three pounds extra because you are a single fare" (happened to my neighbour's son a few week ago)

Like, how can a fare differ by one-pound-fifty, same day, same trip, same firm?

Like how do black cab meters alway manage to jump another twenty pence forward, after they stop?

Okay, rant over. Think they must work in dog pounds (coat on, but can't get a bloody taxi)

[Loyal White]

but against the firm owners who allow the drivers to make their own rules and lay down unreasonable demands.

In most cases the firms don't own the taxis, though (assuming this is Mr Mohammed Naved in his 150,000 miles on the clock Skoda Octavia). It is the drivers car, and their responsibility, they just pay the firm a fee for the radio license thingy and a rake of their takings. Fair enough it sounds unreasonable that a taxi wouldn't take a pocket-sized canine a couple of miles, but it's not really the fault of the taxi company I'd imagine.

Sign of the times I suppose... sigh... I'd still like to know how they get away with some of the rules though, like:

"It will be three pounds extra because you are a single fare" (happened to my neighbour's son a few week ago)

Like, how can a fare differ by one-pound-fifty, same day, same trip, same firm?

Like how do black cab meters alway manage to jump another twenty pence forward, after they stop?

Okay, rant over. Think they must work in dog pounds (coat on, but can't get a bloody taxi)

Reason black cabs are more expensive is because their insurance is higher as they are licensed to pick up people from the street. Normal cabs aren't insured this way, they need to be booked via phone or at the branch itself.

As someone mentioned before, each taxi driver is essentially self-employed, if they charge you more it's because they are pushing their luck. This is especially the case if you get picked up from town and are slightly drunk.

I know the charge from my house to town is around £4.50. As a result of this taxi drivers get a £5 from me - maximum, if someone charges me correctly (£4/£4.50) they get a tip - normally at least a £5, maybe a bit more if i've got some change from a night out. If a driver tries charging me more than £5 then I leave the £5 on the seat and get out of the cab. They never follow you, they realise that they've pushed their luck and you've said 'No i'm not bending over and taking it up the arse mr taxi driver, you can have the correct money and feck off'.

You may think that this just winds drivers up, however I use the same firm at least 3/4 times a week and have never had a problem. In fact I know a lot of drivers from that firm actually like picking me up because they know if they treat me right, then they'll do alright from me.

[Gertie]

Tango, I do understand why some drivers aren't keen on taking dogs, what if it messes in the car? What if it bites etc etc. What if the driver isn't keen on dogs one bit, my friend is scared silly of and kinds dogs, no matter how small so driving round with one in car doesn't sound a good idea.


I've got a large cat carrier that I take my cats to the vet in, it's probably large enough to fit a small dog, that might persuade them that the dog wouldn't be a problem, if the dog is secured. I got mine from the pet shop on the Middlebrook complex. It's big enough for both my cats to fit safely in together.

That said the vets I use for my boys, it's opposite Queens Park on Chorley New Road and they advertise a taxi service especially for pets going to the vets. I have to go soon to get Sooty's annual injections so I could pick up a card for you with the details on, then you won't have problems in the future.

It's not just for that vets they will deliver to any practice in the area.

Hope your wee puppy is well

Cheers Gertie, that would be great and stop me moaning. You're a doll.

It would be my pleasure Tango, I'll let you know when I've got my Sooty booked in and I'll send you the details.

[Gertie]

Tango, I'm probably about 1000 years too late with this...

But, I was at the vet last night and saw the poster for the taxi service, so finally remembered to take down the details for you....


www.pets-to-the-vets.com

07961 897579

My old age is fuddling my memory!!! Hope that your pup is still well.

Gertsx

[TANGODANCER]

Tango, I'm probably about 1000 years too late with this...

But, I was at the vet last night and saw the poster for the taxi service, so finally remembered to take down the details for you....www.pets-to-the-vets.com 07961 897579 My old age is fuddling my memory!!! Hope that your pup is still well.

Gertsx

Cheers love, that info's always useful. Dog is very well...unfortunately, as he's hell on wheels right now. Thinks the full twenty four hour day is Alfie's world. Wouldn't be without him...but...there are times when....

[bobo the clown]

.... got her to the vets with one minute to spare ...

