[ChesterCountyUber]

I show up at a suburban car dealership to pick up "Eric". "Eric" approaches with a look on his face. "It's my account, but I just need you to drop these two customers off while their car is repaired". Me - "Uhhh, OK, I'm not sure I'm supposed to do that but a fare's a fare right?." "Eric" tips me ten bucks and I'm off.

The couple in the back of the car soon start sneaking booze from a bag. They blast rap music from their phones and start giving directions. I'm considering kicking them out but I'm not 100% sure on the booze and continue on. Of course, the final destination is in the middle of one of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia. They request a stop at Micky D's drive thru - again I oblige. They try to get away with not paying but are caught. I sit there seething. I finally drop them off and immediately get another request from somewhere else in this lovely area. I ignore and go offline to start heading home. Yup, I can't be bothered driving in the hood, especially for what Uber is paying me. If that's is discriminatory then so be it.

A question - is letting people ride on your account even allowed? Can a pax have someone else ride on their account without being present in the car? Parents do it with kids, now this guy did it and I'm wondering if it breaks any Uber rules.

Another question - why do I get pool requests before I've even finished dropping off the current pax? It only happens in the city, never in the burbs. Often I decline but it says I accepted? I don't get it.

 

[Squirming Like A Toad]

I think it is allowed for us to do, but not for the account holder to do. Really not something we can do anything about either, you wouldn't have known that pax was not the account holder unless they told you.

One thing you'll want to avoid doing on rides like that is taking rides without a destination entered by the account holder, or going to any destination but that. If those people told you they wanted to go to Atlantic City instead of McD and you did it you probably would have ended up not getting paid.

 

[SEAL Team 5]

I show up at a suburban car dealership to pick up "Eric". "Eric" approaches with a look on his face. "It's my account, but I just need you to drop these two customers off while their car is repaired". Me - "Uhhh, OK, I'm not sure I'm supposed to do that but a fare's a fare right?." "Eric" tips me ten bucks and I'm off.

The couple in the back of the car soon start sneaking booze from a bag. They blast rap music from their phones and start giving directions. I'm considering kicking them out but I'm not 100% sure on the booze and continue on. Of course, the final destination is in the middle of one of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia. They request a stop at Micky D's drive thru - again I oblige. They try to get away with not paying but are caught. I sit there seething. I finally drop them off and immediately get another request from somewhere else in this lovely area. I ignore and go offline to start heading home. Yup, I can't be bothered driving in the hood, especially for what Uber is paying me. If that's is discriminatory then so be it.

A question - is letting people ride on your account even allowed? Can a pax have someone else ride on their account without being present in the car? Parents do it with kids, now this guy did it and I'm wondering if it breaks any Uber rules.

Another question - why do I get pool requests before I've even finished dropping off the current pax? It only happens in the city, never in the burbs. Often I decline but it says I accepted? I don't get it.

The sad part is that the dealership probably has a free shuttle service, and when the shuttle driver saw the pax and the destination he said "HELL NO!!!!! Call Uber".

 

[Another Uber Driver]

While this has some of the makings of what we in the cab business call a "dumping job", it does not quite fit the category.

I do not know about Pennsylvania, but in the District of Columbia, an open container anywhere in a motor vehicle in which the keys are in the ignition is illegal. On a good day, they would receive ONE warning from me, and one warning, ONLY. That would be on a GOOD day.

On trips like this, be it cab or UberX car, I make sure that they understand that I am being paid to take them to ______________ONLY. There are to be no stops along the way, no change of destination, or anything like that. If they want to get out at any point during the trip, obviously, I must let them get out as I am not interested in an Unlawful Detainer or similar charge. Other than that, they go to the designated destination, ONLY; no stops, no detours, no picking up anyone else. If the actual riders do not like that, they do not need to ride. If the person actually paying says to ride them around on a scenic tour, I tell him that I am not interested as I am not interested in paying the price for his sticker shock. The trip is Point A to Point B, ONLY. I make sure that all of that is clear, BEFORE I MOVE A WHEEL.

While it would not be profitable to do a scenic tour in the UberX car, it would be in the cab. The problem would be that even on Uber Taxi, where he could pay for the whole thing, if they run up a cab bill of over twenty-five dollars, the person paying will complain. If it is a street hail or something from my own company, he would have to run the card in advance or pay cash up front. The rider goes as far as the advance payment covers. I make sure that they understand that, as well, before I move a wheel.

 

[Stray cat]

Another question - why do I get pool requests before I've even finished dropping off the current pax? It only happens in the city, never in the burbs. Often I decline but it says I accepted? I don't get it.

The concept of Pool is that you're supposed to get requests while others remain in your car. It's a carpool concept. You're enlisted to take riders from multiple stops towards similar destinations.

 

[tohunt4me]

Why shouldn't someone be able to transport others with their account ?

You should have taken the other ping.

You were already there.

 

[ChesterCountyUber]

The concept of Pool is that you're supposed to get requests while others remain in your car. It's a carpool concept. You're enlisted to take riders from multiple stops towards similar destinations.

But I hadn't finished my non pool drop-off, the trip wasn't complete.

 

[ChesterCountyUber]

Why shouldn't someone be able to transport others with their account ?

You should have taken the other ping.

You were already there.

I tried to pick up my next ping. I left after waiting 5 minutes.

 

[tradedate]

How do you not pay at a drive thru? They usually won't even hand over your food until you pay first.

 

[berserk42]

Cool story, bro.

 

[ChortlingCrison]

Cool story, bro.

Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[njn]

Many states allow open containers in for hire vehicles including NJ and PA.

Found this on Wikipedia:

RESTRICTION ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Section 7513 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18)

It is unlawful for any person who is an operator or an occupant in any motor vehicle to be in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container or to consume any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance… in a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is located on any highway in this commonwealth.

This section does not prohibit possession or consumption by passengers in the passenger areas of a motor vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for the lawful transportation of persons for compensation, including buses, taxis and limousines, or persons in the living quarters of a house coach or house trailer.

Any person who violates this section commits a summary offense. --164.156.227.2 (talk) 16:59, 14 January 2009

 

[ChesterCountyUber]

Many states allow open containers in for hire vehicles including NJ and PA.

Found this on Wikipedia:

RESTRICTION ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Section 7513 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18)

It is unlawful for any person who is an operator or an occupant in any motor vehicle to be in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container or to consume any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance… in a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is located on any highway in this commonwealth.

This section does not prohibit possession or consumption by passengers in the passenger areas of a motor vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for the lawful transportation of persons for compensation, including buses, taxis and limousines, or persons in the living quarters of a house coach or house trailer.

Any person who violates this section commits a summary offense. --164.156.227.2 (talk) 16:59, 14 January 2009

I'm not sure where uber drivers fall legally. Are we "drivers" or not?