Part 1- Driver
Summer has gotten the best of me and once again my little blog has fallen to the wayside but both kids are back in school so I’m determined to show some love to my pet project. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I love getting massages but I feel like I’m never able to relax because my mind is always racing, usually wondering what kind of secrets my body is giving away to my masseuse. (Side Note: Pretty sure “has gotten” is super incorrect grammar but that’s how the voice in my head speaks so not sorry. Also, coming back with a bang with my usual run-on sentences natch) Can she tell I’m left-handed from the muscles in my forearm? Can she tell my shoulders are where I hold all my stress? Does she think I’m a wuss because I only want medium pleasant pressure instead of the scream inducing deep tissue massage that might actually work the kinks out? And yes, I say “she” because I’m one of those lingeringly insecure women who feels uncomfortable naked on a table with a strange male rubbing me, not ashamed to admit. I’m always curious what kind of fascinating stories my masseuse might have or what useful info they could impart from their chosen profession. My good friend recently became a Highway State Patrol Trooper and he’s full of entertaining stories. The tagline for my Mamachanic endeavor is Mom/Mechanic-Many Hats because in my 40+ years, I’ve wandered down many paths. I thought it might be fun to regale you all with little tidbits from my journey so far as a
HAS BEEN
My first chapter is about my career to date as a driver for Uber and Lyft. I quit my job as an auto mechanic a little over three years ago because the hours and stress were not allowing me to be the Mom I wanted to be. Fifty plus hour-long work weeks and mandatory Saturdays were not conducive to the parenthood I imagined. Becoming a ride share driver provided the flexibility I was looking for. As a driver, you choose your own hours. You don’t have to sign up for shifts. There are no minimum hour requirements. I don’t even have to work a full hour, I can drive for thirty minutes then log off of driver mode to get my nails done or pick up my children after school. The only time constraints I have are, if I’m logged on for twelve hours in a row, the companies log me off for a mandatory break for safety reasons. You do not want an exhausted driver. I’m not going to lie and say it’s fantastic money because it isn’t. For some reason, maybe the Craigslist ads guaranteeing $1500 a week, people think ride share drivers make bank but those ads are just to draw new drivers into the constant turnover in the ride share driver pool. Most people drive as a part-time gig to make extra money on weekends and nights until they graduate or reach their goal or get fed up. Basically, ride share drivers make eighty cents per mile after Uber or Lyft takes their commission which doesn’t include wear and tear on your vehicle, taxes, or gas. You can certainly make more on nights and weekends during surges but then you risk drunks vomiting and the other headaches that come with working bar hours. I’m not doing this for the fast paychecks and glamour. I’m driving because I got tired of missing Field Day or field trips and the job shaming I experienced anytime I asked for any time off. I love being my own boss so the pros outweigh the cons. After almost 6000 rides (crazy I know!) here are a couple of tips:
Safety
I know there are questions about safety from the driver and passenger perspective. As a passenger, you’re wondering if you should be getting into a stranger’s car right? I can tell you, in Colorado at least, all the drivers must pass a background check including criminal background and driving record. We must also have our vehicles inspected for cleanliness and basic safety and we must have to DOT (Department of Transportation) medical card before hitting the road meaning we must get a physical to check vision and other basic health. There are a few training videos to watch that explain how to use the driver app but there is no basic training to become a driver. Honestly, you can upload all your documents and be approved to drive without ever meeting an Uber employee. Lyft is a bit different. When I applied, they used a mentor program where a seasoned veteran met all new applicants to vet them including going on a road test and explaining the rules. There were tests you had to pass at the end of their training videos to move forward. They’ve since changed the mentoring program to large on-boarding sessions with a nurse and mechanic present to do the required inspections, doing away with the one-on-one mentor session I thought were a great way to make sure they only approved drivers they were confident in representing their brand. My point is, for the most part, there is no training for ride share drivers. Both companies rely on ratings to weed out any bad employees which isn’t the best business model. Basically, if you can figure out how to upload your documents and download the driver app, you’re free to have a go at running your own cabby gig.