Would that not be 7 minutes in dog time ??

[TANGODANCER]

.... got her to the vets with one minute to spare ...

Would that not be 7 minutes in dog time ??

You want to try convincing the vet of that?

[Batman]

but against the firm owners who allow the drivers to make their own rules and lay down unreasonable demands.

In most cases the firms don't own the taxis, though (assuming this is Mr Mohammed Naved in his 150,000 miles on the clock Skoda Octavia). It is the drivers car, and their responsibility, they just pay the firm a fee for the radio license thingy and a rake of their takings. Fair enough it sounds unreasonable that a taxi wouldn't take a pocket-sized canine a couple of miles, but it's not really the fault of the taxi company I'd imagine.

racist

[bobo the clown]

but against the firm owners who allow the drivers to make their own rules and lay down unreasonable demands.

In most cases the firms don't own the taxis, though (assuming this is Mr Mohammed Naved in his 150,000 miles on the clock Skoda Octavia). It is the drivers car, and their responsibility, they just pay the firm a fee for the radio license thingy and a rake of their takings. Fair enough it sounds unreasonable that a taxi wouldn't take a pocket-sized canine a couple of miles, but it's not really the fault of the taxi company I'd imagine.

racist

That's just a name ... it doesn't indicate his race !!

[finlayson]

Most vets will let you board your pet overnight if you can't get their for 9am. Lets face it most of us can't.

I assume most will do this free of charge like ours does.

[Nozza]

Taxis should only be used when coming home from a night on the sauce.

[Dujon]

There has been the odd comment in the press here in Sydney regarding this problem. It seems that some drivers of a particular religious persuasion believe that dogs are 'unclean' and thus are not allowed by their belief to associate with them in any manner.

The reason the matter was raised was because blind people with guide dogs were at times having difficulty obtaining transport service from taximeter cabs.

[TANGODANCER]

Taxis should only be used when coming home from a night on the sauce.

My dog's tee-total.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

All this aside, if TW ever has a "Rant of the Season" award I know where my vote is going! TD's opening post in this thread is a masterpiece. I can almost feel the anger and indignation in every key stroke.

Top man, Tango!

[Bruce Rioja]

Taxis should only be used when coming home from a night on the sauce.

But then what would the Scutters do with their junk-food stuffed Netto bags that live 400 yards from the supermarket?

[LeeRoyBrown]

The taxi; that great institution of getting you from A-B with courtesy and as cheaply as possible. Well, er yes.

So the cost is no longer cheap, but the service always useful. One firm even asks you if you have milk and bread in after picking you up from the airport and will stop at a shop for you if needed. That's the plus bit. Here's the minus:

This morning, not for the first time, my wife had to take our small dog to the vets. She had to be there for 9 am. At 8-15 she tried to book a taxi with two firms only to be told they were having trouble finding a driver who would take a dog (albeit though the journey was only about a mile and a half and the dog would sit on her knee). Apparently, the drivers were all Asian extraction and flatly refused to do this. Eventually, time passing, she managed to get one sent. On seeing she had the dog, the driver claimed he hadn't been informed about the dog and refused to allow her into the cab. She had to contact a third firm who got her to the vets with one minute to spare (the dog had an op booked).

Now if the dog had been a great Dane or a St Bernard, I could understand the reaction; it's a twelve inches high, Shihtzu. What the hell is happening?. I am not discriminating against Asian drivers as some of them will take dogs, but against the firm owners who allow the drivers to make their own rules and lay down unreasonable demands. Not good enough in my opinion and again, I ask, what the hell's happening?

From what I know, it stems from back home in India and other surrounding countries where dogs are wild animals and the dogs are scared of humans and avoid them. However, In England, they are pets and are not afraid of humans and actively seek the affection, therefore dogs go towards people as oppose to avoiding them. Seems bizare, but thats what a mate of mine explained to me.

Then this fear is passed down through the family (children seeing their parents afraid of dogs causing them to be afraid etc. . .)

When I was at Blackburn college there was an asian lad on a college trip that ran off a cliff and subsequently died all because a dog was following him. He was that petrified.

I hope this help with understanding the fear of dogs, although I'm probably missing a few essential cultural points.