Monica Castleberry (momof4)

Ride Expert from Philadelphia PA

Mom & Nursing Student by day Ride Share Driver by night always on the go
8198 Rider Driver

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Posts by momof4

Comments by momof4

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     4 years ago in  How do I report bad drivers? (Uber and Lyft drivers that is)

    So now you want pedestrians to be able to rate drivers? If the driver is that bad get their license plate and email Uber. I think anyone who feels they should be able to rate drivers even though they are not paying for the service  is ridiculous. Why dont we give every car on the an ID and when any car on the road drives like an idiot you can call the DMV. Once their rating drops to a 4.6 DMV csn take their license away. That sounds pretty absurd right? So does pedestrians rating drivers. 

    Just because someone has a sticker in their window doesnt mean the are actively driving for Uber or Lyft. Stickers, amps, etc... are made, bought, and sold by many different people who have nothing to do with Uber or Lyft. 

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     4 years ago in  How do I report bad drivers? (Uber and Lyft drivers that is)

    A law was passed in NJ to do this but hasnt taken effect yet. I dont think its a good idea. All the things that will be in the window are all ready right in front of rider in their app. This opens up more people to make false accusations. If you are a pedestrian thst witnesses an Uber driver doing something wrong take down their license plate and send message to Uber they can find who the driver is by the license plate. Why should a driver put personal info like their name for all to see?  Again if they do anything wrong their is the license plate and if its of criminal nature call police with their license plate. Riders are protected most of the time drivers have no protection at all. 

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     4 years ago in  How do I report bad drivers? (Uber and Lyft drivers that is)

    You may want to contact Uber to lodge your complaint. This is not Uber.

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     4 years ago in  How do I report bad drivers? (Uber and Lyft drivers that is)

    This is not Uber you need to contact them. This is a rideshare website forum that has nothing to do wuth Uber drivers or complaints about Uber drivers. Go onto Ubers website or twitter.

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     4 years ago in  How do I report bad drivers? (Uber and Lyft drivers that is)

    Unprofessional driver but sounds like she just drives for Uber to promote her other business drugs and prostitution. You can always report bad drivers behavior to Uber.

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     4 years ago in  How do I report bad drivers? (Uber and Lyft drivers that is)

    If the driver dropped you off at your destination the trip was over. Did the driver physically steal your card? Unless he physically stole your credit card how did he steal money from your card? Drivers have nothing to do with riders credit cards. We dont touch credit cards, see them, know the numbers, know what credit card you use, or process the payment, we have absolutely nothing to do with payment. Uber charges your card. Uber processes the payment and sends the money to the driver after the trip is ended. I am not sure what your issue is. If you can explain more clearly maybe one of the drivers can advise you what to do. However you are right Uber cares about no one but Uber. Uber custimer service is awful. 

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     4 years ago in  What do Uber/Lyft drivers do that they don't want the customers/riders/passengers to know?

    So true or we post it in forums:)

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     4 years ago in  What do Uber/Lyft drivers do that they don't want the customers/riders/passengers to know?

    I mind waiting .25 per min is so not worth it.  Could've got a better request in that amount of time. Could've lost a surged ride in that time. I hate waiting on ruders. Riders used to apologize not much anymore.

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     4 years ago in  As a driver, what are some annoying things passengers do to you?

    Had people few weeks back in NJ Shore get off a boat from a day of fishing. Six riders,  their smelly fishy coolers, and sand all over. WTH is wrong with people? So rude. People have no respect they dont care its not their car. 

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     4 years ago in  As a driver, what are some annoying things passengers do to you?

    1.Making me wait no text, no call, and no answer to my text or call. Then they come out and dont even apologize. Self entitled brats.

    2. Minors

    3. Parents with no car seats 

      Open containers, picking their nail polish, finger nails, or false lashes off and throwing them on the floor (one girl was sitting in the front right next to me doing it), putting feet up in the seat or counsol. These things are usually young 20 something's  Guys 35+ who backseat drive or tell me where to go. My GPS is visible to all especially me.  If you have shortcut fine but dont need them telling me the GPS directions that are right in front of me. Who raised these kids. No manners no respect. 

