uber

[gallahadesquire]

Very unfortunate Prop 1 didn't pass. A lot of the drivers for Uber in Austin are part time ( hell, technically I'm a driver for them but have never accepted a fare ). Having to fingerprint each one would be too costly than the fares those individuals bring in. Eventually I can see them coming to a compromise of allowing riders to select Fingerpinted drivers or not ala what they do in San Antonio. Besides the state of Texas does this fingerprinting thing when you get a driver's license anyways ( as of 2 or 3 years ago ) so its wasteful to redo the check again.

 

The one TNC that remains in the Austin area does fingerprint checking, etc to what the city of Austin now mandates and the fares from where I live to the Airport are about $35 to $40 ( Uber & Lyft to and from ABIA runs me about $8 ). That same service going from South Austin to North Austin will run you just over $80, well over $100 under peak conditions.

 

 

 

The fact I even have to point it out is what is wrong with a lot of individuals on this forum.

 

I got fingerprinted years ago for my Secret clearance. Anybody know how long the U.S. Government keeps fingerprints on file?

[OneFinger]

I got fingerprinted years ago for my Secret clearance. Anybody know how long the U.S. Government keeps fingerprints on file?

 

It's my understanding the those files are NEVER removed. And, I've been fingerprinted so many times that I beyond the point of caring. I suspect there is NOTHING the government doesn't know about me.

[+ quoththeraven]

Uber is not some technological miracle. It's competing by not charging its full costs. (Only 41% of its costs on average.) That's not competition. That's anti-competitive.

source: https://mobile.twitter.com/nickfountain/status/804411439855403008 and https://ftalphaville.ft.com/2016/12/01/2180647/the-taxi-unicorns-new-clothes/ (Financial Times)

[+ glutes]

QTR, this is exactly why I take Uber after I land in my Private Jet. I know a loser when I see one!

 

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Ride-hailing group Uber Technologies' [uBER.UL] European business has been indicted in Denmark on charges of assisting two drivers in violating taxi laws, the Copenhagen police's head of public prosecutions said on Friday.

 

The indictment of Uber BV is a test case seeking judicial assessment of possible complicity by the company in illegal acts by its drivers, Copenhagen police's top prosecutor Vibeke Thorkil-Jensen's said in a news release.

 

An Uber driver in Denmark was convicted last month of violating taxi laws and fined 6,000 Danish crowns ($855), the latest blow to the ride-hailing service that has stirred protest and legal action worldwide. A second driver was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court.

Edited December 2, 2016 by glutes

[+ glutes]

Wait until our Promoter of Safe/Safer Sex and Two Disgraced Escorts hears of this new Uber rule...

 

“As a reminder, Uber has a no sex rule. That’s no sexual conduct between drivers and riders, no matter what.”

 

While setting out rules for passenger-driver interactions, some of the guidelinesappear to be aimed at people using UberPool – the money-saving service where separate passengers are collected and dropped off at different locations in the same car.

 

“Don’t touch or flirt with other people in the car,” the rules state. Drivers are also banned from flirting.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/08/uber-vomiting-flirting-vandalism-banned

[+ glutes]

Anyone been offered sex or drugs by your Uber driver?

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2431278/uber-customers-offered-drugs-by-drivers-amid-claims-dealers-have-infiltrated-taxi-firm/

[Zman]

Last weekend I went out of town. I took the train then used Uber and Lyft to get around instead of renting a car. It worked pretty well. And was cost effective. Here are some observations:

 

--Uber was almost always cheaper than Lyft. I suspect this is a deliberate move by Uber to undercut the competition. They don't make money but investors seems lined up to give them billions to burn through.

 

--Eventually, the below market prices will go away. Uber will be a monopoly and will have to turn a profit. It will be interesting to see what the "real" prices of the rides are going to be then.

 

--The Uber app has problems. I set up a pool ride through the app. The driver came. Then both our apps froze. And they never came back. The driver took me to my destination but the apps (his and mine) never even showed that he picked me up. I got charged a fee for "canceling" a trip that we completed. I had them fix it of course but I had to choose a bullshit reason "Driver asked me to cancel" instead of the real "The Uber app crashed." I hope the driver got paid. (Or was this all the driver's fault to begin with?)

 

--I had one request where the driver was near to me, never picked me up, but proceeded to my destination anyway. Huh? Did he think the destination was the pickup point? IDK. I tried calling. Uber drivers don't answer calls or at least don't like to. Eventually, he cancelled the trip and another driver was assigned.

 

--My trips were in a smaller city with bad taxi service, so without the (artificially) cheap

Uber service I would have had to rent a car.

[Despardo]

Anyone been offered sex or drugs by your Uber driver?

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2431278/uber-customers-offered-drugs-by-drivers-amid-claims-dealers-have-infiltrated-taxi-firm/

Alas no.