On the flip side, do I feel safe being your driver? For the most part , yes. Denver is pretty tame, I choose my own hours, and you’re tracked through the apps what passengers you pick up so if I were to disappear after dropping you off, your door would be the first one knocked on. Unfortunately, lack of training or information for drivers and passengers leads to a lot of rule breaking, which leads me to:
The Rules
Several rules drivers and passengers are unaware of or maybe know full well but are just being jackasses.
- I can only drive as many passengers as I haven’t seat belts for, meaning standard Lyft and Uber vehicles can only LEGALLY take four passengers, Luckily, the geniuses at both companies came up with alternatives for larger groups- LyftPlus and UberXL. My minivan has seven seatbelts so I can drive up to six passengers. Plus and XL are a higher rate but we’re driving more passengers and we offer a handy split fare option so you can pony up to help your friends pay for your ride. Don’t ask me to squeeze seven or eight passengers in. I’m not going to risk my livelihood and my driver’s license because you’re CHEAP! I don’t care if it’s only a few blocks, it’s only a few BUCKS and it’s ILLEGAL. If there are more than four in your group, order a Plus. If you’re moving out of your office and need a van to pack up all of your shit, pick up a Uhaul. My job is to give you a ride, not sit in your parking lot making ten cents a minute while you load up. We make money when we are moving, ten cents per minute for waiting is equal to $6/hour. For example, if I pick up Susie and she wants to go to her bank, then Starbucks, then the McDonald’s drive-thru at the end of the ride I’ve driven her less than five miles and waited around thirty plus minutes to make $6 after commission and now my van smells like her poor lunch choice. We are not errand boys and not even my kids eat in my car so you shouldn’t feel entitled to. I had one woman and her three children stuff five large suitcases into my trunk for an airport ride after ordering a standard Lyft because technically she only had four passengers. My general rule is if it wouldn’t fit in a Prius, you should order a Plus. If it’s only you plus your broken down bike which would NOT fit in a Prius, you should order a Plus. Don’t be a CHEAPSKATE!
- In Colorado, it is against the rules for a minor to ride unaccompanied. (some states may vary) This means your child who is under 18 cannot use ride share without an adult along for the ride. I run into this all the time, where the kid says I use Uber all the time or the parent is even giving me a thumbs up from the front porch. I know it seems super convenient but it is against the terms of service meaning if I drive a minor, breaking the rules, Uber or Lyft will not insure me in the event of an accident. If you’re cool letting your child ride with a stranger alone, you should probably double check the parenthood handbook none of us received. The liabilities of that kind of ride make me shudder, especially for our male drivers (see You Tube=Uber dash cam saves driver from false rape accusations) The added knowledge that if anything happened, nobody is insured because the Terms of Service have been broken should be enough to convince you to drive your kid yourself. I know this goes back to lack of training for either side so I’m just trying to educate.
- We are not allowed to drive children without car seats. This is a law meaning it is ILLEGAL. I had one couple request an airport ride then throw their car seat in my trunk and insist on holding the baby in their arms so as not to wake him. SMGDH! Um no, I would rather listen to that child scream bloody murder in his car seat during the forty minute drive than envision him flying through my windshield in the event of an accident. Bad parents!!!! I picked up one couple with two-year old twins who wisely ordered a Plus to fit their three carts full of groceries but did not bring any car seats on their bus ride to the store. I drove Mom and all the groceries home and sent Dad and the toddlers back home on the bus where you can legally transport children without state required car seats. Don’t ask me to jeopardize my future and risk getting a ticket or injuring your child for any reason!
- There is no open container law in Colorado. This is not Las Vegas. You cannot legally walk down the street drinking alcohol. The same goes for my vehicle meaning don’t drink in my car. Some states can give the driver a DUI if there are passengers drinking in their car regardless of their sobriety. I’m not sure if that is the case in Colorado but I’m not about to find out. You’re welcome to bring your six-pack into my van, but if I hear you cracking anything open, I’m kicking you to the curb thanks!
