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

  • I still get child support for 1 child. Just stopped getting support for the other one when he turned 18 yrs old. 2 are grown and out of the house. My house is paid off. Taxes aren't bad. If my kids were young there is no way I could survive on driving. I have private riders and private patients I take care of. I also know my market well, always trying new things, sometimes new areas. I stick with mostly long trips. My SUV is old but in good shape. Its paid for and luckily other than tires and brakes its been good.


  • $79.06  $13.00 tip


  • It would be pretty funny. These cars may record everything and if somerning gets broke I am sure they can track it to the passenger. What if its something as simple as just spilling a little something on the door handle? There will be things people can get away with or at the very leadt think they can get away with. Its not like a human will be watching every trip. People always find away around things or they think they have found a way. That car will not know that it needs to leave the road to get cleaned. Everone who thinks they are a great idea and will ride in one dont say I didnt warn you. Cant wait to hear these stories. There are idiots out there with AIDS who purposely have done things to spread to other people. I just cant get on board with this. 


  • Hey Serg. Who is going to clean these cars between trips? Say prior passenger pukes or spills something in the car? Is the car going to pull into nearest car wash and clean itself? What about bacteria? I spray my car down after each ride. You dont know these people's hygiene or lack of in lots of cases. I dont agree with a half assed study this one insurance company performed. Although I would be willing to bet there are bacteria ridden cars on the road out there and they have a human driver. These young people will post a challenge on social media and the fools follow. Who knows what will be left behind for the next person to touch or sit in. I watched a You Tuber the other day post about a rider who had anal leakage. The next rider discovered it aftdr thdy sat in it. The driver reported it to Uber and they will not give him a cleaning fee because they cant see anything. I would cut out that part of the seat and send it to Uber tell them to smell it. I would be at the nearest junk yard the next day replacing the seat. Can you imagine the car if it had no driver? I am gagging just telling you this story. If you get into one of these cars you are absolutely crazy.  Ill drive my own car or call a service with a human behind the wheel. I want no parts of other peoples bodily fluids spread all over a car I get into just to save a few bucks. If anyone thinks this wont happen in these cars you are either totally naive or plain stupid. 


  • Thanks Lilly. Makes me feel somewhat better. I knew that he was trying to do something nice or wanting to be like grandpop. He specifically said "here I want you to have this". It may have hurt the kids feelings to say no you cant accept it. I was speechless (that never happens:) I looked to grandpop for help. Grandpop said, "its your money are you sure". The kid replied, "yes I want her to have it". However it was super awkward taking the money. I hope that doesnt happen again:)


  • He was a very sweet, well mannered kid. It still was really awkward:)


  • No way would I get into a driverless car. I dont get into a car driven by a human other than myself. Not only do I not trust a driverless car but who knows what the people before me did in that car. I see and hear what happens in Uber and Lyfts with drivers in the car. What are people going to do when they dont have a real driver in the car to keep them from acting like idiots? I see what people do to restrooms who knows what they would be up to in a driverless car. People are licking ice cream containers and putting them back in freezers for people to buy. WTH are these idiots going to put in these cars. No thanks.


  • I would drive for that company exclusively if there were enough ride request. If I was waiting too long in between request I would still drive for Uber. Lyft more so than Uber is the one taking more than 25% at least on my trips.


  • On an average day I get more tips from my Uber passengers usually 20%. I've been getting less & less cash tips but definately seeing more tips through the app.  Lyft passengers typically tip in the app & usually in whole $ amts ($2 to $5) or 20%. Since Dec. 31, 2018 I have received a tip everyday except 1. It's rare every passenger tips but the past 8 days I had 5 days where all but 1 passenger tipped. 


    {{ ratingSum }}
     5 years ago in  Any Drivers testing "Taco Mode" for Lyft in their market?

    Agreed RedAnt! I think the higher ups at Uber despise drivers. We are "a means to an end". We are looked at as  taking $ out of their pockets (because they dont all ready make enough) and the companys. We should want do it for free and ruin our vehicles for the good of Uber:) Uber and Dara want to take over all the transportation industry. They would rather cut off their nu+s then ask drivers for input (Oh wait Dara has experience driving:)  It would be so simple to put a panel of real drivers together from a few major cities & few smaller cities (as needs can vary) to make improvements where needed. They could pay those IC t shirt wearing drivers from the rally another 100.00 gift card & a free meal for their input. Although I suspect they would still do it just for the free meal. 

    Uber is a great business idea.  Instead of improving on what they have "power and greed" became more important. They can run Uber right into the ground but Dara, Travis, and the rest of those idiots will still have made a killing. They could retire today and never have to work another day in their lives. I think the more they screw drivers the happier they become. Dara & higher ups at Uber would choose death, removal of limb/appendage, or ruining Uber before they would take advice from a Driver. There are many drivers out there who could run Uber & make it profitable. Just proves that greed and power are more important to some people. 



    {{ ratingSum }}
     5 years ago in  Any Drivers testing "Taco Mode" for Lyft in their market?

    I have a genius idea. Raise our rates! 


