Why are Las Vegas cabbies so weird about tips?

[GhostofDC]

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I think the reason that I tip generously on cab rides is that I have a friend who used to drive a taxi, and at least in his case I learned that cab drivers are compensated far less than you think.

I can't remember exactly how it worked but he had to pay a high hourly rental fee to the cab company. Some of you guys seem to think that if you get a $30 ride and tip $5, the cabby is pocketing $35.

But I think if you amoritize his rental fee or whatever over the duration of your cab ride, he basically makes little more than whatever you tip.

Not sure though. Hopefully the LV cab driver can give us the details.

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Driving a taxi in Las Vegas is different than any other city in the world. In most citys the driver can own the cab , lease the cab or rent the cab. In Las Vegas the taxis are all owned by the companies. We net 25 % of the fare. We get to keep our tips but the IRS taxes us 23 % . In other words if a driver puts 200.00 dollars in fares on his/her meter during their shift, the IRS taxes us on the 46.00 they assume we made in tips. Also a trip charge comes off the top of the fare. It varies from 1.00 - 1.50 depending on the company. We also buy our own gas. My fuel runs me about 55.00 per day.
I do not beg for tips and I try not to insult people when they are Cheap ( unless they openly boast about it on a message board ) It is a waste of my time and breath to insult someone who tips me a buck because Cheap People will never change. Cheap people will always look for an excuse not to tip and always find one. All I can hope for is the New Vegas will price the Cheapo's off the strip.

Growing up in this city I was saddened to see the historic hotels being imploded one by one. But the New Tourist have changed me. I can not wait until July when the Frontier closes. Hopefully the Sahara, Rivera , Circus and Tropicana will fall in the near future. As these hotels come down rates will increase due to a room shortage and a few more Cheap People will not visit Las Vegas.