Off Topic Driving for Lyft/Uber

[stuuuuuuuuu]

I drive Uber occasionally in Kansas City and recently picked up four players from a visiting ECHL team. I brought them to a greasy riverboat casino the night before their game.

 

Their parting words: If you're a betting man and can get action on the ECHL; put everything you have on Kansas City tomorrow.

 

I ended up going to the game and recognized one of the guys getting dusted for two goals in an ugly loss. Made me wonder how common this type of stuff is in the NHL

[inkman]

I drive Uber occasionally in Kansas City and recently picked up four players from a visiting ECHL team. I brought them to a greasy riverboat casino the night before their game.

 

Their parting words: If you're a betting man and can get action on the ECHL; put everything you have on Kansas City tomorrow.

 

I ended up going to the game and recognized one of the guys getting dusted for two goals in an ugly loss. Made me wonder how common this type of stuff is in the NHL

Extraordinarily common. Don't think Vegas has the best record in the NHL because of their immense talent. The brown bottle flu runs rampant in them parts.

[darksabre]

Extraordinarily common. Don't think Vegas has the best record in the NHL because of their immense talent. The brown bottle flu runs rampant in them parts.

You'd think we'd be better at that kinda thing here.

[inkman]

So tipping has been an issue. The only time I get a majority of riders tipping is late night but usually only the over 30 crowd. So I ordered these signs. Is this obnoxious?

 

[SwampD]

I thought you weren't supposed to tip Uber drivers. Wasn't that even in a Lyft commercial?

[Samson's Flow]

So tipping has been an issue. The only time I get a majority of riders tipping is late night but usually only the over 30 crowd. So I ordered these signs. Is this obnoxious?

 

 

I don't know whether or not you should tip an Uber driver or not, as I don't use the service often.

 

But that is a pretty cool sign - as a rider I would appreciate the creativity :thumbsup:

[nfreeman]

Some tips evidently don't take the form of cash:  https://nypost.com/2018/02/28/ive-had-sex-with-three-of-my-uber-drivers/

[Samson's Flow]

Some tips evidently don't take the form of cash:  https://nypost.com/2018/02/28/ive-had-sex-with-three-of-my-uber-drivers/

The real question is whether the rating happened before or after said act. Hate to get only 3 stars just because you're a bad lay...  :blush:

[inkman]

I thought you weren't supposed to tip Uber drivers. Wasn't that even in a Lyft commercial?

Boy does this feel like a gut punch. I can't imagine how this conclusion was reached but I hope it was just your and yours alone interpretation of a commercial. When Uber started tipping was not included in the app which they have since rectified. Based on my conversations with riders, no one has echoed those sentiments. The biggest issue I see is how tipping works. In order to do so, the rider has to rate the driver, an option that can easily be avoided. I just can't wrap my head around how anyone could come to the conclusion that tipping isn't allowed. It's not a country club.

[SwampD]

Boy does this feel like a gut punch. I can't imagine how this conclusion was reached but I hope it was just your and yours alone interpretation of a commercial. When Uber started tipping was not included in the app which they have since rectified. Based on my conversations with riders, no one has echoed those sentiments. The biggest issue I see is how tipping works. In order to do so, the rider has to rate the driver, an option that can easily be avoided. I just can't wrap my head around how anyone could come to the conclusion that tipping isn't allowed. It's not a country club.

It wasn't just my conclusion. It was initially a conscious decision by Uber when they started. They didn't want riders getting poor ratings based on tips and they also didn't want drivers only picking up rides in areas where they thought they would get better tips, neglecting others.

And IIRC, it took a class action lawsuit to change it.

[josie]

Boy does this feel like a gut punch. I can't imagine how this conclusion was reached but I hope it was just your and yours alone interpretation of a commercial. When Uber started tipping was not included in the app which they have since rectified. Based on my conversations with riders, no one has echoed those sentiments. The biggest issue I see is how tipping works. In order to do so, the rider has to rate the driver, an option that can easily be avoided. I just can't wrap my head around how anyone could come to the conclusion that tipping isn't allowed. It's not a country club.

I mean, I tip when I take a cab somewhere- in fact when you pay in a NYC cab, if I remember correctly a little screen comes up and asks you to tip 10, 15 or 20%. I'd definitely tip my driver unless they said they couldn't accept due to company policy. 

 

But I'm a big tipper no matter what. I know plenty of shmucks who don't bother. 

 

It wasn't just my conclusion. It was initially a conscious decision by Uber when they started. They didn't want riders getting poor ratings based on tips and they also didn't want drivers only picking up rides in areas where they thought they would get better tips, neglecting others.

And IIRC, it took a class action lawsuit to change it.

Ah that would make sense. 

 

Good ol' Gig Economy. 

