Jackson Bauer (jbauer)
Ride Apprentice from Boston, MA
Taxi Driver - Boston
398 DriverI've been a taxi driver for 20+ years now. Been in Boston the whole time. I'd like to think I have open mind and am not against signing up for Uber. Just haven't had the chance yet. Oh, I don't own a car, so how do I do that?
Activity
Posts by jbauer
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Here's the proof: Uber drivers are ripping off its customers [Who's Driving You?]
Check out this classic from Who's Driving You. Anti-Uber website. "Imagine yourself at a gas pump. You’ve swiped your card, … -
In the shadow of Uber's rise, taxi driver suicides leave cabbies shaken [NBC]
I know this is a bummer news, but I feel responsible sharing it. BTW, no, that isn't the guy who … -
Uber adopts continuous driver background checks [CNet]
I don't know what "continous background check" is, but it sounds cool and super evil. We expect nothing less from … -
Are taxis officially dead? How are they surviving?
So, we used to hear the feud between Uber and Taxi quite a bit in the past, but I feel … -
I am a driver and I forgot to start the trip. In fact, I forget very often. Any advice?
This must be an old habit for me as a taxi driver. I pick up the user, and I start … -
Uber and Lyft are undermining NYC's green taxis [NYPost]
This was such a knee-jerk reaction during the worst team. We all said it was stupid to introduce a new … -
How many miles does a NYC taxi do in its vehicle's lifetime?
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Don’t worry, It’s just water from my stomach… (from UberMan)
Okay, I’ll cut to the chase. I was puked on. That’s right….not just all over the car, but all over … -
How do Uber and Lyft distribute their drivers? They seem to brag about incre...
How do Uber and Lyft distribute their drivers? They seem to brag about increased response time, but how can they … -
Female Experience as a Uber Driver
I was driving around for 45 minutes, took me 10 minutes to get to the fare, drove 5 minutes and … -
Why Uber Is A Scam - Math Explains
Here's the math considering Uber commissions, fuell, depreciation of the car,taxes, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgQPj90OrQETranscript -
Sexy Taxi driver calendar is here. Your turn Uber!!
Love the confidence in these guys' eyes. You know they are cool people just looking at them. http://ny.curbed.com/2016/11/15/13639372/sexy-taxi-driver-2017-calendar-nyc -
Is Uber Pricing really guaranteed?
Is it really guaranteed? I have never used Uber and this is something I wonder about. How is this possible? … -
Do Uber and Lyft tax your earnings or do they send you 1099's at the end of the year?
see topic
Featured Answers by jbauer
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Imagine the steps it takes.
- You see the request comes up. You accept.
- You drive to the restaurant.
- You find a parking spot.
- You walk inside the restaurant.
- You wait until the hostess can approach you.
- You wait until the food comes out.
- You walk back to the car.
- You drive to your destination.<-------------------The time you make money.
- You arrive then look for a parking spot.
- You walk to the address.
- You knock and wait at the door.
- You hand over the food
Tell me how this is worth it.
Why can't I fall asleep on this?
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KT0AAOSwEjlbTj9w/s-l1600.jpg
I appreciate the input. I have looked into one of these devices to stretch and also to "crack my back" at the end of the day. $75 is a hefty penny...
My wife gets upset, because I still use the back of the couch. I lean back, like way back, to stretch, amost to the point my head is pointed downards towards the floor. Then I lift my head back up, which cracks my neck and back - by stretching it. She feels that is a bit too much and she's afraid I will get hurt (part my age)
Not sure about bedsores, but my back does hurt. I've had chronic back issues and pain for many many years. I have lumbar support, all kinds of products, but my back is messed up forever. That's what 25+ years of driving will do to you.
Are there any taxi drivers who don't smoke? I drove taxis for 30 years and every driver I ran into smoked. That's how we just passed the time.
Waiting for our fare at LaGuardia? You can go through a pack a day, easy.
We all knew the customers made fun of cabbies for smelling, but we didn't care. It was the way of life.
I suppose the things are different with Uber and Lyft... People seem so much more needy and unbending.
If you call a local taxi company, they will dispatch you a minivan as the availability allows. If you are at an airport, just ask the guy at the stand, and they will get you one. In cities where the rates are regulated (think taximeter), the rates are the same!
