RIDEGURU
What do you think about soliciting compensation for Dead Leg returns on long trips?
For those who do not know "Dead Legs" are return trips from long rides with out a passenger to pay for the trip. And they can eat up any profits quickly.
If one goes out of state by about an hour or more, the Uber Ap will not allow us to pick up passengers. (Lyft too... I believe.)
Even in the same state, the likelyhood of getting a passenger home is very unlikely.
(Especially because no airport queue will allow you to use destination mode... even if out of town.)
1) While I do not like soliciting tips, I have asked riders to leave a considerable tip to at least pay for the gas on the way back... and explained that I cannot get riders at the destination. (I always let them know if they have a person needing a return trip, that it is not necessary.)
2) Another driver said he asks them to keep the meeter running to a destination half way back. (which seems to me to be more expensive to the rider.)
For the first option, several have agreed, then stiffed me. (Despite them seeming very pleased with the ride.)
Do you have any advice to offer that is considered appropriate?
I drove someone 1 hr and 52 min away, they agreed to the terms before we left the airport. It took me 3 hrs to get back to town and I did not get a passenger until the last 15 minutes of the trip. The passenger stiffed me.
I have considered not leaving the destination until a tip is entered... but to be honest, that sounds like it could be percieved as threatening.
It does not suprise me that no one wants to touch this one.
Comments
Hi you should never put pressure on someone to leave a tip. And certainly never use the words “would you please leave a “considerable tip.”” As a female I’d be worried that if I didn’t leave a good enough tip maybe things would escalate. I’d spend the entire ride thinking about what’s “considerable” enough and I’d be thinking of my safety. But that’s things from a woman’s perspective. The REAL problem is that you can’t give the customer a set amount for the trip or an up charge for long distance. The problem lies there. The app should be taking care of this problem so you can just focus on driving. You should be allowed to charge more for longer trips. Careful about putting pressure on people legally you could find yourself in hot water. Jacqui Gordon
Are you saying the driver should be able to dictate or adjust the price depending on the length of the trip? or for extra work that had to be performed or additional cost incurred?
That's an interesting idea. A little negotiation, and the driver types in a new figure. I mean we've been doing that with limos all the time. Uber is just responsible for connecting the two parties and they let the driver-rider take care of it.
I don't think it has to be for every ride, but perhaps a way for the driver to override the price is fantastic idea.
No, that is bizzare and unprofessional!!!
Not only will you not get a considerable tip, you will get no tip and definitely a low rating, get a few of those and you are booted form the platform.
You can't hold a passenger responsible for your potential loss of income on the way back.
On a long ride, you are notified by a banner stating it will be a long ride. Call the pax and ask them to tell you where they are going, say you need to determine if you need to fill up prior to pick up, or whatever excuse you want to use. This is where you can decide to cancel the trip or take it. Passengers would laos be happy to know whether you are willing to drive them to their destination as soon as you accept vs. waiting for you 15 minutes to show up , start trip, find out destination and start complaining.
If the dead leg is such a huge issue, Uber themselves should resolve it somehow.
I do get it how it's all fluid. If the driver reaches a destination, he could potentially find another customer there and potentially even bring him back to the original location. In that case, no additional compensation is necessary. However, if the driver HAS to take the dead leg home, I feel like some kind of comp is appropriate.
What if we have Uber pay the ride back to the driver's home base, i.e. home?
i've never driven before but I would like to try. This is one of the questions I had. How is Uber on giving you a trip back when you end up being far away from home?
I heard there is a feature where you can request to be going towards somewhere and Uber's app attempts to match you up with a ride going back. Does this actually work?
I am out of Philly. I occasionally do have to go to NJ airports that are a few hours away. (Think driving from PA to Newark Airport which is towards New York City.) Every time, Uber hooked me up with a ride towards my home. Good for you, Uber!
Some may think this isn't a big deal, but I think it is. Without some kind of algorithm the rides I pick up from NJ could have easily taken me further north, towards NYC for example. Instead, I always seem to go South.