 

I saw where they are starting Uber Health... aka ambulance/driver to your doc appts https://www.uberhealth.com/

Says a bit about our med systems, but super useful for those who live alone/have daytime appts and can't drive. 

Edited March 8, 2018 by josie

[sabills]

I mean, I tip when I take a cab somewhere- in fact when you pay in a NYC cab, if I remember correctly a little screen comes up and asks you to tip 10, 15 or 20%. I'd definitely tip my driver unless they said they couldn't accept due to company policy. 

 

But I'm a big tipper no matter what. I know plenty of shmucks who don't bother. 

 

Ah that would make sense. 

 

Good ol' Gig Economy. 

 

I saw where they are starting Uber Health... aka ambulance/driver to your doc appts https://www.uberhealth.com/

Says a bit about our med systems, but super useful for those who live alone/have daytime appts and can't drive. 

 

This would have been super handy for my grampa when he was going into Roswell a couple times a week. The hospital shuttles did their best, but it was a pain for him.

[darksabre]

I mean, I tip when I take a cab somewhere- in fact when you pay in a NYC cab, if I remember correctly a little screen comes up and asks you to tip 10, 15 or 20%. I'd definitely tip my driver unless they said they couldn't accept due to company policy.

 

But I'm a big tipper no matter what. I know plenty of shmucks who don't bother.

 

Ah that would make sense.

 

Good ol' Gig Economy.

 

I saw where they are starting Uber Health... aka ambulance/driver to your doc appts https://www.uberhealth.com/

Says a bit about our med systems, but super useful for those who live alone/have daytime appts and can't drive.

This, to me, is a very good thing. Medical transport is some sad stuff. Just crummy old Econoline vans packed full. Being able to get a ride to an appointment in a nice, comfortable, clean car would be much more pleasant. Maybe it'll force medical transport companies to up their game a bit. I think a lot of aging boomers will take advantage of this.

[Weave]

This, to me, is a very good thing. Medical transport is some sad stuff. Just crummy old Econoline vans packed full. Being able to get a ride to an appointment in a nice, comfortable, clean car would be much more pleasant. Maybe it'll force medical transport companies to up their game a bit. I think a lot of aging boomers will take advantage of this.

The biggest problem I see is that the typical aging boomer that would need this service is mobility restricted and needs to have a vehicle that is easy to enter/exit.

 

But I am sure there is a fix to that problem.

 

My grandparents sure could have used Uber if only they trusted strangers enough to try it.

[Winston]

The biggest problem I see is that the typical aging boomer that would need this service is mobility restricted and needs to have a vehicle that is easy to enter/exit.

 

But I am sure there is a fix to that problem.

 

My grandparents sure could have used Uber if only they trusted strangers enough to try it.

 

Uber already has all the different ride types: UberX (normal), UberXL (6+ passengers), Uber Select (luxury vehicles), Uber Black (what are you, secret service?)

 

The company has lists of approved vehicles for each category. They could vet vehicles and put together a list of approved, accessible vehicles. UberSenior? UberAccessible? 

 

That's actually a really, really cool idea.

[Weave]

Uber already has all the different ride types: UberX (normal), UberXL (6+ passengers), Uber Select (luxury vehicles), Uber Black (what are you, secret service?)

 

The company has lists of approved vehicles for each category. They could vet vehicles and put together a list of approved, accessible vehicles. UberSenior? UberAccessible?

 

That's actually a really, really cool idea.

The market for accessibility/senior ride sharing services has got to be huge. Edited March 8, 2018 by We've

[Winston]

The market for accessibility/senior ride sharing services has got to be huge.

 

Agreed, it seems like a big opportunity. Uber would just have to come up with a list of acceptable vehicles. They assuredly already have enough drivers whose vehicles are eligible. It's not even like they need to add any new drivers. The "infrastructure" already exists. They just would need to market it. And probably not even to the elderly that would use it. Market it to their kids that are otherwise transporting them. They already know and trust Uber. Let them convince their parents instead of launching a daytime TV marketing campaign!!

Edited March 8, 2018 by EichSnipe

[Weave]

Agreed, it seems like a big opportunity. Uber would just have to come up with a list of acceptable vehicles. They assuredly already have enough drivers whose vehicles are eligible. It's not even like they need to add any new drivers. The "infrastructure" already exists. They just would need to market it. And probably not even to the elderly that would use it. Market it to their kids that are otherwise transporting them. They already know and trust Uber. Let them convince their parents instead of launching a daytime TV marketing campaign!!

Liability may be a concern....

[Winston]

Another bottleneck would be the technology gap. My grandma hasn't driven in 15 years and could certainly use a service like this. But she also has never held a smartphone. Her knowledge of the internet doesn't span beyond Facebook, which she calls "Spacebook." She's not summoning a ride on her phone like we are. She would need someone else to do it for her, or have a call-in service.