Everyone talks about how UberX is so much cheaper than taxis, but this is one instance where taxi is cheaper than Uber. It's when you compare Taxi Minivan to UberXL.
Go taxi! (for once)
Van Taxi vs. UebrXL - a cost comparison
I suggested in the past, half jokingly, that people should buy dividers or partitions.
Today I looked again, and they do make them.
https://www.taxidepot.com/partitions/
Features
High Impact 100% Clear LEXAN 3/8 polycabornate (abrasion resistance) TLC compliant.
Steel wall 14 gauge.
Passenger extra cushion comfort area.
Secure money paybox - Extra large.
Solid slide dynamic window with easy lock control.
Illuminated info/ID holder pocket (optional).
Fast response partition handle.
AC easy flow pass-thru (optional)
Steel main body wings.
Upperbody wings with nautic vinyl resistance cover
Not sure if rideshare drivers are aware of this but if you are taxi or a limo driver in Manhattan, you can use the "relief stations" all over the city. There are like 20 of them, they are all near taxi stands. So you park there and you go relieve yourself.
It's usually packed though. Definitley not enough for 13,000 taxicab drivers. LOL
Hotels started locking their bathroom doors because rideshare drivers abuse them. I asked this concierge I knew, and he told me many guests complained. Apparently, drivers were brushing their teeth and washing their feet.
No, I just carry a bottle. Don't judge me.
For #2, there are places where you only need to pay $10 up to 1/2 hour.
I prefer to not stop at 30 cities to go to Tokyo, thank you.
we already have it. It's called the airplane. direct and express
What, hey, I read that book! You are the author?! My wife got that for me.
Does anyone know if these GetAround and ZipCars that rent cars to Uber drivers are profitable? or are they heavily leveraged "lose money until the business takes off" model?
I am curious because I was looking at ZipCars in the past, and it is dirt cheap. Almost too good. I used to rent taxis for a few hundred bucks for a single shift, and these things are supposed to be a small percentage of like $10 or something.
DDominico isn't correct with his blanket statement, but you (DriveMeToTheMoon) aren't quite right either. This is why law sucks and those blood suckers make so much money.
If you are caught by the insurance company breaking the law or doing something ignorant, the insurance company may not pay. They can certainly argue that. If you are in doubt, why don't you call the insurance company, tell them you are speeding and ask what happens if you crashed.
Oh, it does, my friend. You can see the meters go wild when you step on it on ice.
Have you ever been stuck in snow? You give it gas, wheels spin, and take a look at the speedometer. "Going" fast is easy. and going fast means more distance and more money.
This reminds me of the "spin your tires in the snow' trick that taxi drivers used to employ.
I don't think this works on Uber though. I'd imagine the distance is measured by the GPS. I mean, of course. there's no physical taximeter rigged to the car.
Actually, you can buy those taxicabs after they've been discommisioned. I looked into it once. I think one of those crown victorias was like $7000 after 3 years of use.
Yes, I am dating myself a bit with the mention of crown victoria.
Well, drivers spend more time in between fares than actually driving passengers, so whatever they can do to kill a time has potential to be making money.
Write a book?
Stuff envelopes?
Write a blog?
Knit a sweater?
I've done that in the past. Maybe not 3 hours but 2+ hours at Boston Logan. You read a book, chat with fellow drivers, play chess, nap, talk on the phone, stretch, eat, sleep again, etc. etc.
I drive for Lyft and sure I've enjoyed my tips. They boost our earnings quiet a bit and it makes me smile.
Here's the goal for us drivers. We try to provide as good of a service as we can, and it does affect how much passengers tip. and I respect that. I am not sure if there is etiquette established yet.
I gave a ride once to 5 people in my XL. It was two couples and one was a brother of one of the girls. Everything was going great until the brother, the fifth wheel, starts yelling at his sister. Super loud. The other 3 did nothing to stop them. I guess it's a common occurence? At one point, it got so violent that he turned around and leaned over his seat to grab her. That's when the boyfriend or husband grabbed his neck and pinned him down on the seat.
Needless to say this was not acceptable, so I pulled over and told the brother to get the F out. Some says I shouldn't have gotten involved, but I used to drive a taxi, and I know some of the stuff that happens in the backseat is my responsibility.
Yep, these stories are always alcohol related... sigh.