I need to know if the taxi drivers from JFK are familiar with Brooklyn? Since I need to be in the DUMBO area, and I do not know how to get there myself..will they be as familiar as the places in Manhattan? The car service at night seems like more of a hasstle...waiting to call them when I arrive, walking to where they are .
Thank you.

I would not expect the cab drivers to know Brooklyn well enough for a specific address, so I would call a car service and give them the address, so the driver can get directions. It could end up costing you alot more to be in a cab and have the driver get lost trying to find your destination.

Brooklyn is happening now. Back five years ago, you'd find that they just refused to go to Brooklyn. I'd have to say "oh please I'm right over the bridge." But now, they go to Park Slope, DUMBO, heights, williamsburg...

no problem.

I would prepare yourself with an address at least, and directions if you have the time. It really just depends on the cab driver.

Depends on the driver. Most, if not all, will know major streets in Brooklyn.

I suggest learning which major intersection is nearest to your final destination. That way, you can direct the driver to somewhere obvious, then you can both figure it out from there.

I STRONGLY suggest going to Google Maps or Mapquest before hand and printing out your destination and surrounding streets.

For DUMBO, I suggest telling the driver Jay Street and York Street. Jay is a major thoroughfare every driver should know and York has a Subway station, so that is an obvious landmark.

Your driver should take Atlantic Avenue from JFK- it's scary-looking but fine and the fastest route to where you want to go.

They "should" know, but they may not. I live in Park Slope myself and have often had to give directions. You should probably google and have a printout of the directions. From JFK they will probably take the Van Wyck Parkway to the BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway) towards the Verizano Bridge. Or, as mentioned in a previous post, Atlantic Avenue to S. Conduit.

If you just have a printout of the immediate area, that will prevent confusion as some cab drivers may not know the exact streets in DUMBO.