I am a DC uberX driver since 2013 and have SEEN IT ALL...so please, AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

2) If Grandma lived in Pennsylvania, I could not give uberX rides there. If Grandma lived in Cumberland, MD or Eastern Shore, I could do uberX there. As a "DC" uberX driver I am approved to pick-up in the ENTIRE state of Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia with a southwestern border of a rough straight line from Winchester, to Culpeper to Fredericksburg to Tappahannock.

So what if you pick someone up in DC and they want you to drive them to Philly.. does that mean you cant' pick up anyone on your way back until you cross the line into MD?

Also I'm thinking of taking an Uber from Bethesda to BWI and back. To me, it seems like a different "service region"... will a driver refuse me if I request an Uber in either place, since it's a long drive? Or do they have to take me since it's within MD?

Can Uber pick up in BWI?

Correct. An uberX driver can pick-up anywhere inside the coverage map (https://www.uber.com/cities/washington-DC/) and can take a rider to anywhere outside the map. But for a long trip like Philly, it's going to be an empty ride after the drop-off until crossing back into Maryland past Newark, DE. If the driver is allergic to money then they may balk at a BWI trip, but most are going to want to take you. And yes, uber works at BWI just the same as every other airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is the Uber office located in DC?

There isn't one in DC. There is one in Forestville on Marlboro Pike and it's for "partner" support. (Don't you just love corporate jargon?) There were two dinky offices in Dupont in the past, but uber is cheap and I imagine the rent there was quite pricy.

From the passengers' side, there is no phone number, email, or office to contact someone at uber. Make any and all complaints/inquiries thru the uber app.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Besides driving only during surge areas/times, picking up in crowded areas to be assured you aren't wasting time, what are other "hustles" you can share with us in terms of contributing to your success in this gig (making max $$)? I get you are offsetting car maintenance as you've said, etc. but just curious on some of the other "skills" that you feel separate you from newbie drivers and even maybe experienced ones who also drive during surge times - do you feel that that is the key in max $$?

Love your thread Thanks!

Nice try noob, go figure it out on your own, lol. But here are some freebies:

Know the rules...you can't win the game if you don't know the rules.
Never drive when tired or groggy as that only leads to mistakes and/or accidents...an hour-long nap does wonders.
Know when to quit...a ride ends a half-mile from your house but you planned to drive another hour? Log out and go home, because the next ride is likely going to take you out to BFE.
Use the rider app to gain position on other drivers...closest to the pin gets the requests.
Take notice of cars with TNC tags around you and gain position on them also...once again, closest to the pin gets the requests.
Know the "best" way to go certain places...which is not always the fastest or the shortest.
ALWAYS use the HOV lanes on the 14th Street Bridge, especially on the weekends and late evening hours.

[Anonymous]

How does Uber pay you, and how often? How does Uber vet its drivers (do they run some background check for DUIs etc)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does Uber pay you, and how often? How does Uber vet its drivers (do they run some background check for DUIs etc)?

Uber pays out weekly always by Thursday, and sometimes early on Wednesday, for the hours worked between 4:00am Monday to 3:59am the following Monday in the week prior. It's by direct deposit straight into my bank account.


Uber contracts with a company called Checkr to run a criminal background check and a DMV/MVA driving records check. Here's the list (cut&paste, per uber):

Going back 7 years, the criminal background check looks at:
A clean criminal background check with no felonies or misdemeanors involving theft, violence or drugs in a given time frame (varies by state)
County courthouse records for every county of residence for the last 7 years
Federal courthouse records going back 7 years
The multi-state criminal database going back 7 years
Motor Vehicle Records
Social Security Trace
National Sex Offender Registry

The driving records check verifies:
A minimum of 1 year U.S. licensing history (if under 23 years old, must have at least 3 years licensing history)
A clean Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) with no more than 3 incidents in the past 3 years
No DUIs and no reckless driving
No speeding violations for driving 20 mph or greater over the speed limit in the past 3 years.
*We do not perform a credit check


Now, for whatever reason, sometimes people slip thru the cracks. Checkr runs their checks every year on existing drivers to catch ones that had an unreported incident in the past year, and drivers do get cut for this (DUI, reckless driving,...).