  • This is the first passenger that has said this to me or brought it up. I had a few when I first started but havent had anyone in over 18 mths. 


  • This past Sunday Uber was overcharging for tolls on 2 of my rides. Thankfully it wasn't taking money:) However dont want my pax ripped off so I contacted Uber. They subtracted the amount from my toll then proceeded to take the toll amount subtract it from their service fee + a few more $ add to my fare. Go figure. I was so confused at first how subtracting $ gave me more $. Their mistake gave me extra 5.00+. No complaints here. I'll take it. Hopefully they returned the riders over payment on the tolls

    I have refunded 4 fares to riders. Two fares were my spns  friends who happened to get me as their driver. I wouldn't of charged them if they called me so wasnt charging them for these rides (both were under 5.00). One night picked up a young military soldier from a bar just home from Iraq. Was home for a few days before he was headed to another foreign country. Had a great conversation with him. Very brave, respectful, and kind. So I thought I would refund his trip as a thank you for his service. (10.00). Had another military soldier basically same story as last one. Refunded his (12.00). I wonder if Uber actually credits their account? If they do is it just what the driver makes on the trip or whole fare charged? What does Uber say if anything if fare is returned? Never thought to ask my son to check with his friends. Anyone out there no the answer?


  • Your comment about the upvote made me smile. Thanks 🤮


  • Some people will do anything for money. They dont look at the big picture or who they screw. Funny thing is they probably would've of did it just for a free meal:)


  • Hou are free to post whatever, wherever, a d whenever you want:) I just feel like we are always debating over this AB5 bill which doesnt directly affect me. I was just saying that I think Uber will want payback/revenge for going against them. Dara strikes me as that sort of person. I know an employer can let you set your own hours, I know AB 5 dont change that. I am not sure how to take your comments at times. Do you have an email address that you dont mind putting on here? If not email me please [email protected] would like to explain something but not on forum. 


  • I wasnt crying the blues, bragging, or asking for a compliment or sarcasm (not sure how to take the beginning of your post) as you seem to come at most of my comments I post. I put up a topic or questions to see how other drivers feel. Just because I post something doesnt mean I agree with it or disagree. I do state my opinion as do others and we move on.  I dont have the time to keep going back & forth over same thing. I believe we have had similar discussions on other posts about the same thing. It seems everytime I post it goes into a debate.  I am not trying to be rude nor do I expect you to agree with me at all, ever, but I am not here to debate or defend every single thing I post I dont have the time. When I post my opinion its simply just that. Not trying to change anyones mind about the topic.   It's clear we dont agree on the CA bill. You have your opinions and I have mine. Perfect! Thats what is so great about US freedom of speech.  Thing is I am not a CA driver so really it's not affecting me directly in any way. May be one day it will but not today. If I wanted to debate or argue I would be on Uber people or FB group. 

    BTW you are missing my point. I know the bill says nothing about flexibility being taken away, hrs you work, etc... What my point was in the past 3 threads & many replies is UBER not the AB5 Bill will take those things away from drivers all because they forced them to make drivers employees. Dara will be furious that drivers forced their hands . Drivers went against them. Drivers won. "Paybacks are a B!!ch" will be their logic. Try this one more time. Dara hates drivers, has no respect for them, cant wait to get those autonomous cars out there. All he had to do is increase drivers rates most likely drivers would've been happy. Instead he decreases them and takes things away. Do you really think if AB5 passes he will be happy with drivers? No damn way. He will find ways to screw drivers even more. He will want payback. This here one paragraph was my point. I never said AB5 said it would change drivers  ability to be flexible. 


     On a side note. Nothing to do with being superhuman (although I am sure that was meant more as sarcasm)its called being a responsible, caring, loving mom. It's the lives of most single moms out there. Failure or giving up not an option. You brought lives into the world. You are responsible for them. Moms do what I do everyday. Our kids love and happiness is our thanks and makes it worth any hard work. If Uber & Lyft were around when my kids were younger my life would've been much easier. For a single mom going on and off that app when you want and having instant pay is a huge benefit. However the rates obviously a problem so would being an employee. 


  • Yes it is a rant against the company they suck. Sometimes in life you have to do things you dont want to do. Who doesnt draw a line?  A point in time where the pay or the job itself isnt worth it anymore.  Even though Uber treats us like crap and rates keep dropping this particular type of work is what I need to do right now. I may not like the people who run Uber but I do like driving, I like 95% of my riders, I have fun most days, I like instant pay, and the flexibility of going on & off the app when I want. I still make it work for me. It still pays the bills & get a nice income tax return. It  allows me to do a few other things on the side to make money.  I have my own private clients. I also picked up a few patients through driving that I do private Home Care for.   However I have a  breaking point just like everyone else. I have health issues. Driving on most days doesnt interfere with those issues. If it does I go home.  I've been a single parent of 4 kids, provider for my family even when I was married. Once I threw his ass out he got away with paying less than $5,000 over 18 yrs & owing over 125,000.00 in child support. I did what I had to (worked 2/3 jobs or 20/30 hrs of OT)to take care of my family.   I've worked my ass off since I was 14 yrs old.  I could easily collect disability and sit my ass on a couch & do nothing. However that isn't what I want, not ready to give up yet. I like to work. I would be bored out of my mind if I didnt work. I started Uber when I went back to college 2 yrs ago 1/2 days per wk. Had to drop from the program 2 months before graduation because I got sick. For past year I increased my hours but not more then 25 hrs per week.  Uber was never and still isnt my end game. I am trying to hang until Jan/Feb 2020. Whatever my decision or what I end up doing for a full time job I would still like to keep driving part time. I want no parts of being their employee. Driving for Uber provided me with other business opportunities & more ways to increase my income. It's not always about .69 per mile. It's the loss of the opportunities I get from driving

