Driving with Strangers

This blog will share random stories from my adventures and musings on the topic of ride share.

[drivingwithstrangers]

RIP.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Right of Way is not that fucking hard to understand

Right of Way is apparently the most baffling concept in the common road rules of Los Angeles.

I feel like every time I pull up to a four way stop, hell, even a two way stop, there's this nervous energy that exudes from everybody like it's the hardest exam they have this quarter.

So many times, people panic and try to wave you on, even though they were clearly there first.  

They lack the confidence to simply say, "You know what?  It IS my turn. Let's do this bitch."  And then go.

They're not being polite, they're just trying to put the onus on you because they're afraid if they go and you go as well, it's an Armageddon scenario from which they will never recover.  As if a four way stop is asking a pretty girl to dance at the social and if she says no, it'll ruin their life.

The other scenario is that people blow right through the stop sign and don't even bother looking at you, even if you are oncoming.  #YOLO #HatersGonnaHate #RidiculouslyStupidPhrasesIHate.

Be confident.  If you arrive first, just go.  If the other person gets mad, they can #DealWithIt.  But don't hit anybody just to be stubborn.  That's just stupid.

[midwest-monster]

[samjoonyuh]

SPOT. ON.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Sounds familiar.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Shadow Recruiting: I call it that because it sounds cool.

I never knew what to call this, but Shadow Recruiting is the best I could come up with.  

Well, what is it?

One of the interesting side developments in the past year of ridesharing was the direct result of the heavy recruitment the three major companies engaged in.  Each had the goal in mind of having the most drivers available for their respective platforms.

Sidecar (I'm not even bothering to censor their name anymore) drivers got poached more than actual poaching, though.  It was mainly a battle between U*** and L***.

It began roughly in October 2013 in Los Angeles (it may have begun earlier or later depending on the city).  U*** came up with the idea of recruiting people via Craigslist who they would outfit with recruiter kits that contained a tote bag with an iPhone 4 for running the U*** app, a mirror air freshener (that actually smells pretty good), a phone mount, and some other crap and I can't remember.

U***'s plan was to take drivers that had already been approved and background checked by L*** and simply add them to the platform at no cost.  All they had to do was make an U*** driver account, have pictures of a valid license and insurance card sent to U***'s recruitment staff and bam, the driver was on the system.

L*** did all the leg work and U*** got a driver.  Pretty genius actually.

The incentives for the recruiters was big.  If a recruiter got the driver to complete 10 rides for U***, both the recruiter and the driver got $500.  

It started with recruiters, but what drivers figured out was that they too could get the same referral bonus if they referred someone to the platform and they completed 10 rides.

A few drivers (I didn't do this, but several friends of mine did) got the genius idea of not driving and simply recruiting to make money.

THE PROCESS:

Really simple.  

The driver-recruiter would request a ride on one of the platforms. Let's say in this example the driver would request a L***.  

The driver would take a very short ride (10-15 minutes tops).  

During the ride the driver-recruiter would mention they were a driver and that they drove for multiple companies.  They would do a very soft sell that went something like this.

"With the prices going down, I prefer to drive for L***, but I stay busier running L*** and U*** at the same time.  Plus, there's a nice referral bonus, so even if you don't want to drive U***, you can at least net the bonus and then stop."

There's no catch: You recruit somebody, they do the rides, both got $500.  Simple as that.  The driver could stop driving for U*** all together once they got their $500.  

My friends would literally spend entire days requesting rides on all three platforms and recruiting drivers to whatever platform the driver was not driving on at the same time (EX: If they were a L*** driver, the driver-recruiter would recruit them to Sidecar/U***).  

The bonuses on L***/Sidecar were not as lucrative as U***'s, however (mainly due to U*** massive war chest).

One of my friends made massive money doing this:

The "Jan-March" thing I mention is when this kind of recruiting started going downhill as far as people catching on to it and making the game less lucrative.

