Posted on Aug 27, 2015
SGT Intelligence Analyst
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Only for folks who have actually driven for Uber: what are the pros and cons? Would you recommend it as a form of supplemental income?
Posted in these groups: Jon JobsDriving2 Driving3347c7a7 uber
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Responses: 3
Cpl Robert Dunnigan
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I actually left my regular job giving me 40 hours a week to drive for Uber. Started out driving part time but liked the freedom to work when I wanted and made more money driving 2 weekend nights than working 5 days.
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SGT Eric Knutson
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For supplemental income sure, depending on your location you may only have one or the other, and some areas are slammed busy (I have heard LA is ALWAYS bumping and make good money) I am out here in ALB where almost everyone has at least one car and (supposedly) knows how to drive. so there fore our customer base is pretty low for the number of drivers. We rarely get surges (which is when you can make more). If your density is low like us here best to drive for both though. For myself, I am living on this while waiting for the Disability to get started and I get the menu of options and assistance from the VA Admin, and I am just barely averaging 700 a week and that is driving for both for between 10 and 13 hours a day all week.
Now, I will not drive after 9 anymore because the drunks you pick up trash ratings (many are grateful you are there to keep them from DUI's,) but they tend to forget giving you a good rating. Drunk angry ones take it out on you that they are not getting lucky tonight (obviously not your fault), and the showflakes (all hours of the day) tend to STILL be talking about how Killary lost the election, ask a question and then get mad because you do not agree with them on every particular (big surprise right) then they trash you and you cannot fight it. They do NOT take taxes out either so make sure you are putting money to the side right away (I would get with a local accountant to find out how much for your area). And last, realize that most of the insurances out there will NOT insure you while you are on the clock, and Uber and Lyft ONLY insure you when you have a passenger onboard. so do not mention to your company when you start. the only big name that I know of who will insure round the clock is Farmers.

So in short, the answer to your question is yes, you can make money with them, but I strongly recommend that you have a primary income and do it part time. When I was part time, it covered my vehicle expenses adequately and I was averaging about 250 - 300 a week in pocket money. Again, this is Albuquerque, talk to a few drivers in your area, and MOST of the passengers are pretty good people so you can make new friends this way as well.
Enjoy
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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SGT Cole-I think it depends on the area in which you'll be working. My understanding of Uber is that it is essentially a "taxi" service, the primary difference being that the drivers are the owners/maintainers of their vehicles. As a businessman, I see two glaring problems with this (for the drivers); first, the employer gets to avoid the hassles of unions, maintaining a fleet, etc, while getting what amounts to a constant stream of low-overhead revenue. Second, the drivers are assuming enormous liabilities and costs themselves. It seems to me that if you a) have a vehicle that you can use for paid transport and b) are willing to provide this service, in the long run, you'll make far more profit investing in the credentials to establish yourself as a taxi company. Heck-play the marketing game right, and you may even rise as a competitor to Uber :)
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