Gekko and others,

There are no stairs to take to the A train--elevators and escalators are available. The only stairs would be the exit at 79 (or is it 81?) on the B or C local. The medium bag probably has wheels, which means that the small one can be leaned against the handle. There is nothing in the OP's description that suggests excessive luggage that could not be managed on the subway.

The A train to the upper west side??? That's like taking the slow boat to China. This is gonna save them time? I don't think so. They'd get there faster (and more comfortably with no schlepping or changing) in a shared bus.

The best idea is to bite the bullet and get a car service.

Gekko, I don't want to argue, but I do want to be clear, as I was in one last weekend!

It was a traditional mini-van, with a bench seat in back (seating 3), two separate, middle seats, and then the front passenger seat. They DID allow my group of 5 to ride in it, but the driver made it clear he wasn't really supposed to!

These are a RARITY, to be sure, but the 5-seaters do actually exist, I promise! :) And they are actual NYC cabs. Which makes it all the more strange that, though they seat 5 (with 5 seat belts and all) they aren't allowed to take 5.

Tarheels - you are correct, these cabs do exist. But I think it's important to emphasize that it's a 1 in a 100 chance that a) you'll get one these cabs b) the driver will risk getting a fine to let 5 people ride in it. We should just treat it as a non-option for the intent of this thread.

Very good point, lizzie, thank you. They are definitely rare, but do exist.

Tarheels, in an earlier post you implied that all mini-van cabs can hold 5 people .. which is not accurate.

In my experience, it's perhaps 50%, maybe less. So, yes, you have <i>less</i> that a 1% chance of finding a <b>5</b> passenger mini-van.

Not arguing, just clarifying.

Take car service or two cabs. You can save on the tolls by asking the driver to take the 59th St. Bridge, which has no toll.

Thanks Gekko! I think we're on the same page now :) And we both agree that minivans are not the way to go in this case anyway!