With gas high and pay and pax quality at historic lows, I have instituted very strict rules.
My lifetime of experience in customer service is go out of your way for the customer but I simply cannot lose money and be exploited anymore when Ubering.
So:
I drive to GPS pickup location/address and park. Engine off not wasting gas. No phone calls, texts, driving around, nothing. The pax already gets a text saying I'm there. I won't even answer their calls or texts. They ordered a pickup location and I'm at the spot. Anything else is their problem.
If pax hasn't arrived and I'm 15-20 seconds from cancel fee, I start driving away. That gets me safely away in case they come running out asking why I'm cancelling. I'm not getting rocks thrown at my car or shot because someone doesn't value my time.
Small talk - gone. Confirm pax and destination, put on sunglasses and drive. If they are super nice I'll allow engagement because tip opportunity is high. Otherwise it's hello and thank you goodbye.
No music. No chargers. No freebies of any kind.
Ratings? Don't care anymore. I'm 4.93 I'm in no danger of rating deactivation so I'm not kissing backside. In fact I'm hoping my rating goes below the VIP threshhold because VIP (and pool) are the worst pax.
You live in an apt? If I arrive at a locked gate and you either aren't there or haven't contacted me with code/instructions, CANCEL. If the 5 minute timer started fine I'll wait near gate to get my fee. If it's not in timer range I simply cancel and drive off. Not worth my time and effort trying to get a code and hitting 20 speed bumps to find a pax in building 5000A.
My lifetime of experience in customer service is go out of your way for the customer but I simply cannot lose money and be exploited anymore when Ubering.
So:
I drive to GPS pickup location/address and park. Engine off not wasting gas. No phone calls, texts, driving around, nothing. The pax already gets a text saying I'm there. I won't even answer their calls or texts. They ordered a pickup location and I'm at the spot. Anything else is their problem.
If pax hasn't arrived and I'm 15-20 seconds from cancel fee, I start driving away. That gets me safely away in case they come running out asking why I'm cancelling. I'm not getting rocks thrown at my car or shot because someone doesn't value my time.
Small talk - gone. Confirm pax and destination, put on sunglasses and drive. If they are super nice I'll allow engagement because tip opportunity is high. Otherwise it's hello and thank you goodbye.
No music. No chargers. No freebies of any kind.
Ratings? Don't care anymore. I'm 4.93 I'm in no danger of rating deactivation so I'm not kissing backside. In fact I'm hoping my rating goes below the VIP threshhold because VIP (and pool) are the worst pax.
You live in an apt? If I arrive at a locked gate and you either aren't there or haven't contacted me with code/instructions, CANCEL. If the 5 minute timer started fine I'll wait near gate to get my fee. If it's not in timer range I simply cancel and drive off. Not worth my time and effort trying to get a code and hitting 20 speed bumps to find a pax in building 5000A.
