uber

[bigvalboy]

Most European capitals have banned Uber ... It's tough love. In other cities it operates semi-illegally awaiting Court's decision.

 

http://img.pandawhale.com/53239-elaine-dancing-gif-nvq1.gif

 

......

[Zman]

I was in a small California coast city recently and tried Uber for the first time. For previous experience, I knew that local taxi services were unreliable and dispatchers rude. Uber by comparison was a fresh breeze off the ocean. The driver came quickly. I knew exactly when he would arrive. No lying dispatcher pretending to send a cab and then claiming when you call back 20 minutes later that "the driver got lost because his GPS". Yah that's it the driver couldn't find the central train station in town.

 

 

So Uber isn't just a game changer in large cities. It can provide needed competition to local taxi services. Sometimes taxi companies are given virtual monopolies by local regulations and that's never good for consumers.

[AdamSmith]

Zman's experience was much like mine have been here in Raleigh, NC, a middle-sized, spread-out town where taxis take forever to arrive at a suburban residence address, when they come at all. And cost typically 1.5 to 2 times what Uber charges.

[Steven_Draker]

http://img.pandawhale.com/53239-elaine-dancing-gif-nvq1.gif

 

schadenfreude

ˈʃɑːd(ə)nˌfrɔɪdə,German ˈʃɑːdənˌfrɔydə/

noun

• a feeling of enjoyment that comes from seeing or hearing about the troubles of other people
  
• pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune
  

[AdamSmith]

P.S. Same phenomenon in deep suburbs of larger cities. For example the west-of-Boston burbs Framingham and Natick have two cab companies, both of which take at least half an hour to arrive during off-peak hours, and simply can't be had during peak commute times unless you schedule the day before. And even then they are like as not to fail to appear.

[bigvalboy]

schadenfreude

ˈʃɑːd(ə)nˌfrɔɪdə,German ˈʃɑːdənˌfrɔydə/

noun

• a feeling of enjoyment that comes from seeing or hearing about the troubles of other people
  
• pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune
  

 

You finally figured it out......Yes when ones good fortune brings harm to others. And on this we disagree, and I am obviously not alone on this issue. Countless others see the harm also. Time will tell.....

 

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/b2NGMHXb.5D6lufoVtakhg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/cnet.cbs.com/7880884415e03b430a49b846ec0f0dbb

 

In comments aimed squarely at companies like Uber, Hillary Clinton, a candidate for the Democratic party's nomination, said Monday that she would "crack down on bosses who exploit employees by misclassifying them as contractors or even steal their wages." While she didn't call out Uber by name, the ride-hailing giant has come under scrutiny for its practice of classifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.

Edited July 21, 2015 by bigvalboy

[cany10011]

The first time i ever used Uber was in Lisbon last month. I had the account set up but was always hesitant in using it. After using it for the entire trip in Lisbon, i am now officially hooked. No cash, no tips, no need to speak the language. Just enter your coordinates and desired destination (no need to fumble with the language or showing the driver the address on a scribbled piece of paper) and the app tells you exactly when to expect a driver. Much easier than queuing for taxis or looking for a taxi stand. Plus, the receipts are available online and no need to deal with the hassle of keeping those paper copies for expense reports. I hope it becomes more universally used.

[faggot]

Last month, I sent a Lyft to pick up an escort from across town. No problem there, but the escort seemed a little rushed while he was with me. Fast-forward 3 days: looked at my bank statement and saw that he told the driver to WAIT, then took him home. Most expensive hour evah.

[Steven_Draker]

The first time i ever used Uber was in Lisbon last month. I had the account set up but was always hesitant in using it. After using it for the entire trip in Lisbon, i am now officially hooked. No cash, no tips, no need to speak the language. Just enter your coordinates and desired destination (no need to fumble with the language or showing the driver the address on a scribbled piece of paper) and the app tells you exactly when to expect a driver. Much easier than queuing for taxis or looking for a taxi stand. Plus, the receipts are available online and no need to deal with the hassle of keeping those paper copies for expense reports. I hope it becomes more universally used.

