In message , Paul Corfield
writes
On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 15:06:16 +0100, "John Rowland"
wrote:

Jkf wrote:

I have been amazed by and grateful for all the responses
to my note. I'm working on figuring out the best method.

While the devotion shown by many on this group to buses and trains is
touching, you aren't in England every day and probably don't get that much
holiday time per year, so this probably isn't a good time to slum it. In
this circumstance I think you should get a taxi from Heathrow to the exact
address in Blackheath, rather than worry about relying on at least three
trains or buses all being punctual. Make sure you get a proper taxi from the
taxi rank - there are numerous illegal chaps touting "taxis" in the airport,
and these have been known to take very circuitous slow routes, and aren't
insured.

Come on John - it's not devotion to a favoured mode it's about trying to
be helpful. There are some people on here who do or have worked in the
taxi / private hire business (you're one IIRC) which is fair enough and
they've had their say too in this thread.

I suspect that I would struggle to spot an illegal taxi at Heathrow (or
any airport for that matter) so quite why the OP will have developed a
sixth sense to be able to do so I know not.

Quite simple: Do not accept *any* offer by someone purporting to take
you to the 'taxi'. Look for the signs guiding you to the taxi rank where
you will find taxis properly ranked up with one or two BAA authorised
agents controlling the queue of taxis and customers ensuring that the
first taxi takes the first customer (if within the 20 mile compellable
distance). Each licensed taxi has a licence plate on the rear and is
fitted with a taxi meter.

The big danger with attempting to arrange for a 'mini-cab' to pick you
up is that you do not know the person and you do not know what vehicle
you are getting into. It is these circumstances that the touts attempt
to exploit. All of these are uninsured, many do not even have driving
licences!

At least a London taxi is easily recognised and is controlled and
regulated. If you were arriving at an unfamiliar (if indeed the OP is
unfamiliar with London) location which would you rather try to use?

There are pluses and minuses
to all of the choices that have been put forward so let's not get into a
"bidding war" as to which is best.

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