[Jdprod123]

I am new to Uber. I have 127 lifetime trips and a 4.91 rating. I've been doing fairly well until most recently when I've been getting more and more trips smack dab center in the loop. I'm new to Chicago. I just came from the burbs a month ago so I'm relying heavily on GPS and it never fails me until I'm in the loop. Apparently this is due to the tall buildings and poor GPS signal. I now fear driving because what the hell do I do if I go downtown and screw up... I can't say oops I'm new here and I messed up. I already messed up a couple times and luckily they weren't paying attention but it was still nerve racking knowing that I could totally mess up a person's schedule. I have an iPhone 6 and have tried waze Google maps as well as Ubers nav. Again everything is great but when surrounded by buildings the GPS goes bonkers on me. Is there any technology or tips/tricks that anyone can recommend to at least provide me a little cushion until I get a much better understanding of the streets? This is really screwing with me and making me not want to work so I'd appreciate any help I can get! Obviously the best solution is to learn the city but until then I need a backup

 

[bossr]

Sometimes the passengers will have a good idea, might ask them to direct if GPS spins

 

[Jinxstone]

You could also look at the trip route before you start driving so you'll have an idea of where your turns are. And avoid lower Wacker, Michigan and the rest for your own safety and sanity. Good luck.

 

[kRock85]

When I was driving, I learned the streets. You only need to know the loop area, as it's not that bad outside of it. There are only like fifteen streets you need to know it's very easy. Just look at your gps map at home, and see how those streets go. Congress is two way, Van buren goes west, and so forth it's easy. Next when you get a destination to the loop just preview your route and what streets you'll be taking once you get downtown, you'll remember when signal goes out. Every red light stop I previewed when I was driving. If you pick ppl up downtown preview it before starting to drive, it will tell you the streets. Just move the map around.

 

[Ubern8n8]

I am new to Uber. I have 127 lifetime trips and a 4.91 rating. I've been doing fairly well until most recently when I've been getting more and more trips smack dab center in the loop. I'm new to Chicago. I just came from the burbs a month ago so I'm relying heavily on GPS and it never fails me until I'm in the loop. Apparently this is due to the tall buildings and poor GPS signal. I now fear driving because what the hell do I do if I go downtown and screw up... I can't say oops I'm new here and I messed up. I already messed up a couple times and luckily they weren't paying attention but it was still nerve racking knowing that I could totally mess up a person's schedule. I have an iPhone 6 and have tried waze Google maps as well as Ubers nav. Again everything is great but when surrounded by buildings the GPS goes bonkers on me. Is there any technology or tips/tricks that anyone can recommend to at least provide me a little cushion until I get a much better understanding of the streets? This is really screwing with me and making me not want to work so I'd appreciate any help I can get! Obviously the best solution is to learn the city but until then I need a backup

Yeah just communicate with the rider... most of the time they know the best route...
" hey shud I follow the gps turn for turn ?" ....
" is their a preferred route you'd like to take ? "
" you're good with the gps directions? "

And take it from there ... I engage the rider to assist me in taxi-ing them as quick and comfortable as possible... My gps is visible at all times which I'm sure riders appreciate as they can see eta and traffic flow

And I stay away from lower wacker and lower Michigan if your not fully aware of how they run...as I'm new as well ...but I'm starting to get it ...but for the mean time when you see it on google maps just go up and stay above ground the gps should redirect you.

I often ask the rider if they know their way under wacker just in case the gps goes out...
And it s usually a natural response like "yeah go ahead I got us "or "naw I don't " and in that case stay above ...

The Google and waze gps is really good ...and usually knows the traffic flow for the most part.. But I suggest you look at it often ...I touch my gps at almost every red light just to examine traffic flow and upcoming turns...

I've have pax tell me how bad some drivers are on the road and at navigating.m, especially downtown... I've also had I guy tell me he cringes when he sees drivers use the uber navigation as there is no display of extra information like traffic flow and other details.

You'll get better though no worries

 

[driving312]

Don't cross into the loop and you'll be fine. It's not a hot spot anway compared to the areas to the North and West. It's only a matter of time before you get a ticket in the loop for waiting in the street. The loop is not worth the trouble especially with your technical issues and unfamiliarity.