In April 2014, L*** consolidated their Facebook groups for their SoCal cities into one giant "Mega Lounge" that consisted of LA, San Diego, Santa Barbara, the OC, and IE.  

It was also around this time that U*** ramped up the recruiting game. Not only did they continue to offer $500 for L*** drivers, but they would give out $1000 for any L*** mentor that they referred.

This is when everybody (i.e. - L*** drivers) got into it and eventually the game dried out. So many L*** drivers tried to use the Facebook group as a rolodex that it got to the point where people started getting banned for recruiting and that was the end of that.

Plus, by this point, most drivers were probably driving for multiple platforms anyway. 

Eventually, U*** started putting restrictions on potential referrals (EX: Must have given X amount of rides between March-May 2014) and that put a complete stop it.

But, the early adopters made some serious cash doing it and it was pretty genius.  

It was a pretty interesting side effect of a major war between the companies to get as many drivers as possible to outdo the other.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Handing Over the Keys to the Castle: Lyft's dubious "mentor system"

I drove for L*** for a over a year and in that time frame, I eventually became a “mentor.”

What is a mentor?

I’m paraphrasing here but Lyft views mentors as top drivers in their respective communities. These drivers understand the ethos, so to speak, of the “community” and can identify that in a new driver.

Mentors are drivers that can accept “mentor sessions” while in driver mode from new applicants who want to be a driver. If the mentor accepts a request, the applicant drives to them and the mentor does the following:

1.) Takes a picture of the applicant’s license and insurance card 2.) Takes a picture of the applicant’s car and profile picture 3.) “Inspects” the car. 4.) Mentor gets in the car, applicant does a test drive that the mentor grades.

After the whole process ends, the mentor is required to give notes on how they felt overall about the applicant and give an opinion as to how they would fare as a driver. The mentor gets $35 for a completed session.

Drivers are hiring drivers. I would say that 95% of drivers have never met nor talked to an actual employee of the company.

Ironically, the system was designed by a dude who later went to work for U*** in order to compete with U***’s massive hiring spree.

In the past, L*** drivers were interviewed on the phone and in person by L*** employees (not fellow drivers). The interview wasn’t too lengthy, but long enough to get a real idea of whether or not the driver was a good fit.

This was a good system because an actual representative of the company becomes accountable for the hire, so in the case the driver does something idiotic, at least there’s someone to answer for it associated with the company.

Employees also have standards to abide by as far as how to handle the hiring process. They have procedures and a screening process.

As I mentioned, L*** changed to the mentor system in the Fall 2013 simply because U*** was on boarding new drivers so fast that they couldn’t keep up. They wanted to keep up with the driver supply U*** was able to provide for its passengers.

Very simply, L*** said “Fuck it, we’re competing with these guys. Community be damned.”

The mentor system also removed any need for actual employees on the ground in their respective cities. For us, the LA office closed down and the employees were let go.

So, what’s wrong with the system specifically?

In an ideal world, a mentor is an exemplary driver who is a good judge of character with a discerning eye for those embodying the “community” spirit of L***.

The problem is, they aren’t even selected by the company. They’re chosen by an algorithm that selects a new mentor according to ratings and rides given.

Okay, not bad you might say. Until mentors are made after less than a week of driving under their belt (happened on many occasions). New mentors being people with notoriously bad reputations.

"Bad hires are made at other companies. So what?"

Sure, but in those cases, the company is accountable when an employee is a dud.

Furthermore, mentors aren’t taught how to sufficiently screen a new applicant. There’s zero accountability.

Mentors get paid $35 for doing the session regardless, who cares if the applicant sucks? There’s literally no incentive to do well as a mentor. Just pencil whip the session and get your money.

Bad driver quality and community? Whatever, don’t care.

What happens if a L*** driver sexually assaults a woman?

Oh, what about that dude who was soliciting underage boys for sex? Hired by a mentor.

Is the person who doesn’t actually work for the company responsible?