    Tonight definately was the worst. Driving 6 20 somethings to local club. All of a sudden guy in front throws his hands up yells OMG and screams. I didnt know WTH was going on. Then he proceeds to scream "stop the car seriously stop the car". I wasnt in a good spot to stop in the middle of the major road entering a major highway or going straight to another major rd.  He then opened the door still screaming to stop I was doing about 5mph at this point as he starts to get out if the car. I slammed the brakes. He gets out and starts yelling "hi Johnathan". He gets back in. "That was Johnathan Vaness. Who? He is a hairdresser I guess a famous one. Seriously? All that for a hairdresser?   Get to destination and one of the other riders says "hey come in he will buy you a drink for doing that"? WTH? Am I out here driving?  Sure he can buy a beer and 5 shots and then Ill drive your asses home.  The hell with the drink why dont you try tipping considering your XL for 6 people cost you a whopping 11.00 I got 6.86. You gave me a heart attack and I almost killed your ass. Tip would be nice.

    I know this sounds like I am picky mean driver and I  hate driving but thankfully these things dont happen very often:) When they do I dont react just get them where they are going and thankful they are out of my car. I've learned to be very patient and then I come on ride guru and complain:) lol   I stopped doing bar trips my rating went from a 4.93 to a 4.96. Lot less stress and craziness. Although some if them are fun when riders are not trashed. WTH was I thinking. Next ride was minors which I declined.  

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     4 years ago in  Do drivers get paid less when I use Lyft Pass?

    No it doesn't affect our rates. We are paid a base fare, per mile, per minute, and a small amt if we have to wait for the passenger. The only time we would even no the rider had a pass is if we went in to look at the breakdown of the trip. What the rider paid, what Lyft took, and what we got paid. Most drivers dont look at that unless they think their fare is wrong. 

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     4 years ago in  Is Uber in panic mode over AB5? Afraid other cities may follow CA? They are now offering Disability Insurance to drivers.

    Anything they ever offer always comes with 2 prices. First the price you pay to get the service and the price you pay to get them to pay up. They always try to make things sound good but there is always that fine print with them. They always know how to make it sound good until you start crunching numbers or looking into it more throughly then you see your screwed. 

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     4 years ago in  Hi women Lyft & Uber drivers - how do you stay safe?

    I live in Philly but do most of my driving in NJ from 6pm until 6am. I tend to accept the long trips 45+ min. Where I sit waiting for trips most likely will have me picking up families or business people to EWR, Philadelphia International, JFK, or La Guardia. My logic is most criminals will not be paying $60/$125 for an Uber to head to an airport but you never know:) The areas I pick up in are mostly medium to high income families. I do bar pickups on Saturday nights sometimes. I stay in college areas so most of my pickups are college kids to and from a party or night club. I know the markets I drive in fairly well so it keeps me out of bad areas. I no longer drive much in Philly. Too many bad areas and who knows where you will end up. 

    There really isnt anything that can keep ou safe. I  am operating a vehicle that weighs over 4,000 pounds, in a confined space, with my back to passengers not an ideal situation to defend yourself. Your only hope is to be able to get out of your vehicle to use a weapon. Whatever weapon you have you better know how to use it and be prepared to use it. I do have a dashcam in my car in hopes that will help in the way people behave. 

    Pull up to your rider with doors locked. Ask passenger their name and who their driver is. it's not much but gives you a few seconds to get an idea if the passenger is really drunk or is in a really bad mood. If you get a bad feeling or passenger is really drunk drive off. Always trust your gut. I also go off ratings. Depending on the time and where I am I usually dont pick anyone up lower than a 4.50. Nights that I do bar trips I dont pick up anyone with a 4.80 or lower. I dont do pool rides unless its a long trip but I shut the app down so they dont add riders. Pool is trouble waiting to happen. A driver picked up 2 pool riders. One was on drugs and killed the driver and other pool passsenger last week in MD.  My kids know if I ever share a trip with them that I am not comfortable with my passenger. Once ride is over if I dont call them within 3 min to call the police. I try to know areas where police hang out, where police stations are. Just always be aware of my surroundings. If things dont seem right start figuring out what you can do before it all goes bad. Say my prayers before I start my shift. Not much else you can do. Things can happen at anytime of the day or night. It's not a safe job and Uber & Lyft dont seem to care about the drivers safety. 


