Current Events > Uber driver, AMA

(+) Yeah! (+)

spanky1 posted...

Wait, you don't know the drop off destination beforehand? Seriously? I didn't know that!

That sounds very dangerous. What if someone wants to get driven across an entire huge city or something like an hour away? That would seriously suck for you if you just planned on being out for a little bit and wanted to stay near home.

Yep. "But I put the destination in the app!"

Doesn't make a difference to me. That's where my independent contractor discretion comes in.

I've been driven far away several times before. One time did a 45 minute ride just a few miles from my house at 1:30 AM.
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Average Uber ride length

5 minutes to pick them up. (Though sometimes closer to 10 minutes!)
3 minutes waiting for them.
5-10 minutes to get them to their destination (usually 10-15 because of traffic)
1-2 minutes for them to leave and get their luggage/items.

Do that 1-2 an hour and suddenly that $3.74 doesn't seem too generous after all now does it?
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I've only used uber like 5 or 6 times. Twice today because my car is borked gave a 4-5 dollar tip each time. I'm always already out when they arrive. Thought this was common sense.
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Paper_Okami posted...

I've only used uber like 5 or 6 times. Twice today because my car is borked gave a 4-5 dollar tip each time.

you're a cool guy
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I'd rather pay for a cab.
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Have any hot girls offered to flash you or give you sexual favors for a ride?
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Do you appreciate when people tell you if there are things like major construstion or horrible speed bumps?
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Sativa_Rose posted...

Have any hot girls offered to flash you or give you sexual favors for a ride?

No, they're often kinda dim actually v_v

Monday posted...

I'd rather pay for a cab.

Everyone says this until their $20 trip to the airport becomes $70 in a cab

Alakazamtrainer posted...

Do you appreciate when people tell you if there are things like major construstion or horrible speed bumps?

No, because it usually involves taking their way which is much longer or puts us directly into traffic and wastes both of our time and still no tip
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Who is the weirdest passenger you have ever picked up?
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One time my friend and I took an Uber, and the driver said she would only put on music if we sang along, and it was Bohemian Rhapsody, and all three of us were singing and headbanging. Best Uber ride ever honestly.
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so we have flat fares as an option here in the San Francisco Bay Area and i use that (last package i got was $40 to lock down $2.99 pool rides for 28 days)

i use this to get to work (it's both cheaper and more convenient than public transport) from the suburbs into san francisco and it takes like 30+ minutes each way


anyway, does the driver only make that flat fare rate (or less)? or does some of that $40 i paid get pooled and distributed?

i always feel super guilty when i do this, but i can't help myself

it's just way more convenient than having to walk to different stops and stations, then waiting, and then getting into dirty buses/trains that'll take way longer to only get to near where i need to go
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SwordMaster13X posted...

Who is the weirdest passenger you have ever picked up?

Passenger who fondled my tip sign while asking me about it, then before leaving the car told me "get rich now!" all sarcastically

Passenger who threatened to cut my balls off after asking me if I'd take kids without car seats (and saying no)

Passenger who bitched after I took a route with tolls (only bringing up his preferred route AFTER I took that route. After we made it to his house without hitting a toll anyway, he didn't mention any sort of gratitude.
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I just now checked my passenger rating and I've got 5 stars. Yeah :D
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truly_FLCL posted...

so we have flat fares as an option here in the San Francisco Bay Area and i use that (last package i got was $40 to lock down $2.99 pool rides for 28 days)

i use this to get to work (it's both cheaper and more convenient than public transport) from the suburbs into san francisco and it takes like 30+ minutes each way


anyway, does the driver only make that flat fare rate (or less)? or does some of that $40 i paid get pooled and distributed?

i always feel super guilty when i do this, but i can't help myself

it's just way more convenient than having to walk to different stops and stations, then waiting, and then getting into dirty buses/trains that'll take way longer to only get to near where i need to go

Drivers in theory get paid the same price for Pool rides as UberX

In theory meaning that if they only picked you up and picked up no one else

Otherwise drivers are making more rides while earning the same amount as they would if they only took one person, but with Uber taking the same fees for both, it's a lose/win/win for the driver/pax/Uber
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I ain't tipping no driver who won't let me blast my jams

Complete_Idi0t posted...

I ain't tipping no driver who won't let me blast my jams

The problem isn't your jams

The problem is that by the time your jam reaches the bridge we're already there
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thompsontalker7 posted...

Drivers in theory get paid the same price for Pool rides as UberX

In theory meaning that if they only picked you up and picked up no one else

Otherwise drivers are making more rides while earning the same amount as they would if they only took one person, but with Uber taking the same fees for both, it's a lose/win/win for the driver/pax/Uber

for reference, flat fare packages lock in $6.99 uberx rides


but i guess what i was asking was, are my drivers actually losing money driving me?

like i said, it only costs me $3 to get from where i live to my work in the city (30~40+ minute drive), so assuming they don't see any of that package money, then i'm p sure they're losing money (hence my guilt)
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thompsontalker7 posted...

