I actually worked as a taxi driver in Vegas ( for 10 days, but that is another story, LOL)
Some things to know.
1- all drivers have to have a license, to get it you have to pass an FBI background check. You also have to take a test about your knowledge of a lot of destinations in Vegas (taxi regs, location of things like hospitals, police stations, churches, etc) The guy was amazed when I passed on the first try, he said most take 3 or 4 times. LOL
2- by law, drivers are required to take you to your destination by the most direct route unless you ask to go a different way. We were told in training that the taxi police ( yes there is a such a thing) will wait in un-marked cars on the south side of the tunnel and randomly pull over taxis and then go directly to the passengers and ask them if the driver told them the fare would cost more by going this route. If they say no, the driver gets a big fine and can possibly lose their license. We were told the smart thing to do is offer this route to your passenger if traffic is bad on the strip or on Tropicana, like on a Friday nights. Depending on what is going on and what time of day it is , etc, it might be a cheaper fare and be faster to go the long way. But if the driver just takes you on that route without saying anything, you should speak up.
3 - drivers only get paid by the # of trips they do, there is no minimum wage and at least at the place i worked, they work 6 day weeks and 10 hr shifts. You have to log every fare you pick up. The company got $1 for each trip , + 60% of the fare. Driver gets 40% of fare and tips.
So if your driver is nice and gives you a good ride, DON"T BE CHEAP, give them a decent tip! That is how they make money.
Consider that the driver has to wait in the taxi line til he gets to the front and picks up a fare, that can be 30 minutes or more at most casinos. the driver can NOT refuse the fare, even if the passenger says "take me across the street". and yes, I had that happen. I wait 30 minutes in the line at the Mirage, i pick up the passenger and he says, take me to the hotel across the strip. The fare was $5.60 and the guy gives me $6.00 and says, "keep the change". Gee thanks, I just spent 45 minutes of my shift and made $2. and you wonder why drivers are sometimes grumpy.
4 - the fare is based on distance AND time. The meter is running if you are sitting in traffic. Don't blame the driver, the Vegas taxi commission sets the rates.
5- don't feel bad if you try to flag down a cab and they pass you by. Drivers are told NOT to pick up flag downs. There have been many robberies. The bad guys know drivers have cash. If you are not at a casino or the airport you should call the taxi company. They all have cars that roam around and are radio dispatched. They will send a cab quickly. This way the driver is safer because the dispatcher knows where they picked up and where they are going.
if you have any other questions, just ask, I'll try to answer.