Curious. Anyone used Uber or driven for them?

[CoffeeCat]

I am curious about Uber and if any of you have used the service; or if you have driven for them.

My husband and I were curious about Uber in general, because they recently started offering service in our city. My husband decided to drive for them, to find out what the service was like. He thinks it's a great service for riders. You work hard to make money. If he works 16 hours on the weekend--he makes $350 on average plus tips.

Because of what my husband is doing, I started Ubering too. I'm just starting out. I find it stressful. I'm making about $70 per day (working 4 hours) just starting out.

I am curious if anyone else is doing this--given the economy and stagnant wages.

My husband is a network engineer whowas laid off and re-employed with a permanent 25 percent pay cut. I am a freelance writer who is thinking about doing Uber part-time as I ramp up my writing career.

With kids needing braces (and no ortho insurance offered through husband's company), plus low income growth and college for two teenage girls on the horizon--two incomes is not enough.

So, I guess we're a two-income family plus two part-time jobs situation. Because that's what it takes.

Anyone else doing the same thing--or have any thoughts or insight about Uber…as a passenger, driver or someone who is informed about the company, in general?

[yeoman6987]

1. I've heard good and bad about Uber

However, your family is priority and if that gets you a better financial situation then best of luck to you. Just both of you be careful. Best of luck to you as you embark on a wonderful part time career.

[msongs]

2. your insurance company will cancel u and not pay out it the find out nt

[SunSeeker]

3. Not me, but it appears lots of folks use Uber. Uber values itself at $50B

That's with a B.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/uber-plans-large-new-funding-round-1431137142

I hope it works out for you, but I can see how you're stressed. You're a mother to two teenage girls AND you're holding down TWO other jobs---one of which involves picking up strangers ...alone...in your car. That's more than I could ever handle.

[NashuaDW]

4. I use UBER

I travel almost every week and use Uber whenever possible. Different city every week and I never know the Taxi companny phone number.

Uber works perfect for me ... I don't need cash, or have to dig for a credit card. I get my receipt emailed so it's easy to submit for reimbursement.

As for driving, Uber knows exactly who requested a ride and they know exactly what route was taken.

I am a huge Uber fan.

[Mojorabbit]

5. I use them

and have since my husband passed. I have MS and my reflexes are too slow to drive safely. I have not had a bad experience in this past year and a half I have used them. I have been driven by a pro golfer, a surgical tech, insurance salesman, moonlighting cab drivers, and all manner of people augmenting their income. It has helped me maintain my independence and I cannot tell you how much that means to me.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. The book "Your Money or Your Life" was an ephiphany to me.

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Life-Transforming-Relationship/dp/0143115766

If I found myself working 70% of my waking hours, I would be eager for a paradigm shift.

[Fla Dem]

7. You might want to take a look at this thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6646542

Your insight would be interesting.

[bettyellen]

8. I hear it's lowered DUIs in California significantly, and I do mostly use it when out for drinks-

It's handy because you can pick up or drop off friends more easily or cheaply. My town is giving riders a lot of grief, it might not be operating within the letter of the law here- and the taxi drivers are a pretty big lobby.

[Nye Bevan]

9. Uber is great.

No more dealing with rude taxi dispatchers, or wondering where your cab is or if it is coming, just click on the app and the car is here in a few minutes. Generally a clean and comfortable car too. Perfect for when you're going to a party or somewhere where you are going to drink.

[justiceischeap]

10. I used them once and it was under "dire" circumstances

I had just flown back from California and we were in the middle of a raging snow storm when I landed in DC. However, my Uber driver (I ordered a SUV 'cause of the snow) got me home sound and safe even though it took us close to two hours from the airport (I'm normally about 40 minutes away). It felt weird though being in someone else's car but he was a licensed driver during the day for diplomats and such so, you know, I felt confident in his abilities not to kill us both.

I know Uber gets a bad wrap, people say it'll ruin drivers' unions, but if it helps pay the bills, then you do what you gotta do.

[lostnfound]

11. I feel it has made me safer and more available as a parent

I commute via train, which is an hour including the walk, and I normally love that. But when work keeps me late in the evening, I don't feel so safe walking alone to the station after dark, and plus the trains run less frequently in non-rush hour, so the trip home can take almost two hours. In the middle of the day, if the school calls and my son is sick or injured, I don't want to say "I'll be there in two hours".

A regular cab usually costs me $'50 to $60 plus tip, and as high as $90 when a crooked cabbie took advantage of the situation. I've had another cabbie start asking me several inappropriate questions, and as a woman alone at night, I felt uncomfortable and afraid he might molest me.

Uber usually costs me $30 - $35 for that same ride, and I can see who is picking me up, and I get a map of the route we took and a record of the driver.

There are nights when I save myself a walk in Chicago downtown in the dark and I can get home to my son in 35 minutes, instead of 90 minutes or two hours, because I know it's only a $30 luxury, instead of a $65 budget buster.

[trumad]

12. love Uber

So easy now to get around NY.

[CoffeeCat]

13. Wow, it is so great to hear the positive responses...

…from those who use Uber. As a driver, it is so nice to know that others benefit so much from the service.

From the responses here, and from what my riders have said--Uber really seems to be a great help to others--for many different reasons.

That's terrific.

It's definitely a job that I never, in a million years, thought that I would be doing. But I am enjoying it, so far.

It helps to know that riders find value in the service.

Thank you for your sharing your opinions and experiences with Uber!