UBER CHRONICLES

UBER CHRONICLES VOL. 1

For those of you that enjoy hearing uber stories or maybe considering becoming an Uber driver. I thought I would share my most memorable rides. After 10,000 rides in 3 years. These stories can give you a pretty good idea of what the job entails. My first 2 years in North Carolina picking up Residents, Tourist, College students, and Vacationers. You may find that some are complicated, funny, interesting, and enjoyable. If you have Great Customer Service, stay prepared for the obvious, and know your area well. These skills will make you more successful. As well, as make the job less complicated. Also be ready to answer the normal questions you usually get during the small talk sessions. When riders first get in the vehicle like: How long have you been a driver?, Do you like being an Uber driver?, What made you strart driving?, What are the requirements and Are you a local or a transplant? If the ride last long enough they are likely to ask you to tell them a funny story. Take note that we can rate them like they can rate us. If you rate them 2 stars or less, you will never get a ride from them ever. If you rate them 3 stars or more, it’s likely you will get them again.

(1) I was about 3 months in and enjoying driving for Uber. This was my first memorable moment that made me question. If this was going to be the job for me. I was finishing up an ride in the North East of the main street area. I got a call to pick up and went to get my riders. It was 2 young ladies that where heading downtown. About 30 minutes away to downtown area clubs. One looked a little boyish with brown hair and one looked like a typical red head young lady. Wondered if they where a couple. Wanted to be politically correct. After answering some ot the usually questions, turns out they are locals.

I could go directly down main street but I would hit to many lights and traffic. Decided to go down the Parkway with less lights and faster speed limit. I can tell they where very intoxicated. They where talking among themselves. Until I hit the parkway. The red head thought I was lost. As she yelled out “Do you know where you going”? Her friend interjected that I was fine and knows where she’s going. The red head yelled out “She doesn’t know where she’s going”. “You don’t know where you’re going”. She continued yelling out. I laughed to myself at first. Realizing she was really intoxicated or drugged up or both. Finally I said “I’m going The Parkway instead of the main street”. Her friend also repeated it. She then started yelling “Let me out”. “You don’t know where you’re going”. By this time I was really considering it. I Kept going because I was half way through the Parkway and didn’t want to be responsible if something tragic happened to her. Her friend kept telling her to “shut up”! Also, kept apologizing for her behavior. All along the way downtown. I don’t know what she was on but she was really starting question showing good customer service.

As she kept up her drunken and drugged up rage. I finally made it downtown. She stops momentarily, realizing we where downtown. Her friend still apologizing for her behavior. Her friend tells me to drop them off at another club. Instead of the one they where originally going to. She got a text from friends to meet up at another one. As soon as we get in the middle of downtown and 2 blocks away from the club they where supposed to go to. She starts up again. Apparently she was to intoxicated to have heard her tell me the change of venue. Her friend tried to tell her. To late , after she said “Let her out”. For the last time. I was stopped at the red light. I opened the door of my van. I told her to “Get out”. She wouldn’t move. Her friend still apologizing and explaining to her the change of venue. All that noise she made finally ceased but she wouldn’t get out. The light turned green. I went the few blocks around the corner. Gladly letting them out. Her friend still apologizing. She stands beside the door and looks in at me. Barely able to stand on her own. She said “Oh, Sorry”. I closed my door and pulled off. Her friend kept her from receiving one star. I gave them 2.

I was really thinking really hard about this job. I was just concentrating on having good customer service and getting to the destination safely. I was really thinking if I have to go through this on weekly or monthly basis. I don’t know if I would make it. From that point on. I made sure I never picked up anyone with that name again. It was an uncommon name. Although in my 3rd year of driving. The name came up and I accepted just to see. I was going to cancel if it was her but they canceled before I got there. That was her.

(2) I pulled up at one of the well known clubs downtown. After, accepting the ride for that location. I sat their for five minutes before someone realized I was there. I try to show good Customer service by waiting a little longer than normal. Usually, on a Friday and Saturday you have to wait a little. Due to people being intoxicate and large groups seem have hard time getting everyone together. I’m driving Uber XL and picking up 5-8 people at a time. The first to get in was a guy who was a little person. That caught me off guard and I had be professional and not laugh. He informed me that 4 more where coming. He introduced himself to me and let me know it was his Birthday. They where out celebrating and had dinner. I wished him a Happy Birthday. Looking at my clock, It has been 10 minutes Finally, they all started getting in. They where College students and a couple of Marines. There destination was near the College and about a 20 minute ride.

