Quote:
Originally Posted by fintstone
I used to work with a GS-15 (retired USCG O-5) that drove every spare minute. He said he did not make much money but liked to talk to the people. He was lonely because his wife had left him. She came back about a year later...so I don't know if he still drives. He always provided his riders with candy, snacks, bottled water, etc.
I was at Dahlgren Naval Base one night very late and needed to get to Fredericksburg to pick up a car...and the young guy that picked me up was a Navy pilot. He said that he did it because he was bored and there was not much to do at night in the area...and it helped him meet people. We had a lot in common to talk about, so it was a great ride. At first, there were no drivers signed n in the area, so I kept checking for an hour or so before he popped up. It is usually easier to get a ride for somewhere (like an airport or big city) to nowhere than vice versa. It is perfect for when we go to one of our vacation homes because we don't need a rental car (we keep a car in the garage).
I had my car break down late one night in Maryland (near BWI) on the way to my rural VA home from the airport. After an hour or so of trying to get a tow truck, I was able to coax it into the parking lot of a closed repair shop. I got an UBER ride home with a very nice young man who told me that he had never been out of Maryland and never drove on a rural road before...much less at night. When we got near my home well after midnight (very dark and spooky to him) ...I could see that he was having second thoughts (envisioning a scene from Deliverance or at least a chainsaw killer/cannibal movie). Probably a good thing that I looked old and harmless.
I don't see how he made much money on that trip as it was about an hour and a half...and unless he could get a fare going back, another hour and a half to drive back (plus gas) ...and it was about $80.
At first, I tried to give them a cash tip...but they tell me they are not allowed cash tips and must get them through the App...so that is what I do.
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That pretty much describes my attraction to it. I had really enjoyed driving a cab when I was young and rode in quite a few Ubers and Lyfts, it seemed like an easy and pleasant part time job. I had also considered working in a hardware store or Home Depot just to pass some spare time, seemed like fun. I just was't sure that it was financially worthwhile.
When rideshare prices started going up noticeably in 2020, I started asking drivers about the pay. One guy showed me the app on his phone and he was making $1500 a weekend, going hard on Fri/Sat/Sunday. I was impressed. I got approved for driving for both Uber and Lyft but still procrastinated it for months until one of my best friends said, "why don't you just turn on the app and give a couple of rides? See if you like it?"
Duh...too logical for me, I guess.
I did as instructed and found it addicting...the app feeds you another ride before you drop off the current passenger when it's busy and the next thing I knew, I'd been driving for hours and really needed to find a place to whiz. I thought my bladder was going to burst. Now, I know all of the clean restrooms in town but it was really busy then.
In the city at least, the job involves a lot of skilled driving in traffic and dealing with people but also fighting the algorithm that is the Uber drivers app. It wants to send you where it wants you to go or needs you and you might have different goals. Usually, you do. It's a combination of poker and navigation...a small amount of luck and a lot of strategy. Out in a rural area, it would be completely different, I would imagine that you take any and all rides offered. People probably sit at home or work in the garage with it on until a ride comes up(?)
Also, that is the first I've heard about not being allowed cash tips. Most people tip through the app but I've received some cash tips.