RIDEGURU
Monica Castleberry (momof4)
Ride Expert from Philadelphia PA
Mom & Nursing Student by day Ride Share Driver by night always on the go
8198 Rider DriverActivity
Posts by momof4
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Uber's Secret "Project Luigi". Just another way to put the screws to the drivers.
Uber has 180 of Change, Uber Pro. Lyft in some markets added the long pick up fee for drivers. Then … -
Lyft finally got some B@!!$! They made a positive decision on their own without waiting on Uber to do it.
WTG Lyft! I always call these companies out for their BS however they have made a positive decision for the … -
Lyft finally does something right! About damn time.
Its about damn time! We have been complaining about this for months. Although it helped drivers it screwed up with … -
Is Uber's Customer Service Reps causing drivers to lose out on tips? You be the judge.
Or is Ubers app? Or both??? My son & his gf went out Friday night to his Christmas party & … -
Uber drivers seeing Surge Amt. on their maps but what is Uber really charging the rider? Where is all that money going? I can tell you.
I've seen this on 2 other occassions when my kids call me for a ride. This all started back in … -
Hope drivers dont fall for this! Drivers will end up working for free. Is there anything this company wont do to screw over drivers???
Just another way to not pay drivers. The interest will be so high drivers will be driving for weeks to … -
Uber wins small Victory in CA rape suit. What do you think?
I dont agree with Uber very often. They usually are at fault. However in this case it was not their … -
Didn't Uber say they were deactivating riders with low ratings?
I know Uber said they were giving riders time and suggestions to improve their ratings. That had to be at … -
Is Uber serious? Uber Offering snacks now when logging off.
Went out to drive today. Logged on accepted a trip. Completed it. Logged off to run an errand. The app … -
More on the Axios interview with Evil CEO Dara K. This dude is a total jerk.
The only thing this man gets right in the interview is autonomous vehicles are a long way off. How much … -
Lyft wants you to give up "Car Ownership". Say goodbye to your car and rely on using Lyft to travel.
Lyft wants you to "give up car ownership". They will help you sell your car. They paired up with Carvana … -
AXIO on HBO interviews Dara K. on drivers wanting to unionize. Short video. What a joke.
See link to interview below. Dara definately dont want drivers to form a Union. This last statement from him is … -
Will Uber and Lyft ever stop fighting laws? How do they get away with ignoring laws? Is drivers ever going to make what they deserve?
Will Uber and Lyft ever pay the drivers what they deserve? Will driver rates increase? Why don't Uber & Lyft … -
Drivers don't forget Thanksgiving Eve is the busiest drinking night of the year!
If you are new to driving for Uber & Lyft or you never thought about it this is the best … -
Uber being Sued by 96,000 Drivers in NY. When will it end? When are they not being suec?
Many wonder why Uber isn't profitable. Lets forget about about self driving cars, flying taxi's, submarines, helicopters, low rider fares, … -
Too funny!! Angry Moms Road Rage Against Lyft Driver. I would say Unbelievable except in todays world.
I have to say she deserves Mom of the Year Award for 2019. Click on link. The video/article is pretty … -
Will never take a NY trip again. Ever! Few questions in comments if anyone knows the answers. Would appreciate it:)
I try to avoid NY trips. I can usually tell on Uber by the amount of time as its a … -
Car accident recently. Will my Insurance notify Uber or Lyft for any reason?
PA driver. On the way back from a trip both apps were off as PA drivers cannot pick up passengers … -
Uber and Lyft Ballot Initiative guarentees only $5.64 per hr. for drivers in CA. Total BS.
http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/the-uber-lyft-ballot-initiative-guarantees-only-5-64-an-hour/ -
Lyft Pink Membership $19.99 per month. Offers 15% off, waived lost and found fees, and more. Is it worth it?
https://amp-usatoday-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2484960001?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fmoney%2F2019%2F10%2F29%2Flyft-membership-plan-lyft-pink%2F2484960001%2F
Featured Answers by momof4
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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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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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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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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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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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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.
What happened to video? Never mind issue fixed. Can view it now.
Thank you for posting video Ippei. I have trouble posting videos and links. :) I am technologically illiterate. One of these days I'll get it right. 😊
Thank you Matt. I'll post a few this week.
