Week 1 vs. Week 2

I wanted to compare my first two weeks – especially since they were the same number of rides and very similar time spent online. Please note: I did not include tips or my $50 referral bonus (week 2) in the “Dollars” section of the graph. 

One of the biggest differences between Week 1 and Week 2 was that I didn’t experience any surge pricing like I had my first week. I did hit 25 rides during Week 2 which led to my $50 bonus but without this I made only $16.07 per hour compared to the $20.74 from the previous week.

I found it interesting to compare the amount of time (minutes) I spent driving to pick up the riders as I spent bringing the rider from Point A to Point B. The results are comparable between categories: “Minutes with Passenger” and “Minutes Online” which means I’m spending just as much time driving to pick up locations as I am dropping off. It will be best to minimize the time spent in between rides but this will depend on demand, location and Uber’s algorithm.

You will notice the amount of tips made was drastically difference between weeks. This will be interesting to keep track of because at this point I don’t have a real explanation for why this happened.

Uber Recap #2

This graph depicts the results from driving Uber February 6-13, 2017.

DURING MY SECOND WEEKEND DRIVING FOR UBER I…

• Completed 20 More Trips (40 total)
• Drove 126.38 Miles
• Spent 8 hr, 52 min Online
• Earned $215.40
  • $142.40 for Uber trips
  • $50 for completing 25 trips – Uber Referral
  • $23 in cash tips

Analyzing the Results

Now that I have completed two weeks of driving I have more data to compare. I will continue to illustrate my comparisons between women and men but will also start to include graphs to chart the differences between weeks.

Minutes, Miles + Dollars
The difference between women and men rider requests were far more drastic this week. Men spent 2x more time in my car, nearly 4x the miles traveled, and nearly 3x the dollars spent compared to women. Maybe this had something to do with people celebrating Valentine’s Day this past weekend?

Tips + Uber
I made $23 in tips compared to $3 the previous week? I always remind people they don’t have to tip but when they insist I take the cash. I am going to start donating all tips I receive to various dog rescue organizations in the Twin Cities.

#DrivingforDogs

Driving for Dogs

This photo is from the Instagram account @SirScout_LadySadie

How Can I Give Back?

After going offline tonight I was replaying my experiences and conversations from my time driving with Uber. I want to think of a way to make this bigger than just myself and this blog. My idea is to start “Driving for Dogs” and donate any and all money I make in tips to various rescue organizations in the Twin Cities.

I’ve made $26 in tips for 39 trips and 16 hours 38 minutes of being online. This isn’t a huge amount in tips but this is Uber. Every time I’ve been offered a tip I have reminded the rider that all payments happen through the app and at that point if they insist I accept.

It will be interesting to see how the tips compare in Lyft.

The Drunken Duo

They were business partners by day and dinner friends by night. This duo had no trouble entering the car and immediately telling me how fat and drunk they were. They just enjoyed a delicious meal and expensive wine on the company’s dime. One gentleman was feeling a little better than his pal and asked if we could stop to get a milkshake – he was buying. I just laughed and changed the subject. Try to minimize stopping along the way for your riders. You want to get the 5.0 rating but this is taking up time and the fare only increases $0.15 per minute.

We continued along our way and they discussed food, work and a threesome. Yes a threesome was brought up on the ride. I knew they were not “bad guys” and the question was definitely induced by alcohol. In this instance I warned the rider that he crossed the line. His partner also stepped in and berated his inappropriate remark and told him this was no way to behave. He apologized immediately and it was forgiven, mainly because I knew he wasn’t going to remember this ride in the morning. However, even if you are understanding of the situation this could happen to someone else in the future so it’s best to notify Uber.

This is the first time I’ve experienced an inappropriate remark and of course caused me to do my research. Uber has a list of community guidelines and breaking the rules could leave you banned. I’ve included an excerpt from Uber below.

Here are some reasons why you could lose access to Uber:

• Damaging drivers’ or other passengers’ property. For example, damaging the car, breaking or vandalizing a phone, intentionally spilling food or drink, smoking, or vomiting due to excessive alcohol consumption.
• Physical contact with the driver or fellow riders. As our community guidelines make clear, you shouldn’t touch or flirt with other people in the car. As a reminder, Uber has a no sex rule. That’s no sexual conduct with drivers or fellow riders, no matter what. And you should never hit or otherwise hurt a driver or fellow passenger.
• Use of inappropriate and abusive language or gestures. For example, asking overly personal questions, using verbal threats, and making comments or gestures that are aggressive, sexual, discriminatory, or disrespectful.
• Unwanted contact with the driver or fellow passenger after the trip is over. For example, texting, calling, or visiting someone in person after a ride has been completed. Remember, in most countries you can call and text your driver directly from the Uber app without ever having to share your personal phone number. This means that your phone number stays anonymous and is never given to the driver.
• Breaking the local law while using Uber. For example, bringing open containers of alcohol or drugs into the car; traveling in large groups that exceed the number of seat belts in the car; asking drivers to break local traffic laws such as speed limits; or using Uber to commit a crime, including drug and human trafficking or the sexual exploitation of children.