 

[80sDude]

Yeah just communicate with the rider... most of the time they know the best route...
" hey shud I follow the gps turn for turn ?" ....
" is their a preferred route you'd like to take ? "
" you're good with the gps directions? "

They have DIRECTIONS FOR DUMMY'S NOW.. You're guaranted low ratings in the loop if you ask for directions

 

[Speedy Pete]

I am new to Uber. I have 127 lifetime trips and a 4.91 rating. I've been doing fairly well until most recently when I've been getting more and more trips smack dab center in the loop. I'm new to Chicago. I just came from the burbs a month ago so I'm relying heavily on GPS and it never fails me until I'm in the loop. Apparently this is due to the tall buildings and poor GPS signal. I now fear driving because what the hell do I do if I go downtown and screw up... I can't say oops I'm new here and I messed up. I already messed up a couple times and luckily they weren't paying attention but it was still nerve racking knowing that I could totally mess up a person's schedule. I have an iPhone 6 and have tried waze Google maps as well as Ubers nav. Again everything is great but when surrounded by buildings the GPS goes bonkers on me. Is there any technology or tips/tricks that anyone can recommend to at least provide me a little cushion until I get a much better understanding of the streets? This is really screwing with me and making me not want to work so I'd appreciate any help I can get! Obviously the best solution is to learn the city but until then I need a backup

Nothing beats experience. You'll get the hang of it. Even veterans can make a wrong turn now and then. I always have my Ipad next to me so I can look up addresses no matter where I am if I need to. It beats the old 6 county map book.

 

[pizza guy]

Nothing beats experience. You'll get the hang of it. Even veterans can make a wrong turn now and then. I always have my Ipad next to me so I can look up addresses no matter where I am if I need to. It beats the old 6 county map book.

Weren't those 6 county books the best? Every street in chicagoland. I must have worn at at least 5 of those.

As for the loop I think the curb hail system of taxis actually works better there. After having a few riders order before they took an elevator I gave up. Circling or risking tickets isn't worth it.

 

[Speedy Pete]

Weren't those 6 county books the best? Every street in chicagoland. I must have worn at at least 5 of those.

As for the loop I think the curb hail system of taxis actually works better there. After having a few riders order before they took an elevator I gave up. Circling or risking tickets isn't worth it.

After I accept a trip downtown I usually call them before I get there to find out where they are. Have not had too many problems. If they are not there I call again and tell them where I am and have them come to me. If you get voice mail just text them with your location. I still have one of those books in my car. In fact I have been using it in the back seat of my other car for years to level out the seat when I deliver pizzas so the deep dish does not slide! LOL... Truth!

 

[LyftRus]

People usually don't like when you ask for directions or find out you don't know your way around hence the low rating, most people just don't want to be bothered more get to their location and that's it

 

[SuperHiro]

You'll get the hang of it. It'll take more trips but memorize the major veins first, like Michigan, Congress, State, LaSalle and upper Wacker. Then start mapping out escape routes (ways out) and which direction the one ways point. Once you got a basic picture of it all, start noticing important tidbits like how Illinois goes under Michigan, similar to Grand and Michigan. Knowledge of Lower Wacker will follow, you'll just need to learn the entries and exits.

You can work the area at night where traffic isn't as brutal (but still equally viscous) for more experience in less time. If you're not on the guarantee and can sacrifice the time and gas, try clocking out after dropping your pax to find your way out of the circus without GPS.

Tbh, I still don't feel as confident (even after breaking 1000 trips) in the loop and river north as I do in the far North side (born and raised, know Albany Park like it's the back of my hand) but keep driving and you'll get it.

 

[Sibilance7]

I recommend studying a map and driving around like people suggest. The Loop is actually a very geographically small area that isn't that hard to memorize (and I say this as a person with a TERRIBLE memory) Lower Wacker is seriously easy - you just need to know a few things to use it, and it can get you places much quicker. I would suggest getting on Upper Wacker at Michigan and driving to the end at Harrison. Once you're at Harrison, do a U-turn and get on Lower. You'll quickly realize that all you're doing is traveling exactly underneath Upper Wacker, and you'll notice there's much less traffic. Just take note of the places where you can come up from Lower Wacker so you know how to get back up once you're down there. Time yourself doing each run and your mind will be blown. For whatever reason, I don't get the opportunity to use LW too much when I actually have pax in the car, but in the mornings during rush hour, if I get a ride downtown I like to book it back up to Lincoln Park area to get more surge/longer rides rather than staying downtown and getting little short jaunts that earn me no money. Getting on Lower Wacker to Lakeshore will get you there in a matter of quick minutes because there's never any traffic going that direction on either road.