Thank you Elina. Ok let me see how I csn do that. I think if I post new story it will bring topic back to current post. I'll find out for sure. Ill try to post a few in next few days. Thanks again. Happy you enjoyed them. I believe if you turn on notifications you will see when I post. Thanks again. 😊
Sorry Chris I got you mixed up with someone else I was responding to :). I try to answer back when someone has a question and get mixed up omce in awhile who I am answering😊. I am getting old. Yes, very much like a game. It was kinda fun trying to get to 8.25 lol. No traffic so I could go somewhat faster. I tend to drive fast except when I have rider. You are correct 8.25 is the amount you get for that trip. Multiplier is no more :) I like it better as I rarely ever got a surged ride. Either just missed it or I would get a long pick up ping. I've been able to get more surged rides this way. As always Uber's figured another way to keep drivers on the road longer. If you were done for the night but your next trip is surged obviously you will take thst trip if its a good surge amt. I've only seen 8.25 2x since this started average is 3.50 to 4.50 at least up in my area. Certain areas in Philly are somewhat more but I dont like to drive in thise areas.:)
Sorry Chris I got you mixed up with someone else I was responding to :). I try to answer back when someone has a question and get mixed up omce in awhile who I am answering😊. I am getting old. Yes, very much like a game. It was kinda fun trying to get to 8.25 lol. No traffic so I could go somewhat faster. I tend to drive fast except when I have rider. You are correct 8.25 is the amount you get for that trip. Multiplier is no more :) I like it better as I rarely ever got a surged ride. Either just missed it or I would get a long pick up ping. I've been able to get more surged rides this way. As always Uber's figured another way to keep drivers on the road longer. If you were done for the night but your next trip is surged obviously you will take thst trip if its a good surge amt. I've only seen 8.25 2x since this started average is 3.50 to 4.50 at least up in my area. Certain areas in Philly are somewhat more but I dont like to drive in thise areas.:)
The candy & water is advised to be "a 5 star driver" on many videos & articles. I disagree at least here in Philly & Bucks. I found no difference when I tried it. It sat forever. I do carry candy for Halloween and Christmas for a week leading up to it. If its hot in the summer and I remember I carry a few bottles when I remember. I do have gum & chewy candy for late nights & when I haven't smoked in awhile. If I take a piece when rider is in car I will offer them a piece. I do have some odd things for emergency all found at 1.00 store (sewing kit, lint brush, scissors, bday candles, wedding card, bday card) $6.50 spent. I have used all of them and they all brought in tips and saved me time from having to stop for them. I have cheap chargers and aux cord. They are what seem to help with tips. I agree with the "trying to hard". I got a cute small tip sign from this site but afraid to put it up lol. I have mixed feelings in it. I just dont think its a good idea but many drivers have it and they say it helps. Some even have tip boxes that light up. I just dont feel comfortable :).
I was wondering about that also. Next time I will look at the ride after the surge. See if rider pays or Uber takes loss. On the map you can see the amt. the closer you get to where the 8.25 (or whatever the amt. is) it keeps creeping up. It shows you the changes of surge amt. under the words "finding trips". I started at Knights & Frankford as I travelled it started saying minimum surge 1.25 (as I travel closer to that 8.25 it just keeps going up) 2.50 etc. I hit knights and fairdale 8.25 popped up. At that point I pulled over & sat. I did get a ride quickly. The other time I seen 3.25 going up Grant hit frankford by time I got to Knights surge was over. My next ride I did get surged amt. even though heat map was gone for 5 min. It is good but now "chasing surge" is what you end up doing :) I had no traffic on Knights Saturday night but I had to do 45 mph to get up to 8.25. It sticks with you until you get your next ride as long as you dont cancel or turn app off. So if you wait 15 min for next ride you still get surge. This is only 2 nd time I seen 8.25, average I see up here is 1.25 to 4.50. Other time I seen 8.25 was CC. I just got message from Uber about the Surge and updated times and distance rates. Did you get it? Hope I didnt over explain the surge:) now that I realize you drive :)
I am sorry for giving you that long post about driving tips:) I misread your earlier post and didnt realize you were a driver. I am sure that was info you all ready know.
Thanks for the advice. I know how to change a tire and seen many plugged but I can never get lugs off :) AAA to the rescue. I was still in the mindset of keeping my acceptance rate up:) I also have been lucky this past month and I havent had trips to any of my least favorite areas. This weekend was first weekend I didnt shut it off remembering acceptance rate didnt matter. Old habits die hard.
I have both up. Was in Center City a few weeks ago for an appointment. Waze and Maps were trying to take me down one way streets. I had compared Uber to Waze in beginning of trip they both had same directions to drop off today. Uber decided to re route back to streets we all ready were on in beginning of trip. Then Uber app froze and crashed. I had shut down Waze had to get it back up but was at greenlight with traffic behind no time. I ended up turning into hotel parking lot by city hall instead of not knowing which way to go or endangering passengers until I fixed issues. Its CC traffic heavy around city hall people drive like idiots. I panicked. Lol I had 4 riders who were lets say somewhat snobby. You know the type they have money your just a driver who doesnt matter. it seemed like they were getting annoyed. Anyway would feel better if I could rely more on GPS.