But overall I feel the background checks are pretty thorough, especially since using social security numbers. The next step would be fingerprinting, which would be a logistical headache, but I don't see that happening any time soon. Compared to the alternative (an untracked taxicab), I'd still say it's...ummm...safe enough with the average driver, lol.

[Anonymous]

Can you report a driver? I believe the man who assaulted me is an Uber driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the driver is allergic to money then they may balk at a BWI trip, but most are going to want to take you. And yes, uber works at BWI just the same as every other airport.

The reason I asked is Uber doesn't work at all airports due to regulations. For example, last time I was in LAX, UberX was not allowed to pick up there and you couldn't even order in the app -- only license TLC drivers so UberBlack was OK. Then in Las Vegas, same thing -- no Uber pick-ups at the airport, and also no drop-offs unless the driver had a TLC sticker also. I had 2 Uber drivers refuse my trip to the airport once they knew where I was going.

Also, is it still required when doing an airport pickup in Virginia that you have to call the rider to confirm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the driver is allergic to money then they may balk at a BWI trip, but most are going to want to take you. And yes, uber works at BWI just the same as every other airport.

The reason I asked is Uber doesn't work at all airports due to regulations. For example, last time I was in LAX, UberX was not allowed to pick up there and you couldn't even order in the app -- only license TLC drivers so UberBlack was OK. Then in Las Vegas, same thing -- no Uber pick-ups at the airport, and also no drop-offs unless the driver had a TLC sticker also. I had 2 Uber drivers refuse my trip to the airport once they knew where I was going.

Also, is it still required when doing an airport pickup in Virginia that you have to call the rider to confirm?

I didnt get a pickup from Orlando and tried like hell to using other people's tips on how to do so. $50 cab ride to Universal Resorts. But was able to Uber back for like $15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you report a driver? I believe the man who assaulted me is an Uber driver.

Did this happen on an Uber ride? Did you call the police?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the driver is allergic to money then they may balk at a BWI trip, but most are going to want to take you. And yes, uber works at BWI just the same as every other airport.

The reason I asked is Uber doesn't work at all airports due to regulations. For example, last time I was in LAX, UberX was not allowed to pick up there and you couldn't even order in the app -- only license TLC drivers so UberBlack was OK. Then in Las Vegas, same thing -- no Uber pick-ups at the airport, and also no drop-offs unless the driver had a TLC sticker also. I had 2 Uber drivers refuse my trip to the airport once they knew where I was going.

Also, is it still required when doing an airport pickup in Virginia that you have to call the rider to confirm?

Lyft and UberX are now able to pick-up and drop-off at LAX for a $4 fee to the LAX airport authority. Still way cheaper and more pleasant than a crappy, smelly, dirty, and over-priced LA cab.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I've always been jealous at the number of folks in DC who are into the bar/hip restaurant scene well into mid-life.

Fixed it for you.

[Anonymous]

I am a middle aged business lady with a 4.95 rating. Recently it seems as though all of my drivers are just not very good - not paying attention, swerving into lanes and almost creating a crash etc.

Is there a way to specifically request top drivers? I have tried using black car which is usually better. I would be willing to pay extra for UberX if I knew I was getting a top driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a middle aged business lady with a 4.95 rating. Recently it seems as though all of my drivers are just not very good - not paying attention, swerving into lanes and almost creating a crash etc.

Is there a way to specifically request top drivers? I have tried using black car which is usually better. I would be willing to pay extra for UberX if I knew I was getting a top driver.

I asked this upthread (for a DD living off campus at an urban college). Basically, no.

[Anonymous]

Hey Op,
So you say you're interested in buying a sfh in Arlington. I know you want to do all cash, but maybe you should consider going ahead and moving forward on that while interest rates are low.
I live in south Arlington ( so not the most desirable part) and homes in my hood are going well above 600k now. These are older homes on small lots. If you want new - it's around 1 mil. The market can always slow down, but it might not... Just a thought.
Ps - you seem nice

[Anonymous]

http://nyti.ms/22OytVg

Thoughts, OP?