This is exactly how they could shirk responsibility for such a thing. They didn’t technically hire the new driver. The mentor did.

Handing the keys to the castle to an indifferent party is not a wise idea, lest you don’t mind your head ending up on a pike.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Just read most of your posts. You have a better attitude about this than I do for sure. And I'm honestly amazed at how much you seem to care. Thanks for sharing

Well, first of all, thanks for reading.  I sometimes wonder if anybody actually reads this Tumblr.

Over the past year, I came to the realization that these companies are looking out for themselves while putting all the costs and burdens on the driver.  It’s not surprising, I understood that and moved on to a different job.

I suppose my interest in this topic of “ridesharing” (which I think is a bullshit term, first of all) is the cultural change they’ve gone through, namely Lyft. To see what the company was like when I first started change to what it has become now is astounding.

The amazing thing is Lyft still acts like “Aw shucks, we’re the little guy” when in reality they’ve become a little Uber in which the only difference between them and Uber is they aren’t as prevalent and don’t have bad press.  

I actually pitched an article to the LA Times about Lyft’s cultural/business change over the past year.  They’re reviewing it, but I’m cautiously optimistic about them publishing it.  They actually want to do a larger piece about “ridesharing” in general in the next coming year, so I may be a part of that.  We’ll see.

Thanks for reading.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Why aren't we heading to West Hollywood?

Passenger to me as I take the Santa Monica Blvd exit off the 101-N with "<---- West Hollywood" on the offramp sign.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Mike and I

Back when I used to drive, every Saturday night I would go to a now-closed gas station in Echo Park to fill up my gas, grab an energy drink and get ready to drive for the rest of the night.

There was a man that would stop by on occasion whenever someone would pull up and offer to wash their windows for them. Most nights, I would politely decline and continue what I was doing.

He was an older looking man, maybe in his mid-40s. He has a grayish/brown beard with shorter hair that looked well kept in comparison to the rest of his appearance. He wore a raggedy pair of tan khaki shorts with a dirty orange long sleeved shirt, a dark gray bubble vest, some really old Saucony shoes, and an khaki Aeropostale hat.

One particular night, I was in a sour mood for reasons I can’t remember. I was doing the routine I normally did and staring off into space with my arms crossed as the gas pump slowly churned away as it filled my car.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him approaching and tried my best to avoid him. He eventually walked into my line of sight and simply asked if he could wash my windows.

"No", I snapped at him very coldly.

Surprisingly, he didn’t take it too hard. He looked a little disappointed, quietly said okay and walked off.

Immediately, I felt like an asshole. I took out my problems on somebody that didn’t deserve it, especially someone just trying to survive and doing so just barely.

As the pump nearly finished filling my car, I thought about what I could do to remedy the situation. I couldn’t not say or do something after that. I was planning on going inside for a Red Bull, so I decided to apologize to him and offer him a bite to eat.

"Hey man, I’m really sorry I snapped at you. Other stuff is bothering me that has nothing to do with you. You didn’t deserve it."

The guy didn’t seem bothered at all and cracked a smile.

"Hey, no problem. Everybody has a bad day, I totally understand."

"Hey, I was about to go inside and grab something to drink. Can I get you anything?"

"Well, the hot dogs they have are pretty good. Would you mind?"

"Not at all. I’ll grab you one."

I purchased my sugar free Red Bull and got him a hot dog.

"Thanks, man. I really appreciate it. Do you want me to wash your windows?"

"You’re very welcome and I’m okay on the windows, but thank you. What’s your name, man?"

"I’m Mike."

"Mike, I’m *REDACTED*."

"Nice to meet you, *REDACTED*. Are you from here?"

"Not originally, are you?"

"Yeah, my family has lived here for about 20 years. It’s a nice place."

I had so many more questions, but I had to start driving and I figured I’d see him again sometime soon. I wished him well and headed out.

Then the next week, they closed the station and started tearing it down.