I do gamble on pool rides sometimes when bored or slow. One paid off last night 35 min ride 31.90 all highway except few miles 5.00 tip. I never take pool ride if rating is below 4.80 although i usually stick to 4.90 for pool. Not sure about destination filter with 45 min. with Uber. On another issue Ubers directions since new app cane out are awful. Ive screen shoted 7 trips in 2 weeks. I would have 10 but difficult to screenshot with riders doing 55/65mph. I was really embarrassed today ended up refunding rider 6.45. I didnt actually get lost but made a few illegal turns, paused at greenlights waiting for GPS to route, 2 turns that I corrected quickly. App froze. Directions from beginning of trip came up instead of the end of the trip. Telling me to turn on roads that we were all ready on. I usually run maps or waze also but in CC they all seem to screw up. Trip before that told rider i would b there in 3 min but took me the total opposite direction road me around in a huge circle. Rider was watching me on his phone the whole time. Two min pick up turned into 10 min. Cant wait to get those ratings. The other night told me to cut through cemetery. Of course I didnt lol. Tired of looking like an idiot and tired of wasting time and money. After I am done today going to send long email of course Ill get same answer I always do from the pretend person aka computer's scripted answer. They even give the computer people names lol. I may try Trenton airport one or 2 mornings this week. Dropped someone at 30th St. station today. A express pool lol outside ready and waiting for me 16 mile ride 23.77 plus 7.00 tip because I let her stop and coffee. She was suoer nice and we talked the whole way. Love those rides. Some pools are not too bad. 98% are awful.
I get long pick ups in the city also usually 12 or 20 min. Lately I've got a few for 9 min. Yes they are usually under 2.00. The higher ones I got were only because of surge. It seems like the fee only kicks in when you actually take 12 or 20 min to get there. When first started I would get there before allotted time and wouldnt get a dime. Other times I notice them is when i am in surged area. Those drivers probably left where they to try to catch surge and then those areas were short. Before new app i would be in surged area but would get long pickups put of surge. New one is actually helps me.
I am not sure if its on their site. I am sure its somewhere :) Everyone states it is a 4.6. How many rides does he have. When you first start driving your ratings tend to flucuate more because you dont have a lot of rides. It's best to get it up now so when he has more rides his rating wont flucuate as much. I have a 9.4. 18 mths driving 1475 rides. Once I lost my 5 star rating it went down to a 4.95 after 100 rides or so. After 500 rides it stays between a 4.93 and 4.95. You gave good advice try to stay away from pool especially express pool. Unfortunately when it pops up with ride request it says pool. When you accept it then you find out its express pool. I ignore most pool but sometimes its slow or I am bored. I do not acceot any pool under a 4.8. Uber X and XL I will accept anything above a 4.7. I have accepted slightly lower. I can honestly say some of the riders I pick up I dont understand why their ratings are low. I have no issues with them other than they may not tip. I dont rate less than 5 stars for not tipping thats just me. Other drivers feel differently so your Uncle will have to decide. Out of 1475 I've never rated anyone below a 5. There has been a handful or 2 that I probably should have. No one has annoyed me that much :) I also stay away from dangerous neighborhoods. Obviously I have trips to these neighborhoods which I do drop off but I shut the app off until I get closer to my area. Streets are very small, trolley tracks, etc just too much stress not worth it. My experience is for the most part they dont cancel drivers for ratings. BTW I drive in Philadelphia and Bucks County. When I first started I knew nothing nor did I bother to look things up. I managed but I've learned a lot through sites like this and you tube videos lol. I watched them waiting for rides.I learned which ones were a waste and which ones were worth taking advice. The only thing I disagree with is having water and snacks. Gum and mints are ok but also not necessary at leastbin my experience. Its recommended by some ride share bloggers, videos, etc... Had them in beginning. Anyone who took them which was rare never tipped, dont know about the ratings. I can tell you my ratings didnt get better or worse bit having them. BTW it was always pool people they took them and some for later. I guess it cant hurt though. If its real hot I have some water. Snacks and candy I do for holidays. Gum and mints isnt a bad idea. When I do have those I buy for myself. I offer to passengers that are nice. I can tell you chargers are great to have. I carry android, iphone, galaxy note 8 that has different chargers than all others. What works great is an aux cord riders love it. Had riders tip decent amounts. I also have you tube red 10.00 a month (think u can deduct on taxes but not 100% sure) I can play anything they want. I also create a few play list ex.rock, classic rock metal most of my riders like this one (even young ones) 80''s music, oldies 50's and 60's, rap(not hard core)young people post malone, wiz kalifa, chris brown,. I've got great tips for this also. Usually pays for itself. Thats what works for me here in Philly and Bucks. This site is great for getting ideas, suggestions, info etc....Hope this helps. Once your Uncle drives more it should get better. Stay away from pool if possible. Now that I wrote you a novel hope something I posted helps and answers your questions. As you can see my answers are always long and probably more info than you wanted. Lol If there is anything else feel free to ask. I'll answer as best as possible. Ippei and Lily are great at answering questions also. Air freshner helps also. Make sure car is clean and neat. This is what works for me here in Philly. Hopefully something will help your Uncle😊 Best of luck. Where does your Uncle drive???
