Anyone here use Uber or other ride-hailing services?

[Galaxy]

Uber just raised over a billion bucks at a estimated $18 billion valuation. Taxi and limo drivers are protesting all over (Europe's industry is planning a day-long protest in cities tomorrow). Anyone ever use these services?

[digamma]

I use Uber pretty regularly (a couple times a month). Cabs in LA are few and far between and I can usually get an Uber X car in five minutes.

[chadritt]

Its great in LA. I'd love to see whether or not DUIs and drunk driving accidents/fatalities have gone down since Uber became widespread here.

[Dr. Sak]

Pumpy drives for a company like this one in Pittsburgh...

[digamma]

Originally Posted by chadritt

Its great in LA. I'd love to see whether or not DUIs and drunk driving accidents/fatalities have gone down since Uber became widespread here.

Yes, if my wife and I go to dinner and we know we're going to have more than say a glass of wine or a beer, we try to take Uber now. Once you factor in the parking costs, there's really not a very good reason to drive.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

Pumpy drives for a company like this one in Pittsburgh...

Really? That would be awesome to get him as a driver.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

Really? That would be awesome to get him as a driver.

Be careful of what you wish for.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

Pumpy drives for a company like this one in Pittsburgh...

Mustache in the front, mustache in the front seat. Sounds like a winner.

[jeff061]

I use Uber often, both UberX and Black. Good to have the choice and never have had to wait more than 15 minutes, usually 5 or less.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by cartman

Be careful of what you wish for.

Yes...the mustache could be deceptive.

Originally Posted by stevew

Mustache in the front, mustache in the front seat. Sounds like a winner.

And a big back seat?

[ISiddiqui]

I have used it once, when I was in Seattle. The driver was a moron who tried to use a "new" path to get to the airport and we ended up getting there like 15 minutes later and miles more than it should have. So I wrote that in my comments and the guy who checks the comments (yes, they have someone who does that) said yeah, the driver was an idiot, it should have cost you $20 less, so we gave you a $20 refund on your card.

Absolutely fantastic customer service.

Saying that, however, I do believe their drivers should have to go through background checks, etc. that regular taxi drivers have to go through.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Saying that, however, I do believe their drivers should have to go through background checks, etc. that regular taxi drivers have to go through.

They do, can't catch them all though. I've had some horrendous non-uber cab drivers as well.

Uber Blog – UBER BACKGROUND CHECKS

[chadritt]

Ive gotten a couple creepy drivers but nothing too awful. I mean...im a dude in my early 30s so creepy is just them sharing far too much about their old party days and expecting me to cheer them on. That and the one guy who asked me to hook him up with a job since were i vaguely related fields and I was on the way to a mixer....I shouldnt talk to the drivers.

[Fidatelo]

This is with zero research or facts, but from my gut Uber strikes me as a great way to get man-raped or murdered. Like hitchhiking but with a fee.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

This is with zero research or facts, but from my gut Uber strikes me as a great way to get man-raped or murdered. Like hitchhiking but with a fee.

I just had an Outlook meeting invite pop up from Pumpy to come pick me up for a ride.

Oh shi...

[digamma]

Hmm...when I get an Uber driver assigned to me, I get a text with his name, cell phone number, make and model of his car, etc. There's a clear record of when my ride starts and ends. Add in the 360 feedback loop and I feel much more comfortable getting into an Uber car than haling an often dirty cab on a random corner.

No one is going to prevent crime 100% of the time, but seems like the steps here are reasonable.

[chadritt]

I know one Uber driver was charged with a kidnapping recently but Uber was VERY clear that he was not working for them at the time, the woman was just put in his car by a bouncer without using the app.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

This is with zero research or facts, but from my gut Uber strikes me as a great way to get man-raped or murdered. Like hitchhiking but with a fee.

