In message , Tristán White
writes
Hi there

Can anyone help me help out my mate?

He is arriving at London Gatwick at 00:10 on Thursday night/Friday
morning, from the Canary Islands.

Arriving with his missus and their 9kg baby.

He didn't plan things out properly and thought he could take the train
and then the tube. By the time he's cleared airport baggage etc he
probably won't.

ANYONE KNOW WHAT HE CAN DO? Other than shell out over-the-odds to some
airport shark that charges about £60 quid for the privilege?

He's going from Gatwick to his home in Surrey Quays. Obviously the cab
would need to come ALREADY WITH A BABY SEAT to accommodate his 9 kilo
daughter.

Thank you....

Perhaps recommendations of cab offices etc that can be prebooked.
There used to be someone that used to hang out on these newsgroups
that did an excellent service.

That could be me!

First of all the metered fare to/from Gatwick and Surrey Quays is about
£80 which is what they would have to pay to get a fully licensed and
insured London (black) taxi.

Secondly - child seats. The latest TX model taxis have a pull down
section in the middle of the rear seat which doubles up as an arm rest
and also as a child's seat, raising small children up so that the seat
belt can be securely fastened.

As it happens I live south of Gatwick (in Worthing) so a fare in to
London is ideal for me. However, I usually start a lot earlier than
midnight, so can't offer do the job for my usual (lower) rate.

I don't know (without trying it out) whether or not the baby can be put
in to the child seat and the younger child then sat on the rear facing
tip up seat which may be the answer.

Ideally of course, one baby seat would be required, but these are not
normally carried on London taxis and I don't know of any radio taxi
companies that provide this service - passengers usually provide their
own seat when I've done it in the past.

If I can be of any further help let me know.

Mike

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England