<This sounds at the very least like a felony.>

So, at the very worst what would this be? I'm curious as to how making a mistake and driving off with someone's bag could be worse than a felony.

Anyway, glad you got your stuff back and thanks for the advice lizzie.

I've always been surprised how overly helpful cab drivers are in NYC. They always insist on loading and unloading the bags themselves and usually make a point of sitting them over on the curb, not just on the street behind the trunk. I've noticed too that they recently started writing down the cabs number on those slips at the airport, which also explain the rates to unkowing tourists.

I would say they help me about 50% of the time. The other times they are yapping obliviously on their cell phones while I'm struggling to load my bags.

My observation has been that they help me with the bags about 50% of the times at best... but if I'm with my gf & she hails the cab, then we get help 100% of the time. :)
There are all sorts of drivers out there- recently there was one who was in the news for having returned a briefcase containing $500K of diamond rings after tracing the bag to its rightful owner. And then I remember one of my Japanese friends (who barely spoke English) who was threatened by the crazy taxi driver and charged him $200 to get to a midtown hotel from JFK. Thus, I always stay alert.

The worst cab driver I've ever had was an individual named Hitler. Swear to god. As soon as we started driving, he turned on this death metal music and drove like a complete lunatic. We were too scared to ask him to stop. When we finally got to our destination, we threw money at him (no tip) and ran behind the cab so that he couldn't run us down.

Agree: never pay until all your stuff is out of the taxi - I learned that 40+ years ago in Manhattan.
M

Lizzie,

You can still file a complaint with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission. The taxi company sounds liable for penalties for their behavior after you reported the missing luggage. The taxi company should not have attempted to charge you to return the luggage. There are also rules about taxi driver behavior when transporting passengers with luggage.

I'm pretty sure you can't be penalized for a being an a**hole, but it would be nice! The taxi company isn't liable for property lost in cabs, nor is the driver obligated to return any lost property directly to the owner. They are supposed to drop off lost items at a designated precinct, but I'm sure most drivers don't even bother to take the time do it.

I'm sure the cab driver told his boss that we forgot our luggage in his cab, so I can't really fault the owner for not wanting to do us any favors. He was more accommadating once we explained the situation. Frankly, we just wanted the stuff back.

Actually, if you own and operate a taxi company in NYC, you can be penalized for being an a****le. Our friend works for the Pennsylvania PUC prosecuting violations of common carriers like taxicabs, limousine companies, and charter bus service. At least, that is what she just said to me on the phone.

This a***nine behavior would be penalized under PA law. Taxi companies realize that too many complaints could lead to a suspension of their medallion. I am sure NY state has similar rules for transportation carriers.

You have nothing to lose by filing a complaint, except a little time to fill out the complaint and time to testify at a potential hearing. But, you would gain some satisfaction the taxi company would pay for this.

Here is the link to file a complaint online:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/pas...omplaint.shtml

Use it if you like, or not. I know that in PA, these complaints are taken seriously.

Sorry I wasn't clear - we filed a complaint.

Good for you. I hope this works.

Yikes Lizzie, what a nightmare! I've only had that happen to me in DC, but never in NYC. At least not yet.

But I don't ever pay in the cab. If alone, I open the door closest to the sidewalk, and then don't close it until I get my luggage, whereupon the driver gets paid for the ride. If not alone, one of us is in the cab until everything is out.

It's more difficult in DC to complain to anyone as there are many different companies, and not one centralized agency to deal with like in NY.

But I have to agree with NeoPatrick. The cab drivers I've had have always removed my luggage from the trunk, except for this one guy who had then recently had surgery (and he told me so upfront before I got in the cab at the airport so I knew what I was dealing with).

Oh, but there is a central agency to complain about taxicabs in DC--the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission. They also handle complaints of limousine drivers.

Late arriving with this information but, to be able to track your cab and property, get in the habit of ALWAYS asking for a receipt. The data on the individual cab is printed there, plus time and date, making it easier to track them down and/or report a problem.

Example: I got in a taxi one New Years Day to go across town for lunch. The driver was drinking vodka out of a pint bottle (which he put in a paper bag AFTER I saw it, but kept drinking!) After happily arriving at my destination, I could make a phone call using info on the receipt to report it. (easier than copying down cab number on license posted in cab.) Dont' know what happened, but at least I was able to send out a heads up.

wow - lizziea
thanks so much for bringing this to our attention. i had no idea, and the others who posted with good advice is excellent.

Today we had a cabbie who was inexperienced or stupid. In any event, besdies those that may be criminal there is a strong element of incompetence. I do notice the cab number becasue the license is usally shrouded in bad light or behind scratched pleiglass.

One morning I got a cab driver and it was first day and he did not know how to operate the doors.

Maybe it's just my luck, but I have found NYC cabbies to be very good. I tip good and have never had a cab driver fail to assist me with my bags from the trunk.
In addition, I do not see NYC cabbies use the 'roundabout' drive to increase fares as often as elsewhere. The absolute worst are the cabs at MIA.
Every single cab I took during my last trip managed to hose me on the routing.

Glad everything worked out for you