 

I agree with your observations, cany10011.

 

I have used Uber in 7 different countries so far and counting ... The service that Uber provides is superior in many regards.

[Vato Loco]

Last month, I sent a Lyft to pick up an escort from across town. No problem there, but the escort seemed a little rushed while he was with me. Fast-forward 3 days: looked at my bank statement and saw that he told the driver to WAIT, then took him home. Most expensive hour evah.

 

Looks like the escort fucked you twice.

[caliguy]

Last month, I sent a Lyft to pick up an escort from across town. No problem there, but the escort seemed a little rushed while he was with me. Fast-forward 3 days: looked at my bank statement and saw that he told the driver to WAIT, then took him home. Most expensive hour evah.

Well, silly you. Next time just ask the driver to come in and join in. Might as wells.

[+ dutchmuch]

Uber continues to be classy:

A blind Wisconsin man claims Uber denied him a ride because he uses a service dog.

 

David Tolmie said his Uber driver turned him away last Thursday because the driver did not want the dog, Divit, to scratch his leather seats, NBC station WMTV reported.

 

Tolmie told the station that it was his first time using the car service. He said he made sure to check the ride-sharing website to ensure that it follows Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards before requesting a ride. He had planned to take Divit to the veterinarian.

 

"It clearly states that they've educated all of their drivers that service dogs are allowed in all vehicles," Tolmie told the station.

 

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2015/07/27/uber-seeing-eye-service-dog-blind-tolmie-divit-wisconsin/30739321/

[mike carey]

Uber continues to be classy:

The test of whether Uber is classy (as opposed to the driver in question) is how quickly they threw the driver out the door when they found out about it, which they apparently did. Cab drivers are more likely to be aware of the laws and be aware of the consequences of disregarding them, but you still hear stories of them turning assistance dogs away (and the follow up stories of drivers being prosecuted). I guess the poor driver no longer has to worry about scratches on his precious leather seats.

[+ dutchmuch]

According to the video piece, Tommie was still $1 from Uber for the initial call.

Class...

[+ dutchmuch]

Perhaps Jared Fogel can drive for Uber when he gets out of the Big House, assuming Uber is still operating. Jimbobenjiboi?

Prosecutors from San Francisco and Los Angeles continue to say that ride-hailing service Uber misleads its riders on the rigor of its background checks. Uber’s Los Angeles-area drivers included people driving under false names and those convicted of sex offenses, kidnapping and murder, the prosecutors said.

The revelations about the drivers come in an amended complaint filed Wednesday, in a suit the district attorneys originally filed against Uber in December over allegedly misleading business practices. Prosecutors settled a similar suit in December against Lyft, an Uber rival, for $250,000.

At the heart of the lawsuit is the language with which Uber describes the rigor of its driver background checks. After hearing from prosecutors, Uber has softened its claims over the past year, downshifting from saying it has “industry-leading” background checks and “safety you can trust” to its current message, which is that “every system of background checks that is available today has its flaws.” Lyft made similar adjustments to its language as part of the settlement agreement.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2015/08/19/uber-background-check-lawsuit-convicted-felons-prosecutors/

[rvwnsd]

...At the heart of the lawsuit is the language with which Uber describes the rigor of its driver background checks. After hearing from prosecutors, Uber has softened its claims over the past year, downshifting from saying it has “industry-leading” background checks and “safety you can trust” to its current message, which is that “every system of background checks that is available today has its flaws.” ...

 

Their turn-by-turn direction system has its flaws, too. It sent an Uber driver into a tunnel beneath downtown LA and told him we had arrived at our destination. Our destination was the Omni hotel, not the corner of tunnel and tunnel. Imagine what would happen if it sent a driver into Compton instead of rancho Palos Verdes.

[bigvalboy]

Perhaps Jared Fogel can drive for Uber when he gets out of the Big House, assuming Uber is still operating. Jimbobenjiboi?