     I know drivers that have disabilities, drivers with temporary health problems, drivers that need a 2nd job, and single moms that drive.  I want this to continue to work for them. It's not all about me.  It's about this working for groups of people who normally couldnt work or needed flexibility. As a single mom the struggle was real when the kids were young. It still is even though 2 are teens & 2 are adults (they still need their mom:)Tradtional employers dont want to hear the kids are sick, i have to go to court for CS need the day off, the list goes on. 

    Here is "My rant" (short version)it was to make a point "Be careful what you wish for".  Uber will not play nice if forced to make drivers traditional employees. It will not make things any better. Wait and see! Again I'll admit if I am wrong but in this case I am pretty confident. As a  employee we are definately screwed. 


  • It may be bullying by Uber right now but AB5 doesn't force Uber to employ drivers full time. Uber can make you work 3 hrs in the morning 3 hrs in the evening. They can give you 2 hrs per day or 7 hrs per day. 1 day per week or 7 days per week.  Uber doesnt like or respect drivers they need us for now. They hate that. If drivers get what they want, to be employees Uber will want revenge. They are going to make drivers rue the day they demanded to be employees.  They will let the rest of the markets see what its like to be an Uber employee. Dont think it will be pretty. Guess we will see in September  


  • They may drive .30 per mile. They take away one nickel I go back to heathcare. Minimum wage in my city is 7.50. Dont take much effort to make that. I am well over that without being an employee. When NY drivers fought for a better wage it didnt work out to well for them.   CA drivers want $X per hr., benefits. They are not just asking for minimum wage. Do they really think Uber & Lyft will happily hand over $17 per hr (whatever it is), health insurance, paid time off, vacation time, etc...Everybody will be happy? No way in hell.  Uber & Lyft may be forced to make CA employees but trust me the drivers will pay for it. They are evil people who lie, cheat, and steal. If that dont work they will just pay off who they have to. They are the most unscrupulous, evil, disgusting corporation on the earth. They didnt get where they are by being stupid and backing down. They sold their mothers souls to the devil way back starting with Travis. Lyft just follows in Uber's shadow. They give the market a 2nd choice especially for the people who hate Uber. If someone came out with a new rideshare company tomorrow they could get rid of Lyft in a heartbeat.  All they need is brains, common sense, and the drivers behind them. 1 down 1 to go. In the event Uber is forced to make CA drivers  employees they will make sure you are miserable. They are not going to let the drivers win and hand them everything they want on a silver platter . They will be out for revenge. Health insurance will be $10/15,000.00 deductible copays will be 30%/40%. The drivers portion of the ins premium alone will be costly each month. They are not required to pay 100% of the premium.  Thats even if they let drivers work full time hours. After the law went into effect that companies had to offer health insurance if they employeed X amt of employees and worked 35/40 hrs per week (FT). Many businesses stopped hiring full time employees thanks to Obama. Young people dont know what a 40 hr work week is. Thats why they cant pay their bills, buy cars, and are still home with mom & dad. Uber dont like being pushed around by anyone and especially not by the people they have no respect for, the people they want to replace, the people they steal from every single ride, THE DRIVER.  If CA drivers become employees Dara will want revenge. He will look like a loser, a fool that the lowly drivers beat at his game.  Drivers will be miserable. NY drivers are paying for going after them. They were not asking for half of what CA drivers are. I dont care either way what happens in CA. I just hope the drivers dont live to regret it. Other markets can sit back watch the mistakes that were made, wait for the outcome, and not make those same mistakes. Hopefully by then there will be another company. 

    Think about this, This would all go away if Uber and Lyft increased drivers rates. Drivers started being more vocal, speaking out, striking. Why not throw a bone to drivers keep them happy shut them up?  Instead Uber and Lyft decreased drivers rates, lowered or took away promotions, bonuses, lowered/changed surge pricing. Payback for drivers (the lowest beings on earth in their eyes) speaking out. They have no intention on doing a damn thing for drivers. 

    If I am wrong and Cali gets all that they want. Good healthcare at reasonable price, copay, and deductible, a nice pd vacation, time off,  the almighty minimum wage etc... I'll be the 1st to admit I am wrong. Ill apologize put it up in all caps  right here on guru and FB. Old saying that is very true BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.