That is amazing. From less than 20 miles out of NC they will not connect you with a ride. The app won't even turn back on if you turn it off, until you get back within range. And if you go an hour and a half out, in state, with the destination mode on, you will would be luck to get a small trip or two to the edge of town, then nothing before both your destinations run out of time... then you have to turn the app off to get home... and if you accept a ride, it could take you a few more hours in the wrong direction. It is a rare occasion to get a ride back. You are lucky, because Newark is such a big airport. The other airports here are quite small.
Well, to answer your question: No. it is not likely that it will work on long trips. I would say less than 1 out of 8 for me. That gas, time, and mileage wasted is a cause for heartburn and depression. It is a shame, because otherwise they are usually enjoyable while working.
I made two mistakes in my original post.
1) if you go more than a few miles outside the borders of your state, Uber will not give you requests until you cross back over. (Not an hour)
2) I ask passengers to consider leaving extra as I will be working without pay to get back. (not leave a considerable tip.) but to imply maybe they might wish to give me a small hourly rate and some to cover the gas.
Now, if you are worried that you did not give enough of a tip... maybe you did not. While I would like to think I gave good service, was friendly, and you left feeling relaxed, safe, and even refreshed or happy... I would also like you to consider that I p…
Read more...
Well, to answer your question: No. it is not likely that it will work on long trips. I would say less than 1 out of 8 for me. That gas, time, and mileage wasted is a cause for heartburn and depression. It is a shame, because otherwise they are usually enjoyable while working.
I made two mistakes in my original post.
1) if you go more than a few miles outside the borders of your state, Uber will not give you requests until you cross back over. (Not an hour)
2) I ask passengers to consider leaving extra as I will be working without pay to get back. (not leave a considerable tip.) but to imply maybe they might wish to give me a small hourly rate and some to cover the gas.
Now, if you are worried that you did not give enough of a tip... maybe you did not. While I would like to think I gave good service, was friendly, and you left feeling relaxed, safe, and even refreshed or happy... I would also like you to consider that I provided you with a service and in a relaxing, clean, safe, and well maintained vehicle... and that I was attentive and appropriately interactive... and that this is how I put food on the table and pay rent. If I do a good job, why would you want me to waste hours without pay because I agreed to take you far? I could have said no... and maybe the next vehicle would be terrible with a rancid driver... I leave the amount up to the customer. If that makes you feel uncomfortable to leave a few or more dollars in tips... how to you think it makes me feel to work for hours with out pay after putting so much into my job. (cleaning, polishing, paying for music services, providing water and other stuff.) So based on the service and how you like the driver... be considerate and not pressured. I have learned in life that is makes me happier to leave a few extra bucks for a waiter (especially one who is very good) than to hold back a few dollars. Even when I was flat broke and needed the money.
Uber is not concerned with this. The app does not care or help. That is the reality. They do not care if we make minimum wage even before expenses (like gas.) That is the reality. So is the potential expense of long trips. (and they just reduced our pay per mile.) So if we take you, please consider the above and follow your conscience. We rate you before we see what you tip... unless you pay cash. That was long. Sorry, I digress.
Read less...
I hear you and I feel you!😊I am in upstate NY and every trip outside of our little, fair city(Plattsburgh, NY) is extremely unfair. Thank You! I don’t know what to say but I appreciated your writing and I am rooting for you!😊
I minimally tip 20% and on short rides more because I can’t believe how cheap it is to get a ride. You’re between a rock and a hard place. Asking for a tip just rubs people the wrong way I think.
You are right, it is a slippery slope. But if the driver gets four of these rides a week... that is 8 hours working with no pay... and paying for the gas for 8 hours of driving. Bringing this up to Uber makes no difference. So, some drivers make it a prerequisite before they embark. If you do not agree, then they will pleasantly let you know they cannot afford to drive you and let you get another uber. Me, I just ask them to consider the dead leg when it comes time to tip... usually... if it is far and out of state... and one way.
Cool. Thank you for your help!
- Margs