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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About not telling taxi drivers what time my train is?

39 replies

TheHouseOnTheCorner · 13/05/2012 11:24

Ok I admit I CAN be a control freak but this has always annoyed me. I book a cab (a black one) to the train station and ask for it to be here at 12.40train goes at 1.03...I have 2 DC and know that I need plenty of time as I have to buy tickets etc...find platform....the cab operator ALWAYS says "What time's your train?"

I don't want to tell them because I know how much time I need...I think that if I tel them it's at 1.03 they'll push it with the time they come "Oh it's ok to be 5 minutes late for this woman as her train isn't until 1.03"

The station is 5 mins drive from my home.

AIBU to avoid telling them the time of my train?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheHouseOnTheCorner · 13/05/2012 11:24

And why else would they need to know what time my train is?

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 13/05/2012 11:25

If they are 5 minutes late due to that, or any reason, find a new taxi company. Talk about bad business practice.

Perhaps they want to know in case they know of a traffic snarl and want to tell the driver to go a different way? Or a plethora of other reasons.

Original poster
TheHouseOnTheCorner · 13/05/2012 11:27

Well they're not late Tee as I said, I am a control freak and wont give them an excuse for it.

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 13/05/2012 11:28

They want to know because they don't want to find you've not allowed enough time, and you then blame them when you miss the train.

Just tell them you need 15 minutes in the station because you need time to buy tickets?

Birdsgottafly · 13/05/2012 11:29

And why else would they need to know what time my train is

So that they can make sure that they are not late Confused.

Do you always think so negatively?

McHappyPants2012 · 13/05/2012 11:29

i think you are mad getting a taxi for such a short trip.

Trills · 13/05/2012 11:29

YANBU to not tell them information that is not critical

but YABU to assume that they would use it as "an excuse to be late"

insancerre · 13/05/2012 11:30

YABU
They are asking so that they can make sure they get you there on time
What's wrong with replying 'my train is at 1.03 but I need to buy tickets first'?
Is it an urban myth that you can sue the taxi firm if you miss your train? seem to remember reading something like that

Flisspaps · 13/05/2012 11:30

McHappy that was my thought, and I have 2 small children and don't drive

Tee2072 · 13/05/2012 11:32

You are makIng an erroneous assumption due to your own anxiety. Just tell them.

Trills · 13/05/2012 11:33

I imagine the only thing they will do with the information is to say "If you want to make the 1:03 train we'll have to pick you up at 12:45 or before" if you were trying to book at taxi and not leaving sufficient time to get there.

squeakytoy · 13/05/2012 11:33

I would assume it is so that they make sure they are NOT late.. and I would probably book it early enough to allow me 15 minutes in case they are late, and then I could walk it...

NoMoreMissusNiceGuy · 13/05/2012 11:33

My dh used to drive taxis and I just asked him what he would do ... if would he ask what time your train is.

He said he would ask incase you weren't giving yourself enough time. For example, you might be asking for a cab at 12.40 for a train at 12.45 if it's only a 5 minute drive away, but this doesn't allow for traffic jams/hold ups.

BUT, personally, I would just lie :o and tell tem I was going for a train at 12.55 or something.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 13/05/2012 11:33

Maybe the OP has limited mobility, or a large suitcase. Does it matter why she needs the taxi? Hmm I sometimes pay £1.30 to go 3 stops on the bus home from the school run because it just hurts too much to walk the mile. Am I somehow doing something wrong or weird? And I have three small and two large children and don't drive Hmm

TheLaminator · 13/05/2012 11:34

I wouldnt avoid telling them the time of the train, but would tell them you need to arrive early as you need to arrange ramps onto train with station staff as you have children & pushchair.../need to buy tickets/get everyone to the loo etc.
I`ve worked in taxi office, i think its just a standard question. as long as you are clear with the that you need to be there in plenty of time, they should send the taxi for the time you book it.

stressheaderic · 13/05/2012 11:35

I'd just lie and say it's at 12.53 or something

Tee2072 · 13/05/2012 11:37

I am honestly shocked at people assuming the taxi company is asking in order to be late to the extent that they would lie about the time of their train. How incredibly silly.

Agreed that why she needs the taxi or why she needs to leave a bit early is her business.

PurplePidjin · 13/05/2012 11:38

Maybe they've got a pick up booked at around that time and want to coordinate the two? Particularly important if the pickup needs a certain vehicle (people carrier, wheelchair accessible?)

allthequeensmen · 13/05/2012 11:50

Its good to tell them, when I once ordered a taxi estimating i'd need 10min to get there the taxi firm told me there were significant road works to the rear of the station and would need to leave more time unless i wanted to get out and walk the last bit.

Call me crazy but I assume any service or worker wants to provide the best service possible and any questions asked are to help improve that service.. maybe I'm just a cup half full kinda girl!

ramblinrose · 13/05/2012 13:22

They always ask me too. I think it's pretty standard.
Someone once told me that if you book a taxi to the station and the taxi is late, causing you to miss your train, the taxi must take you to your destination.
I'm not sure I believe this. Would like to know if it's true though.

boredandrestless · 13/05/2012 13:40

They ask because some people (like my mum) cannot plan time properly and are bloody late for everything - it is to make sure you have factored in enough time.

I am like you, like to be in control, plan well, and like to have lots of time before a train/coach/flight is leaving. People who are always late do as another poster said, book transport with no leeway in their time frame to account for traffic problems, late taxi, accident, etc.

I understand why they ask, I do reply, but I tell them the train is leaving 15 mins before it actually is.

Gentleness · 13/05/2012 13:53

Can't you just say, " I need to be at the station by 12.45 to get everything sorted," and leave it at that.

Blatherskite · 13/05/2012 13:55

What a 'the world is out to get me' attitude!

They're probably making sure you've left enough time to get there.

mirry2 · 13/05/2012 13:55

Just lie. Tell them the train is 20 minutes earlier than it actually is

madmouse · 13/05/2012 13:58

No ramblinrose of course that's not true. Your contract with the taxi company covers them taking you to your destination. That's all. Imagine what taxi fares would be like if they had to include insurance for the possibility that the driver would get held up due to a road closure/accident and would have to drive you from Birmingham to Edinborough.

As a lawyer I always wonder who makes up these laws..