Ass, gas or grass

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by chadritt

Ive gotten a couple creepy drivers but nothing too awful. I mean...im a dude in my early 30s so creepy is just them sharing far too much about their old party days and expecting me to cheer them on. That and the one guy who asked me to hook him up with a job since were i vaguely related fields and I was on the way to a mixer....I shouldnt talk to the drivers.

Did you have this guy?

Ferrari and driver for hire - Front Office Football Central

[chadritt]

hahahahaha, I wish. Just one repeated driver who keeps telling me how much coke he used to do in my hometown and one guy who gets way too excited when underage girls walk past.

[sooner333]

I use it in OKC and it's been great every time.

I like that you don't have to worry about tipping. I've never figured out the appropriate amount for a cab driver.

[Galaxy]

How did the cabbies' protest really help their cause? I mean, who "likes" cabs in general? Uber's app downloads were up 850%.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

How did the cabbies' protest really help their cause? I mean, who "likes" cabs in general? Uber's app downloads were up 850%.

A strike by cabbies over a competing service is seems like something that it could backfire pretty badly. Will probably cause more people to find out about Uber, give them a reason to use it for the first time and make them angry with traditional cabs.

[stevew]

I know it's being sold to the bigger cities but it's like freaking impossible to get a real cab in my smallish town. Something where drivers could work almost on demand and make a few extra bucks would be neat.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by stevew

I know it's being sold to the bigger cities but it's like freaking impossible to get a real cab in my smallish town. Something where drivers could work almost on demand and make a few extra bucks would be neat.

I'm outside the Uber zone for Austin. There is a small cab company, like the one you mentioned you'd like, that operates out here. He has 3 cars and one 15 passenger van. Taking people to/from the airport seems to be the big part of his business. If I'm going on a trip that lasts longer than 7 days I use them, because it is cheaper than parking at the airport.

[Desnudo]

I use it all the time when I'm in SF. Never had a bad experience and sometimes you luck out and get a BMW or a Suburban so you can feel like a mogul getting out at the airport.

I read their drivers make over double what a normal taxi driver makes. So the people protesting, I'm not sure why.

[jeff061]

People in the dying model demanding laws to kill the new/better model off.

Fuck them.

[Desnudo]

They should team up with car dealers.

[korme]

Originally Posted by stevew

Mustache in the front, mustache in the front seat. Sounds like a winner.

My brother also has a mustache, and also drives for Lyft on the side.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I read their drivers make over double what a normal taxi driver makes. So the people protesting, I'm not sure why.

That's not exactly true from what I've seen. One article I saw last night on this...let me see if I can dig it up.

Well here's a different one, but still.

Uber: Drivers Can Easily Clear $90,766 a Year - TIME

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2458816,00.asp

Originally Posted by time piece

The median salary for New York drivers touted by the mobile car-hiring app on Tuesday doesn't factor in a host of business expenses — and many uberX drivers in cities across the U.S. take home much less

Originally Posted by pcmag piece

For starters, it's important to note exactly just how Uber is defining its figure: "small business income." That's not a net income; that's a gross income. It doesn't take into account all the other fees that eat away at one's seemingly awesome uberX revenue: fuel costs, deprecation on equipment (the car), maintenance, insurance, et cetera.

[path12]

Earlier this week I was parked waiting to pick up my wife, just sitting there checking my phone, when a well dressed guy opened up my back door and got into the car.

Me: What the fuck are you doing in my car???
Him: Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I thought you were Uber!

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I read their drivers make over double what a normal taxi driver makes. So the people protesting, I'm not sure why.

Blame Europe. That's kind of their MO.

[DanGarion]

I use Uber on almost every trip to get me to and from the airport because I'm normally taking the first flight out and the last flight in (the wife and kiddo are already asleep). I've had no issues with over 15 drivers some of them even have water.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

They should team up with car dealers.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...ing-deals.html

[Desnudo]

[quote=DaddyTorgo;2934028]That's not exactly true from what I've seen. One article I saw last night on this...let me see if I can dig it up.

Well here's a different one, but still.

