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

Many thanks,

Joanne


AstraVanMan wrote:
"Londoncityslicker" wrote:
Heathrow to Blackheath in an hour would be a struggle by any mode of
transport. More like 1:30 on a good day. And probably closer to 2 hours
in reality.

Nah, most of the services are pretty frequent and reliable - within 1h15m
from the Heathrow Express departing to the train pulling up in Blackheath
should be quite possible. Simple things like getting near the front of the
hEx train to get straight down to the tube, and changing at the right places
(i.e. easy ones) will help a lot.

Depending on terminal it can take about 15 minutes just to get from the
exit of customs to either the Underground or Heathrow Express.

Suppose there is that....

Suggestions above are fine. Although I would think the cabbie would
have to go some speed and know his way around to get to Blackheath in
1hr.

Well they should know their way around, given that they've all got the
Knowledge.

So you'll have to tell them you want to get there by 11pm and let
them know you are in a rush.

BTW. Why do you so urgently need to get to Blackheath for 11?

--
"For want of the price of tea and a slice, the old man died."

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.

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. 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.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

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

On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 19:24:08 +0100, Mike Hughes
wrote:

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?

Completely honest answer is that I avoid taxis wherever I travel. I have
paid for a black cab once in 23 years as I had a lot of luggage with me
but even then it was a struggle to get a cab as I was outside the
compulsory limit. The only other time was when I was with work
colleagues who decided to use one - quite why when we have free travel I
know not.

I always research the public transport options before I go anywhere and
I certainly make sure that the airport - central area / hotel journey is
feasible by public transport. I then use public transport at my
destination where I need to - most tourists walk extensively when they
are on hols anyway. Just call me odd.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

In message , Paul Corfield
writes
Just call me odd.

OK Odd :-))

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

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.

Many thanks,

Joanne

My suggestion is that you pre-book a licensed mini-cab rather than use
a black cab, because the price could be a lot lower. But your best bet
if you want to save the money is not to pre-book in advance but to call
while you are waiting for your baggage. If you book in advance they
will charge you waiting time from the time your plane lands.

If the Blackwall Tunnel is open at the time and not too busy then the
journey could probably be completed in less than an hour via M4/A4 and
along the Embankment. It can sometimes be faster to go along the South
side of the river (short side of the bend) via Southwark (Baylis Road
etc) then through Bermondsey. (Following the A2 is usually not a great
idea).

There is a local (licensed) mini-cab company called LHR Cars that have
a good system. You pre-book with them giving approx arrival time. When
you arrive in the baggage hall, give them a call and they will pick you
up once you get out. Sometimes there is bit of a palaver about the
pickup (i.e. how to recognise their car and how they spot you), so it's
a bit slower than catching a cab, but it's cheaper.

-- Harry

Earl Purple 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.

Many thanks,

Joanne

My suggestion is that you pre-book a licensed mini-cab rather than use
a black cab, because the price could be a lot lower. But your best bet
if you want to save the money is not to pre-book in advance but to call
while you are waiting for your baggage. If you book in advance they
will charge you waiting time from the time your plane lands.

If the Blackwall Tunnel is open at the time and not too busy then the
journey could probably be completed in less than an hour via M4/A4 and
along the Embankment. It can sometimes be faster to go along the South
side of the river (short side of the bend) via Southwark (Baylis Road
etc) then through Bermondsey. (Following the A2 is usually not a great
idea).

In message . com,
NewsPosting writes
There is a local (licensed) mini-cab company called LHR Cars that have
a good system. You pre-book with them giving approx arrival time. When
you arrive in the baggage hall, give them a call and they will pick you
up once you get out. Sometimes there is bit of a palaver about the
pickup (i.e. how to recognise their car and how they spot you),

Which is where the touts are ready to pounce. That's why it's safer to
use a proper licensed taxi from the rank which is controlled by the BAA
agents.

Since the licensing of minicabs the advice about their prices is no
longer as clear cut as some would believe. Many of them charge more -
and in some cases a lot more - than the metered rate. Their prices have
risen because they have found that licensing involves costs which the
traditional taxis have always had (proper insurance, vehicle testing,
PCO costs, etc). There is also a reduction in the numbers of minicab
drivers as previously many of them were working outside of any legal
framework. To attract people and keep them operators are having to put
up their prices.

Basically, if it seems very cheap there is every chance that the driver
and/or vehicle may not be properly licensed and insured.

I believe that the OP is a female who *may* be coming to the UK for the
first time (correct me if I'm wrong please). In these circumstances I'd
suggest that she uses a taxi rather than any minicab company as she
doesn't have any knowledge about them. If she's able to get one from
*personal* recommendation (rather than off this thread) then she *may*
wish to use them - but can she be sure it's properly licensed and
insured?


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

Mike Hughes wrote:

Which is where the touts are ready to pounce. That's why it's safer to
use a proper licensed taxi from the rank which is controlled by the BAA
agents.

Lol, get into the car of one of the touts claiming to be your driver.
When you get to the other end, tell them it was booked on account.

No, seriously, it's now licensed just like taxi drivers except that the
drivers don't need to pass "the knowledge". The taxis have the
advantage that they can ply for hire on the street whilst mini-cabs (or
"private hire") cars have to be booked through their official operator.

Since the licensing of minicabs the advice about their prices is no
longer as clear cut as some would believe. Many of them charge more -
and in some cases a lot more - than the metered rate. Their prices have
risen because they have found that licensing involves costs which the
traditional taxis have always had (proper insurance, vehicle testing,
PCO costs, etc).

They have always required 3rd party insurance. The vehicle testing is
now heavier than it used to be - I think they require a 6-monthly test
rather than just the regular MOT, and the cars carry a green badge if
the test has been passed. Note that the green badge on the car is NOT
an indication that the driver is licenced. The driver should carry his
own ID badge.

As for the price, the operator will set the price in advance, usually
based on the distance between the postcode zones.

There is also a reduction in the numbers of minicab
drivers as previously many of them were working outside of any legal
framework. To attract people and keep them operators are having to put
up their prices.

Actually the fact that there are fewer of them would benefit the
drivers who would be spending more time working and less time hanging
around. The major problem is that the majority of the operators only
get business from their local area and the drivers have to return to
base empty. In fact networking the smaller operators together and
limiting the number of hours that a driver is allowed to work would be
the best thing they could do next for the business. Note that I think
the hours that a black cab driver is allowed to work should also be
limited, and these limits should be the same as those that apply to bus
and lorry drivers (and should apply to delivery van drivers too).

Basically, if it seems very cheap there is every chance that the driver
and/or vehicle may not be properly licensed and insured.

Less likely than before now they are licenced.

I believe that the OP is a female who *may* be coming to the UK for the
first time (correct me if I'm wrong please). In these circumstances I'd
suggest that she uses a taxi rather than any minicab company as she
doesn't have any knowledge about them. If she's able to get one from
*personal* recommendation (rather than off this thread) then she *may*
wish to use them - but can she be sure it's properly licensed and
insured?

Yes, if someone else books one for her. In fact it might be a good idea
to book a cab from the Blackheath area as they are more likely to know
the best route. Friday night is a busy night but it tends to get busy
later on.

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