[Glock19]

UBER. Usually I don't pick up pax from bars but last night I had to complete 40 trips, so I made an exception. This couple came to my car from a bar. Just couldn't tell how drunk they were before they got in my car. The woman laid down on the back seat. There was a reek of wine (we don't drink so I don't know the type of wines). I asked them if they were drunk. They said "no, we are just tired." I did not start the trip yet, so didn't know where or how far were they going. They wouldn't tell me their destination. I could tell it was going to get unpleasant now, so I turned my dashcam around to record inside of the car (to protect myself against false accusations). I told them to get out. The refused to and told me to just drive to the address they put in the app.

Anyways, the woman started swearing at me and made derogatory comments (anti-religious) to me. I canceled the trip and told them, no matter what I'm NOT taking you. I told them to get out or I was going to call cops. Then they got out. The woman told me that she was going to report me (I don't know to who). She was still making derogatory comments.

When I came home, I saved the video file to my PC in case I need it in a while.

Any comments?

 

[SEAL Team 5]

C'mon bro. Don't hold out on us. Post the vid.

 

[Robkaaa]

Post the video por favor!

 

[Julescase]

Why did you ask them to exit your vehicle? I can't tell from what you wrote if there was a specific occurrence or you just didn't like the fact that they wouldn't tell you their destination.

Also, were they acting drunk/stupid when you asked them if they were drunk? Or did you just smell alcohol? Some people might not take too kindly to being asked if they're drunk out of the blue by their Uber driver if they are actually acting totally fine.

It sounds like it was escalated very abruptly and perhaps unnecessarily.

Are you leaving anything out?

 

[Fuzzyelvis]

Why did you ask them to exit your vehicle? I can't tell from what you wrote if there was a specific occurrence or you just didn't like the fact that they wouldn't tell you their destination.

Also, were they acting drunk/stupid when you asked them if they were drunk? Or did you just smell alcohol? Some people might not take too kindly to being asked if they're drunk out of the blue by their Uber driver if they are actually acting totally fine.

It sounds like it was escalated very abruptly and perhaps unnecessarily.

Are you leaving anything out?

Just one comment: laying down on the seat is not "acting totally fine." That's not normal behavior getting in someone's car.

 

[MadTownUberD]

Laying down on the seat renders a seat belt ineffective. OP had grounds to kick them out for that alone.

 

[Jufkii]

UBER. Usually I don't pick up pax from bars but last night I had to complete 40 trips, so I made an exception. This couple came to my car from a bar. Just couldn't tell how drunk they were before they got in my car. The woman laid down on the back seat. There was a reek of wine (we don't drink so I don't know the type of wines). I asked them if they were drunk. They said "no, we are just tired." I did not start the trip yet, so didn't know where or how far were they going. They wouldn't tell me their destination. I could tell it was going to get unpleasant now, so I turned my dashcam around to record inside of the car (to protect myself against false accusations). I told them to get out. The refused to and told me to just drive to the address they put in the app.

Anyways, the woman started swearing at me and made derogatory comments (anti-religious) to me. I canceled the trip and told them, no matter what I'm NOT taking you. I told them to get out or I was going to call cops. Then they got out. The woman told me that she was going to report me (I don't know to who). She was still making derogatory comments.

When I came home, I saved the video file to my PC in case I need it in a while.

Any comments?

Expect to get deactivated as they accuse you of driving impaired instead. Expect to get reactivated a couple of days after following Support's "thorough investigation". Future similar complaints and you are out for good. Watch yourself.

 

[touberornottouber]

Why did you ask them to exit your vehicle? I can't tell from what you wrote if there was a specific occurrence or you just didn't like the fact that they wouldn't tell you their destination.

Also, were they acting drunk/stupid when you asked them if they were drunk? Or did you just smell alcohol? Some people might not take too kindly to being asked if they're drunk out of the blue by their Uber driver if they are actually acting totally fine.

It sounds like it was escalated very abruptly and perhaps unnecessarily.

Are you leaving anything out?