If I sound bitter, it’s because I’m tired of being the only person enforcing these rules. When I have to be the bad guy, it usually negatively affects my ratings…
Ratings
One huge difference between ride share companies and old school cab companies is the ratings system. We rate our passengers and they rate the drivers so there is actual accountabillity.Taxi cabs were a monopoly for so long that their drivers didn’t care how they treated anyone. I remember many a night waiting for cabs that never showed up or having my shady driver insist their credit card machine was broken before driving me to an ATM on my dime. The rating system used by Uber and Lyft assure that there’s good behavior in the back seat and behind the wheel. It’s a five-star rating system. Every time I receive a request I see the passenger’s rating given to them by other drivers on previous rides. For the most part, I give every passenger a five-star rating. If you make me wait longer than a few minutes at pickup, trash my vehicle, are derogatory or disrespectful in my van or try to break any rules, I might rate you lower. If I get a ride request from a passenger with a low rating, I might decide to skip that ride request. As a driver, I have to keep at least a 90% acceptance rating, meaning I’m free to pass on 10% of ride requests, leaving me the freedom to bail if you’re more than ten minutes away, have a low rating or any other arbitrary reason. If your passenger rating is too low, you might have a hard time getting rides. As a driver, my rating is much more stringent. Drivers must retain a 4.6 or higher rating in order to stay on the platform, meaning if my rating drops below a 4.6, I lose my job. Many passenger are quick to rate their driver poorly for things beyond our control, like surge rates, traffic, or your crappy day. Especially if your drunk ass can’t count and wants your driver to squeeze five passengers in their little Prius or allow tailgating (open containers) in their car. If your driver finds you and gets you to your destination safely, that deserves five stars. Yes period! Giving your driver a poor rating because they didn’t offer a cold bottle of water or because you left late and they couldn’t magically get you to the airport in fifteen minutes is not only a super crappy thing do but also a great way for someone to lose their job. I understand it’s impossible to please everyone and some people won’t give a perfect score unless I give you a free puppy and my first-born but something to think about on your next ride.
Tipping
Lyft has always had a tipping feature through to app to allow passengers to tip their drivers easily without cash in hand. Uber very recently added a tipping feature as well but people are cheap. Even though back in the day, the majority of customers always tipped their taxi drivers, that percentage is much lower with ride share customers. Uber actually had a tagline that “tipping wasn’t necessary” but they’re also being sued by a large number of their drivers for telling passengers that tips were included when they never have been a part of their fares. I’m not insisting that everyone tip but it definitely makes my day and confirms when I’m doing a great job. Considering that ride share is almost half the cost of a regular cab, their drivers are usually getting less than 70% of the fare. If you’d tip a cab driver, bell hop, server etc. why not tip your ride share driver?
Common Courtesy
I’d really rather not have to point out the obvious here, but as a passenger common courtesy goes a long way. Remember, you’re in my personal vehicle, treat it the same way you would a friend’s car. Don’t put your feet on the dash. Don’t leave your trash behind. Don’t grab the person driving. Don’t help yourself to my stereo controls without asking first. This is my personal vehicle meaning I drive my children everywhere in this same vehicle. Don’t accidentally drop your drugs, Bic lighters, or pocket knifes in my back seat. These are all examples of actual passengers, don’t be that guy.
Bullet/Pocketknife my 9-year-old son was thrilled to find left by one of my passengers
Don’t request a ride from an impossible location. I’m not going to stop in the middle of Speer Blvd. during rush hour to pick up a passenger. Obstructing traffic is a $300 ticket! If your house is on a busy street, request your pickup in the alley. It is very easy to contact your driver, through the app, to expedite your pickup.
