As a Las Vegas resident who travels often in and out of LV, I am often confronted with the latest cab driver scam. A driver will try to take advantage of tourists who do not know their way around LV. The cabbie will ask a subtle question such as, "Do you want to take the streets or the freeway?" and the tourist will ask "which is faster?" Of course, depending on where you are going there is a definite answer.
I face this often because when traveling I usually take advantage of the free parking at nearby Hard Rock or MGM and take a short cab ride to the airport rather than pay the $10 a day airport parking fees. When I return it is a certainty that the streets are far faster than taking the tunnel to the Hard Rock or MGM than the tunnel and freeway.
On a recent return trip I asked "which is faster?" and the cabbie said "the tunnel." While we were on our way to the Hard Rock by way of Southern California I asked this cab driver where we were going? He appeared a little nervous and got even more nervous when I got out my cell phone and asked for his dispatcher's number. He refused to give me the number. I then offered him the option of his dispatcher's number or I'll just check in with the local folks at 911. I then was given his dispatcher's number and reported him.
If this ever happens to you tell the valet parking guys at the destination hotel as they are well aware of it and will help you document the thievery. Closeby Tropicana/Strip hotels need not use the freeway. Some hotels further out can use it as well as during times when there is very heavy traffic on the strip for further out hotels. But certainly not the nearby Hard Rock or MGM.
The cab drivers are the first to complain when they get robbed, but often rob the unsuspecting tourist everyday.
