The Perfect Ride

Uber is launching its latest feature: it allows drivers to receive and accept nearby ride requests while they’re still finishing their previous ride.

That means if the closest Uber is currently occupied but could finish their trip and get to you quicker than a vehicle that’s unoccupied but further away, they may be slated as your driver instead. You’d get a car one minute from dropping off other passengers one minute away from you rather than a car five minutes away.

Uber Chases The Perfect Ride With Back-To-Back Trips

Three Goldman bankers joined Uber - so what? Keep reading

For most of us, those that don't work on Wall street, this news may not have any meaning. Unless you read so more and find out what's more important:

Uber, currently valued at around $51 billion, said in August that it expected an IPO within 18 to 24 months.

It's not unusual for successful start-ups to offer stock to their employees free or at discounted price. Let's hope that Uber will offer something like that to the people that make them successful, their DRIVERS.

Three Goldman bankers leave for Uber as tech world raids Wall Street talent

"For the first time he is seeing Uber drivers applying to become taxi drivers"

In San Francisco the number of people applying for taxi driver licenses (called A-cards) is increasing. The Uber drivers are applying to become taxi drivers.They realize they can make a higher hourly wage driving cabs than Ubers.

An experienced taxi driver in San Francisco makes between $150 and $300 in take-home pay a day. Uber drivers earn an average of $19.04 an hour – but that excludes expenses that come out drivers’ own pockets, including gas, maintenance and insurance.

Yesterday, in New Haven, during a surge, I managed to make $10/hr.Seeing that I turned off my app and went home.

Read more here: The Uber Impact: Taxis Stall, Then Accelerate in San Francisco

So, which part of "be your own boss" he didn't understand?

A former Washington state Uber driver has filed a lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully classified as an independent contractor by the ride-sharing company, meaning he hasn’t received compensation and employee benefits he’s owed, according to court records.

I have mixed feelings about it. When you are told that you can be your own boss that means you work for yourself. It's really hard to miss.

Something tells me it's more about the big chunk of money that will go to the lawyers than about other drivers.

GeekWire: Uber sued by former worker seeking at least $44M on behalf of all Washington state Uber drivers

If Uber can have an app why can't you???

Finally someone in the government had a brilliant idea: If Uber and Lyft can have an app the taxi companies should have one as well.

Uber upended the taxi industry by letting passengers hail cars with an app, and Miami-Dade might require cabs to adopt the same technology.

In plan legalizing Uber, Miami-Dade mayor wants taxi apps, too

Is Uber unconstitutional or out of control fees and regulations?

I just read a story about suit by taxi companies suing Uber:

The suit from taxi medallion owners and financiers argues that letting Uber make pickups from an app, while at the same time it can avoid the burdensome fees and regulations that are dumped onto cabs, is unconstitutional.

Is it possible that they are suing wrong people? Maybe they should sue local governments who are out of control when it comes to new rules, regulations and taxes? Every time one of them sneezes there is a new regulation. My guess, adding taxis to Uber app didn't help.

Taxi companies claim ‘ehail’ rules for Uber are unconstitutional

Las Vegas: Business licenses ordered for Uber drivers

Contracted drivers for ride-hailing companies will be required to have Clark County business licenses to operate and their companies will be required to provide a monthly report listing who they are.

Business licenses ordered for Uber, Lyft drivers; companies may appeal

Got to be fair to Uber

Apparently some people (taxi drivers?) who have an ill feeling toward Uber have started a campaign of false rumors and accusations following the Paris attack. Even my post was immediately commented with accusation of profiteering. It’s a really lousy timing to accuse someone of taking advantage of tragedy in Paris (while doing that themselves).

Please read: Tracing the spread of Uber rumors during the Paris terrorist attacks

Destinations - the feature I am waiting for

The new “destinations” feature being tested in San Francisco will allow drivers to only see requests from potential riders along a predetermined route while filtering out other requests.

That would really help. Last night I drove someone to neighboring state and then had to drive for two hours back. Since I was to tired to pickup just about anybody and risk driving in other direction than home, I didn't turn my app on. This feature would help. Obviously there would be no guaranty that I would get any rides but it would be nice to have such an option.

Uber’s New Feature Could Help You Make Money From Your Daily Commute

Uber in Paris

Uber service was briefly disrupted in Paris amid a series of deadly attacks Friday night.

Parisian Uber users saw an “Emergency Situation” message when opening the app that said: “Attacks are underway in Paris and its surroundings. The Prefecture of Police of Paris has asked that you stay safely inside. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Nearly all the drivers are busy. Uber France.” 

TIME: Paris Attacks Briefly Disrupt Uber Service Amid Wider Transportation Chaos 

Drive for Uber to research your new business

Want to start a business? Any business? Drive for Uber first.

Multi-millionaire, Kayak co-founder, does ... in his Tesla.

Boston residents who used Uber to hail a ride recently may be surprised to see a murdered out Tesla Model S roll up to the curb. And they would probably be doubly surprised to learn their driver is the millionaire co-founder of the popular travel website Kayak, who is driving for Uber undercover while he researches his next startup.

I can see why. In last two months I learned how to treat my customers to get better rating. I got some ideas for my own business but I still need to polish them a little. All while earning money to pay for my shiny, brand new car.