The Urge to Surge

During my first weekend driving I experienced the infamous Uber Surge. I was offline getting gas and when I went back online the area was bright red. I received a ping right away and headed towards the pickup location. At this point I realized the Beer Dabler was wrapping up at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds and everyone was looking for Uber or Lyft to get home. It was difficult to find the group only because there were so many roads closed for the event and Uber’s GPS did not show this. When I finally found the riders they were so polite and I thanked them for being patient. One time during the ride they had mentioned the surge was 3X the normal rate which made their $26.59 fare a whopping $87.75! This was great for me because my take home for a 30 minute ride was $63.18. I’ve never made that amount of money in an hour and this was a half hour!

Resist the Urge to Surge

The surge trips make this whole thing worth while but I’ve learned that you can’t chase the surge. Uber will send you and every other driver plenty of texts and push notifications when they need more drivers to fill their rider requests but just like you every other driver is going to head that direction. You are much better off following the path of your drive and letting the surge come to you.

Have Your Own Event Calendar

Another tip would be to make sure you have a good grasp of the events happening in your area. Uber never sent any messages about the Beer Dabler (even though the same weekend we had plenty of reminders for Crushed Ice and the Rodeo in St. Paul). Whenever there is a large gathering of people and alcohol you are their guaranteed sober cab.

Uber Weekend Recap

This graph depicts the results from driving Uber February 3-5, 2017.

During my first weekend driving for Uber I…

• Completed 20 Trips
• Drove 8 hr, 33 min
• Earned $177.32 (+ $3.00 cash tip)

Analyzing the Results

I started gathering data from my trips in order to illustrate some of my observations.

Women + Uber
One of the first things I noticed while driving was the amount of requests I received from women, including my very first ping! This was surprising because everyone warned me about the dangers of women driving strangers around but what about the number of women who request rides? Women requested 11 out of 20 trips I made and were also passengers in most of the rides requested from men.

Diversity + Uber
I gave rides to African Americans (men and women), a Chinese woman, an Eastern Indian man, a Hispanic woman, a man with a disability, a Somali woman, an old woman, a gay man, new Uber users, out-of-towners, friends and couples. Uber is used and operated by people of all different backgrounds – I was exposed to this as a rider but felt it even stronger as a driver.

Your Driver Checklist

Reference this checklist before you hit the road:

• Driver’s License
• Proof of Insurance
• Vehicle Inspection Card (I keep mine in the glove box)
• Towel and/or baby wipes
• Phone Mount – I use the Belkin Car Vent Mount
• Phone Charger – I have my phone connected to a charger at all times
• Water and Snacks for Yourself – Avoid spending $$ while making $$

Unnecessary Items
I searched for what to bring before going on my first drive and I came across many different ideas. Some people bring water bottles, candy, and snacks for riders. I don’t know if this is all necessary. If you have a pleasant demeanor, clean car, presentable appearance and provide a comfortable ride from Point A to Point B you will get 5.0 stars.

Hopefully my opinion on this doesn’t change as I continue driving…

Shameless Plug

If you are considering the freedom of driving for Uber use my referral code and earn an extra $50 when you sign up.

Click here to claim your reward!

Invite Code: SARAS4405UE

Why I’m Driving

I have been an Uber customer since it launched in Minneapolis back in 2012 and the concept of ridesharing has always been so intriguing to me. My process started while conducting interviews as an Uber passenger.

1. How long have you been driving Uber?
2. What do you think of Uber?
3. What is the craziest thing that has happened while you were driving Uber?

Every person I spoke with loved driving for Uber and I never heard a crazy story. Minus that one time when a woman passed out in the back of my father-in-laws Uber and he had to call the police. (If you have an interesting Uber or Lyft experience please share with me through my contact page. I would love to write about it!)

I finally decided to bite the bullet after I bought my first car a few weeks ago. I traded in my 2008 Chevy Impala for a 2013 Ford Edge. It felt so “adult” to finally buy a car on my own dime. I don’t have a very long commute to work, in fact I could (should) be walking everyday. But when you get a new car you can think of any excuse to drive and if I am going to be driving around I might as well be making money too.

The application process was painless. You can apply online or via the app by taking photos of your driver’s license, insurance and car inspection (more on that later). The background check takes the most time but after I submitted the application I was approved within just a few days.

I have heard of many drivers who work for both Uber and Lyft so I decided to apply for both. It was even easier to apply for Lyft because I had already been through the process with Uber and had all the photos saved and ready to upload. I had my car inspection completed for Uber so I uploaded the same document for Lyft. I haven’t received my welcome kit from Lyft yet so I will start driving Uber first.