Private Taxi -- Rachel

Jeff&Cindy · Post by **Jeff&Cindy** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:30 pm

After reading lots of posts over the past year, months ago I called and reserved Rachel for the ride from the airport to the ferry. It didn't quite go as I expected.

I believe the plane landed a little earlier than it was supposed to. After having our rum sample to get into the island mood, we walked to the area where taxi drivers were holding up signs... none for us! This had to be before 1:30... in time to make the 2PM ferry. A couple of phone calls later, I'm told to look for a guy driving a white Lincoln. We finally found him, waiting in the car out in the parking lot. At that point, now there's no way we're catching the 2PM ferry.

We head out toward Red Hook, and he gets a phone call. She wants him to pull over and wait so she can put another couple into our car. This all adds another 15 minutes or so.

They get in the car. They're not happy. We're not happy. And yes... full price. Should have had more rum!

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:49 am

That stinks, I have never heard of a white Lincoln in the group of taxis that she uses, there must have been a problem with one of her regulars.

Sorry it didn't go smoothly, hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip.

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:45 am

Last summer she told us that she uses the Lincoln when she has more people than she can handle. Since this is they high season, it doesn't surprise me that she needed him. I hope you've let her know how unsatisfactory you found the service. I am certain that she would want to know and do something about it.

In fairness to them, you did say that your flight arrived early. Catching the 2 pm ferry would have been a big bonus. It sounds like you still made it to the ferry you originally expected to catch.

Enjoy the time there and give her another chance to show you what she is capable of doing.

JIM

surfnh · Post by **surfnh** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:02 am

You know, for years I've read also about many people wanting to reserve a taxi ahead of time, I guess we just never understood this. We've always used the regular van taxis for the ride to red hook, it's always been fine. I think one time in 11 visits the taxi dropped someone at a hotel on the way to red hook, it might have cost us 4 min or so?

What's the advantage, it can't be cheaper?

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:38 am

Perhaps Rachel is a bit of a victim of her own success. She is a delight; no one can argue with that. But the one time I used her she was delayed at the airport as she was bringing a ride to Cyril King. We ended up waiting for her for a bit. Not a long time, but longer than if we'd just hopped on one of the taxis heading to Red Hook. I will say, the ride to Red Hook was more entertaining than sitting in a full van with strangers. But, we didn't save any time and we probably arrived later than we would have had we just queued up with the public taxis.
She certainly has a great following, and I'm sure it's richly deserved, but sometimes I think we may give newbies the impression that Rachel is "the way to go" when the reality is that the regular taxis do a very effective job of getting folks to Red Hook in a timely fashion at a lower total cost.

susan & herb · Post by **susan & herb** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:38 pm

Our first few times going to St John, we had used the taxi at the airport, can you say dirty, sweaty, crowded with strangers, some who do not even make eye contact.

Having Rachel meet you at the airport, clean car, great conversation, a big smile and kiss. What a better way to start your trip!
Yes, Rachel is a businesswoman, but she has always contacted us if there was a problem. Yes, a few times when picking up my sisters, she had told me up front that if she could get a few more people to take to the ferry it would be cheaper for us.
Things happen, but my money is with Rachel.
It's worth the extra money and besides your on vacation.

surfnh · Post by **surfnh** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:04 pm

Well maybe we're the exception? I kind of like the taxis, we often meet fun people in them, and the drivers can be a hoot, we especially like the guy with the inside of the van covered with shells!

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:11 pm

Like surfnh, I have never understood the desire to get a private taxi. We have had nothing other than very clean, new-like vans that were very comfortable. I like to be with other people- Some keep to themselves which is fine, but some share my enthusiasm about beginning a vacation - and it's always interesting to talk to other travelers from all over the world... I love that!

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:21 pm

The only time I use Rachel is when I arrive at (say) 9:20pm, have carry on only, have been traveling since 6am and I know if I have a private I will make the 10pm but in a regular taxi it will be the 11pm - I really, really hate waiting the extra hour because I missed the ferry by 8-10 minutes and I have yet to arrive at night and not make a minimum of 1 hotel stop.