Convinced much? Join now!!!

Read: Why the co-founder of Kayak is driving for Uber in his Tesla (while dressed as a vampire)

Uber partners with TomTom but not necessary for our benefit

Uber is working hard to improve navigation capabilities in their app.

theverge.com:

Uber will begin using mapping data from the navigation company TomTom, under a partnership announced Thursday. Under the multi-year deal, the San Francisco-based ride-hailing service will license TomTom's maps and traffic data for use in its smartphone app. 

 However it may be aimed for the use by their self-driving cars. In other words, without us. Nice!!!

Uber may not be my savior but it helps with my car payments

I am not sure yet if Uber is the best thing that ever happened for me, will see after I do my taxes, but I am pretty sure that it helps me with car loan payments (and some of insurance). On one hand, Uber is taking advantage of the drivers which would be against socialist views of some of it's investors (hypocrisy?). On the other hand, Uber replaces taxis by making this service affordable for the rest of us.

So, I support Uber in their fight against politicians who think that they found another piggy bank they could raid at will. I will support them as long as they don't start corrupt the system. And yes, right know Uber and Airbnb do help middle class a lot. Much more then the ruling class,

I am seriously thinking about Airbnb as well. :)

Airbnb, Uber cast themselves as saviors of the middle class

Uber has done it again, UberEvents

It hasn't come to my state, or at least it was not announced here yet, but when it does we can have more steady income. Say hello to UberEVENTS.

Rides to Your EventCustomize a guest pass with date, time, and promo code. Guests enter your code and request a ride. You decide how much you’ll pay. 

Sounds like another great idea from Uber that has not found it's way to my state (damn).
 Here is what others have to say:

Uber’s desperate campaign to soften its image has finally hit on something I can use. Uber Events — a novel idea that lets event hosts buy rides for guests — kicks off its first full week in Boston and nationwide today. 

Read: Uber easy plan for events 

 

You need to know your local laws

In light of  the viral video of the Uber driver being attacked by a drunk passenger many of us are thinking about installing a dashcam. But, if you have it in you car and are about to tape someone you better tell them about it. Maybe even record doing so. Here is why:

Uber driver arrested on felony wiretapping charge

But in case you do....

Uber is changing the economy

One of the latest ways to pay the bills in a town where actors and artists abound isn't waiting on tables — it's driving a rideshare car.
Uber and Lyft and other on-demand services are changing the economy, researchers say, and those in creative industries have turned to driving to supplement their income when once they might have spent their free hours waiting tables.

I have to agree with everything they say. Even more, I have my own idea for a business that would be similar to Uber but in a completely different market. (If you are interested I can unveil it here too, in a few weeks.)
Any way, please read this article (Is Uber driving the new waitressing?) it is very educational about future of business and jobs.

Bernie Sanders Hates Uber, Uses It Anyway

Socialists will always be ... you know, the socialists. One of their main trademark is that they are biggest hypocrites among all humans. The rules they want to impose on you do not and should not apply to them, hello Hillary.

Meet Bernie Sanders, the man who 'just a couple months ago lambasted Uber as an “unregulated” company with “serious problems,” but financial disclosures by the Democratic presidential candidate reveal that whenever his campaign requires a taxi, they literally always turn to Uber.'

He must really hate all those Uber drivers if the first thing he wants to do is regulate them. Apparently 1 star rating doesn't go low enough.

Bernie Sanders Bashes Uber, Uses It For All His Taxi Rides

I would like to meet the Uber driver who was his first ride and broke him for the rest of us.:) Just kidding, he was already broken.

Uber is facing legal challenges in US

Don't take your Uber driving business for granted just yet. Meet the Boston Lawyer Who’s Putting Uber on Trial.

That's it I am buying dash cam (LOL)

My kids already told me that I should get a dash cam but I didn't think I could afford. Even though I thought that it may protect me if I ever get in 'situation'. Now I am convinced.

I found some on Amazon. Hopefully Santa will get me one.

The story of Uber driver goes viral, including TV & Radio

Update: They 'rider' got fired from his job. That's on top of charges for public intoxication.

Yesterday it went viral. Todaty it is all over TV and radio. It as on Foxnews and NBCNews. Now, as I type this it's on the radio - Vinnie Penn @ 960WELI.

Watch it again. I hope the driver makes lots of money on this video.

If Business Insider tells you to stop complaining you....

... should stop. They do have a point (and as Uber driver I agree). You can't miss it, although I did have the riders who had no idea how much they are going to pay.

The company warned users in a blog post last week to check its fare-estimate tool to avoid surge pricing on Halloween. Before New Year's Eve last year, Uber published a blog post telling customers when to expect to pay more for surge pricing.

We, the drivers, don't want to rip you off. But, we expect you to be aware of what you will pay for the trip. Nobody wants to feel guilty about you paying more than what you can afford.

Looking to meet interesting people, potential customers or distributors?

Try driving for Uber. You will meet all kinds of people. Most of them will be young and/or professionals. People who like to take chances and try new technologies. People who may be willing to try new products.

If you don't believe me, read this: How An Uber Driver Makes $252,000 A Year

Instead of looking for ways to meet new people and spread your message. Have them come to you.

Use this link to join Uber!