Uber/Lyft and Taxi Cabs

[SteveC]

You can book Uber up to 30 days in advance now. Probably not everywhere yet, but the option was added a while ago.

Unfortunately, in my practical experience, advance booking works "not great".

The example of needing a ride to the airport at 0-dark-30 is classic. Once you miss a flight because the Uber driver didn't honor their commitment (on time, best case or, no-show, worst case) - you tend to NOT use them for "critical rides".

Getting to the airport for an early morning flight is one of the few things that I will not use Uber as my ride. I'll bite the bullet and schedule a taxi. Usually my company is paying, so I don't really GAFF about the cost. I want to make my flight - especially, if it's a flight home!!!

 

[Sin Nombre]

The example of needing a ride to the airport at 0-dark-30 is classic. Once you miss a flight because the Uber driver didn't honor their commitment (on time, best case or, no-show, worst case) - you tend to NOT use them for "critical rides".

Have you actually missed a flight because a driver did not honor his commitment? Can they not hand off your reservation to another driver? Is Lyft any better? We have been hesitant to use ride-sharing for the many early morning cross country flights we do but were wanting to take a chance on it.

 

[filtersweep]

I don't know what the future of Uber is, but I'm sure that the old, outdated, overpriced taxi services will always be around. People who want to use them, and pay more, will always have that option.

Locally, Uber may have contributed to improvements with taxis. They now use apps, we see the driver on a map- pay by phone.... practically a copy of uber. Regardless, driverless cars will kill uber.

 

[filtersweep]

Have you actually missed a flight because a driver did not honor his commitment? Can they not hand off your reservation to another driver? Is Lyft any better? We have been hesitant to use ride-sharing for the many early morning cross country flights we do but were wanting to take a chance on it.

I very nearly did- from NJ to JFK. Five drivers canceled after they arrived when they heard the destination.

 

[DotStudio]

Unfortunately, in my practical experience, advance booking works "not great".

The example of needing a ride to the airport at 0-dark-30 is classic. Once you miss a flight because the Uber driver didn't honor their commitment (on time, best case or, no-show, worst case) - you tend to NOT use them for "critical rides".

Getting to the airport for an early morning flight is one of the few things that I will not use Uber as my ride. I'll bite the bullet and schedule a taxi. Usually my company is paying, so I don't really GAFF about the cost. I want to make my flight - especially, if it's a flight home!!!

Yeah, early morning flights are where I draw the line. Especially for the return flight.

Uber is demand based, so I'm not expecting much in the way of drivers roving around at 5 am. And it's not worth it for a driver to make one special pre - planned trip when there's no hope for subsequent customers that early.

 

[Sin Nombre]

I very nearly did- from NJ to JFK. Five drivers canceled after they arrived when they heard the destination.

When I used Lyft I put my destination in when I requested a ride. Wouldn't that keep drivers from bailing after they arrived at your home?

 

[fry]

When I used Lyft I put my destination in when I requested a ride. Wouldn't that keep drivers from bailing after they arrived at your home?

Yeah, I always put in the destination at the beginning. It's all locked in when the car arrives.

 

[DotStudio]

Yeah, I always put in the destination at the beginning. It's all locked in when the car arrives.

I don't think it allows you to do it any other way

 

[fry]

I don't think it allows you to do it any other way

I didn't think so, but people are saying that the driver was unaware of the destination upon arrival, and then backed out of the deal. Not possible in my experience, but that's just me

 

[filtersweep]

When I used Lyft I put my destination in when I requested a ride. Wouldn't that keep drivers from bailing after they arrived at your home?

I did the same. Get this: drivers cannot see the destination until they start the ride- with you in the car. This is uber. Not a taxi. It sucks for drivers. That airport ride could take five hours in traffic.... for a hundred bucks.

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

I've always had to put in the destination before I could book it. The driver should know where they are going before they accept, that's only fair.

I've also pre-booked rides for early flights with no problems with Lyft. Uber didn't have that feature until recently. Uber also didn't have electronic tipping until this summer.

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

I did the same. Get this: drivers cannot see the destination until they start the ride- with you in the car. This is uber. Not a taxi. It sucks for drivers. That airport ride could take five hours in traffic.... for a hundred bucks.

wouldn't that be $20. an hour earned while sitting down driving?

I've worked worse situations for less.

 

[filtersweep]

wouldn't that be $20. an hour earned while sitting down driving?

I've worked worse situations for less.

$40-ish in tolls round trip? Fuel

 

[Caleb]

I didn't think so, but people are saying that the driver was unaware of the destination upon arrival, and then backed out of the deal. Not possible in my experience, but that's just me

Yeah, that's not how it works. I've never heard that kind of thing ever until this thread. Grain of salt.

 

[DotStudio]

Yeah, that's not how it works. I've never heard that kind of thing ever until this thread. Grain of salt.

I looked into. They actually don't see the destination until they accept (I think this is so they aren't always avoiding certain neighborhoods). But they know prior to pickup, and the negative feedback they receive from canceling a trip would probably get them canned pretty quickly.

 

[filtersweep]

I looked into. They actually don't see the destination until they accept (I think this is so they aren't always avoiding certain neighborhoods). But they know prior to pickup, and the negative feedback they receive from canceling a trip would probably get them canned pretty quickly.

I have no reason to make this stuff up. I assumed they knew they had a long drive ahead, and were motivated to make the trip-- rather than noping out on me. They should at least show zones or estimated times. I would not want a five hour trip to come as a surprise if I had other obligations. So I am sympathetic to the drivers.... except when flying home internationally on a Friday.

 

[DotStudio]

I have no reason to make this stuff up. I assumed they knew they had a long drive ahead, and were motivated to make the trip-- rather than noping out on me. They should at least show zones or estimated times. I would not want a five hour trip to come as a surprise if I had other obligations. So I am sympathetic to the drivers.... except when flying home internationally on a Friday.

No doubt, not calling you a liar. I think you just got a bad batch of drivers.

 

[filtersweep]

No doubt, not calling you a liar. I think you just got a bad batch of drivers.

I tipped the one who finally drove me $80. It was worth it!

 

[Harmony]

If I make an unusual trip I call the driver first to be sure it's ok.

I also have at times put my pin in a busier location to be able to get a driver. Where I live they changed it only to a 5 mile radius I think it is, so if all the drivers are in Tulsa I cannot get one. So I move my pin closer and then phone the driver and ask if he is willing to come out to me.
They always say yes...they drive closer so I then can book him. That's the advice I got from them and it works.

I have only ever had one driver not turn up for an airport run. I was recommended to use a new service here call Joyride. I pre booked. I was freaking out when she was late and in the end cancelled trip with little time to get to airport. Uber saved the day and got to me quickly and to airport just minutes before closing that gate on me.

I was told later that she was mugged the night before and was in hospital. I was sympathetic but I wish someone had told me or sent me a new driver. The bastewards never refunded me the $5 cancellation fee. Never used them again.

 

[filtersweep]

No doubt, not calling you a liar. I think you just got a bad batch of drivers.

No sane driver wants to drive from NJ to JFK in the afternoon. They cannot pickup in NY, and their return tolls are not paid by Uber. Estimated trip was 80 minutes. Actual was 2.5 hours ONE WAY.

We all love Uber because it exploits the drivers to keep costs down.