Assaulted by a cab driver?

[lisapat]

Hope I didn't stir up a hornet's nest posting/sharing this TA review....just figured it warranted some discussion......interesting...is it just me, or when you go back to page 1 of this thread and click the link(or browse through several pages of Coco reviews)..the review is GONE?....hell I don't see it anymore....I thought that TA didn't remove reviews, or at least didn't post them if they didn't like em

[garysteph1018]

Dang.. it is gone! Interesting!!!

[Bnewb]

Yup...review has been pulled off TA! Hmmm...interesting!!!

[Blake]

I thought that TA didn't remove reviews, or at least didn't post them if they didn't like em

TA isn't the bastion of freedom of speech people think it is, I've had multiple reviews removed that were both fair and extremely detailed, and they're known for allowing hotels to game the system.

Heck in the UK they've banned Trip Adviser from stating their reviews are real:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-are-real.html

My guess is TA removed the review because it didn't "review" the hotel and thus wasn't valid.

I'm just curious but do the police or Jamaican authorities crack down on "cab drivers" that don't have red plates?

[Bnewb]

I'm just curious but do the police or Jamaican authorities crack down on "cab drivers" that don't have red plates?

Yes, they do crackdown on illegal "cab drivers"...but unfortunately like anywhere, there are always those that try to sneak around the system. They also check red & white plate drivers quite regularly to make sure they are legal to be driving on the roads....these are called spot checks.

[dash]

Wow Blake, I don.'t doubt that they have removed many of your reviews. As in the Telegraph byline you omit the word " all" They are banned from saying that ALL their reviews are real.All their reviews cannot be verified they are an open forum for travellers critique and can be manipulated by unscrupulous subscribers. Tripadvisor is still a good way to research a destination and you can usually pick out the frauds. By saying that T.A allows hotels to game the system suggests that they condone it. They do not. The open reviewing system that allows honest comment unfortunately leaves the door open for self serving reviews.

[Weathermon & Mi Lady]

I complained to Trip Adviser yesterday about this report and that it didn't belong in a review of a property that had nothing to do with it. Apparently, they agreed and pulled the comments.

[Bnewb]

Always wondered who complained to TA, Weathemon...!

The concerns that I have...
...that this excellent reminder to everyone to use common sense & caution even when on vacation...has sadly turned into an internet fiasco with reviews & threads being shut down on TA.
...the validity of it being a red plate or not...the original poster has never stated it was a red plate, it only comes as second hand information & still appears questionable....
...also, that someone is now saying on TA there was an attack in March with a red plated driver...which is completely untrue if they're referring to the widely discussed incident that happened earlier this year. Unless there's one I don't know about...but I live here & there's not much you don't find out in this very small town.


Unless your extremely knowledgeable of the transportation system here (ie. live here) and have no desire to throw caution to the wind....it is always best to have your own/recommended driver(s) that you can call anytime or have the establishment you're visiting call a driver for you....then they'll at least know who you're riding with.
The pennies you're going to save by hopping into route cabs or strange vehicles...is simply not worth the risk.

[TiCtOc]

I guess I threw caution to the wind a BIT too much last trip!

I averaged 4-6 taxis most days for the month I was in Negril , that is between 120 and 180 random rides, later in the month for late night excursions I used the same driver due to cost and reliability and saving me walking to hail a taxi in massively high heels.

In ALL of the rides I never encountered a problem and only once out of ALL them rides did a driver ask did I need a ride and I just did not like the look of him and his tone of voice.
Coulda been something or nothing.I did need a ride but I said no thanks just popping to the shops and declined.
I was solo on many of these rides, some taxis I shared with Jamaicans some alone.I would never got in a car with 2 men in though and I would have got out if they picked an extra man up.
I guess I was lucky?
The reports are scary and I do not think it is fair when people immediately blame the victim or assume it is all lies and blame them for not researching things properly.
If it was a red plate then what was there to research?
It could happen in any place to anyone and then I bet the ones pointing the finger if it ever happened to them or their loved ones would not be so quick to judge and assume.
Granted some stories get twisted or there is more to the story than an angry or resentful poster may post for some other reason.But for the ones that are genuine and true.HUSH.
Stuff happens in the world more so where there is a lack of money and jobs and where there are hardships.I am sorry for the ladies it happened to and I hope it has not scared and scarred them for life and I hope we all stay safe in the future,BUT if anything should happen to one of us or anyone else for that matter please do not blame the victim, and all of the sites witholding this extremely important piece of information and other reports like it are so wrong.You all talk about research and being informed.If posts get removed like in TA (weathermon u tell tale haha) but correct as it was not related to co co then how do we inform ourselves if the truth is continually hidden?I will not be stopped from going to Jamaica from those posts but at least I have been warned about the possibilities instead of wandering around with my head in the clouds (which is fun and I may still do) We need to be informed to make informed decisions the good the bad and the sometimes ugly!
Thankyou and goodnight I have said my piece

[Bnewb]

I was solo on many of these rides, some taxis I shared with Jamaicans some alone.I would never got in a car with 2 men in though and I would have got out if they picked an extra man up.
I guess I was lucky?

I don't think you were lucky...you were diligent! You were making smart choices...and in the case above definitely not throwing caution to the wind.