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     4 years ago in  Hi women Lyft & Uber drivers - how do you stay safe?

    I can give you some feedback. Female driver here 2.2 yrs 2300+ trips Uber and Lyft. Heading out to drive now Ill post during breaks. 

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     4 years ago in  Is Uber in panic mode over AB5? Afraid other cities may follow CA? They are now offering Disability Insurance to drivers.

    Its a different company here not that it matters. What do you think about it? Worth it? One of the Uber Tubbers looking into it to see if its worth it. I would like to hear if you thinks its worth it or not. They also sent me "Uber Safety" saying GPS tracks us, call Uber support, 2 way ratings, bkah, blah, blah. Like its something new they are giving us. They are really trying. Lol To get us on their side. BUT THEY WILL NOT INCREASE OUR RATES.  They give us all these little things that were supposed to be available a year ago. They word it like its something new. They need to increase rates. At the very least throw us a bone as in throw us an increase in our rates. Lol

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     4 years ago in  Is Uber in panic mode over AB5? Afraid other cities may follow CA? They are now offering Disability Insurance to drivers.

    They claim its new. Not doubting you just saying what they are telling me. I thought you had to sign up for it? At least thats what it says. So we are all ready paying for this?

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     4 years ago in  Pick up's: Passengers do not give a signal they are the ones being picked up

    Lilly, you have common sense unfortunately most either dont have it, dont care, too drunk, or too lazy. When my rider is waiting for me, waves, or texts what they wearing I thank them as soon as they get in the car. They are always surprised that other riders dont do this just as you are surprised:) Thanks for being that 5 star rider Lilly:)

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     4 years ago in  Pick up's: Passengers do not give a signal they are the ones being picked up

    I normally drive in North Jersey and Philly. A few weekends this summer I drove in Wildwood NJ. 99% of my riders were outside waiting for me and approached my car knowing what kind of car their Uber driver had. I was kind of surprised because 95% of the people I picked up in Wildwood were from Philly. Yet when driving in Philly 95% of my riders make me wait 3 to 5 minutes, dont know what car they are looking for, or will jump in any car that pulls up. 

    Last week had a pick up at Trenton Airport. 15/20 people standing outside waiting for their family member or Uber. I drive by with flashers on at 5mph. No one flagged me down, held up their phone, or made any attempt to alert me that they were my rider. I get by all the people head around to circle yet again when my phone rings "Ma am you drove right past me". I said, "i am circling again can you wave your hand or phone please". Rider, "but you drove right past me". I understand but I dont know who you are or what you look like can you please flag me down"? Rider, "so ridiculous you drove right past me". Me, clicked the cancel button. I hear her saying "WTH its saying my ride was cancelled". You are raising your voice at me and complaining that I passed you. I tried to explain yet she still complained, wouldnt let me say anything without interrupting me,  and was annoyed at something that was her own fault. It would've took me less than 60 secs until I circle but she was still complaining and raising her voice. I know if I picked her up it would've been a problem. She would continue to complain and she would've most likely 1 starred me. This is the first time I have cancelled on someone who was annoyed and raising their voice but I am so tired of getting blamed for their mistakes. The other riders once I explained they immediately calmed down this one just wouldnt stop. Not putting anyone in my car that will cause potential issues. Too many drivers getting injured by riders. 

    Riders need to flag us down in busy areas. Light up their phone its an option. Rider picks color waves their phone. We get a text message to look for their color. Even with pics on Lyft its difficult because its a little thumbnail, pic is 10 yrs old, or there is 30 other people standing there. I dont have the time to scan every person. I am also operating a vehicle and need to watch the riad, other cars, and pedestrians that are drunk walking out in front of me. 

    RIDERS PLEASE HELP DRIVERS IN FINDING YOU. FLAG DOWN YOUR DRIVER. WAVE YOUR HAND OR PHONE. PICK A COLOR ON YOUR PHONE IN UBER'S APP HOLD THE PHONE UP. WE DO NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND NOT FUN PLAYING THE GUESSING GAME. 