[Despardo]

Wait until our Promoter of Safe/Safer Sex and Two Disgraced Escorts hears of this new Uber rule...

 

“As a reminder, Uber has a no sex rule. That’s no sexual conduct between drivers and riders, no matter what.”

 

While setting out rules for passenger-driver interactions, some of the guidelinesappear to be aimed at people using UberPool – the money-saving service where separate passengers are collected and dropped off at different locations in the same car.

 

“Don’t touch or flirt with other people in the car,” the rules state. Drivers are also banned from flirting.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/08/uber-vomiting-flirting-vandalism-banned

As company policy, these rules are totally appropriate. Uber does not want trouble, nor do they wish to get sued (again.) I have used Uber only about 5 times, but I have been totally satisfied with the experience. I'm a fan.

[+ glutes]

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/61/76/14/13099827/3/920x920.jpg

[+ quoththeraven]

This is probably an elaboration on the same thing as the Time cover story above, but the Uber board of directors ousted CEO Travis Kalanick in June because of the company's poor financial performance and a long history of toxic bro culture that led to the tolerance of sexual harassment of female employees, doxxing and harassing female tech reporters, and conducting invasive opposition research on women alleging they were raped by Uber drivers, including surreptitiously accessing their medical records.

 

https://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/6/30/15900544/uber-travis-kalanick-harassment

 

I also saw elsewhere (probably on Twitter) that Uber's response to a parent's complaint about a driver harassing a teenage girl was to ask why the girl was traveling by herself. The parent's response was "I will never use Uber again."

 

My problem with Uber is primarily that their pricing is artificially low and is set based on their desire to undercut any regulated industry and obtain a monopoly, not any defensible way of recovering their costs (they're not). They also use legal flimflam to skirt costs they should be incurring (by treating drivers as independent contractors, for example, or going to great lengths to disclaim responsibility for drivers' actions). They're irresponsible.

[LaffingBear]

I've never used Uber. In USA, I have no plans to do so.

 

Based on what friends tell me, I might in other countries.

[Good Grief]

I understand your thoughts/concerns, but I'm curious, do you or would you use Uber?

 

I've used Uber in many cities and have never had a problem - other than lack of AC on a warm day. Have always had good drivers. I may be a lucky one.

 

I have traveled in cities where Uber is "banned." Used Fasten there.

 

Comparing Uber/Fasten/Lyft rides to traditional yellow cabs: the previous are the less-costly.

[bigvalboy]

I've used Uber in many cities and have never had a problem - other than lack of AC on a warm day. Have always had good drivers. I may be a lucky one.

 

I have traveled in cities where Uber is "banned." Used Fasten there.

 

Comparing Uber/Fasten/Lyft rides to traditional yellow cabs: the previous are the less-costly.

 

Well I agree, I use Uber and I love it. In FTL it is less than half the fare as a cab. I've never waited more than 5 min. (cab wait time here, if they come at all is about 15 min). All the cars come as advertised. Clean, neat, and very presentable, and I've never had a bad driver to date. I went to a restaurant the other night, and I took Uber. It was pouring rain and I had planned on consuming a nice bottle of merlot or two. My Uber actually came faster than my friends cars in valet. The ride home...$7.

 

My question to quoththeraven was, would she use Uber considering her feelings about it's business model, because I resisted using them for several years for the same reason. In the end, the convenience far outweighed my negative feelings about the company. I got an email from them today. Apparently they are tweaking they're operation to answer complaints by the drivers. Every driver I have talked to, loved driving for them. More pluses than minuses...Nothing is perfect.

Edited July 7, 2017 by bigvalboy

[rvwnsd]

I know several people who have stopped using Uber and use Lyft instead. I haven't had occasion to use a car service, but when I do it will be Lyft.

[bigvalboy]

True...I have heard that Lyft is better, but I've procrastinated in signing up. it is on my "To Do" list.

[Jay DC]

True story. I was at a hotel in Tucson AZ and hired a gentlemen caller for a midnight appointment. The next morning, I called Uber for a ride to the airport and the driver was my playmate from the night before. Fortunately, I was traveling alone and it was not awkward at all. Only Uber driver I have seen naked.

 

That's my best Uber story. I do use Uber quite a bit. Not perfect, but has served me well. I prefer cabs in New York because they know where they are going and Uber drivers can be glued to the GPS and at a loss if there is something blocking the route, which happens in NYC. But, there are times of day where getting a cab is impossible -- 4:15 in the financial district--impossible, so I do use Uber.

 

But on the actual topic, I have used Uber to pick up an escort. Never had any issue, but I did have an escort decline to be picked up because he was concerned about his privacy. After we met, he had no issue taking one home.

