[Silver Cab]

...and started driving today.

Just wanted to get a hang of the application and navigation. After idling for some minutes, I got pinged from a super close pick up. Three tourists, all ladies, at a Walgreen's far from any attractions. Thanks AirBnB for that?

Pretty much a learning scenario:

Confirmed to follow whatever they had selected as their destination. They confused me though since they clearly inquired about the beach in another location, but their destination was nowhere where I assumed they might wanted to go to based on our conversation. Confirmed once more if they wanted to follow the mav app.

Confirmed they wanted to pay for the toll bridge cash since I did not imagine Uber was going to add it automatically, and I did not want to have a hassle with a fair adjustment to get my money back.

Luckily I reviewed the trips once home and requested for Uber to reimburse the rider with the toll charge they had added automatically. Got resolved within 10 minutes.

Eventually, they ladies ended up at a restaurant in a different tourist area where they went to yesterday. Were excited to go there again. Told them I could have saved them the bridge if I had not used the navigation app, but they said it was cool.

They 5-stared me, no tip.

Immediately got another ping super close by. Pick up and drop off in less than 10 minutes. No rating, no tip.

Headed home since I did not want to spend my Saturday Ubering but had the app on online while driving home. Did not pick up another ping.

Worked close to an hour including idle time door to door. Earned a bit over $11. I have worked harder for less in my life, but I can see that this is a minimum wage gig at best when not surging.

My ideal scenario is to uber whenever I am in the streets running errands anyway, before and after work to pick up anything nearby, or when I am simply bored. Won't be chasing around for pax and surges.

All in all, it was good fun and I did not screw up.

Car is a 2006 Murano, a little dinged and scratched, but clean. Its size, ample space, and great air conditioning might make up for its other short comings.

Oh, by the way, all my best intentions did not come to fruition: tell all to buckle up and make sure they do it? Negative. Not talk much or ask any unnecessary questions? Negative. Tell them to check they got everything. Negative. Check for forgotten items before entering my house? Negative.

Well, guess even at Ubering no one is ever perfect.

 

[AuxCordBoston]

...and started driving today.

Just wanted to get a hang of the application and navigation. After idling for some minutes, I got pinged from a super close pick up. Three tourists, all ladies, at a Walgreen's far from any attractions. Thanks AirBnB for that?

Pretty much a learning scenario:

Confirmed to follow whatever they had selected as their destination. They confused me though since they clearly inquired about the beach in another location, but their destination was nowhere where I assumed they might wanted to go to based on our conversation. Confirmed once more if they wanted to follow the mav app.

Confirmed they wanted to pay for the toll bridge cash since I did not imagine Uber was going to add it automatically, and I did not want to have a hassle with a fair adjustment to get my money back.

Luckily I reviewed the trips once home and requested for Uber to reimburse the rider with the toll charge they had added automatically. Got resolved within 10 minutes.

Eventually, they ladies ended up at a restaurant in a different tourist area where they went to yesterday. Were excited to go there again. Told them I could have saved them the bridge if I had not used the navigation app, but they said it was cool.

They 5-stared me, no tip.

Immediately got another ping super close by. Pick up and drop off in less than 10 minutes. No rating, no tip.

Headed home since I did not want to spend my Saturday Ubering but had the app on online while driving home. Did not pick up another ping.

Worked close to an hour including idle time door to door. Earned a bit over $11. I have worked harder for less in my life, but I can see that this is a minimum wage gig at best when not surging.

My ideal scenario is to uber whenever I am in the streets running errands anyway, before and after work to pick up anything nearby, or when I am simply bored. Won't be chasing around for pax and surges.

All in all, it was good fun and I did not screw up.

Car is a 2006 Murano, a little dinged and scratched, but clean. Its size, ample space, and great air conditioning might make up for its other short comings.

Oh, by the way, all my best intentions did not come to fruition: tell all to buckle up and make sure they do it? Negative. Not talk much or ask any unnecessary questions? Negative. Tell them to check they got everything. Negative. Check for forgotten items before entering my house? Negative.

Well, guess even at Ubering no one is ever perfect.

So what do you specifically feel you learned from your first day?

 

[Silver Cab]

So what do you specifically feel you learned from your first day?

That one can prepare endlessly for it by reading the forums for weeks before swiping to go online for the very first time, and yet the first few rides are challenging just for the bare fact that I did not know about the toll addition, did not know at first that I had to manually switch back to the Uber app on iPhone when using Google Maps after arriving at location plus the mental check list for accepting passengers was nowhere to be found when doing the first pick ups.