    THANK YOU (FROM)

    UBER DRIVERS EVERYWHERE

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     4 years ago in  You no longer need a phone to order an Uber. At least not at at Toronto's Airport. More areas to follow.

    Agreed. As Lilly stated "moving backwards". Maybe this would've been helpful or useful when Uber first came out just dont see the need for it now. I could've used a kiosk when Uber first came out as I didnt give up my slide phone with keyboard until 2012:) Although I didnt know Uber was a thing until 2013.

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     4 years ago in  You no longer need a phone to order an Uber. At least not at at Toronto's Airport. More areas to follow.

    I totally agree Lilly. At this point in time mostly everyone has the app downloaded. As long as your phone has enough battery to put destination in and click confirm your Uber will come even if phone dies right after you click confirm:) Maybe a few people with dead phones or maybe the elderly. All I see is long lines or no one using these Kiosks. 

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Featured Answers by momof4

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     5 years ago in  Extra passengers

    This happened to me quite a few times. This particular night  I get a request for Uber X I can seat 4 safely. I pull up there are 3 people they say we are waiting for one more. I am paying no attention to back seat they say ok we are good I start trip get 5  blocks from pick up look in rear view mirror I have 4 in back 1 in front. So what do I do? Do I say something? Do I end trip there and boot them out? I am sure you are all saying I would of. Lol There is 5 of them one of me, oh forgot to mention I am not in a very good neighborhood. Do I call police? I probably won't get past 91 before one of them can take my phone and if I can connect with 911 chances are police will not be there before I am beaten and my car is on cinder blocks. So I take my time ride the right lane nice and slow, stay away from traffic. We get to destination still in another crappy hood. I quickly end trip. The person they are meeting doesn't answer their call so they are not moving out of my car. Uh hello trips over. So they continue to sit in my car for 10 min deciding what to do. Fnally I get another rider so  I find my voice and get the courage to say "I got to go" . Still another 2 min. go by. Finally guy comes out and they get their stuff out of my trunk and go on their way. Now I pull up with doors locked and don't unlock until I know how many are getting in my car. I've learned quite a few lessons driving for Uber this past year.

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     5 years ago in  A Night In The Life of An Uber Driver! Drivers/Riders please share your story!

    I've picked up strippers twice. One stripper had a fit & started screaming at me because I didnt pick her up at stripper enterance. The app put me in front of the place. I had never been there before. She called me screaming so I drive around to where she told me but there were people all over plus 2 entrances/exits so I ask the first female I see if she was my passenger. She ignores me then I see Mr. Big and Beefy with the tight muscle head shirt on wave me over. She opens door starts screaming why didnt you come here 1st & why were you talking to those people? I try to explain that the pick up location put me up front and what people are you talking about? She screams the people in the car. I reply "what people, what car" . She screams again the people in the car. I am getting annoyed now, because she hasnt stopped screaming at me and what people in what car not a clue who she was referring to. I should've left when I was eligible for cancel fee. We drive a mile GPS says make left turn screaming stripper barks order i will tell you where to go. We go another mile another barking order "pull into that gas station I need something". She needed something all right some manners or a foot up her ass. I pull in to this gas station that is packed has a line of cars to get in (will explain the line of cars at 3am at a gas station another time). I finally get into lot she gets out and I plot my escape. Why should I take her screaming, order barking ass anywhere else they dont pay me enough for this? I put the car in drive ready to pull out and my guilty conscience kicks in. Its 3am you cant do that. Then the  little devil on my shoulder says go for it. Good conscience won I stayed but when she got back in I had a little talk with her. By the time i dropped her off she was happy. So happy when she got out she said "i am going to give you 5 stars". I wanted to reply "stick your 5 stars so far up (that thing you shake for money)that they shoot out of your mouth and hand over some of those bills you made tonight.  She was out right rude and bossy. 