The problem with continuing to take them after they refused to give the destination is that there is a greater risk of pretty much everything going wrong later. Refusing to say where they were going in a rude manner and without a valid reason for not knowing is disrespect. If the driver continued at best they would get a 1* and maybe a false report. At worst they could turn violent and assault the driver or the vehicle. It's almost always better to get them out at the first sign of disrespect or trouble than to continue the ride. I learned this the hard way from my taxi days -- even if it means looking like a jerk or being the bad guy. It is even more true with rideshare where we are usually making peanuts for dealing with this stuff.

An example:
https://uberpeople.net/threads/i-was-attacked-by-a-female-passenger-today.264912/

 

[Cableguynoe]

I'm with Jules. I don't think you handled this well from the beginning.

You asked if they were drunk? Really?
You were picking up from a bar. Did you think they were having calamari?
By asking if they're drunk you're basically saying "you two are acting stupid".

You gotta treat drunk people like drunk people.
Be firm.
Had you just looked at the guy and said
"I'm going to need her to sit up and put on her seatbelt"
He probably would have helped her up.
And the rest of the ride might have gone smooth.

 

[touberornottouber]

I'm with Jules. I don't think you handled this well from the beginning.

You asked if they were drunk? Really?
You were picking up from a bar. Did you think they were having calamari?
By asking if they're drunk you're basically saying "you two are acting stupid".

You gotta treat drunk people like drunk people.
Be firm.
Had you just looked at the guy and said
"I'm going to need her to sit up and put on her seatbelt"
He probably would have helped her up.
And the rest of the ride might have gone smooth.

They don't usually pick up at bars though so they don't usually deal with drunks and don't seem to want them. I don't really blame them for that. Having to lie down on the seat isn't just a little drunk either. It's majorly drunk or having some other major coindition. I'd be more apt to do it in a taxi for twice the rideshare pay and when it isn't my vehicle. But for 91 cents a mile and in my personal vehicle, I dunno. Someone who has to lie down is more apt to puke!

Maybe the first mistake was them compromising their principles and comfort level to get those 40 rides. It definitely wasn't worth it this time.

 

[Scott.Sul]

I picked up a drunk couple early this morning from a private residence. I told the wife she wouldn't be allowed to carry that open cup (looked like white wine) in the car because I drive kind of rough and I wouldn't want her to spill it all over her nice clothes (my customary excuse). She took off her top and asked "how about now".

At that point my response was... "the front seat is available if that is more comfortable for you".
They were awesome (the couple and the other couple) and we had a lot of laughs on the trip.
And I don't think i missed a single pothole or speed bump on the entire trip.
And yes, they tipped me.

 

[Glock19]

Why did you ask them to exit your vehicle? I can't tell from what you wrote if there was a specific occurrence or you just didn't like the fact that they wouldn't tell you their destination.

Also, were they acting drunk/stupid when you asked them if they were drunk? Or did you just smell alcohol? Some people might not take too kindly to being asked if they're drunk out of the blue by their Uber driver if they are actually acting totally fine.

It sounds like it was escalated very abruptly and perhaps unnecessarily.

Are you leaving anything out?

I told them to get out of my car because they were ****ed up. I pick up people from restaurants who are drunk to a reasonable extent, that's fine with me. But this couple was wasted.
The reason why I asked their destination is if they were going just a mile or two, I would take them to avoid the trouble. But what would I do if I had slid "START TRIP" and found out they were going 50 miles away? Most likely they would throw up or make out in my car.

It has also happened to me when I was new, I picked up a couple at 1 am, they were going 50+ miles away from downtown Manhattan. When I got on the west side highway and travelling 50 MPH, the woman tried to open the door. The man grabbed her. I took the 57 Street exit, pulled up on 57 Street and told them to get out.

 

[Julescase]

They don't usually pick up at bars though so they don't usually deal with drunks and don't seem to want them. I don't really blame them for that. Having to lie down on the seat isn't just a little drunk either. It's majorly drunk or having some other major coindition. I'd be more apt to do it in a taxi for twice the rideshare pay and when it isn't my vehicle. But for 91 cents a mile and in my personal vehicle, I dunno. Someone who has to lie down is more apt to puke!

Maybe the first mistake was them compromising their principles and comfort level to get those 40 rides. It definitely wasn't worth it this time.

