RIDEGURU
StevenL-NYU
Ride Apprentice
152 Driver DriverActivity
Posts by StevenL-NYU
-
Lyft, Uber, Pinterest: Are internet unicorns really worth billions?
Great article. I took two big concerns raised for Lyft IPO.However, transportation as a service is a nascent industry. … -
Some Uber Greenlight HUB locations are ridiculous.
So this is what I am used to. Literally next to a laundromat. Then I heard about a free standing … -
Airbnb, Lyft, Uber allowing service to be denied to Unite the Right marchers
Marchers in this weekend's Unite the Right 2 white nationalist rally may have a harder time getting a ride or … -
Did you know? Orange lights on the hoods of taxicabs are called "Trouble Light"
Hey, passengers. Have you seen these orange circular lights on taxi cabs? They are usually on the back of the …
Featured Answers by StevenL-NYU
-
Yes, but not to the level you'd think. Most drivers, at least from what I know, maybe use two apps. They can be signed up for multiple, but really just two. Here are the reasons:
1) Maintenance of the accounts: Paperwork, background checks, etc. can be a pain. You'd think it isn't, but it is.
2) You don't need it. If you have three apps, it doesn't mean you get three times as many ride requests. When it's busy, it is busy. When it isn't, it isn't busy no matter which apps you have going on your phone.
3) In most markets, there aren't thay many options. Uber and Lyft - pretty much it. There are only selected cities (the largest ones) where there is a third player
4) Streak bonuses. Riders have no idea of this, but there are loyalty bonuses with these rideshare companies. You get bonuses from completing X number of riders a week, for example. So you want to stick with one app as much as possible. Maybe have one more as a back up, but you really don't need more than that.
Yes, there are apps that enable you (or at least attempt to enable you) to manage multiple but none of them work that great.
-
The vote seems to be split on this one. I’m for being an employee to protect the full time drivers. Two arguments
1) I think people who want ultimate flexibility are part-time or occasional drivers. I feel the full time drivers need the help, and frankly the full time drivers are enough to cover the existing demand. Let’s bring taxing back to the professional drivers. I don’t think we need more SUPPLY. This industry has existed for thousands of years and it’s been fine.
2) The nay sayers AND Uber are saying we will lose all flexibility and paint the picture that we will be working 9-5 like at office jobs. This isn’t true. Look at the taxi industry. Hell, many of us all used to be taxi drivers. Being a taxi driver does have flexibility and you can work the days and times you want. (When you work, you may need to commit to a window, but that isn’t a bad thing. That keeps us committed and it’s easier to control the supply on the road. (Instead of Uber doing all kinds of shady things to do this.)
Yes, but not to the level you'd think. Most drivers, at least from what I know, maybe use two apps. They can be signed up for multiple, but really just two. Here are the reasons:
1) Maintenance of the accounts: Paperwork, background checks, etc. can be a pain. You'd think it isn't, but it is.
2) You don't need it. If you have three apps, it doesn't mean you get three times as many ride requests. When it's busy, it is busy. When it isn't, it isn't busy no matter which apps you have going on your phone.
3) In most markets, there aren't thay many options. Uber and Lyft - pretty much it. There are only selected cities (the largest ones) where there is a third player
4) Streak bonuses. Riders have no idea of this, but there are loyalty bonuses with these rideshare companies. You get bonuses from completing X number of riders a week, for example. So you want to stick with one app as much as possible. Maybe have one more as a back up, but you really don't need more than that.
Yes, there are apps that enable you (or at least attempt to enable you) to manage multiple but none of them work that great.
What's the circumstances are you referring to? Like when they ask you to stop at a mini mart or picking up a friend?
That happens quite often. You must be pretty stressed if that bothers you so much.
I hear you brotha. I dread those Pool trips now. I try to be numb and not think about it. After all that's what Uber wants us to be. just mechnially driving to where the app says we go
I have noticed that as well for streaks and all promotions. I am not so sure if it's my paranoia or if it's actually true. We already know that Uber and Lyft do have additional logic for matching up riders to drivers besides distance, so I am sure it happens. Probably in the name of "giving all drivers a chance" sort of thing.
We are all dancing on the palm of Uber's hand.
Yes, that happens. Drunk people think they are being so clever when they "discretely" smoke in my car. Gosh.
In front of bars, without exception, they always take a HUGE puff before they get on the car. Then my car ends up smelling for the rest of the night.
Ah, only if customers knew what we go through to clear that smell between fares Sigh...
To be honest, I've never seen one either. Maybe it's for certain cities. (I'm in NYC.)
I think maybe it was Chicago or Philly. Are there IL or PA drivers who can confirm?
I think the threshold was like 80-85% or something for acceptance rate.
Well, to confuse you farther, Uber started showing your destination to drivers *at the time of the request (before they accept the ride).* This is a special privilege for drivers with high acceptance rate. (or was it cancellation rate? I can't remember.)
LOL.
"If I never hear the word “like” again in my lifetime, that would be okay with me."
that's pretty badass. I love it how your reputation and the 4.96 shuts everyone up.
Those speak louder than words.
Here's a good one. Well, which is it? LOL.
There are lots of "walk out on Uber" groups on Facebook. They never tell you when the walk-out day is though. It's either it happened already or they are waiting for the member count to be higher than 10.
Deactivation is such a huge penalty because it automatically leads to lost wages.
Though, unlike when the car is in the shop, you can use other driver apps, huh.
Does Uber tell you the reason when you get deactivated? Are they specific enough to tell you which user/incident that caused the deactivation?
No, it isn't so much to alert the passerbys. It's to alert the police officers and police cruisers that are driving by. They are trained to respond to those.
They even have a procedure, where they may pull over the car and at first pretend that nothing is wrong. Then they would control the situation (say, make the driver get out of the car AND Then question the passenger (possibly a robber).
Actually, this concept is used widely and internationally. Police officers are definitely trained to look out for those.
Also, remember, it's a flashing light. It definitely will stand out; definitely enough to make you go, "huh? there's something weird going on."
Nope! The crooks can't see it from the inside, and really, more people who know the better, right?!
Actually, yes, you are correct. There have been cases where hijacked cab drivers have done this to alert the police.
Since I am a taxi driver, I am also aware of the mechanism called "trouble light." Have you ever seen a orange circular light on the back or the front of taxi cabs? We have a secret button inside the car that makes the light up, and this sends a silent distress signal to the authorities. It's a visual cue.
Drive erratically and dramatically as much as possible to attract that police car at the donut shop. Swerve in between lanes, knock over garbage cans, peel out and stomped on the brakes. Whtatever it takes to stand out.
Should you? That's a difficult question.
As a driver, I never expect a tip. It's part because of the attitude I maintain but also because I don't get it that often, maybe 30%. The Uber/Lyft culture is completely different than the taxi culture that I drove 20 years in. Tip just isn't expected and a part of the job.
I am not saying you shouldn't. I am just trying to be honest with my expectation, as I assume that is what you are asking.
I would like one of these segments to play at beginning of very shift, please. Like automatically as I insert the key into the ignition.