What's your Uber experience?

[Ade]

Mind you they don't seem to care about where people stop to pick up pax. So many still pick up at the curb of the entry round-about, usually blocking traffic in the process, oblivious or too stupid to use the free pickup just 20m away.

This is becoming a somewhat-regular occurrence at CBR. But AFP are on top of such offenders most of the time. I have seen AFP drive by almost with a few seconds of someone breaching into the bus drop-off/pick-up area. One instance, I saw a middle-aged driver pull into the area and AFP was on her tail within 5 seconds. The driver panicked and tried to back out of the curb and in that process, she didn't realise that AFP was very close to her tail. She ALMOST reversed into the AFP car. The police shouted and they backed out before a collision could happen. They immediately turned on their siren & lights, pulled the driver and verified details. Clearly the driver panicked, and you could see it her face ...

driver immediately after booking telling me to go up to the departures drop off area.

Rideshare drivers do this because they don't want to exit the airport precinct, enter via the usual rideshare pick up car park and pay a fee (assuming they didn't have the pre-approved entry access). This is incorrect and actually a risk. AFP patrols these areas very frequently and they stop anyone who does the wrong thing.

 

[Happy Dude]

This is becoming a somewhat-regular occurrence at CBR. But AFP are on top of such offenders most of the time. I have seen AFP drive by almost with a few seconds of someone breaching into the bus drop-off/pick-up area. One instance, I saw a middle-aged driver pull into the area and AFP was on her tail within 5 seconds. The driver panicked and tried to back out of the curb and in that process, she didn't realise that AFP was very close to her tail. She ALMOST reversed into the AFP car. The police shouted and they backed out before a collision could happen. They immediately turned on their siren & lights, pulled the driver and verified details. Clearly the driver panicked, and you could see it her face ...


Rideshare drivers do this because they don't want to exit the airport precinct, enter via the usual rideshare pick up car park and pay a fee (assuming they didn't have the pre-approved entry access). This is incorrect and actually a risk. AFP patrols these areas very frequently and they stop anyone who does the wrong thing.

Well of course they're doing it to avoid paying the fee but are pocketing it in the process at my expense. If you put in the rideshare area for pick up the fee will be applied automatically. I won't be playing the game in the future.

I wasn't talking about the u-shaped area for buses, emergency vehicles etc as there is usually an AFP vehicle there and it's pretty well signed as no-go unless authorised. It's the peanuts that stop to pick up pax at the r-a-b/entry to that area that I was referring to. Dunno how much it's patrolled as there's always pax milling about there and I've been held up waiting on the r-a-b for someone to get in their car at the crossing to the free pick up area.

 

[Daver6]

From Uber threatens cancelling drivers as riders return to taxis — but they have their own problems

From Monday, drivers who cancel more than a quarter of trips will no longer be eligible for incentives.

In what world is 25% cancellation rate even acceptable?! Not a good look.

 

[lovestotravel]

From Uber threatens cancelling drivers as riders return to taxis — but they have their own problems



In what world is 25% cancellation rate even acceptable?! Not a good look.

When Uber treat drivers like dirt and they earn less than $20 per hour after expenses is why

Hiding trip information, up-front fares, fake surge pricing etc etc

Why anyone uses Uber as a customer is beyond me

 

[lovestotravel]

I have to laugh at this quote in the article

After the first two Uber drivers cancelled, Mr Ivory tried his luck a third time, only to find the price had more than tripled from $16 to $60.

"I couldn't justify paying that. That's scandalous. That's extortion," Mr Ivory said.

Mr Ivory said his wife's friend's mother ended up dropping her home.

"It really upsets me that my wife was in a position where she needed to get home safe and we can't do it with this service that's supposed to provide that," he said.

No, she could have made it home safely, but you decided that she wasn't worth the extra $44, yeah I would love to pick up a drunk lady from a party and drive her home for $10 with a good chance she will pass out/vomit/be annoying.

 

[Daver6]

When Uber treat drivers like dirt and they earn less than $20 per hour after expenses is why

Hiding trip information, up-front fares, fake surge pricing etc etc

Why anyone uses Uber as a customer is beyond me

Because they're a better option than taxis (At least when Uber entered the market).

Additionally, no one is forcing drivers to work for Uber. If Ola and Didi are so much better then they should give Uber a miss.

No, she could have made it home safely, but you decided that she wasn't worth the extra $44, yeah I would love to pick up a drunk lady from a party and drive her home for $10 with a good chance she will pass out/vomit/be annoying.

A good chance? Hardly. I mean I can't speak to that lady. I've taken many a taxi/uber when drunk. Not once have I passed out or vomited.

 

[lovestotravel]

Because they're a better option than taxis (At least when Uber entered the market).

Additionally, no one is forcing drivers to work for Uber. If Ola and Didi are so much better then they should give Uber a miss.

Your standard Uber driver is basically unemployable anywhere else

 

[VPS]

Interestingly have had some cab rides in NYC that were cheaper than Uber quote

 

[Sprucegoose]

Interestingly have had some cab rides in NYC that were cheaper than Uber quote

I've had cab rides in Australia for less than an Uber fare; it is a different business model. Cabs fares are structured more on time and distance, as opposed to Uber, subtly supply and demand centric past specific parameters.

