Beware of Taxi Drivers in FSU

[Trenchcoat]

I saw this article on yahoo today and thought it worth posting for those starting out and those already involved in the FSU dating scene. The guy involved doesn't look like he was directly dating but its shows its something us foreigners need to be aware off and take precautions and be cautious when travelling anywhere in the FSU. This situation happened in Moscow, Russia but the same really goes for the Ukraine. So watch out with unlicensed taxi drivers (and perhaps even licensed ones) dress down a little when travelling wherever feasible and don't take anything they offer you. Also keep you're money hidden as best as possible until you're out of the cab and double check the fare before setting off and preferably try to avoid unlicensed cabs which isn't always that clear.

Link: http://uk.yahoo.com/news/drugged-brit-robbed-unlicensed-russian-112706607.html

[msmob]

TC,

Good advice to use well-known firms

In this day and age one can order taxis in the FSU with the price agreed beforehand... There are English speaking firms that Mendy has recommended and offer good, reliable drivers

This is why is it good to have a Russian speaking friend / local contact - if you are not on a Wovo trip [ your lady should see to it that you are not ripped off.

[Trenchcoat]

TC,

Good advice to use well-known firms

In this day and age one can order taxis in the FSU with the price agreed beforehand... There are English speaking firms that Mendy has recommended and offer good, reliable drivers

This is why is it good to have a Russian speaking friend / local contact - if you are not on a Wovo trip [ your lady should see to it that you are not ripped off.

Who's Mendy?

These firms would be handy to know about.

[ML]

Complaints and warnings about taxi cab drivers should be expanded to cover most of the world.

There is an old piece of humor that goes something like:

One type of bandit common around the globe actually identify themselves to you.

One the top of their car they have a sign that says "Taxi."

[Bounder]

It's a pity the guy had to lose his life, but I think a good rule of thumb - AKA Common Sense - would be not to accept offers of alcohol from a cabbie.

[msmob]

Who's Mendy?

Search under member : Mendeleyev - you will learn much about FSU culture, places , cuisine, and the RU language

These firms would be handy to know about.

Get the UBER app .. If you venture to Russia .. ( haven't been to UA recently ) you'll find you can order a taxi and beat the regular firms

Used them two times on 12th Jan 2017  - to Sochi airport and then from Domodedova to SVO airport, in Moscow - Andrei and Alexandr were great drivers, polite - not crazy

The local RU airport taxi touts now were big ID badges and HATE Uber .. but their prices were 2 to five times more..

You get the driver's photo make and reg / lic tag of the car that will collect you .. it's easy.

[wallm]

I am going to try Uber in UA next month. I had no luck getting Uklon to work on my phone when I was there in November.

[msmob]

The local RU airport taxi touts now were WEAR big ID badges and HATE Uber

[Kunstkammer]

If you take a beer from Shamil Abdulev after you get in his Lada 7 you deserve a Darwin Award. Brutal honesty.

[Voyager36]

If you take a beer from Shamil Abdulev

Did they catch the guy who did it?
Strange sounding name

[msmob]

Did they catch the guy who did it?
Strange sounding name

The surname is Tajik / Uzbek

[Kunstkammer]

It's a generic name for the archetype. Shamil Abdulev rarely gets caught.