I don't know - I usually drive the late night crowd and I've had people get in and dramatically lie down in the back and groan like "oh my God what did I do?" and I'll say "you know I can't drive anywhere until you're upright with a seatbelt on, right?" and they'll pop up and comply. I mean, it's 2 am on a Sunday morning, I just picked them up from The Rainbow Room - I know they're not going to be sober.

I assume everyone I'll be driving around between midnight and 4 am will be pretty wasted, but I don't ask them or mention it unless the pax broaches the subject first.

Also- if you're driving those hours you should be prepared for pukers - I keep plastic bags in the back seat pockets and make sure everyone knows the bags are there at the start of the ride, but just a cheerful reminder- I don't mention it in a mean or annoyed tone.

 

[RynoHawk]

Just one comment: laying down on the seat is not "acting totally fine." That's not normal behavior getting in someone's car.

Laying down on the seat renders a seat belt ineffective. OP had grounds to kick them out for that alone.

They're not grounds for an instant eviction either. At least tell them to sit up first and buckle up. If they refuse at that time, then kick them out.

They don't usually pick up at bars though so they don't usually deal with drunks and don't seem to want them. I don't really blame them for that. Having to lie down on the seat isn't just a little drunk either. It's majorly drunk or having some other major coindition. I'd be more apt to do it in a taxi for twice the rideshare pay and when it isn't my vehicle. But for 91 cents a mile and in my personal vehicle, I dunno. Someone who has to lie down is more apt to puke!

Maybe the first mistake was them compromising their principles and comfort level to get those 40 rides. It definitely wasn't worth it this time.

If the OP or anyone else doesn't like driving drunk people, then they shouldn't be driving the bar crowd. I don't care much for seafood, especially fast food seafood. I don't go to Captain D's or Long John Silver and complain about all the fish on the menu. By that rationale, I don't go where the bars are at closing time and complain that everyone is drunk.

I do agree that pushing for a quest or whatever is not worth bending your ride acceptance principles.

 

[RockinEZ]

UBER. Usually I don't pick up pax from bars but last night I had to complete 40 trips, so I made an exception. This couple came to my car from a bar. Just couldn't tell how drunk they were before they got in my car. The woman laid down on the back seat. There was a reek of wine (we don't drink so I don't know the type of wines). I asked them if they were drunk. They said "no, we are just tired." I did not start the trip yet, so didn't know where or how far were they going. They wouldn't tell me their destination. I could tell it was going to get unpleasant now, so I turned my dashcam around to record inside of the car (to protect myself against false accusations). I told them to get out. The refused to and told me to just drive to the address they put in the app.

Anyways, the woman started swearing at me and made derogatory comments (anti-religious) to me. I canceled the trip and told them, no matter what I'm NOT taking you. I told them to get out or I was going to call cops. Then they got out. The woman told me that she was going to report me (I don't know to who). She was still making derogatory comments.

When I came home, I saved the video file to my PC in case I need it in a while.

Any comments?

Yes, buy a dual lens video camera.
They are great in situations like this.

Just one comment: laying down on the seat is not "acting totally fine." That's not normal behavior getting in someone's car.

I agree. This is grounds for the PAX DUMP.
There was a very good chance one or both would be barfers.

 

[Julescase]

Yes, buy a dual lens video camera.
They are great in situations like this.

I agree. This is grounds for the PAX DUMP.
There was a very good chance one or both would be barfers.

But every late night ride has a chance of pukers. That's one of the risks of driving bar close.

 

[RockinEZ]

But every late night ride has a chance of pukers. That's one of the risks of driving bar close.

When I drove nights (almost 2000 trips), I had rules.

Can't stand up - they are not getting in.
Can't say the driver's name - not getting in.
Don't know their name - not getting in.
Barf on their shoes- not getting in.
If someone else pings me to get rid of a drunken friend - that drunk is not getting in my car.
If anything.... anything at all seemed strange, or wrong - I did not let them in.

If you are selective, you can avoid barfers.
No one has ralphed in my car in almost 4 years of driving.

Driving early mornings does not earn as much as nights, but I get no barfers. Only sober people on the way to work or the airport.
None of my morning PAX have tried to put me in a headlock on the freeway. I consider that a bonus.