Uber: Drivers Can Easily Clear $90,766 a Year - TIME

[url]http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2458816,00.asp[/

Drivers confirm the perception. It's exactly true from talking to the people that do it.

[DaddyTorgo]

[quote=Desnudo;2934875]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

That's not exactly true from what I've seen. One article I saw last night on this...let me see if I can dig it up.

Well here's a different one, but still.

Uber: Drivers Can Easily Clear $90,766 a Year - TIME

[url]http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2458816,00.asp[/

Drivers confirm the perception. It's exactly true from talking to the people that do it.

I'm confused - are you agreeing with my assertion that Uber drivers are better off than regular cabbies or disagreeing?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I was about to pull up alongside a passenger in a parking lot, and I saw her try to get in the car in front of me. It took her a minute to realize her mistake, and then she got in my car. Knowing that I had seen her mistake, she said to me "That guy looked just like you!"

So, apparently, I was only a car length away from my doppelganger. Life is good.

[Neon_Chaos]

I'm actually trying out for a job in Uber Philippines for a management role.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I was about to pull up alongside a passenger in a parking lot, and I saw her try to get in the car in front of me. It took her a minute to realize her mistake, and then she got in my car. Knowing that I had seen her mistake, she said to me "That guy looked just like you!"

So, apparently, I was only a car length away from my doppelganger. Life is good.

[cuervo72]

Downtown D.C. traffic gridlocked as taxi drivers protest Uber, Lyft, Sidecar - The Washington Post

[lungs]

I used Uber in Denver last weekend. Absolutely loved it. I've had some bad experiences trying to get cabs in certain places and Uber just blew me away in terms of service. I never waited longer than 10 minutes for a car and it was usually more like two minutes.

[jeff061]

All these idiots protesting makes me want to use Uber more. Cheaper, easier/quicker and(so far) better experience? Fuck these people.

I used Uber to get to Charlestown last week(less than 5 minute wait). Driver took a route I didn't think was best, shot an email to Uber the next day and got 25% refunded immediately. Just knowing that's an option while I'm in the backseat is nice. Also started using the ride sharing functionality, just need to pick a name from my address book and it will send the sharing request, they just need to accept it and the fair is automatically split.

This is Blockbuster vs Netflix.

[digamma]

Yes, I usually send a few fee share requests to random people when I am in the car in the hope that someone will accept. One day.

[miked]

Cabs are terrible here in Atlanta. Usually at least 10 minutes after they say they'll be there, the driver is usually just babbling away on his bluetooth going about 10-15 mph under the speed limit. You can always spot a cab in Atlanta, they are the ones going about 45 mph in the HOV or left lane. Uber is 100x better.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Downtown D.C. traffic gridlocked as taxi drivers protest Uber, Lyft, Sidecar - The Washington Post

Nothing like to get people on your side then doing this. Do these people know that taxis aren't something you "love," but a convenience? Uber is making people love it's service for a number of a reasons...taxis don't.

[Galaxy]

Uber is now valued at $41.2 billion.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/12/...w-shares/?_r=0

[molson]

I got one free ride via promo code and it was super fast and great and I thought, a real game changer here. But I think there's only one uber driver in my city because when I check the app, there's no available drivers 95% of the time.

[jeff061]

I make use of Uber a couple times every week, basically my Friday/Saturday night designated driver. I also use Lyft if the price is getting high or the wait is to long(we are talking more than ten minutes). Have had equally good luck with both of them.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I was about to pull up alongside a passenger in a parking lot, and I saw her try to get in the car in front of me. It took her a minute to realize her mistake, and then she got in my car. Knowing that I had seen her mistake, she said to me "That guy looked just like you!"

So, apparently, I was only a car length away from my doppelganger. Life is good.

Everyone is really burying the lede in this thread.

There are two Pumpys (Pumpies? Pumpy?)?!?

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Orlando City Council grants early approval for Uber, Lyft regulations - Orlando Business Journal