Followup on Uber discussion re: Philadelphia Journalist report

[stevenleser]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6646542

So as I noted, I always ask my Uber drivers whether they like driving for Uber http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6647194 and I have had a 100% positive response rate.

So today, I took an Uber and asked the driver and got another positive response. But this time, I followed up with, "An article just came out that had some negative things to say about Uber. It says that after expenses and Uber's cut, you only end up making $9.30 an hour or so."

and the driver said, "yes, that amount is about right." To which I replied, "but if that's right, why do you like it?"

The driver's response was, he used to work for a regular car company and he averaged $8 an hour for them. His car was often idle, and the dispatchers played favorites. He said that both issues are common ones that drivers face with regular car companies. He is always busy with Uber.

I'll continue to ask the same questions.

[Agschmid]

1. Yah that thread went somewhere odd...

Sure your story is anecdotal but it makes sense.

[stevenleser]

2. I've used Uber a lot and I always ask drivers what they think of it

I can tell, as I am sure most people can, when someone is unenthusiastically feeding you the corporate line. I never got that from these folks. The folks all seem to really like the job. And to some extent it's understandable. You work only when you want to work as much or as little as you want.

DUer coffeecat is an Uber driver as is her husband. And for both of them its a second job, and because of the flexible hours its an ideal one. And they seem to love it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6649696

On Edit: Looks like Prism is an Uber driver too. He also uses it as a second job and also likes it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6648905

[FreakinDJ]

5. It amounts to taking from the less fortunate

I know who your speaking of. And after Corporate America cut their pay they decided to displace some less fortunate folk whom drive a cab for a living.

So much for a "Rising Tide lifts All Boats"

BTW: by No means do I Drive for a Living

[stevenleser]

6. Who is taking from whom? What you wrote doesn't make any sense. nt

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

3. I can't speak for UberX, but I do know some Uber Black drivers

And they all say that other than the nightlife crowd that can be pretty rough to deal with relative to their usual passengers they absolutely love it. They would much rather be earning between airport fares than camped out in a parking lot somewhere for an hour or more at a time.

[stevenleser]

4. Good to know. What I learned from CoffeeCat in the other thread is that the drivers rate the riders

in addition to the riders rating the drivers. I didn't know I was being rated. I guess I'm being rated well because cars still come when I ask for one.

Your friends should rate the riders really low if they are being difficult.

[CoffeeCat]

9. Regarding drivers rating passengers...

You have to see this hilarious video, stevenleser.

[CoffeeCat]

7. The $9.30 per hour is interesting...

I will be interested in how much I make with Uber, as I get going and get into a groove. I've been juggling kids and other things.

However, I think my husband figures he's making about $20 per hour. He only drives during peak times on the weekend. We're still figuring out when the optimal times are.

Since I'm just starting out, I'm mainly driving during the day when it is slower. I'm getting used to the ap and the process. I could understand how this reporter made $9.60 an hour. If you drive at random times, or during the day--you're not going to be as busy.

Also, each city is unique. Each city has peak times, as well as prime locations. You've got to spend some time figuring out the best way to maximize your pay. It's actually fun. You hone your strategy as you drive more and learn the best locations and times. That takes some trial and error.

It's actually fun devising strategies. It does take some planning and maybe some creativity. The Uber Parter Ap, allows you to launch the ap and start driving. The other part of the ap--used by passengers to request rides--allows me to see all of the other Uber drivers on the road. I can see where all of the cars are in my area. If there are too many cars downtown, I may try driving in another area. When cars "disappear" off of this map, that means that they were pinged and no longer available. If I see numerous cars on the map, then disappearing--I know it's busy and many are requesting rides. There was a big concert in our area last week. The perimeter streets around the Events Center was crazy. I could see cars circling, then disappearing, then more driving into the perimeter then immediately disappearing. This went on for quite a while. Lots of drivers, lots of pings. It's actually fun to watch (I didn't drive that night. I was home).

My husband went out last night. He worked for 5 hours. He made $220. After Uber takes its cut and you subtract taxes, gas and pro-rated car repairs/oil changes--we're left with about $110. That's around $22 per hour. Some nights, when there are special events (concerts, festivals, plays, etc.) you can make even more.

I've heard that Uber drivers in various cities have experienced rate cuts. I'm unsure if those rates are on par with what we are making now; or if Uber decreases driver rates (and pay) as the ap becomes more established in each city.

Both my husband and I are very happy right now, and as I've mentioned--we'll stick with it as long as it is lucrative, fun and makes sense.

[Recursion]

8. Bingo. Cab medallion owners exploit cab drivers worse than Uber exploits drivers

But cab medallion owners are almost always politically powerful in cities, and Uber isn't. But the conflict here is not between Uber and cab drivers; it's between Uber and medallion owners.

It's actually a lot like the Tesla store thing: car dealers are often some of the richest people in a given town, which makes them powerful among local politicians. So, they will do anything they can to keep their cartel from being broken up.

[lostnfound]

10. That's what I see and hear in Chicago. I'm going to start tipping the uber drivers when i use them

To ensure that they are getting enough. But it's a better system, and I like the fact that the ?Uber approach puts cabbies' working hours in the hands of the individuals doing the work. I think it's empowering.

[stevenleser]

11. Kick nt