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AIBU?

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To think this man is a possible contender for worst taxi driver?

107 replies

ItsAllMehMehMeh · 12/12/2016 13:57

I booked with a local firm to take us to the airport and collect us on our return and paid in advance. I gave all the flight details in case we were delayed etc.

Our outbound journey was quite early (6am). As soon as we were loaded up etc. he began hacking his guts up every few minutes, at times opening the window to spit out if it. I also caught him checking his hand to see if he'd 'caught' anything. He tail-gated on the motorway at speeds up to 90 mph. The most upsetting thing happened when he ran over two cats in a residential area. The DC were in the car and DP began arguing with him whilst he denied that he'd hit them but we felt them go under the wheel and he swerved too late Sad. He was saying 'let's go back and check then' but we would have missed our flight. When we arrived (with minutes to spare for check in) he demanded to take the receipt the firm had provided so he could get paid by them even though it was my only proof that I'd already paid for both journeys Hmm

Our return flight was significantly delayed but he'd not bothered checking and complained that he'd been waiting. He then sped up the motorway, again at 90 mph, tailgating so close I had to shut my eyes. There is a stretch of road that is very windy and borders a reservoir with a steep drop. There have been so many accidents on this stretch yet he continued to drive too fast and close to other vehicles. DP had to tell him to get off his mobile too as we were so scared on this particular stretch.

I know I should probably complain but I don't like to make a fuss. Not the best start or finish to our holiday!

OP posts:
FannyFifer · 12/12/2016 13:59

He ran two cats over? Wtf

SortAllTheThings · 12/12/2016 14:00

I'd report him to the police!

xStefx · 12/12/2016 14:02

Fucking hell!!!

GeillisTheWitch · 12/12/2016 14:02

The police probably won't care about the cats but they might about the mobile phone use, could be difficult without proof though.

MinesAGin · 12/12/2016 14:03

Why the hell did you get in the car with him for the return journey?

PatMullins · 12/12/2016 14:04

Report him, he could kill someone ffs

wisemonkey · 12/12/2016 14:04

Of course you should report him, at the very least to the taxi company.

Huskylover1 · 12/12/2016 14:07

Sorry, you had me until the 2 cats......

Funny story though.

baconandeggies · 12/12/2016 14:07

I know I should probably complain but I don't like to make a fuss.

FFS - what WOULD he have had to have done for you to make a complaint? Actually crashed?

Aquasport · 12/12/2016 14:09

Two cats??

stitchglitched · 12/12/2016 14:11

I don't believe you, simply because I cannot believe that anybody would be so utterly stupid as to get into a car with him again, with their children, for the return journey.

PatMullins · 12/12/2016 14:11

Oh...hang on Hmm

WhatInTheWorldIsGoingOn · 12/12/2016 14:12

Two cats? Since I started driving I've only had the opportunity to run over one cat. Were the cats giving each other a piggy back across the road blindfolded?

JennyOnAPlate · 12/12/2016 14:13
Hmm
insancerre · 12/12/2016 14:15

2 cats?
Xmas Biscuit

HermioneJeanGranger · 12/12/2016 14:18
Hmm
ItsAllMehMehMeh · 12/12/2016 14:21

This is absolutely genuine. My DP was in the front passenger seat so I didn't see the cats, I just felt the vehicle swerve and go over something. DP then started saying 'you ran over them'. DP told me the cats were in the road sitting staring at each other but came into view at the last minute as we were going up a hill and the headlights caught them moments before he went over them.

The driver told us that it would be someone else collecting us, we'd already paid and were three hours later than we were supposed to be. The DC were tired and hungry (they ran out of food on the plane) and I didn't have the money to pay someone else so we reluctantly got in. If I'd had any other choice, I'd have not got in.

I'm in two minds about complaining. I just don't like to do it as a rule.

OP posts:
HermioneJeanGranger · 12/12/2016 14:25

If he was that bad, why in the name of fuck did you get into a car with him on the way home?

diamondofdoom · 12/12/2016 14:26

HmmHmm

wasonthelist · 12/12/2016 14:28

Normal minicab service around here, sadly OP. I have given up using local taxi firms, tried lots and they are all as bad.

stitchglitched · 12/12/2016 14:28

Well first thing you should have done when you got out of the taxi was ring the company and demand a refund for the return journey or at the very least a different driver. He was driving at 90, on his mobile, running over animals, with your kids in the car and not only do you dither about complaining but you also get back in the car with him?

ItsALLAboutMeMeMeMeME · 12/12/2016 14:28

Unreasonable? Bloody irresponsible more like. Of course you should complain, for the safety of other passengers if nothing else. The man is a menace on the road and he shouldn't have a taxi badge. I'm wondering why you didn't call the taxi company and complain from the airport after the drop off. You must have had some time in the departure lounge after check-in. You could have told them then you did not want this driver for the return leg.

DeepanKrispanEven · 12/12/2016 14:29

You should have contacted the taxi company while you were away to say that he was not to collect you. Why would you put your reluctance to complain above your family's safety?

LoisWilkersonsLastNerve · 12/12/2016 14:31

Good gawd woman, COMPLAIN. He's dangerous.

ItsAllMehMehMeh · 12/12/2016 14:31

I'm guessing all the Hmm faces mean that others agree this was exceptionally bad, to the point it sounds far fetched. I'm a long time poster but regularly NC. I posted because it was an upsetting experience after what turned out to be a slightly stressful holiday and fairly stressful flight (no meals booked as we were supposed to arrive before tea time but the delay meant it was over a meal time and so they totally ran out of food before getting to our seats). I have no reason to lie, particularly about something as mundane as a taxi journey Confused.

OP posts:
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