 

[Lynda2475]

Your standard Uber driver is basically unemployable anywhere else

Not my experience. Most drivers are doing uber for extra income on top of their day gig. Have had some really interesting chats with drivers working in diverse industries recently.

Problem with taxis in nsw at least is they expect you to direct them even though you put the exact address in the app, they only get sent a suburb.

 

[lovestotravel]

Not my experience. Most drivers are doing uber for extra income on top of their day gig. Have had some really interesting chats with drivers working in diverse industries recently.

More than likely too embarrassed to say they drive uber FT

Working a FT job then giving up weekends or evenings for $15-20 per hour

Yeh right

 

[Daver6]

Your standard Uber driver is basically unemployable anywhere else

Like @Lynda2475 that's not my experience. You could be right though. You've made many sweeping statements about Uber drivers though. What's your source for these statements being passed off as facts?

Also, if they're not employable anywhere else, why don't they drive for Ola/Didi if so much better? Finally, I find it hard to believe that in this economy anyone is unemployable unless it's by choice.

 

[N860CR]

Possibly depends where you are. I find in Queensland the Uber driver pool is much more the “this is a little weekend gig” crowd, where as Sydney is more the failed taxi drivers or multiple people using the one account (I’d assume on tourist visas).

For what it’s worth, I tried to get a Didi from Ultimo last weekend and had 15 (yes 15) drivers accept then cancel. Pickup was a house address so not a difficult one. First Uber eventually did show up

 

[Lynda2475]

where as Sydney is more the failed taxi drivers or multiple people using the one account (I’d assume on tourist visas).

Bit of a leap on the visa thing. In the last month over ~40 rides in Sydney based on accent alone at least half the drivers i have riden with grew up here. 4 female drivers. Sure there were some foreign students too, but they are permitted to work.

In Brissie a few weeeks ago both drivers were recent immigrants but i didnt assume they were working illegally either.

Dont like the uber business model, dont use them, plenty of transport alternatives to choose from,
no need to deride drivers as visa cheats.

Taxi drivers do shifts, uber/ola drive when it suits them, cars are nicer because they arent run into ground by being driven 24 * 7.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm only an occasional Uber user. Is the blocking of the destination for the driver until pick-up relatively new? I did notice my last driver confirming the destination on my last trip, which was new.

 

[Lynda2475]

Not new has always been the case. It is so drivers dont pick and choose fares. Higher rated drivers with more rides do get more details than new drivers.

That said all drivers have ability to specify a distance limit and also general direction when indicating wanting to end for the day/night towards home.

IME drivers have always confirmed passenger name and destination.

 

[N860CR]

Bit of a leap on the visa thing. In the last month over ~40 rides in Sydney based on accent alone at least half the drivers i have riden with grew up here. 4 female drivers. Sure there were some foreign students too, but they are permitted to work.

In Brissie a few weeeks ago both drivers were recent immigrants but i didnt assume they were working illegally either.

Dont like the uber business model, dont use them, plenty of transport alternatives to choose from,
no need to deride drivers as visa cheats.

Taxi drivers do shifts, uber/ola drive when it suits them, cars are nicer because they arent run into ground by being driven 24 * 7.

Not a leap, know it for a fact.

Could be the area I guess. In the inner city I can’t recall a single “weekend job” Uber driver in the last few years. Not that I’m bothered by that, but it is a concern when it comes to insurances etc.

The taxi industry needed a massive shakeup, but I’m not entirely sure this was the way to do it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Your standard Uber driver is basically unemployable anywhere else

I'm afraid I certainly have to disagree with you, with my experience differing markedly from yours.

Never underestimate who is helping you get from A to B. My usual routine is to get into a car and find out everything I can about who is (say) driving. I have had a Qantas Captain, various other pilots, C Suite Execs, business people, and many very well-educated, switched-on people from diverse backgrounds, all with a story and a point of view, often appreciable. I have been so impressed with some of them that I have assisted them with other opportunities and engaged them.

So there you go; most people can be interesting and definitely employable. However, one must want to seek that out!

 

[jastel]

During covid taxis/ubers/whatevers were fighting over customers...now its the other way around.
All businesses have staff issues atm, no hotel wants to shut floors, no restaurant want to close...same as nobody operating a taxi/uber as a proper transport business (not just a hobby) wants the car to be off the road. But with no staff thats what is happening.

I would say in most areas at nights and on weekends only 1/3 to 1/2 the pre covid cars would be working. Monday to Friday 9-5 is not so bad usually but even then some days there are waits.

People have become so used to getting things instantly and now it is not working. Try to get a Doctor, a builder, a mechanic...most businesses have more customers than they can service at the moment and so will take the most profitable jobs first.

 

[lovestotravel]

I'm afraid I certainly have to disagree with you, with my experience differing markedly from yours.

Never underestimate who is helping you get from A to B. My usual routine is to get into a car and find out everything I can about who is (say) driving. I have had a Qantas Captain, various other pilots, C Suite Execs, business people, and many very well-educated, switched-on people from diverse backgrounds, all with a story and a point of view, often appreciable. I have been so impressed with some of them that I have assisted them with other opportunities and engaged them.

So there you go; most people can be interesting and definitely employable. However, one must want to seek that out!

Very much not switched on if they choose to drive for Uber

It's either the 60-90 hour full time warriors
Someone in their first few months and yet to experience GST or tax time
Retired people with no life and nothing better to do

Either one of those options is a bad life choice