Prosecutors from San Francisco and Los Angeles continue to say that ride-hailing service Uber misleads its riders on the rigor of its background checks. Uber’s Los Angeles-area drivers included people driving under false names and those convicted of sex offenses, kidnapping and murder, the prosecutors said.

The revelations about the drivers come in an amended complaint filed Wednesday, in a suit the district attorneys originally filed against Uber in December over allegedly misleading business practices. Prosecutors settled a similar suit in December against Lyft, an Uber rival, for $250,000.

At the heart of the lawsuit is the language with which Uber describes the rigor of its driver background checks. After hearing from prosecutors, Uber has softened its claims over the past year, downshifting from saying it has “industry-leading” background checks and “safety you can trust” to its current message, which is that “every system of background checks that is available today has its flaws.” Lyft made similar adjustments to its language as part of the settlement agreement.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2015/08/19/uber-background-check-lawsuit-convicted-felons-prosecutors/

 

After attorney fees, the divorce, restitution, and money that he will need to be put on his "books" in the Big House, my guess is that Mr. Fogel might need that job after all.

[+ dutchmuch]

Their turn-by-turn direction system has its flaws, too.

 

And driver attitude when they get tired of listening to the directions. A Uber driver said he not would come to a well known / heeled restaurant when the turns became too complicated for him. My friend resorted to waving down a real cab.

[rvwnsd]

And driver attitude when they get tired of listening to the directions. A Uber driver said he not would come to a well known / heeled restaurant when the turns became too complicated for him. My friend resorted to waving down a real cab.

Really? That's just ridiculous.

[+ dutchmuch]

Would anyone here take a self-driving Uber car on a trip?

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-15/driverless-pod-paves-way-for-smartphone-summoned-transport

[bigvalboy]

Not everything is coming up roses...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/uber-drivers-are-running-on-empty_56031619e4b00310edf9e8a7?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592&ref=yfp

 

Uber Drivers Are Running On Empty

One driver says he earns $2.64 an hour after expenses.

Capital & Main

By Seth Sandronsky

Posted: 09/23/2015 05:23 PM EDT

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/3141508/original.jpg

 

Twenty-six-year-old Takele Gobena is part of the “on-demand” economy, working full-time as a driver for Uber and part time for Lyft. The Ethiopian immigrant quit his job at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and purchased a new car to drive for the ride-hailing firms, believing it would make him a better provider for his one-year-old daughter. Instead, Gobena now finds himself in debt and, after expenses, making well below minimum wage. But because Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors, Gobena is not protected by minimum wage laws.

 

 

Gobena’s plight is an increasingly familiar one. A new report from the National Employment Law Project, “Rights on Demand: Ensuring Workplace Standards and Worker Security In the On-Demand Economy,” highlights the problems so many on-demand workers face: “Characterizing workers as non-employees has serious negative consequences for them: non-employees have no statutory right to minimum wage, overtime pay, compensation for injuries sustained on the job, unemployment insurance if involuntarily separated from employment, or protection against discrimination.”

 

 

The authors of the report, Rebecca Smith, NELP’s deputy director, and Sarah Leberstein, senior staff attorney, call for workforce-wide enforcement of current and developing labor standards. “New technologies should not be allowed to displace existing protections for the many on-demand workers who are, in fact and in law, employees.”

 

 

Gobena is inclined to agree. In a phone interview with Capital & Main, he spoke about driving for Uber and Lyft.

 

 

Capital & Main: Why did you leave your job at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to drive for Uber and Lyft?

 

 

Takele Gobena: I thought that I could earn a better income driving for these companies. Their ads led me to believe my pay would be $25 an hour.

 

Capital & Main: How does your airport job compare with working for Uber and Lyft?

 

Gobena: At the airport, I earned $9.47 an hour as a dispatcher and had health-care benefits. With Uber and Lyft, driving 37,000 miles in 2014, after all my expenses (vehicle financing, fueling, insuring and maintaining) I earn $2.64 an hour and have no health-care coverage if injured.