Pia

Dome526 · Post by **Dome526** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:30 pm

Thanks so much for your comments here. Sounds like any taxi is a way to go...the sooner I get there, the better..... I just don't want to do a "group" cab, as I know I will be anxious to get to the beach next to Cottage 10 at Cinnamon Bay Campground!

ere....ote="Lovermont"]Perhaps Rachel is a bit of a victim of her own success. She is a delight; no one can argue with that. But the one time I used her she was delayed at the airport as she was bringing a ride to Cyril King. We ended up waiting for her for a bit. Not a long time, but longer than if we'd just hopped on one of the taxis heading to Red Hook. I will say, the ride to Red Hook was more entertaining than sitting in a full van with strangers. But, we didn't save any time and we probably arrived later than we would have had we just queued up with the public taxis.
She certainly has a great following, and I'm sure it's richly deserved, but sometimes I think we may give newbies the impression that Rachel is "the way to go" when the reality is that the regular taxis do a very effective job of getting folks to Red Hook in a timely fashion at a lower total cost.[/quote]

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:01 pm

I have to say that we never used a private taxi until last summer. I have never "enjoyed" the taxi ride. It is always crowded, and some of them are not very good drivers.

I have never taken one from the airport to RH without multiple stops. In almost every case, we all have to get out and let the passengers at the first few stops get out or the taxi then reload. We frequently make stops going to the airport as well.

This year, we took our granddaughter for her first trip to the VI. Before we left, we ran into forumites who were on our flight and agreed to share Rachel. It was great. Rachel introduced Hot Wings to STT and gave her a small taste of what was waiting for her over the coming days. In this particular case, it did not change which ferry we took to STJ, but it put us in a better frame of mind. We were on Island time half way to RH.

The fare is not an issue. When you add the fare and bag charges together for the "public" taxi, it frequently is near the $20 that Rachel charges. I'm on vacation. It's worth a few bucks to have a more enjoyable trip.

I, of course, do not have a financial interest in Rachel's business. If some of you would rather take the public taxis, that's OK with me. If you take them, I will not be competing with you for a seat in her car.

People have different tastes. That is why they can still make vanilla and chocolate ice cream. What I like about this forum is first the diversity. And second the ability to have these conversations and hear lots of points of view. It is a lot like the conversations around the family dinner table. We don't have to agree, but we respect everone else's opinion.

JIM

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:30 pm

Dome526 - if you don't want a "group" cab (all taxi's hold 10 people) then you will need a private as that is the only way that you can be assured of going straight to Red Hook and it just being you in the taxi. If you walk out of baggage claim and ask for a private taxi to Red Hook the cost is $90.00 - that is why we use Rachel - booked in advance her rates for a private are cheaper.

Pia

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:06 pm

I use Rachael because she is my friend AND because my husband has no use for small talk with strangers. He does that all day every day and on vacation, he would probably actually rather speak to no one

A full taxi of people that might want to chat is his worst nightmare on vacation.

Funny, I have never heard of the Lincoln, it must be a friend of hers, because she has never talked of it when we discuss car problems...and boy do we talk car problems

greyhoundmom · Post by **greyhoundmom** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:33 pm

We have reserved with Rachel for the past seven years because we love her. She puts us on island time as soon as we get into her beautiful car. We are always at least six people and it is such a chill ride to Red Hook. She is sweet, fun and talkative and makes us feel like family (as I'm sure is the case with her many other regulars.) The only time we had a delay was two years ago when she had an accident on STT on her way to the airport. She even stayed with Capt. Dan and Ruby last summer because their outgoing flight was delayed to suprise and greet us at the airport as we arrived. I think I've said this before, but last summer she knew I was searching for a VI flag. When she dropped us off in STT on the trip back, she found a warehouse that had a flag, gave it to me, wouldn't let me pay her for it. She is a jewel of a lady and we love her.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:05 pm

Xislandgirl wrote:I use Rachael because she is my friend AND because my husband has no use for small talk with strangers. He does that all day every day and on vacation, he would probably actually rather speak to no one
A full taxi of people that might want to chat is his worst nightmare on vacation.

I completely understand this. My husband has different "issues" that cause him gladly spend the couple of extra bucks per person to go private. And they will let us make a beverage stop!

We started arranging for a private transfer when our son was a baby, we didn't want to deal with any b_llsh_t when it came to strapping in a car seat. Years later, we are still going this route, the convenience is worth it to us. (I would not, however, appreciate having to wait around at the airport.)

For our trip two weeks ago, it was $17 pp for a private taxi, baggage included.

As my dear father (and jimg20) used to say, that is why there is chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

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