Printable View
For a driver who abandons you in the Craft Market (true story) or scares you witless with his driving or allows you the be higgled everywhere you go ....no price is low enough.
A driver who treats you and your wishes with respect and looks after you from hello to see you again and makes that day a very special memory ....priceless
True Cap. I never short my drivers. Damned hard life they lead.
After certain "incidents" reported last year relative to taxi's, I've changed my taxi habits.
I bought a cell phone last year and kept my list of trusted drivers #s on it. It seemed that
if a driver knew that I had a phone and would punch him in...I got better service. Of course
I could be imagining that. Come to think of it I probably am!
One of those incidents is exactly why I am chartering this year. While I want to get off the beaten path and see other places this year, I'll be doing it with a board recommended driver. Some of the stories I have read on this very board about people using the same driver year after year has made me wonder why I have not been doing this. There are some pretty amusing trip reports where the driver has been an integral part of the visitors experience. In a way, it was for me last year... Just not how I wanted :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa Georgie
That is the absolute truth captaind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by captaind
I concur with Gwhizman.Very pleasant person to take you where you want to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gwhizman
We have a long time friend and red plate driver that has taken us to Oracabessa and back for many years. We leave early and get back late. We paid him $300 US the last couple years. Plus mama's home cooking when we get there. Sometimes I think mama looks forward to seeing him as much or more as she does us :)
My two cents on this, and if it lacks value please let me know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ras Walleye
If you reflect on your trip the cost associated with a no hassle ride equals peace of mind, than does it really matter? Splitting hairs between $20 for a day is trivial. Did you have a great time, did your driver look out for all the details that are important to you? Negril offers up all sorts of great options and for me peace of mind is paramount. Squeezing out your budget with a reputable driver should have zero consideration. Make it up elsewhere if need be.
1. You could talk to the redplate driver(s) that is likely a regular outside your hotel. Since you only want to go here-and-there-and-that-place locally, have them drop you off and pick you up, don't force him to stay with you (except when going to Sav of course, and possibly the craft market). That way his time is his to catch a couple other fares while remaining alert for your calls. You will have a cell phone, right? Tell him you want an alternate driver's name and number that you can call if he's unable to come right away, or on his day off.
2. I like Bnewb's idea of $20-25/hour.
3. You keep bringing up lunch like its a big special bonus to the driver. This is not a criticism of your company but if he isn't making money he has other things to do with his time and could happily eat (when and where he wants) for much less than you will lay out for the dining experience YOU want. If you want him to accompany you to lunch, that is all on you, including paying for all of his TIME while dining with you.
Re: 3. Sorry that a joke is beyond your realm of understanding. When I told Bnewb he would get scintillating conversation and lunch, I assumed that the typical reader will get the joke.... She certainly did. I do get it that emoticons may not necessarily translate across all cultural divides as well.
No more advice, please... It's done, and some of you will turn anything into an argument or criticism as if it were a presentation on quantum physics. I always regret asking anything on this board because it just comes with the territory that a certain core group will come out with some sort of criticism or witticism that they think makes them look special. Lots of folks are helpful on this board, but some take it to the point where they are the know all, end all experts.
This comment should be required reading... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hussyband