My driver told me he gets lots of texts from people telling him to hurry up (upon pickup). Is this really true?

Had a pickup once in a snowstorm requested at 7-11. Showed up and did not see passenger. Called her she started yelling asking me where I was. Turned out she dropped pin at wrong 7-11 (I showed up at the pin). Had she not yelled and told me to “get the hell over-here” maybe I would have driven 8 min to scoop her up at the location she was at, but I politely told her I will be right there. Waited at my current spot until passenger did not show up fee was collectable and moved on;)

I agree with most of the drivers that we shouldn't be driving fast.  While I agree, your tip is on the line.  I would actually step on it for a sudden acceleration at every red light or stop sign.  but I would never break the speed limit.  This gives them an illusion that I am hurrying and doing my best,but I am actually not breaking any laws.

I go 8 miles over the speed limit.  I usually do 5.

Yeah, it happens fairly often.  A text?  It's usually when they get on.

Instead of saying outright "no" or being rude about it, I usually ask what time they need to get there by.  Then I tell them whether it's realistic or not.  Then I say;

"I will do my best".

Remember those four words.

Impatient passengers annoy me.  Last time one texted me asking "where are you?"   I replied "sorry, the line at 7-11 is really long.  Will be there as soon as I buy a drink and fill up gas." 

GUARANTEED PASSENGER CANCEL.

Part of the problem is "texts."    I don't read texts while driving.  Unless there is a light to stop at.  Often I call, but the problem there is that 50% of the people do not answer.

I wish Uber/Lyft would eliminate the texts.

YES.  THIS IS TRUE and it's annoying.  

Why do we even have to make excuses?  we have GPS these days.  Just point the finger at the GPS, and be done.  

Here's the boilerplate.

"I'll get you there as quickly and safely as I can."

CANCEL

If they text you, it's a psycho pax.  Definitely cancel.

If this is in person, make up some BS, and make it look like you are rushing (while you are not)

Honestly, if this is before the pick-up, I suggest you cancel.  This type of passengers are the red flag.  It's a no-win situation.  They have unrealistic expectations, you will get a 1-star rating, no matter what you do.

Peel off.  Cancel the ride (make sure to get your no-show) and then yell, "Run fast!!"

Yes.  and it makes me boil in anger inside, but I try to be cool and tell them "yes, I will get there as soon as I can" and absolutely drive the same way as I always do.  LOL. 

Sorry folks. that's the truth.

on the way to pick up a passenger? Not so much. I do get the frustrated, "where the hell are you" kind of texts sometimes, but on one who told me to outright "hurry."  Well, I guess asking me where I am is a passive way of telling me to hurry

Once they are in the cab, I do have quite a number of people who do ask me.  Often business travelers.  Some are outright mean about it.  It try to be empathetic but I don't overly try hard.  This is our livelihood, and I am not going to break the law for you