Baku Taxi Driver

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Message has been deleted

Denna Repaci

unread,

Jul 9, 2024, 4:57:35 AM7/9/24

to heopromaral

Upon arrival at Baku Airport yesterday we exited the immigration hall. We wanted to use the restroom before getting in a taxi, so followed the signage towards the restrooms, which required going up an escalator. As we went up the escalator I told Tiffany we were being followed by a guy, and she thought I was being paranoid.

I agree with "Dare." Just ignore these people. I am old (67), not tall, and not angry. I've taken 75 taxis in 30 cities in the past year; the worst thing that happened was the driver "got lost." So did his fare. Great story, though. I thought for a moment this was an Azerbajani spy story.

baku taxi driver

Descargar Zip https://urllie.com/2yOxF3

I think it is pretty universal that when a person forcefully grabs your bag, blocks your path, physically handles you or intimidates and harasses, it's out of bounds. I have no problem pushing an overly aggressive person out of my way or even kicking a street urchin grabbing at my legs. Clearly you must be aware of your surroundings. I've ditched thieving cab drivers without pay, even in NYC, defying them to call the police.

I usually only succumb to intimidation in a dark ally, the wrong hood, a thug with a gun or in front of corrupt police. Just because they are poorer than you or from another culture does not extend to them an innate right to intimidate or steal. I also agree with the poster who said never hire a taxi driver who approaches you in an airport terminal. I always go to the taxi line or dispatch desk.

Ben. Have you ever thought of using actual car services? There are many national wide ones. I've used most of them but typically use Carey International or Empire CLS. I call a central reservations office, give them my flight details and professional car and driver are always there for me. Definitely more expensive than Uber, but I would assume a little less then a hotel car.

Having a guy follow you around the airport and then try to take your bags even after you tell him no is not being entitled or sheltered. Its call not being a sucker or worse not ending up with body parts dismembered. It's also why we prefer to live in a more civilized world. If you prefer that kind of hassle be my guess but since his audience lives in a civilized world it is how most of us would react.

I was with my husband and daughter in Buenos Aires and our taxi driver stopped along a medium on a busy street so he could pee. And then in Hanoi, my driver didn't show up, and a man asked me if I needed a taxi. I said no. He took my bag and practically ran ahead of me, going up a ramp to the next level. He put my bag in a car, got in with the driver, and got out after we left the airport boundary so he could head back to find more people. And THEN, the very next day I got in a taxi that was not from a hotel, and he locked me in and wouldn't let me out because he wanted 60 US for a 2$ fare. I finally negotiated for $15, and as I ran away I called him a very bad name. He acted very offended by my language.

I am a heavy international traveler and agree one should usually book hotel car in most countries -- especially 3rd world countries. One thing to check in advance is that car will not wait around for other arrivals. Some do.

I used to work for a 5star Hotel in London and when I booked a taxi from the hotel to LHR 0r the other way aroundI got 20 commission from the taxi driver. PS: It works that in all hotels all around the world

As much as I love travel, going to places where the risk of being ripped off in a big way is omnipresent takes the fun away. There are a lot of poor countries where people don't rip you off constantly while I have been to middle income or rich countries where being ripped off is very common. I don't mind it when it is a playful haggling process but when you feel intimidated it is...

I think such experiences say something about the country and the attitude of people and that should be part of the take-away from the experience. I dont care how beautiful the country is if the people are just awful and have no sense of fair play.

Lol
You can't imagine how bad was Baku airport 15 years ago.
Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE - security guys (3 stages), customs guys, immigration guys were pretty much demanding bribes on your way in and out of the airport. Current Taxi situation is just minor eastern European nuisance

I went over to the tourist information desk (this was in the old airport terminal) and asked about taxis and the approximate cost. The taxi driver shouted from behind me at the info desk woman in Azeri and then she said in English she isn't sure of the price, I should "ask the taxi driver" right there. I walked outside and there weren't any other taxis in sight, and all the other lingering drivers were avoiding me now that I had been claimed. I had an average ride into the city center -- and then a rainy night (which never happens there) and was convinced this trip would be a mess.

@W: Agree that both Silver and Blue Birds are good service in Jakarta. But I said said "waive for a taxi on the streets of Jakarta". Thus, that won't probably be one of the "birds" so expect a real experience. :)

One of my rules of travel is that the further you encounter a taxi driver from his car, the more likely he will try to scam you. I will almost never deal with anyone INSIDE an airport terminal who offers me a taxi. Legitimate/honest taxi drivers are more likely to wait outside in their cars or by their cars. Drivers who park their cars and then hunt the arrivals terminal for white customers are up to no good.

Lol, David, James, and Sara Bjrn
You guys are mental.
Somehow you guys are blaming a victim of hassle instead of blaming the actual perpetrator? So for you guys, when you go to a foreign country, an aggressive hustler who stalks you is OK? I'm a bodybuilder who can intimidate physically by mere presence, and let's see how you would feel when I stalk you for a "taxi ride."
BTW it looks like English isn't your first language. Look up what "stalking" means in an ENGLISH DICTIONARY. Lucky used the term properly.
For God's sake, a shady guy aggressively hustles a tourist, and somehow the tourist is "entitled" "living in a bubble."
Guess what. If these are the only comments that you can make, just don't come to this blog and get a life.

This is the downside of the white previlege. Most people treat you better just because you are white but many people also think you are loaded and think your money is theirs that your white forefathers had stolen from them. So there you have it.

One of the worst experiences I had was on my arrival in Madagascar - although it does not come close to what you experienced. After arrival and when exiting the airport (this was back in 2002), luggage is screened again (like it is in Tehran). Immediately after the luggage goes through, the airport security...

Loved your photo from the interior of Baku airport. I was there in September and the airport is on the pretty side. Hope you are enjoying Baku. See the Flame Towers change colors at night - you can get a great view of the Towers from the top of Maiden Tower in the old walled city. Enjoy.

Let's make a mental experiment. What would you do in such a situation? I would either punch the guy following me, or stayed with the police officer. Afterwards, just took a taxi. Which is almost exactly what Ben and Tiffany did. Judging by your replies you would gladly get into the car with this guy. Either you're jealous or are crazy social justice warriors blaming young, white people for having a nice...