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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My worst fear came true while driving last night. Would've rather been cleaning vomit off my car.😥😥😥
Was out last night driving overnight like I do most nights. I know how bad the deer are so I … -
Uber Rally Yesterday. Will AB5 pass in CA? Your thoughts? Please share.
According to San Fransisco Chronicle AB5 passed. Do you think this will help drivers in any way? Please share your … -
Uber's 911 Feature. Will it help First Responders find uour location?
Uber added a 911 feature in both Driver and Rider apps in my market (Philadelphia) in Summer of 2018. Uber … -
For those Drivers who pick up parents with toddlers & no safety seat. You know who you are. Riders do not request an Uber or Lyft & not have a safety seat for your child. for
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Is Uber sending the closest driver? Not necessarily!
BATCH MATCHINGÂ https://uberdriverthings.com/uber-ride-batch-matching-drivers-riders/ -
G.O.A.T Platform is Up and running. Sign up for free or make a donation.
Drivers, the G.O.A.T is now up and running. If you want the latest news on Uber and Lyft, want to … -
Drivers, check out "Street Teams" Big Announcements by Rideshare Professor on July 4th.
If you are a driver and are not happy with Uber and Lyft's rate cuts, fares, surges, etc.... Check out … -
Riders, Why are you putting fake names on your Uber & Lyft account? Be prepared for longer wait times or getting cancelled.
Drivers are seeing more fake names coming up on rider accounts. A few names have been D!@k Swallower, Satan, Killer, … -
Lyft partners with Waymo. Lyft will now offer rides in a Waymo mini van just outside of Phoenix.
https://www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/06/27/waymo-makes-autonomous-vehicles-available-to-lyft-riders.html?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQA#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2019%2F06%2F27%2Fwaymo-makes-autonomous-vehicles-available-to-lyft-riders.html -
Uber's Flying Taxi Service coming by 2023 according to Uber.
Three interesting links. Fares are not bad. Maybe equivalent or somewhat cheaper then Uber Black when it first rolls out … -
Drivers, what stupid, careless, things do you see other drivers (not just ride share drivers)do while out driving on the road? What pet peeves do you have that makes you so angry that you just want to drag a driver out of their car & smack them upside their head?
I gave up my road rage as I got older for about 3 yrs prior to driving for Uber. I … -
How does Uber & Lyft match rider with driver? What a dumb question we all know the answer. Rider request trip then their request pings the closest driver of course.
According to the article below that is how it used to work. Not anymore. Uber now uses "batch matching" to … -
Riders, Uber and Lyft rates for trips will increase. Wall Street wants profits. Drivers do you expect rates to increase when fares are increased? Do you think driver tips are going to disappear once rider rates are increased?
Will Uber and Lyft lose riders once rates are increased? Will riders stop tipping once rates increase? Will drivers get … -
Hawaii, Boise, Rozwell Drivers, Lyft is going to pay you once you swipe accept. Hopefully will hit all markets soon. Be nice if Uber follows!
Lyft is now testing paying drivers once we swipe accept. Boise, Rozwell, Hawaii are the areas this rolls out in … -
Do you want to be an employee or independent contractor? Do you think Uber & Lyft will pull out of CA if forced to make drivers employees? Would you sign the notices Uber & Lyft sent to CA drivers? Will whatever happens with CA drivers trickle down to the other 49 states? Will this be the end of rideshare as we know it?
There is so many post/opinions in rideshare forums, FB groups, articles on internet, etc...  Speculation, hearsay, false info. The list … -
"Say My Name" didnt go over to well & still causing some drivers a problem. Now NJ passed a new law to go in effect in 9 mths. Uber & Lyft will they stay or will they go in NJ?
https://amp-northjersey-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.northjersey.com/amp/1511862001?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQA#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northjersey.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fnew-jersey%2F2019%2F06%2F20%2Fnj-uber-lyft-law-drivers-show-signs-carry-id-cards-samis-law%2F1511862001%2FSammi's Law was passed in NJ by Gov. Murphy. This stems from the young lady who was in College … -
Rideshare Cars have more germs/bacteria than a toilet seat. Do you agree? What do you do to keep your car clean?
A recent study performed by Netquote Insurance Company swabed 9 cars. 3 Rideshare  3 Rent A Car, and 3Taxi's. Found … -
The "Big Question", to sign or not to sign? CA drivers what are you going to do? Drivers from 49 other states what would you do?
Please see link below if you havent heard what is happening out in CA. Crawl out from under the rock … -
Google Maps could be a Potential Problem for drivers in the future.
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/tech/2019/06/12/new-google-maps-feature-alerts-you-if-your-taxi-rideshare-driver-strays-off-course/1431251001/This would be a good idea for safety issues. But.... I use Waze all the time. Are riders going … -
Have you gone above and beyond for your passenger? Do you know a driver or had a driver that has gone above & beyond? If so, share your story.