Some things I wanna clear up

-Tip is NOT included
-In the tri-state market I make a whole $3.74 on your one mile trip
-No I don't wanna give you the aux cord so you can listen to your trash
-No I don't give you water/mints/treats, you'll just leave it in the back seat anyway
-Yes this is my fucking car
-No I didn't get it from Uber
-No I don't want to stop for you at 7/11, especially if you're not gonna fucking tip
-No a handshake is not an acceptable substitute
-I learn a lot about you because you love telling stories in expositionary format in the back of my car
-I catch you sneaking a drink I'm kicking you to the curb
-No it's not that simple to just come back if you leave something behind, and you better fucking tip too

Despite all this, I sometimes enjoy playing shrink in my car at night.

why are you so angry
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jfc i quoted that before reading the rest of the topic

tc has some serious issues
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Can you be an uber driver anywhere? Or is it in specific towns you can only sign up for?

How did you start to be a driver? Did you sign up, and wait for an interview or something?
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thompsontalker7 posted...

SwordMaster13X posted...

Who is the weirdest passenger you have ever picked up?

Passenger who fondled my tip sign while asking me about it, then before leaving the car told me "get rich now!" all sarcastically

Passenger who threatened to cut my balls off after asking me if I'd take kids without car seats (and saying no)

Passenger who bitched after I took a route with tolls (only bringing up his preferred route AFTER I took that route. After we made it to his house without hitting a toll anyway, he didn't mention any sort of gratitude.

Those aren't weirdos those are dicks. What is the strangest thing a person has done in your car?
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truly_FLCL posted...

thompsontalker7 posted...

Drivers in theory get paid the same price for Pool rides as UberX

In theory meaning that if they only picked you up and picked up no one else

Otherwise drivers are making more rides while earning the same amount as they would if they only took one person, but with Uber taking the same fees for both, it's a lose/win/win for the driver/pax/Uber

for reference, flat fare packages lock in $6.99 uberx rides


but i guess what i was asking was, are my drivers actually losing money driving me?

like i said, it only costs me $3 to get from where i live to my work in the city (30~40+ minute drive), so assuming they don't see any of that package money, then i'm p sure they're losing money (hence my guilt)

You're doing Uber X? In that case no. we get paid base rates differently from what you pay in that case

Like with boosts; those are one-way surges from Uber. We get paid boost prices in certain areas while the rider gets the same regular fare
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mario2000 posted...

jfc i quoted that before reading the rest of the topic

tc has some serious issues

hey I'm the pseudo psychiatrist here

And I'm generally quite pleasant

Most Uber riders however always have a new trick up their sleeve to test my patience, so naturally I do not have high opinions of most of them

SwordMaster13X posted...

thompsontalker7 posted...

SwordMaster13X posted...

Who is the weirdest passenger you have ever picked up?

Passenger who fondled my tip sign while asking me about it, then before leaving the car told me "get rich now!" all sarcastically

Passenger who threatened to cut my balls off after asking me if I'd take kids without car seats (and saying no)

Passenger who bitched after I took a route with tolls (only bringing up his preferred route AFTER I took that route. After we made it to his house without hitting a toll anyway, he didn't mention any sort of gratitude.

Those aren't weirdos those are dicks. What is the strangest thing a person has done in your car?

Ask me to stop at 7/11 because she needed to take water for her pills....pills that were half-dissolved on her tongue. I knew this because she opened her mouth and showed me.

When we got there she just put her head under a sink too smh
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Im going to route you slightly past the main turn as there is heavy construction, then have turn into this little parking lot and drop me off there, as hhere are 3 1/2 inch high speed bump that you probably dont want to run over... Ok?
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You sound like a shitty driver and I hope you don't get tipped.
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So how clean of a driving record do you need to drive for uber? Does it vary between other similar services?
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YourDrunkFather posted...

The thing people like about Uber is not being expected to tip. You shouldn't expect tips

This. The whole point of uber is that you only need your phone so it's paperless. I dont even carry cash most of the time. Not gonna tip a uber driver. Definitely if it's not on the app.
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do you find it offensive if someone just says hi and leaves their headphones in?
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How good of a driver are you? I don't use Uber because being in the car with a stranger who most possibly can't drive is scary

Do you care if I talk to you? I have the irresistible desire to talk to any paid drivers I meet.

Also can you take credit tips? Because I guarantee you that a ton of people don't carry cash at all.
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mario2000 posted...

tc has some serious issues

That would be solved by driving for lyft instead of the literal company that says no tip needed
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I Like Toast posted...

mario2000 posted...

tc has some serious issues

That would be solved by driving for lyft instead of the literal company that says no tip needed

Lyft is full of Uber rejects, no one is tipping on there either

Another World posted...

do you find it offensive if someone just says hi and leaves their headphones in?