Don’t refuse to meet your driver a few feet maybe even a WHOLE BLOCK (gasp!) away. Denver is a busy city. If you’re trying to get a ride home along with 70,000 other people leaving Mile High Stadium, you might have to meet your driver. Some venues have specific ride share pick up locations, for example at Red Rocks, drivers are only allowed to pick up at the Trading Post. Negatively rating your driver or cancelling your request because of a busy venues lack of cooperation is ruthless and a waste of everyone’s time. Speaking of wasting time, there’s a handy-dandy feature in the app that tells you how far away the nearest driver is, usually 3-5 minutes. If you’re not 3-5 minutes away from finishing your packing, makeup, or whatever and standing on the curb to meet your driver, then don’t order a ride until you’re ready. You wouldn’t make your friend sit outside in the car for five minutes waiting for you, you shouldn’t make your driver wait either.
Calling or texting your driver is a perfectly acceptable way to coordinate your ride but expecting your driver to text back is asking us to break the law and another costly ticket. I had one woman during a blizzard texting me every three seconds, “It looks like your turning on Downing, I think Emerson would be faster.” “How much longer?” Nag, nag, micro manage, nag. I’m driving in a goddamn blizzard to pick you up because it’s my job meaning I know exactly how to do it and no, I will not be taking my white knuckled hands off the steering wheel to respond to your ridiculous unnecessary texts thank you!!!!!!
Lyftline and Uberpool
Line and Pool are new features where passengers receive a discounted rate to literally share their ride. If another passenger requests a ride along the same “line” we’re already going, I’ll receive their request and pick them up too. Most drivers despise this feature because its awkward enough driving strangers in their car without multiplying the strangers sharing a ride. Also because drivers are usually paid the SAME amount for driving more people and making more stops while Uber makes MORE money charging multiple passengers for the same ride. Most passengers don’t realize they’ve accidentally requested a Line or Pool until I stop to grab the next passenger. It can be very time-consuming so don’t try it if you’re going to be late to work or miss a flight. Just because I pick you up first, you may not be dropped off first. I could pick you up, then Tom, Dick and Harry and drop you off third or even last depending on your destination along the “line”. I’m all for saving the planet ie. saving gas and pollutants by “sharing” rides, but it’s usually a drag for everyone (especially accidentally) involved and another great way to ding my rating in the confusion.
Phew! Sorry for the lengthy tirade. After over 6000 rides, I could probably fill a book with all the stories I’ve experienced. Thanks for bearing with me. I know it’s sounds like I’m unhappy with ride share but the pros-unlimited, flexible time with my friends and family, choosing my own hours, being my own boss etc. far outweigh any cons.
My Reasons
Speaking of talking your ear off, do me a favor. Next time you feel like chatting up your ride share driver, hit them up with a new question like what’s your favorite scray movie? Who was your first concert? Where did you grow up? Trust me, if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me one of the usual questions:
- How long have you been driving?
- Do you have any crazy stories?
- Do you ever feel unsafe?
- Do you prefer Lyft or Uber?
- How much money do you make? (Seriously, would you ever ask anyone else this question?!)
..I’d be a millionaire. Most drivers are tired of talking about themselves and their jobs, especially since they’ve probably had the same conversation with the first five rides already. Surprise me! I’ve actually had a lot of awesome conversations with my passengers, or better yet, sit down and shut up. (Just not in the seat directly behind your driver, if you’re alone, super creepy!) And if you think this might be a great gig for you, there’s usually a sign on bonus. Click either link below and I could get a bonus too! Feel free to hit me up with any other comments or questions. Look for the next post in my Has Been series about my time as a mechanic, landlord, server, movie theater manager, tattoo parlor counter girl, or maybe even Mother of the Year….hahahahahahahaha.
Drive for Uber-
https://partners.uber.com/drive/?invite_code=k69ugP
Drive for Lyft-
https://www.lyft.com/drivers/DANA2247
Shout out to my FL peeps! ?
