****A Note of Caution****…read more
"A"-Cabs, if you will, do not have GPS and the drivers (at least, from the two whom I have encountered) do not use GPS, so, as an example, if your car breaks down (like mine) use your GPS device or app to gather your current location and find a cross street (or another cross reference). Also, given the aforementioned, to-and-fro street addresses are insufficient; so, be prepared to provide navigational instructions (i.e., "this road, county route 16, expands to two lanes at the light, so I would get over [in the right lane] to get on route 27," etc.)--or, even, alternate routes.
****Review****
Requesting a cab is easy; whoever is responsible for taking cab requests is patient and understanding--in spite of the caller's emotional state (in a state of delirium because you could roast a couple of marshmallows over your engine thanks to a shoddy repair job at Chevy 112)--and yet they're quite direct. Time is of the essence to them and they anticipate that it is for you as well. Expect a 15-20 minute wait for your cab.
The cab drivers, whom I encountered, were incredibly respectful, patient, and genuine (just honest and straightforward). I forget the name of my first cab driver; he is, I believe, a retiree and a freelance journalist/author, who--like myself--had a liberal stance regarding speed limits (buckle your seatbelt). The second cab driver, whom I met, was Rich, a military veteran and true sports buff, who had a comparatively more conservative stance regarding speed limits. However, both provided a seamless or smooth experience, without incident. Or, if incident present itself, it was favorable (e.g., learning about recent corruption in contemporary political events from the freelance author, reminiscing and discussing a variety of sports and recent games or matches with Rich, etc.).
If you become familiar with the company (which is unfortunately the case with me at the moment), then it looks like they'll give "discounted rates" if you will. I paid the same fare ($55) for the following trips:
Lake Grove (where my car broke down) to Moriches - 29 min (19.8 mi) via I-495 E
Stony Brook to Moriches - 39 min (25.1 mi) via I-495 E
The cab, of course, showed signs of wear but was clean. (For the most point, I'm uninterested in the internal state of the cab; I just care about it getting me from point A to point B in a timely manner. From the look of some of these reviews, it looks like people were assessing the cab, as though it were a plate: "Eh! I would rather treat my palate to a Beef Wellington placed atop my hand than this floor mat.")
****Recommendation****
"A" - Cab Service, Inc. is reliable and convenient. If one can ask for drivers (as I am not sure), then ask for Rich.
Being a longtime Long Island resident, Rich is knowledgeable of the area (roadways, etc.); and he's just a genuine, straightforward, open-minded individual able to understand another individual's perspective (circumstance[s]), etc. In regard to the latter, he was willing to drive me to an ATM, so I could withdraw cash; however, I already knew and understood how I could and how I was supposed to pay via credit card with this service (call the central office and provide the pay method information after learning of the fare and gratuity total).