Nope that's perfect actually
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Alakazamtrainer posted...

Im going to route you slightly past the main turn as there is heavy construction, then have turn into this little parking lot and drop me off there, as hhere are 3 1/2 inch high speed bump that you probably dont want to run over... Ok?

Sure, you want me to "beat this light" while you're at it?

Lonestar2000 posted...

You sound like a shitty driver and I hope you don't get tipped.

My rating/ride ratio says otherwise, but sure thing pal.

So basically you're being judgmental off my personal opinions on tips, gj

iosifsvoboda posted...

How good of a driver are you? I don't use Uber because being in the car with a stranger who most possibly can't drive is scary

Pretty good. CE is just tight because I'm affirmative on the whole tipping thing.

iosifsvoboda posted...

Do you care if I talk to you? I have the irresistible desire to talk to any paid drivers I meet.

Not at all, long as you don't jump into questions like "so how much do you make"? or is this your car? The answers to those two will always be "not enough" and "yes"

iosifsvoboda posted...

Also can you take credit tips? Because I guarantee you that a ton of people don't carry cash at all.

I've started carrying a Square reader and also use Venmo just in case. But if people don't wanna, they don't wanna.
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thompsontalker7 posted...

Lyft is full of Uber rejects, no one is tipping on there either

he says with ignorance because they rejected him.
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thompsontalker7 posted...

"*partner"

If I were an employee they'd actually have to guarantee me a decent hourly fare/benefits which I'm sure they're not interested in doing

I didn't say that you were an employee. I said that you had an employer. Independent contractors are employed by the employers, but they are not necessarily employees. You chose this job knowing that tipping was not included and that the company for which you do work for discourages it. To put the onus on the passenger is an unreasonable burden. If your institution promoted tipping such as restaurants and delivery spots, then it would be a different story.

You're definitely not Uber's partner, btw.
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I also drive for Uber, and honestly....TC is just a dick.


There are no tips. Period. It's simple. Don't expect them. Don't demand them. Be grateful if you ever receive one.

Also, don't complain about the pay. Be smart and drive during peak hours. Drive in downtown when bars close. You'll make bank. I've made $300 in 2 hours easily just driving during those times.



Oh and I love talking to and getting to know my passengers. If they don't wanna talk that's totally cool. But if you wanna have a real conversation and meet people, driving for Uber can be hella fun
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My friend bought a new Honda and uses it for uber and is struggling to pay it off because he thought he was going to make a lot of money with uber.

I Like Toast posted...

thompsontalker7 posted...

Lyft is full of Uber rejects, no one is tipping on there either

he says with ignorance because they rejected him.

A family friend drives for Lyft, I was repeating his conclusion.


_Near_ posted...

thompsontalker7 posted...

"*partner"

If I were an employee they'd actually have to guarantee me a decent hourly fare/benefits which I'm sure they're not interested in doing

I didn't say that you were an employee. I said that you had an employer. Independent contractors are employed by the employers, but they are not necessarily employees. You chose this job knowing that tipping was not included and that the company for which you do work for discourages it. To put the onus on the passenger is an unreasonable burden. If your institution promoted tipping such as restaurants and delivery spots, then it would be a different story.

You're definitely not Uber's partner, btw.

Ya ya, I got what you were going for the first time around. No matter how they label it, they're certainly not my partner either.

MFBKBass5 posted...

I also drive for Uber, and honestly....TC is just a dick.


There are no tips. Period. It's simple. Don't expect them. Don't demand them. Be grateful if you ever receive one.

Also, don't complain about the pay. Be smart and drive during peak hours. Drive in downtown when bars close. You'll make bank. I've made $300 in 2 hours easily just driving during those times.



Oh and I love talking to and getting to know my passengers. If they don't wanna talk that's totally cool. But if you wanna have a real conversation and meet people, driving for Uber can be hella fun

How long have you been driving and how many rides.

Your tips might've been useful a year ago, but not anymore. Surge is almost nonexistent now during bar-closing hours and pax will just wait it out so they can have more money for lines of coke the next day.

I'm guessing you haven't been doing it long enough to become as cynical as I can get

When I started out gas was cheap and people who took Uber were generally pleasant

Now it's gotten so cheap that I drop people off to drug deals all the time

When I started out I was doing it every day because it was a fun way to make money

But after multiple run-ins with bad pax I've learned to care less about the service, they're not paying me for more than the ride so I'm under no obligation to do more

Despite this, there's still some times where I remember how much this was

I'm not an insufferable douche to every single person like CE is trying to assume, but at the end of the day most pax see you as nothing more than a cheap ride and Uber thinks you're completely expendable. Therefore I'm not as obliged to go out of my way in the hopes of getting shit like a badge or a handshake. Those don't pay for gas. I put my focus on maximizing profit as much as possible in any area.....including gratuity.

Maybe I'll rework this topic to be less sour and CE wouldn't be as inclined to give me so much cheek in their responses
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