Upcabbed?
Belinda Humphries
One of the inevitable nightmares of a good night out is getting home at the end of it. A pet loathing of mine is the upcab ... and I can see all your furrowed brows from here so I’ll explain.
When someone upcabs you, they ignore the group of people waiting for taxis and stand up the street in front of everyone and flag the next taxi down. They’re essentially jumping the taxi queue, even though there isn’t a formal queue, more like a mutual understanding among party people as to who was there first.
So what is the correct taxi etiquette? Every man or woman for themselves, or is there a protocol? When I went to party school I was taught to party politely. If someone at the bar was before you, direct the bartender to them, always use good manners, thank security as you leave the building and never, ever upcab. Or was my party school too strict?
Hear, Hear ! I totally agree, the ‘UpCab’ happens all over Australia and it’s rude. For the most part, people in general are great when they are out partying, but come the end of the night, the manners go out the window when it’s time to get a cab.
But another thing that would help fix the late night transport problem in Sydney is putting an end to the “3am change over” especially on weekends, long weekends and major events.
Peltroniks of Baulkham Hills, NSW.
It’s supoosed to be: first in, first out. However, if you do are in a hurry for a cab, asking the person who’s first in line if you can cut in is usually the proper way.
Also, the taxi driver is supposed to enforce this but they don’t, especially if they think the other people waiting are too drunk or decrepit.CA of Sydney
I certainly wouldn’t stand in front of the queue and jump in a cab, but I see no problem walking 300m up the road and waiting for one.
How far from the cab rank do you have to be in order to avoid being branded an upcabber?
Nick of St Peters
That’s a good question. I think effort should be rewarded and if you’re willing to walk the extra 300m up the road, it’s fair game.
Where it absolutely vexes me is when someone takes a look at the rank or queue and brazenly walks 10 or so metres in front of the group and sticks their hand out. The other option is crossing the street. In that instance you’re in a different flow of traffic ergo, not an upcabber. Does that help?
Belinda Humphries
@Nick - that’s a good question. I think effort should be rewarded and if you’re willing to walk the extra 300m up the road, it’s fair game.
Where it absolutely vexes me is when someone takes a look at the rank or queue and brazenly walks 10 or so metres in front of the group and sticks their hand out. The other option is crossing the street.
In that instance you’re in a different flow of traffic ergo, not an upcabber.Belinda of TrueLocal