[Stoner]

Does Uber establish service in a location or can anyone become an Uber driver anywhere?

[stuuuuuuuuu]

Does Uber establish service in a location or can anyone become an Uber driver anywhere?

You need to register with the locality that you want to drive in, they run a simple backfround check and verify that your vehicle is insured.  I am registered as a driver in Kansas City and can drive here and the surrounding suburbs anytime. 

 

I travel for work though and when I turn the driver app on in DC for instance I am not able to go online and pick up rides.

 

I am interested in finding out just how far my KC permissions go but, not interested enough to drive a few hundred miles into Kansas to see if I can still pick people up.

[inkman]

Another bottleneck would be the technology gap. My grandma hasn't driven in 15 years and could certainly use a service like this. But she also has never held a smartphone. Her knowledge of the internet doesn't span beyond Facebook, which she calls "Spacebook." She's not summoning a ride on her phone like we are. She would need someone else to do it for her, or have a call-in service.

It's easy enough to do remotely although it can create a dynamic more than a few drivers are uncomfortable with, having someone in your vehicle that has little tie to the credit card that is paying. When I go to pickup Tiffany and Bubba gets in my back seat, it always leaves me a little uneasy.

[inkman]

All in all yesterday was a good Uber day. There were a few riders gassed at 4pm. Like passing out in the backseat kind of gassed. The real fun started after dark. I decided to head back out after driving 1-7, where I made about $250. So my data plan is always close to exhausting high speed data near the end of the billing cycle. This month I ran out Friday. That meant all day yesterday my app was slow and barely functional. My second to last ride I completely lost navigation, so I go to type the destination into my Jeep's GPS and nothing. Their apartment complex was built in the last 3 years so my GPS doesn't recognize it. I was forced to use the passenger's GPS to get their. They were none to happy.

 

This is where the real fun starts. I get a notification coming back from the sticks where the previous ride ended for a ride. I get to the pickup and my passengers is lit. Can't walk without assistance or talk for that matter. Two minutes into our ride, which was close to 30 minutes, she out. So I get to her apartment and she's not moving. I try to coax her awake to no avail. Her phone rings, after hearing her friends who abandoned her in my Uber talk about her man, I know it's him calling and he's inside the apartment. I answer the phone and of course he's real curious why some rando dude is answering her phone at 1 am. I explain the situation, he initially expresses doubt but comes outside to see his better half unconscious in my backseat and realizes I'm just her Uber driver. So he pulls her out of my Jeep and she's pretty much still out on her feet. I notice he's only pulling on her by her wrist which if she was coherent, would have been very painful. As soon as she clears my vehicle, she's headed for the ground. Being the helpful person I strive to be, I catch her before she falls and kinda throw a "whatcha doin here bro" look at her old man who is none too happy about the situation. I was more than a little concerned for this woman's immediate future but I don't really know what I could have done differently.

[Eleven]

All in all yesterday was a good Uber day. There were a few riders gassed at 4pm. Like passing out in the backseat kind of gassed. The real fun started after dark. I decided to head back out after driving 1-7, where I made about $250. So my data plan is always close to exhausting high speed data near the end of the billing cycle. This month I ran out Friday. That meant all day yesterday my app was slow and barely functional. My second to last ride I completely lost navigation, so I go to type the destination into my Jeep's GPS and nothing. Their apartment complex was built in the last 3 years so my GPS doesn't recognize it. I was forced to use the passenger's GPS to get their. They were none to happy.

 

This is where the real fun starts. I get a notification coming back from the sticks where the previous ride ended for a ride. I get to the pickup and my passengers is lit. Can't walk without assistance or talk for that matter. Two minutes into our ride, which was close to 30 minutes, she ###### out. So I get to her apartment and she's not moving. I try to coax her awake to no avail. Her phone rings, after hearing her friends who abandoned her in my Uber talk about her man, I know it's him calling and he's inside the apartment. I answer the phone and of course he's real curious why some rando dude is answering her phone at 1 am. I explain the situation, he initially expresses doubt but comes outside to see his better half unconscious in my backseat and realizes I'm just her Uber driver. So he pulls her out of my Jeep and she's pretty much still out on her feet. I notice he's only pulling on her by her wrist which if she was coherent, would have been very painful. As soon as she clears my vehicle, she's headed for the ground. Being the helpful person I strive to be, I catch her before she falls and kinda throw a "whatcha doin here bro" look at her old man who is none too happy about the situation. I was more than a little concerned for this woman's immediate future but I don't really know what I could have done differently.

 

What happens if you drop her off at an ER?  Do you get into trouble with Uber?

[inkman]

What happens if you drop her off at an ER? Do you get into trouble with Uber?

I doubt it but I'm unsure. It may have been an option if her bf didn't call. I was searching for answers.