In lieu of actually knowing the roads, since as you say that takes some time, like other said, preview the route on GPS while you still have good service. If you can take a quick note of what direction you will generally be headed, like SW, and if you have any kind of sense of direction and know what way you're pointed, the grid system will take care of you. Just keep going south and west until you get there! And remember that in Chicago, even addresses are on the north and west sides of the street, and odd are on the south and east sides of the street.

 

[chevyvan10]

Avoiding the loop is is foolish advice IMO - not to mention damn near impossible. You will need to know the loop to be an effective driver and this will only come with experience. Don't worry so much about you rating slipping a bit right now. The best thing you can do is look ahead at your route and make a plan before you enter the loop (if dropping off). You're gonna screw up - learn from your mistakes. Even if GPS reception was perfect in the loop, it still wouldn't route you perfectly all the time because it's so bad with the upper and lower levels. Sometimes it'll try to route you to the parking garage on the lower level when the rider wants the front door on the upper level. GPS won't help you. There's countless little things that you'll only pick up by doing it.

 

[copperbob]

Now... that is great info to have... Thank you chevyvan10...

 

[WestBurbsMac]

Avoiding the loop is is foolish advice IMO - not to mention damn near impossible. You will need to know the loop to be an effective driver and this will only come with experience. Don't worry so much about you rating slipping a bit right now. The best thing you can do is look ahead at your route and make a plan before you enter the loop (if dropping off). You're gonna screw up - learn from your mistakes. Even if GPS reception was perfect in the loop, it still wouldn't route you perfectly all the time because it's so bad with the upper and lower levels. Sometimes it'll try to route you to the parking garage on the lower level when the rider wants the front door on the upper level. GPS won't help you. There's countless little things that you'll only pick up by doing it.

I tend to avoid pickup up in the loop (until you KNOW the loop, leave it to the cabbies), but I learned to do what you suggest on drop offs. Check the route before entering the loop and recheck on those rare moments when you have an accurate signal.

 

[driving312]

Remember U-turns are specifically illegal in the loop. And basically no place to wait 5 minutes much less 2 minutes on any street...if yyou have to drive around, drive around, but expect a cancel.

And the pax GPS is not any better in regards to their location if they let the system approximate it. Good luck trying to make that pickup happen. Be aware of bicycle cops if you're trying to call a pax.

Be respectful of valet parking loading zones it is for them only...and the other loading zones are restricted to courier/delivery trucks.

After 6pm things loosen up in regards to parking...on a weekday in the daytime...forgeddaboutit.

If you see all the cars parked facing you and headlights in all lanes ahead....yeah.

Practice learning the left turn lights...bicycles go first...then cars. Don't kill anyone.

Don't rely on navigation...read the signs for NO TURNS of any kind at some intersections...ticket or rear end waiting to happen and you're at fault.

Don't be a d ick and just stop a lane of traffic with your flashers while waiting for a pax, you are not that special, they are not that special. And drop people off safely.

You're going to get impatient pax that know the city better and will rate you low...expect it...but that is what you're asking for choosing to drive the loop. You've been warned.

Practice there at night....it is no place for a rookie. Completely different animal in the daytime that will eat you alive.

 

[chevyvan10]

I totally agree, Westburbs. Only do drop offs in the loop until you know what you're doing. It'll help you figure out escape routes too - which is especially useful during the morning rush.

 

[Chicago-uber]

Took uberx to navy pier yesterday. Guy didn't know how to get to navy pier... Was relying on GPS. I had to direct him there.

Maybe I'm being too critical.

One more thing.. There were 3 of us, and he refused to clear out his front seat. Trash was all over the front seat. Dust everywhere. Disgusting car.

3 stars for you buddy, and no tip. Get your act together.

 

[Jdprod123]

Wow... Seriously thanks to all of you. So much good info PACKED within this thread. Super appreciative to all of you. Thank you again.