 

Capital & Main: Are you an Uber employee?

 

Gobena: No. I am an independent contractor for Uber. I work without company benefits, and when passengers phone me.

 

Capital & Main: Has Uber or Lyft retaliated against you for vocalizing displeasure with your treatment?

 

Gobena: On August 31, I shared my personal experience as an Uber and Lyft driver before the Seattle City Council, which the press reported. [seattle Councilmembers Mike O'Brien and Nick Licata have introduced city legislation that would allow on-demand transportation drivers to bargain collectively with their employers.] Uber deactivated [my account].

 

Capital & Main: What happened next?

 

Gobena: I took a screen shot of the deactivation account [notice] and sent it out to the media. They called Uber about it. Then Uber reactivated me.

 

Capital & Main: How did you become a labor advocate?

 

Gobena: I worked with the immigrant Ethiopian community in Seattle, then with employees pushing to increase the minimum wage at Sea-Tac. I saw how difficult it is to live on the minimum wage, and began to speak out about that.

 

Capital & Main: In addition to NELP, who are your political partners?

 

Gobena: I do not have any. I speak for myself and the other on-demand workers like me who receive unfair treatment.

 

Capital & Main: Describe feedback that Uber and Lyft give you on your job performance.

 

Gobena: If customers complain, Uber gives me a warning that I must improve. However, the company does not tell me how or what needs improvement.

 

Capital & Main: Are you looking for another job?

 

Gobena: No. I have invested $14,000 in buying my car that I drive for Uber and Lyft. I must continue driving passengers in it to recoup my investment.

 

Capital & Main: What needs to happen next for on-demand workers employed with Uber and Lyft?

 

Gobena: We like the ride-hailing innovation and transportation for our city, but Uber and Lyft drivers need better treatment and livable wages. This issue affects riders and drivers alike.

 

Edited September 24, 2015 by bigvalboy

[+ SundayZip]

I know plenty of people who have chosen to be independent consultants doing the same type work that they could do as a regular employee. There are benefits to being independent which is why lots of people choose to go that route. But they decide to go independent after thoroughly investigating and understanding their options: Do they have another way to get health insurance such as a spouse with family coverage? Is having a flexible schedule more important than a guarantee of 40 hours per week? What will be their real net income and costs being independent versus regular employee?

 

The guy sited in the Huffington Post article made a poor decision to give up his regular job to be an independent driver. Uber or Lyft is not responsible for his failure to make a well informed decision. And why the heck would he leave a job with health-care coverage without an alternative way to pay for coverage? That's just poor judgment and he's now blaming someone else.

[bigvalboy]

I agree, it was a foolish decision on his part, to quite a job with benefits and a steady income, but that decision was made in part because Uber promised things that were not true and that they could not deliver on. In that respect, Uber bears responsibility for misleading him.

 

On a recent run to the airport, my limo driver (who owns the company) told me that info provided to him from Uber promised him many things. He took a different route however and kept his business running and bought an SUV (which was needed anyway for his business) to do a trial run first to see if indeed Uber was as profitable as the claim...It was not. After subtracting all of his 'actual' expenses, he found that he was making under the minimum wage. He abandoned the project and returned to building his own business, but never gave up his day job, as it were. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Edited September 25, 2015 by bigvalboy

[bigvalboy]

For how cheap Uber is in LA and SF, I'm surprised any of the drivers are making any money. The pricing here in Austin is high enough that drivers often make a few hundred an hour.

Agreed...in FTL the prices are far less than half of what a cab would cost. Once banned in Broward, it looks like the county, under threat of lawsuits from the cities, are allowing Uber back in again.

[RussJohnson]

Agreed...in FTL the prices are far less than half of what a cab would cost. Once banned in Broward, it looks like the county, under threat of lawsuits from the cities, are allowing Uber back in again.

 

If any place in the world needs Uber to get the cab companies in shape. It is Broward!