One of the most unpleasant encounters a traveler can go through in a new city is a rude taxi driver or a life-threatening cab ride. It’s quite difficult to pinpoint when it can occur. There are a few hints here and there, like when the cabbie cuts another to reach you first. However, not all telltale signs are always available. The cabbie could just inherently be a bad driver, a newbie, or a person simply having a bad day. That’s basically the luck of the draw. But, there are some instances when the experience is unpleasant because the commuter himself is rude or out of line.

As a member of the Chicago taxi drivers, I gathered some basic but effective tips on how you, the commuter, can be a better cab passenger. Follow these guidelines and you’ll have a smooth, enjoyable ride around Chicago 99 percent of the time.

1.    Book one taxi dispatch company at a time.

Chicago is a big city, so it’s not a surprise for the Windy City to have a number of cab companies that are on call 24/7. When you need a cab ride and you can’t hail one on the street, you can simply book a taxi from any these cab companies. Despite this convenience and the number of options available, resist the urge to stay on the safe side and book multiple taxis at once. Choose one and make a single booking. For instance, if you choose Universal Taxi Dispatch, stick with us from start to finish. If for some reason you decided to pick a different company, make a cancelation first, before doing another deal with another dispatch. Remember, even if we drive you around and are pretty much at your beck-and-call, we’re also making a living. Calling two cabs when you only need one makes one driver short of a passenger.

2.    Choose a cab that has logos and licenses displayed.

As a passenger, your safety is paramount. As drivers, we take your – and our – safety seriously. Universal Taxiunits are properly marked with our insignia in and out ofour vehicles. Our drivers’ licenses with their photos are also on display for you to examine. It’s important that you choose a cab that is legally and properly marked to avoid any unpleasant incidents, like petty misconducts orheinous crimes.

3.    Know your destination.

If you’re traveling to Chicago for the first time, or to any other new place for that matter, knowing your exact destination can be a bit tricky. Obviously, you haven’t been there, but that shouldn’t limit your knowledge about the place. Thanks to Google Maps and other navigational mobile apps, it’ll be easy enough to pinpoint the route from the pick-up point to the actual destination.  The majority of the time, Chicago cabbies know the ins and outs of the city, so you won’t have a problem reaching your destination. But, it’s for your own safety and peace of mind to know the route of where you’re going. If you’re relaxed, then your driver won’t have any reason to get tense or suspicious, too.

4.    Have some respect.

This sounds pretty basic, but respect is a trait that many passengers take for granted. As drivers, we require that you respect our work, our cab, and our space. This means refraining from soiling the vehicle with garbage or asking rude questions.

These tips are elementary, but they go a long way in ensuring a harmonious cabbie-passenger relationship, even for just a 20-minute ride.