I travelled by air to BC recently with some friends. They made arrangements to get us a driver to take us to the airport and back. The driver and his new van appeared at our home early one morning and dropped us off at Terminal 1 at the departure level. I learned that he had a taxi license but he was charging us Uber rates. He was doing this on his own time and outside the taxi rules set out by the local licensing authority.
On our return, we discovered that this fellow would again meet us at Pearson Airport and drive us back to the city. What we didn't know is that we'd have to skirt the rules and make our way from the arrival area and meet him in the departure level. Apparently, only licensed taxis and limos were allowed to pick up at the Arrival area. This was a bit awkward because, funnily enough, there are no signs pointing from Arrivals to Departures. It involved two elevators. Our friends also gave us special instructions on what to say if an airport official challenged this pick up arrangement.
I've not used Uber drivers primarily because they aren't compelled to play by the same rules as the Taxi industry. I'm all for an open market that offers choices but this kind of advantage is not just unfair, it's illegal. They should be licensed and insured like all of the others.
Wawanesa Insurance just announced that they will now deny coverage to Uber drivers and there's a chance that city hall will begin licensing these drivers. When that happens, I won't have to feel like a cheat and a criminal by skulking my way up the arrival level to find a dishonest driver to take me home.