There's no toll on the 59th st bridge which is probably what you'd take since you generally stay in the west 50's. For heading downtown to 10th st. the Midtown Tunnel would be the likely route but they could take the Williamsburg bridge which I don't think has a toll. 10% was never ok for a cab tip in NYC. London maybe, but not here. 15% but more likely 20% is typical.

Patrick--
The toll has always been an extra cost. Your remembered $45 may be from when the set fare was $40, so your $45 was the set fare plus $5 toll.

Neo

Often the cabbies take the midtown tunnel from JFK which incurs a toll charge. There are other ways without a toll, however, which are a bit convoluted including the 59th Street brisge.

When I fly into La Guardia, and since I live downtown, some cabbies will take the Williamsburgh Bridge obviating the toll.

The standard tip still remains at 15%. Five bucks hardly covers the schwarma.

I recentlly met my mother at LGA who needs a wheelchair for lengthy walks. We went to the front of the taxi line, to the disamy of the all the others on the queue.

Yes, I'm pretty sure I've always arrived from JFK by taxi by the 59th Street Bridge, so that explains the no toll thing.

I guess it's been at least two years since I've done that and didn't realize that 15% was the norm for cab tipping. I think I had read that $5 is a nice tip from the airport here on Fodors and it stuck in my head. If I do it again (but now probably take the AirTrain and LLRR) I will adjust accordingly.

Within Manhattan when the fare is usually $6 to $8 I usually give them a $10 to be simple-- so I'm not sure why I thought $5 was fine from the airport on a $45 fare.

As long as your picture is not posted in NYC cabs or at Bereket on Houston Street where many go to eat, I am sure it will easy to restore your reputation among the taxi drivers.