No need to call ahead for a cab if you're in central London, just walk out the door and flag one down in the street - you won't have to wait more than a few moments.
Here's the amazing thing: tell the cabbie where you want to go (Craven Hill Road, The Great Eastern Hotel, the John Soane museum, The Mitre pub....) and he'll get you there via the quickest route without using a GPS or asking directions. How so you ask. Because to be licensed as a London cabbie you have to pass a horrendous exam called 'The Knowledge'. To be successful the candidate must have memorized every street in central London, every point of interest and every hotel & pub etc. Additionally they must be able to promptly verbalise the optimum route from any point A to point B. Considering the size of London, the complexity of its ancient road system (it's not laid out on a grid system like Phoenix or Salt Lake City) and its numerous points of interest this is feat beyond most mere mortals.
It takes years of preparation to pass 'The Knowledge', and one can oftentimes spot candidates training as they drive round London on small mopeds with clipboard attached to the handlebars.
Given the arduous nature of the exam, and hence the amount of time needed to be invested to be successful, the London cabbie is a professional driver who may well spend his whole working life using his Knowledge to help the public move around town. I view it as an enjoyable privilege to ride in a London cab observing a true professional practice their craft flawlessly.
A few practical points: if the yellow light on the roof above the windshield is on then a cab is available, no one other than the driver sits in the front, the rear can comfortably accommodate four passengers.
Sit back and enjoy the experience.
There are some very interesting points in your post regarding the amount of effort that goes into becoming a taxi driver in London. It's definitely something I wasn't aware of before. Thanks!
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