[+ quoththeraven]

Well I agree, I use Uber and I love it. In FTL it is less than half the fare as a cab. I've never waited more than 5 min. (cab wait time here, if they come at all is about 15 min). All the cars come as advertised. Clean, neat, and very presentable, and I've never had a bad driver to date. I went to a restaurant the other night, and I took Uber. It was pouring rain and I had planned on consuming a nice bottle of merlot or two. My Uber actually came faster than my friends cars in valet. The ride home...$7.

 

My question to quoththeraven was, would she use Uber considering her feelings about it's business model, because I resisted using them for several years for the same reason. In the end, the convenience far outweighed my negative feelings about the company. I got an email from them today. Apparently they are tweaking they're operation to answer complaints by the drivers. Every driver I have talked to, loved driving for them. More pluses than minuses...Nothing is perfect.

I don't have a smartphone, so I can't use either Uber or Lyft.

 

I would not use Uber anyway. Their attitude is that of a company that cuts corners on everything. There is no accountability when drivers refuse to serve disabled riders or when customers are assaulted. Their only upside is convenience and price. Besides, the only place I would use it (NYC) is generally better traversed via public transit. In New Jersey, I drive myself. I prefer to risk my own driving than someone else's. I might try Lyft just to help them maintain themselves as an alternative and to reward them for not being as shitty as Uber.

 

(I mean, how is Uber not the United Airlines of unlicensed taxi service?)

 

I agree the concept is great, and if people get good service out of it, great, but between my feeling that it's a riskier proposition for women, that it is unaccountable and that it is underpricing and thus ultimately unsustainable in the long run without price hikes, I'm not a supporter.

[+ quoththeraven]

I've used Uber in many cities and have never had a problem - other than lack of AC on a warm day. Have always had good drivers. I may be a lucky one.

 

I have traveled in cities where Uber is "banned." Used Fasten there.

 

Comparing Uber/Fasten/Lyft rides to traditional yellow cabs: the previous are the less-costly.

Of course they're less costly. They're not bearing the same costs as taxicabs and they're operating without regulation. That's fine-ish if the company is ready to step in if a driver gets into trouble and do the things the regulations are intended to require, but they're structured so they don't have to do that.

 

Moreover, the insurance they say they require the driver to have? Unless the driver has a commercial policy, an insurer who finds out an accident occurred while driving a customer will likely deny liability.

[+ pitman]

Harvard Business Review writer calls for Uber to be shut down. Why? Its business model is and always has been illegal.

 

https://hbr.org/2017/06/uber-cant-be-fixed-its-time-for-regulators-to-shut-it-down

[Good Grief]

Of course they're less costly. They're not bearing the same costs as taxicabs and they're operating without regulation. That's fine-ish if the company is ready to step in if a driver gets into trouble and do the things the regulations are intended to require, but they're structured so they don't have to do that.

 

Moreover, the insurance they say they require the driver to have? Unless the driver has a commercial policy, an insurer who finds out an accident occurred while driving a customer will likely deny liability.

 

I learned the lack of regulation and real insurance was the cause when my request for an Uber was declined at a Texas city's airport. Took a cab from the airport and learned from a bartender to use Fasten - more regulated. Fine from there on out.

[LookingAround]

This is probably an elaboration on the same thing as the Time cover story above, but the Uber board of directors ousted CEO Travis Kalanick in June because of the company's poor financial performance and a long history of toxic bro culture that led to the tolerance of sexual harassment of female employees, doxxing and harassing female tech reporters, and conducting invasive opposition research on women alleging they were raped by Uber drivers, including surreptitiously accessing their medical records.

 

https://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/6/30/15900544/uber-travis-kalanick-harassment

 

I also saw elsewhere (probably on Twitter) that Uber's response to a parent's complaint about a driver harassing a teenage girl was to ask why the girl was traveling by herself. The parent's response was "I will never use Uber again."

 

My problem with Uber is primarily that their pricing is artificially low and is set based on their desire to undercut any regulated industry and obtain a monopoly, not any defensible way of recovering their costs (they're not). They also use legal flimflam to skirt costs they should be incurring (by treating drivers as independent contractors, for example, or going to great lengths to disclaim responsibility for drivers' actions). They're irresponsible.

Why do you believe it is artifically low? Taxi fares have been artifically high.

[bigvalboy]

Uber fail...57 million accounts hacked.

 

https://nypost.com/2017/11/21/uber-paid-100k-ransom-after-57m-accounts-were-hacked/

[+ quoththeraven]

Why do you believe it is artifically low? Taxi fares have been artifically high.

Because I've seen and posted the analysis that shows it's artificially low (i.e., doesn't cover costs) and because any entity operating as if its employees are independent contractors is a fortiori underpricing.

[+ quoththeraven]

The problem with Lyft and Uber: Venture capital has enabled them to be dominant without making economic sense (i.e., without covering costs).

 

https://qz.com/1540608/the-problem-with-silicon-valleys-obsession-with-blitzscaling-growth/amp/?__twitter_impression=true