How do I support my family member who drives for Uber or Lyft?

OK, I will assume this is a serious question.

If you are familiy, you have to be understanding of the hours he or she works.  This is NOT a 9-5 job by any mean.  It is actually more of the opposite, where we need to work when others aren't.  and those times come around and surrounding the times people work.

- Early mornigs - before and during people's commute.

- Later afteroons - after and during people commute.

- Friday and Saturday nights when people are about to go out and enjoy themselves.

- Early Monday mornings or Friday afternoons when people are beginning or ending their travels.

As you can see, these are NOT the times you want to be working.  They are the times you want to be...well, traveling, enjoying yourself or traveling.

So if you are a family member, you have to be understanding of these odd hours. Sure, the drivers can take times off, but those are also the most lucrative times, so..

T-Rabit mentioned the odd hours, but I will add the crazy number of hours to the list.

This isn't a 40 hour job either.  It's more like a 50~60 hour jobs with shifts that last 12~14 hours.  The reason is because hourly pay is horrendous.  It's partially because majority of the time is spent waiting for fares and driving to pick up the fares. (and we don't get paid for those times.

With long hours and crappy hours, it's a double combo.  I have had friends (yes, multiple) whose wives have either left or cheated on them due to this awful working hours.  I'd like to blame the wives but I also emphasize because the guys weren't even there for them.

Some of the posts in this thread would lead one to believe that driving for Uber/Lyft makes one emotionally unstable and in need of therapy.  Such is just not true.

Being a rideshare driver really isn't that bad, but YMMV depending on the area you work in, familiarity with traffic patterns and knowledge of the city.  Is driving 60+ hrs a week necessary to make ends meet? That depends largely on what your income requirements are.  I average ~$30 /hr, (Mon-Fri mornings, NO NIGHTS/WEEKENDS)  which is a perfectly livable wage in some places. 

Be understanding that your family car will fall apart 3 months into his gig.  That ain't a sunk cost.  More you drive, more you'd have to replace and repair.  Tires, wipers, alternators, oil, everything.

So be understanding that when he isn't working and you drive the car, it can break down any point.

Tell he or she do do another type of job because ride-sharing which is a taxi sucks.

Yes, be understanding to how crappy the pay is.  and try to act all surprised when they come to the realization that they've been losing money on the past 1000 rides they performed.

This is hilarious.  So, you are saying that Uber and Lyft drivers fall into a category of people who need help and support?  

Is it a emotional support or a financial support?  or I guess both. LOL

Did you mean to ask how you would support your family while driving for Uber or Lyft? or are you saying you would like to provide support to someone in your family who drives an Uber?

Well, there is two ways I am interpreting this question. 

Financial support: Definitely find a job that pays enough to pay the bills. Go to school and learn an in-demand skillset. Being a rideshare driver is a flexible gig, which also means that what you will earn is often unclear because it depends on how much you drive and if there is surge pricing or not. 

Emotional Support: Being compassionate is important, Uber and Lyft drivers put up with a lot of crap in their jobs. And definitely if you have a family, make sure to create a schedule ahead of time of when your family member will be driving, when you will be working, who will be watching the kids, etc.. This will make it a less stressful situation for you all. 

Hope this helps.