 

[AuxCordBoston]

That one can prepare endlessly for it by reading the forums for weeks before swiping to go online for the very first time, and yet the first few rides are challenging just for the bare fact that I did not know about the toll addition, did not know at first that I had to manually switch back to the Uber app on iPhone when using Google Maps after arriving at location plus the mental check list for accepting passengers was nowhere to be found when doing the first pick ups.

The more you drive, the less errors you will make. The #1 complaint is navigation. You will screw up the navigation whether it's your fault or the gps. You just have to learn from it. With the recent change in the uber rider app the riders are rating less and less. So a rider will rate you when they really liked you or when they really didn't like you.

 

[Silver Cab]

The more you drive, the less errors you will make. The #1 complaint is navigation. You will screw up the navigation whether it's your fault or the gps. You just have to learn from it. With the recent change in the uber rider app the riders are rating less and less. So a rider will rate you when they really liked you or when they really didn't like you.

Thx for the advice. Another thing I learned: opening the doors for pax not really expected or practical unless elderly or disabled person. They hopped on and off so quickly, I could not have gotten out the car in time to give them the limo driver treatment

 

[AuxCordBoston]

Thx for the advice. Another thing I learned: opening the doors for pax not really expected or practical unless elderly or disabled person. They hopped on and off so quickly, I could not have gotten out the car in time to give them the limo driver treatment

I have never gotten an elderly person in my car. I have offered to help someone get out, but I have never done it without them saying they need it.

Navigation is the big issue. Bottom line is that riders want to get from point A to point B without going down the wrong highway and taking up the rider's time. You can be really friendly, really social, offer water and mints...but if in the process you get distracted and screw up the route, you will get a low rating. Some riders are on their phone and won't notice a minor screw up. Some rider's will notice a screw up but won't care, but many will care.

 

[Silver Cab]

Yep, navigation is key. If my first three passengers had had a real clue where they wanted to go, I could have circumvented the bridge and saved them time and money without allowing the app to take me via the bridge. But since they had entered the location they seemingly were happy to arrive at, I will not lose sleep over it. Plus they rated me 5* anyway.

I have never gotten an elderly person in my car. I have offered to help someone get out, but I have never done it without them saying they need it.

Navigation is the big issue. Bottom line is that riders want to get from point A to point B without going down the wrong highway and taking up the rider's time. You can be really friendly, really social, offer water and mints...but if in the process you get distracted and screw up the route, you will get a low rating. Some riders are on their phone and won't notice a minor screw up. Some rider's will notice a screw up but won't care, but many will care.

BTW, the water and mints I had already decided no to offer from reading the forums.

I do keep mints handy for myself (cheaper than gum) plus moist wipes in case I need them. Should anyone ask for it, I can offer. The same is true for my charging cable. If anyone needs some juice for their phones, by all means, they can use it.

 

[drivininsac]

Your navigation app should have an option to avoid toll roads. The thing to remember is that the toll comes out of your pocket first and you get reimbursed. Avoid anything coming out of your pocket.

Tell your pax that there is a toll road on the fastest route and that you don't carry cash except when another pax tips and you haven't been tipped at all for the day yet.

This explains why you chose the route without tolls and opens up the conversation about tipping.

 

[Silver Cab]

Go

Your navigation app should have an option to avoid toll roads. The thing to remember is that the toll comes out of your pocket first and you get reimbursed. Avoid anything coming out of your pocket.

Tell your pax that there is a toll road on the fastest route and that you don't carry cash except when another pax tips and you haven't been tipped at all for the day yet.

This explains why you chose the route without tolls and opens up the conversation about tipping.

Good thinking there. Btw, the second rider rated me 5* as well. So, after all not too bad as a first day experience.

 

[Silver Cab]

So what do you specifically feel you learned from your first day?

One other thing that comes to my mind: my ride is really old by now. The passenger's sun visor doesn't stay fully up and comes a bit down every so often. Tried to fix it but to no avail. Need some replacement part.

On another note, just checked the odometer. Drove 19.2 miles in total and earned gross $11.04. That is $1.74 per mile.

 

[Grand]

...and started driving today.

Hi and welcome to the UP forum.

There is lots to learn here that will help you going forward.
I am not sure which city you are from so can't provide the relevant Uber web link.

