While travel is exciting and enriching, it can also be scary. There are a lot of things you can do to prepare and travel safely, but there are always going to be things that catch you off guard – like that time when we were almost mugged in Puerto Rico.
Six years ago, I had just graduated and started a job with my current company. Since our Tampa office was much smaller then, they wanted to fly me out to do training in our New York City office for a week. I had only been to NYC once before, on a chaperoned band trip in middle school, so I was very excited for this “big girl” return trip to the city. After all, this time I had my own hotel room and could explore on my own! I had a per diem for dining! I could drink!
I wouldn’t get the opportunity to see the Christmas wonders that the city has to offer, but a January visit meant it would still be quite wintery; my Florida wardrobe couldn’t hack it. In the days leading up to the trip, I went shopping with my mom for boots and fleece leggings, to layer under my slacks. I packed up my green peacoat and the one pair of gloves I owned before my parents dropped me off at the airport.
I had previously talked with my new boss about taking a cab from LaGuardia to the Flatiron Hotel, so when I got off the plane at LGA, I started following signs for the taxi line. As I got closer, a man approached me and asked, “Do you need a cab?” Red flag #1. Assuming you actually want to take a cab, the correct response to this question is to ignore the person or say no.
However, as I was 21 and on my first real solo trip, I thought that this guy had just saved me a lot of trouble, and I told him that yes, in fact, I did need a cab. I then followed him to a black SUV which looked nothing like any cab I’d ever seen. Red flag #2. If you have any doubts about a car being the right car for you or even a safe car, leave. Do not feel committed to a stranger.
That being said, he did have his NYC taxi license posted in the back seat, which I knew to look for in a legitimate cab, so I got into the backseat. I messaged Tyler to let him know the situation, and I promised to let him know when I got to the hotel. I would have felt uneasy even without this car concern, so I wanted to make sure he knew where I was.
This uneasiness was made worse when I asked the driver where his card reader was; I had been told I would be able to expense my travel for the trip, but I needed receipts. He told me that he didn’t have one, and I would have to pay with cash. Red flag #3. It’s always good to travel with some cash, but credit cards provide an extra measure of safety that cash does not. You can always dispute charges with your credit card provider if needed.
Since I did have cash on me, I said okay. We arrived safely at the Flatiron, for which I am very thankful. The worst thing that happened was that I proceeded to pay ~$80 for the drive to my hotel in cash and had to demand a handwritten receipt that potentially wouldn’t have been approved to expense (after discussing the situation with my boss, who reiterated the red flags above, it was approved).
This could have been a much worse situation because I didn’t see the red flags. A stranger had me get in his car from the airport, outside the officially sanctioned cab line and without having cab-features… even six years removed and many other trips to NYC later, that stresses me out. As many great adventures as I have had in New York City, I’m glad to have had this one, especially considering how well it turned out; it serves as a good reminder to keep your wits about you and trust your gut while traveling.
Also, I highly recommend waiting in the taxi line, even if it is freezing cold.