This is just a guess. I know you get most of it just thought I would share my 2 cents on why it may exists :) The reason for surge is demand is high as you know. Drivers would head to the surged area only to get there and it was over or you got there waited for a ride and didnt get one. As riders figured surge out they wouldnt request rides until prices came down (surge dont last long unless really busy 5/10 min). Everytime I was in surged area I would get pings for long pick ups out of surged area. I got few surged rides. With new surge if driver just makes it to the area surge stops within a min or 2 driver at least gets 1 ride with surged rates. Basically driver gets some compensation for travelling to that area.
Tonight I got off I 95. Headed to get gas noticed the area which I was headed to surged. Once I got to gas station surge was 1.25. As I headed up road I watched my app it started with 1.75 then 2.00, then 3 00 and so on until I got to busiest area with highest surge. It was locked in so I pulled over and waited. Surge was over. Within 3 min got ping and got 8.25 surge. Old surge I wouldve driven there only to have surge end and get nothing. You just wasted time and maybe drove to area that you didnt want to be in or was now slow. At least now you get a surged ride
Short guess:
To give drivers something on new app that they advertised as "we listened to drivers" drivers helped with app" make it seem they actually care about drivers. Lol
If it's a surge with long pick up fee I take it. I've taken 3 surged rides with long pickup fee. Not only did I get surge but pickup fee wasnt bad. One was 20 min pick up got 7.90, 12 min got 6.45, and 10 min was 5.45 just for the long pick up.
Sorry I misunderstood. I didnt mean to post it the way I did its confusing. I will fix it. Yes, surge amount is lower. The heat map comes up with an amount. Starts at 1.25 the most Ive seen here in Philly is 8.75 (only once) 2.00 to 5.00 seems to be the average. Basically whatever the amount is you get it added to your trip The only good thing is if we get to surged area but receive no trips you will get that on your next trip. Regardless if there is a surge or not as long as you dont go off app or decline a ride. Unfortunately if a 10 min away pool wuth rider rating at 4.6 comes in you cant decline or you lose the surge. As you drive into surged area not only is heat map there but at bottom of screen it says what your minumum surge amount is as you travel into other streets it clumbs. I drive into streets that has the highest amount and wait. Once heat map disappears I can go wherever to get my next ride as that will be surged.
Red Ant, I was wondering the same thing. I would have like to seen video play out from beginning when the guy asked to play his music. The rider was completely reduculous regardless. The stupidity on some of the things he thinks are "his rights" are just rediculous. I still give the man credit for mainting his composure and professionalism. I can tolerate a lot but i dont know about that one. Although I would have let him play his music. Lol
I rate every rider 5 stars over 1500 rides. I should have rated a handful under 5 stars but didnt have the time as we have to rate as soon as we end trip. It was just easier to tap 5 stars as they are all ready highlighted. I cant speak for every driver but the few I've met dont rate for the reasons you mentioned. Unfortunately there are good and bad riders and drivers. Dont assume all drivers are jerks. Just like I dont assume all riders are cheap, obnoxious, and rude. It may be a game or joke to some riders and drivers but not to all.
Thats in Australia. They havent mentioned it in US yet :) Be nice if there were some repercussions. We go below 4.6 we are deactivated as a driver. We are replacable. Uber doesnt care how riders treat drivers. Perfect example how rude and obnoxious some riders can be:
Go to forum
Self Entitled and stupidity taken to whole new level. What does Lyft do? It's a long video 16 min but check it out. It's unbelievable that there are people like that among us. This person should be banned from Uber, Lyft, and any other ride share in US.