    The 2nd stripper I picked up didnt yell at me but she also barked orders. Wont get into much detail as I just wrote a book about stripper #1. Her barking orders were hello as she entered car  order #1"put this radio station on, order #2 turn volumn up ill tell you when to stop" #3 dont speak to me while music is on #4 put the heat up. No please no thank you ànd you guessed it no tip. Last but not least we pull up to destination my app shows end trip you've arrived i end it wait for her to get the hell out. But she needs to bark 1 more order #5 "I've never been here before just sit here until I can find my friend then you can leave". Must be a stripper thing to bark orders and not tip. These 2 were in my first month of driving they taught me a few things that night.  No, one of those things was not how to work a stripper pole. Thanks for sharing R Paulson. Would love to here more stories. 

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     5 years ago in  A Night In The Life of An Uber Driver! Drivers/Riders please share your story!

    This time I pick up 3 men in there 30's from India at a strip club in Bensalem PA. They get in dont seem really intoxicated. We have a coversation then they are talking amongst themselves. I look at GPS. Its putting me on PA Turnpike. Now where ever I get off I am not going to know where I am so obviously relying on GPS completely. Go up a few exists get off. Its dark as hell. I swear Bucks County suburbs doesnt like or is too cheap to put up street lights. Everything is so dark you see nothing  when you look behind you. At this times roads are not only dark but no traffic around. The guys start speaking in their language now, up to this point their conversations were all English even to each other. Before I go further I was under impression destination was one of their homes. Now I have to turn into a dark business complex. Everything closed no one around.  My mind thinks they are plotting to hack me up into little pieces lol This is just too shady. No houses, everything dark, no people, no cars. I am so ready to turn around at this point but had no idea where I could go or what i would say to them about turning around. Hearts pounding, nervous. Drive about .5 mile and up on my right was a Hotel. Never so grateful to see one. This was my 2nd experience on a ride that really scared me being a female driver. I think after all my stripper, strip club experiences (as I have 2 other time I had a pick up) I need to stay away from those places. Those rides are either miserable, scarey  or just plain strange. Do you think Uber would deactivate me for not driving to or picking up from those places? Lol Yes definately. 

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     5 years ago in  Can you select the gender of the operator?

    I think you should be able to. I have had a few riders who are happy to see a woman driver. I even had a male who said he would rather have a woman because a male driver may be able to over power a male rider. Some of these young girls pass out from drinking. Some are so drunk that a male driver could do something and she probably wouldnt remember. If these women who got raped had a female than the rape would've never happened. Young women tell me all the time some of their male drivers hit on them  some are just creepy make them feel uncomfortable. One young woman said her driver bought her cigs alcohol, and tried to kiss her after ride was over. Women tend not to be criminals, rapist, etc. I would think they wouldnt be hitting on male passengers to the point that the msle rider is uncomfortable. Unfortunately these women who have had these issues dont report driver because they are afraid he will come back to their house. 

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     5 years ago in  Does Uber charge a fee for scheduled rides?

    Lilly, Can you please clarify or correct me if I am wrong as I dont want to be giving my riders wrong info. If you schedule a ride more than 60 min. in advance your fare is locked in. If you schedule a ride in less than 60 min. in advance Uber gives you an estimate. Then when you are matched with a driver fare could increase if there is a surge in your area. Thank you.

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     4 years ago in  How does Uber/Lyft scam passengers? Ideas on their tactics to set higher fares and surges. Share your suspicions, angry riders!

    Uber and Lyft base fares on the longest route to riders destination (time & miles). Most Drivers take the shortest route. Driver is paid for the miles they drove & the amt. of time it took. I arrive at riders destination switch off GPS & go back to Uber or Lyft app. It will say 5 to 15 min until destination. I do the speed limit, I use WAZE app, my car doesn't fly, and its not an amphibious car. Passenger got charged for that 5 to 15 min even though it didnt take that long and they get charged for the miles I didnt travel. This is why drivers are complaining. Uber and Lyft are making a few dollars less than us or the same amount. Nothing we can do as we agreed to be pd per mile and time. Upfront pricing scam. What sucks is riders think we are getting 75%/80% of the fare so they may not be tipping for that reason. Especially on long trips that are 50.00 to 150.00. I am driving for Uber as I text this. When I have some free time later today I will post some screen shots so passengers can see whats going on. O will also screen shot my next trip that says we have X amt of time until destination when we are all ready there. 

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