I drove by the area some nights looking for Mike, but I never saw him again.

I just wanted to know: How did he get there? What was it like growing up here? What did he want to do? How did people treat him in general?

I keep hoping to see him, but I still haven’t yet. I hope he’s doing okay.

[drivingwithstrangers]

For clarity: I got a $5 credit with Sidecar a few weeks ago and decided to use it for a fun Saturday event.  The driver was beyond bad.  I wrote to Sidecar over a week ago and no response, nothing. So, I decided to give them a kick in the ass.  You'll thank me later, Sidecar.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Stupid is as stupid does

"My rent is $450 and I can no longer pay it today due to this completely outrageous charge," she wrote on her GoFundMe .

The lack of accountability is just baffling.  

Everybody who reads my stuff here knows how I feel about L*** and U***. It's not positive.

But, come on.  How long have people been posting to Twitter about high surge prices and complaining?  How can you not know that this is what happens during busy periods?

Also, you can't "steal" what one willingly gives away.  You have to type in the surge charge AND confirm it.

Fuck this stupid bitch and everybody who gave her money.  Now, she'll never learn and continue to blame her own mistakes on everybody else.

[drivingwithstrangers]

100 FOLLOWERS

Fucking rad.  Thanks everybody!

[drivingwithstrangers]

What has your experience been like *REDACTED*? Well, do you want me to be honest with you or give you the company line? *REDACTED*, I'm an old woman. If you lied to me I'd know it before you even opened your mouth. It was really great once. I enjoyed driving because meeting new people was fascinating and exciting and a lot of people took the service initially for the social aspect of it. Some still do, but it's changed. They're trying to loophole their way over the taxi companies and they're succeeding, and they're becoming just like them. Overworked, disgruntled and tired drivers working their asses off just to make ends meet. The last vestiges of the social aspect and making money are still kinda there, but it's so different now. Your "friend with a car" works all weekend. Very few people genuinely drive for the fun of it anymore. It's become such a grind that most people that did it purely for the fun have moved on or stayed because they don't have any better options. It's a shame really. It could have been something great, something with character in a world full of cheap crap, but it's gone and it's not coming back. It's weird saying this, but it's just like watching someone who had so much potential let it all go to waste because they were unable or unwilling to do what it takes to be something special. I appreciate your candor. At least you taught me how to use this stupid phone, right?

Elena and I during her mentor session, Echo Park.

[drivingwithstrangers]

What's that saying about a writing and a wall?

[yessisbubblelife]

What do you do?

So today was my first time using Uber and my driver was amazing! But I am a little confused because I have been told that the drivers don’t take tips and then there’s some that do…I wanted to tip my driver but I didn’t know if I should. He got me to my destination 20minutes early and I’m not sure how but we should have been stuck in traffic! So do you tip your drivers?

[drivingwithstrangers]

"So do you tip your drivers?"

Well, if you ask Uber officially, they'll tell you a tip is unnecessary and that the best way to tell a driver they're great is to give them a high rating and leave a nice comment. However, the unofficial stance for most drivers is that if you offer to tip, the driver has to tell you that everything is done through the app (payment, that is).  If you again insist on tipping, they then will take a tip.  

Or at least, that's how I operated.  Refuse at first, but if they insist, I take it.

[drivingwithstrangers]

Sherwin Ngo, the guy accused in the news as a child molester, was a L*** driver in the OC and this is one of the many examples of them praising him for his marketing efforts.

He was a gung-ho driver (proud to have never driven for U***...whatever that means) and a recruiter/mentor. I'd take the Uber hammer guy over this asshole any day of the week.

[drivingwithstrangers]

[drivingwithstrangers]

I drove this group of older people (40's). This guy kept on going on and on how America needs to have a white history month. And he kept on degrading all of the minorities especially blacks. It's 2014 and people can't accept a multicultural america?!

There is a white history month.  It's called every single day of the year.  

What a moron.