Anyway below is the Forum cities link. Just browse and pick your city to find what local issues/comments/learnings etc exist.
https://uberpeople.net/forums/Cities/

Also the below link covers new driver information. Even though it is in the Australia forum it is generic in nature. The thread also includes posts related to many Uber features available world wide. One in particular, 'Driver Destinations' may prove beneficial to you, if it available in your city.
https://uberpeople.net/threads/australian-ride-sharing-wiki.54860/#post-1019530

All the best.

BTW bullets are rare here. Are they a 'biting' delicacy there? LOL

 

[jp300h]

On another note, just checked the odometer. Drove 19.2 miles in total and earned gross $11.04. That is $1.74 per mile.

you may want to recheck your math.

 

[Silver Cab]

you may want to recheck your math.

Oops. It was kinda late last night I stand corrected.

How did I even make it so far in life???

Guess that is what Uber needs; drivers who fail at basic math

 

[TwoFiddyMile]

It's not too late to change your mind.
Don't swallow a bullet for Uber.

 

[tohunt4me]

...and started driving today.

Just wanted to get a hang of the application and navigation. After idling for some minutes, I got pinged from a super close pick up. Three tourists, all ladies, at a Walgreen's far from any attractions. Thanks AirBnB for that?

Pretty much a learning scenario:

Confirmed to follow whatever they had selected as their destination. They confused me though since they clearly inquired about the beach in another location, but their destination was nowhere where I assumed they might wanted to go to based on our conversation. Confirmed once more if they wanted to follow the mav app.

Confirmed they wanted to pay for the toll bridge cash since I did not imagine Uber was going to add it automatically, and I did not want to have a hassle with a fair adjustment to get my money back.

Luckily I reviewed the trips once home and requested for Uber to reimburse the rider with the toll charge they had added automatically. Got resolved within 10 minutes.

Eventually, they ladies ended up at a restaurant in a different tourist area where they went to yesterday. Were excited to go there again. Told them I could have saved them the bridge if I had not used the navigation app, but they said it was cool.

They 5-stared me, no tip.

Immediately got another ping super close by. Pick up and drop off in less than 10 minutes. No rating, no tip.

Headed home since I did not want to spend my Saturday Ubering but had the app on online while driving home. Did not pick up another ping.

Worked close to an hour including idle time door to door. Earned a bit over $11. I have worked harder for less in my life, but I can see that this is a minimum wage gig at best when not surging.

My ideal scenario is to uber whenever I am in the streets running errands anyway, before and after work to pick up anything nearby, or when I am simply bored. Won't be chasing around for pax and surges.

All in all, it was good fun and I did not screw up.

Car is a 2006 Murano, a little dinged and scratched, but clean. Its size, ample space, and great air conditioning might make up for its other short comings.

Oh, by the way, all my best intentions did not come to fruition: tell all to buckle up and make sure they do it? Negative. Not talk much or ask any unnecessary questions? Negative. Tell them to check they got everything. Negative. Check for forgotten items before entering my house? Negative.

Well, guess even at Ubering no one is ever perfect.

Saturday is a Great day to Uber !
When you get more confident,Saturday nights yield the highest average earnings..
Next time,try ubering 3-6 hours
Then,move up to busier areas once you are comfortable.

Go

Good thinking there. Btw, the second rider rated me 5* as well. So, after all not too bad as a first day experience.

My first day,I started early in calm area. Ended up working 12 hours,almost 30 rides.

 

[Silver Cab]

Saturday is a Great day to Uber !
When you get more confident,Saturday nights yield the highest average earnings..
Next time,try ubering 3-6 hours
Then,move up to busier areas once you are comfortable.

My first day,I started early in calm area. Ended up working 12 hours,almost 30 rides.

Yep, that was my thinking to start out in a slow area. Not planning on driving at night time. Just some hours here and there, mostly early mornings 6-8 am.

 

[FL_Dex]

They're so cute at that age.

 

[anteetr]

One other thing that comes to my mind: my ride is really old by now. The passenger's sun visor doesn't stay fully up and comes a bit down every so often. Tried to fix it but to no avail. Need some replacement part.

On another note, just checked the odometer. Drove 19.2 miles in total and earned gross $11.04. That is $1.74 per mile.

Yer maths rong. Try 57.5c per mile

 

[Silver Cab]

Yer maths rong. Try 57.5c per mile

Yep. As I said, last night it was late.

 

[jp300h]

Yer maths rong. Try 57.5c per mile

"Yer" spelling's "rong". Try "Your math's wrong"