Tired of hearing all the stories about what bad things Uber drivers do. If you have a story about yourself …
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.Â
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 à nd 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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
I stopped driving when pandemic hit. However when I was driving Thanksgiving and night before were great nights to drive. Biggest tips $101.00 for a 5 min ride, $40,$40, and $35.Â
Uber Black SUV used to have a car seat option. Check the app.
It can't hurt.Â
Candy bars & cigarettes (when i used to smoke).
The only reason I can see it being somewhat safer is you can sit in the very back. I use to drive Uber XL. I have a Honda Pilot which has a 3rd row of seats as do mini vans and other XL vehicles. Other than that your in a closed in vehicle not the best place to be. Wear a good mask, wash your hands, crack your window, don't touch your face or fiddle with your mask. Hopefully your driver doesn't have covid and sneezes or coughs. Hoping they sanitize their car also. That's about the best advice I can give you:) Stay safe.
SORRY posted a reply then noticed the date of the post. Removed my reply
What was the purpose of Toyota doing this? Have you talked to them? I am trying to understand WTH they did that. Were they up to illegal stuff at the time? Has anyone questioned them? When signing paperwork at dealership they want the paperwork in perfect order signed in blood:) Wouldnt all of your paperwork have had the wrong info on it then? Didnt you notice that your yearly registration (if you have that in NY or FL) was wrong? How do you purchase a car with an expired license? I know you had a valid one in NY but you said they used the invalid FL license. Did you pay cash (dont expect you to answer this)? If you didnt why didnt the bank question this? How did any of the paperwork go through with an expired license? You cant even buy a pack of cigarettes with an expired license among many other simple things. People, places, companies will not take an expired license for ID. This all makes no sense. What am I missing?Â
Yes you can drive in PA and Delaware. You can drop off in NY but not pick up as you probably all ready know. A friend of mine also had a ride from EWR Airport to Connecticut & received a request while there. So I assume we can pick up there also. I am the opposite of you. Â I live in Philly with PA license but drive in NJ. When I started driving 2.5 yrs ago I drove in Philly, surrounding areas, and Bucks County. After a year & a half I started driving in NJ. Been doing 98% of my driving in NJ for a little over a year. PA has no specific TL& C laws and neither does NJ. No special license or permits. Uber and Lyft send you ride request. Lyft & Uber has never questioned me or sent me any notices. My friend lives in PA Suburbs (Bucks County) he also drives in NJ no problem. Â I dont think they care. I think certain areas like NY have specific laws as some other Cities/States do. That is why we cant drive in those Cities.
Sign up where your permanent residence is. If you have a NJ license, registration, and inspection and sign up with a PA address it will be a nightmare. If you are just in PA for 2/4 yrs for school and you plan to go home for holidays and move back after you graduate just leave address, insurance, license, registration in NJ. Why change all that if its temporary. You dont need the added cost of all that paperwork & you would have to get s PA license. So not worth all that. Â It's not against Uber or Lyfts TOS to live in one city or state (permanent residence) & drive in another state (for school, on vacation, or its a busier city or state).Â
Sorry my post are always long. If you have any further questions please feel free to post them & I will try to answer. If I dont know the answer I can direct you to someone who can help you. If you need any help or any tips be happy to help you:) Good Luck!
Ride Guru has a free fare estimator calculator. Click on RIDE at top left. Enter your location and destination. Rideshare companies, taxi, etc.... prices will come up. Its free and easy to use.Â
If you get no hits here you can try Roadie or Task Rabbit. Task Rabbit may be your best option. If someone at the address can meet an Uber or Lyft and put them in the car you can request one of them. Put the pickup address to where they are and destination to where you are. Driver shows up someone gives them your package they bring it to you. Once driver accepts your request I would call or text them to let them know they are picking up jars not a person. Most drivers will do it if not illegal things. Good Luck.Â
Uber and Lyft have ways to prevent drivers from doing this. You would have to use multiple rider accounts even then it would be difficult. Just about anything you think of trying to do to scam either of them they all ready know about. As a driver it would be easier & not cost you anything to figure out what you are doing wrong that people are rating you low. I know riders can be rough with ratings at times but for the most part if you are providing decent service your ratings will increase. He/she may be doing something wrong and not realize it.Â
There are plenty of tips here on guru by other drivers that can help keep your ratings up. If your friend needs help I can suggest a few good videos on YT, threads here on ride.guru, or I can post suggestions. I have been driving for 2.5 yrs, have over 2600 trips, maintain a 4.96 on Uber (lowest has been 4.93). Lyft I have a 5.0 (they are easier to maintain high rating). My tips have been pretty good over the past year and I dont put signs up, have boxes, or ask for them. I know some drivers do this and they feel it works but in my market I feel it would backfire:)Â
Its against TOS on Uber & Lyft to have someone in the car with the driver. Never get into a car that doesnt match up with what is in your app (license plate, make, model, pic) or if the driver has someone with them. If I were you I would report it to whichever company you used. Not sure about Lyft but on your rider app with Uber all your trips are saved. Its easy to go back in and send report. I do hear of some couples bringing their significant other for safety reasons but you never know they may have been up to something. We live in a crazy world with many evil people that are capable of doing sick, twisted things. We all make mistakes thankfully yours didnt have a bad ending. Happy you are ok but be careful when using rideshare. Unfortunately it's not always safe. Please consider reporting this to Uber/Lyft. You may just save someone's life.Â
Uber and Lyft are not per person. Price is for car you request.
