Headed to LGA from midtown, my taxi driver suggested a flat rate over the meter due to heavy morning traffic. We agreed on a price. He then said, "I'm going to put the meter on slow now, pay no attention to it'. I'm sure he logged a short trip, then went off meter to pocket the rest of the fare. My question is this -- there's a slow setting on taxi meters? It did indeed slow the ticking of the meter considerably while we sat in unmoving traffic. Is this setting supposed to be used by drivers when the traffic is gridlock? Just wondering if I should be asking for the slow setting? Has this happened to anyone else?

I have never heard of a slow setting. Maybe that is cabie talk for illegal transaction.

If the cabbie is experienced, they can take back streets to the 59th Street Bridge and avoid the traffic.

So what was the flat rate? and where was your destination?

Here's a link to the official fares.

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

I've never heard of a "slow" setting. I agree that somehow the cabbie got a great benefit from this transaction, and am interested in the rate you paid.

I have heard of the proverbial "fast" setting--the meter illegally adjusted to advance at faster than the official rate.

(At a base of $2.50 plus unit rate of 40 cents per fifth of a mile, a clear 10-mile trip from midtown to LGA should cost $22.50. If you got in and the taxi stood still for 30 minutes, it would cost 40 cents per non-moving minute, an additional $12. Add in tolls and tip.)

Except for taxis to and fro JFK (and groups from LGA to midtown) going off the meter is illegal and you shouldn't do it. If you want to pay a flat fee call a car service.

There are different taxi meter setting for inside NYC (1) and outside (double the rate).

any other setting is something bogus and you shouldn't be involved.

I, too, have never heard of a slow setting. I usually use a car service or pay what's on the meter.

Remember the name David Yassky when visiting NYC. He is in charge of the agency repsonsible for cabbies called TLC. So just say, "Do you David Yassky? He is a family friend."

That should help.

A "slow" setting?! No such thing. And he was the one who suggested it?? I would have taken down his number and reported him - if not while in the car then as soon as you got out. This guy was up to no good.

And the meter always moves slower when the car is in non-moving traffic, like ellenem said.

Thanks all. I have no question that he was up to pocketing a big portion, if not all of the fare. I am pretty diligent about taking down cab numbers and names - ever since I left my purse in a DC taxi. (A long story with a good ending) I didn't get this guy's name because the license certificate was so old it was unreadable (red flag). The trip only cost $45, which I can well afford if for nothing more than the lesson. A taxi from mid-town to LGA has always cost $35+, so I didn't feel overly cheated. He was actually a good conversationalist (red flag) and the early morning ride was pleasant. Oh well....its Christmas and he probably needed the cash more than me.

Thanks Auduchamp for the tip on DY. I will remember that. Have you used it with success? And yes....we took every back street, what a tour.

I used it years ago when there was a different commissioner of the TLC.

In any event you must always talk to the cabbie with casual confidence as if you know where you are going.

I think most cabbies nowadays, pay a flat per diem to the owner of the cab and do not split the fares any more.

"In any event you must always talk to the cabbie with casual confidence as if you know where you are going."

This I do. I only take a taxi from airport (LGA) to hotel and usually stay at the same (or nearby) hotel, so I know my way around. If the location is new to me, I do a MapQuest search so I can speak intelligently about the address and directions. I have also done a faux phone call from the cab saying "Darling, I'm nearly home. Just stopping by the office first. (thus the hotel stop) Shouldn't take long. Traffic is good." This ploy usually gets me much more direct routing from airport to hotel.

TC - you are one clever lass!