Uber X and Lyft = up to 4 passengers + luggage
Uber XL and Lyft XL = up to 6 passengers + luggage
Uber Pool & Lyft Shared = 2 passengers
FYI - TIP
Make sure if you are ordering Uber X or Lyft you can also fit all your luggage. Often riders request an Uber X or Lyft for 4 passengers, 4 XL suitcases, duffel bags, lap top cases, and backpacks. If you have a decent amount of luggage you may want to go with XL. Its a few $''s more but much more comfortable.Â
A Ford Focus for example will fit 4 but can be a little cramped in backseat depending on size of people. If you have a lot of luggage & a bag or 2 that dont fit in trunk you dont really have the room in the car for it. All too often people dont realize that smaller cars are cramped enough with 3 med to large adults in backseat. Adding a few bags will only make it more uncomfortable. Dont waste your time or the drivers. Plan ahead. Will make life easier for you, friends/family and your driver. Driver gets there you cant fit everything you will be charged a cancel fee.
4 riders + lots of luggage = uncomfortable trip
Please consider tipping your driver unless there are issues (dirty car, rude driver driver, unsafe, etc) especially if they help with the luggage. Longer trips can cause driver to head back empty or to sit in an airport queue for up to 2 hrs until they get another ride:) It also takes time to load and unload 4 riders with luggage (lost time = lost $). Driver is making .10 /.20 per minute when idle. Â Safe travels.Â
At the very least $3/$5 Â Â 10% or more best:)Â
You be the judge (obviously:)Â
Order an Uber, Lyft, or cab. Ine will pick you up.Â
There are really rude drivers out there that will rate under 5 stars if they think they are not getting a tip. I dont agree with these drivers and feel they are wrong. Riders have up to 30 days to tip. I see drivers complaining and giving less than 5 stars for not tipping cash. Again I disagree with those drivers. I think Uber and Lyft have used up their decent driver pool and scraping the barrel. Uber should give drivers 24 hrs to rate their passengers. Dont stress over the ratings. Your rating is still higher than most. I do get how you feel. As a driver it does get annoying when you have no idea what you did to get rated less than 5 stars.
What Uber and Lyft dont seem to realize is drivers do have influence over what company riders choose. I have talked to countless riders, family, friends, etc.... At one time riders had their loyalties. That isn't true nowadays. Now that both companies are well known, not many differences, & #deleteuber happened I found a surprising number of passengers listen to drivers. In the past 6 months I have been asking passengers why they choose one company over the other? The answer surprised me. Let me mention I drive in PA & NJ so answers could be different in other markets. Passengers responded "other drivers told me Lyft treats drivers better". I have never heard "Uber treats drivers better". So next time Uber and Lyft think we dont matter. Not only do we matter but we can and do have some influence on which company the paying passenger chooses. We can very easily convince a passenger on what company to use. Once price is taken out of the equation we can sell a passenger on either company its not hard. I have conversations with 99% of my passengers and I am sure many many other drivers do also. It's not difficult to talk up one company and put down another. In fact it's very easy. So not only can they not operate their business without us. Just a quick reminder those self driving cars are not quite going to be ready when Uber and Lyft thought they would be. We can have a big impact on what company a rider chooses. May be a good idea to keep drivers happy just sayin.Â
Lyft has the opportunity to get ahead. The press love to put out negative articles about Uber. Lyft is always in the shadows. They can treat drivers better if they choose. Not many drivers me definately me being one of them cannot stand Dara. Sounds like a win win for Lyft if they do it right. It could be Lyfts time to shine lets see if they can do it.Â
Although it went too far (accidentally) I have to give Lyft credit for addressing the issue. Drivers have been asking both Uber and Lyft to stop allowing riders to use fake names. Uber has done nothing.Â
They seem to be able to do what they want, when they want, and how they want. Some of it is finally catching up with them. Cities and drivers have had enough. If riders only realized how dishonest and sneaky they are. Dara's ego so big he thinks he can continue to stomp all over everyone in his path to achieve what he wants. The big prize "to be the Amazon of Transportation". I can see him waking up every morning staring in the mirror saying "I will make Uber be the one and only for ALL Transportation Needs", "I will be the world's most wealthiest and the most powerful man of the transportation industry", "I am the man".lol  Probably has stickies all over the house with positive afirmations all about himself and goals for Uber. Forgot one "I will make the drivers miserable for they stand in my way". Â
On a positive note Lyft has made some small improvements and increased some of our rates in Philly and NJ. Also giving points to drivers on trips to turn into Cash Bonus or Ride Credits. Keep going Lyft.
If you dont get enough feedback here go to You Tube there are people who do videos and offer good tips, tricks, etc... I dont do delivery so I will be of no help.Â
Wouldn't you sell it off? I would have. He dont even trust Dara. LolÂ