I had to be about half way there. Started noticing the little guy in the 3rd row seat standing up. Then he was turned around hanging over seat. His friends where looking back trying to see what he was doing. They kept talking among themselves and peeking back at him. I’m looking in the rear view mirror watching him unnoticed. He looked like he was trying to flip over the seat. Thinking he was probably a little to intoxicated. I picked up speed to hurry and get them home. I have been driving 2 years at this point without anyone getting sick in my vehicle. They started suspiciously talking to me more and asking me the usual questions about driving for Uber. I felt like they where trying to divert my attention away from him.

Finally getting there and through the security gate and at their apartment. One of the guys came around the my driver side mirror and informed me he was a Marine. That they go by the honor system and he needed me to open up my back hatch. Because he believed the little guy threw up in the back. They where not going to tell you but I know that wouldn’t be the right thing to do. I said “ that I was watching him in my rear view but I didn’t see it, Thanks”. I don’t know if I did or even could but I felt I turned red.

I got out as I unleashed the latch and he opened the back. I looked and he apparently threw up everything he ate at dinner. He then tried to apologize. Like the young Marine said “He wasn’t going to tell me”. He was going to let me drive off. I had totes back there. So I was able to just push them over and dump it in the street. Some did get on the carpet. About the size of a large pancake from Ihop. There was so much Ravioli and bread. I don’t know how he even ate it all. Then he admits he overate and drank to much. “When I flipped over the seat It came up” he says. I tried to get everyone’s name for my report to Uber. They kept walking and The Marine told me anyway. I kept Towels in the back for beach goers to sit on. So I got one and wiped the totes down and wiped the stain as best I could. Took my bottle of water and clorox wipes to finish it off. So that I would have a bad scent in the Van. I still had a long night ahead. They didn’t want to pay the $150 fee for the incident. Thanks to the Marine they couldn’t dodge it. He was a little concerned they would be mad at him. He said he didn’t care but needed to do the right thing. He said he was down visiting the young lady that was sitting up front with me. She was his girlfriend.

I threw the towel out in the parking lot beside the vomit after I took pictures for my Uber report. I was so disgusted by there lack of remorse more than anything. I didn’t clear the ride yet because I still had to rate them. I probably would’ve given them 3 stars had they cooperated but they got 1 star. Which means there rating will go down and I’ll never have to get them again. Unless they ride under someone elses Uber. If I recognize them. I can still refuse them. I didn’t know how I was going to get the tomato sauce completely out of my carpet but that $150 made me feel better about it. It never came completely out. It was covered up by my totes and not that big of a stain.

(3) This is one of the most humorous of my stories. I accepted ride to pick up at a bar on the southern end of downtown. I pulled up and 3 ladies where waiting at the end of the building. Where food was being served. They where finishing there alcohol and they let me know 2 more where coming from the bar. One of the ladies where at the door of the van letting me know what was going on. One young lady sat up front with me introducing herself. Letting me know they where having a girls night out. They were all in their late 30’s and some where teachers. The lady that had been talking with me was at her door talking to us both. All of a sudden 2 ladies that where drinking their wine stared talking loudly. We looked and one lady fell across 3 stools. Hitting her head hard on the last one and holding her wine glass in the air. She didn’t spill not one drop of wine. The lady sitting up front and I started laughing. The lady standing at the door asked “Did she fall”? She said “I’m not going to look because I don’t want her to see me laugh”. We replied “yes she did”. She replied “she definitely had to much to drink and she always fall as usual”. The lady standing with her helped her up and to the van. The lady we where waiting on came. Everyone made their way into their seats. Five ladies in all. Their destination was to the Northern part of the county and 25 minutes away.

I knew it would be an interesting ride. They where all talking to me and among themselves. Someone broke the monotony and asked the lady that fell. If her head was hurting. As hard as she hit her head. She replied “No”. Everyone laughed. She asked her again. She replied “No and that she was fine”. They went into another random conversation. Then stopped as the lady who hit her head started to dose off. Someone shouted out “Are you sure you’re fine”? She said “I am and stop acting like I fell or something”. Everyone in the back replied “you did”. She replied “no I didn’t”. “Stop trying to punk me”. One of the ladies said “Your head should be hurting”. “As hard as you fell”. She continued to deny she fell. Then she says “If I had fell I would have spilled my wine and nothing gets in the way of me spilling my wine”. Everyone laughed and replied “You made sure didn’t spill that wine when you fell”. Then she replies “I didn’t fall”. “So stop trying to convince me I did”. One of them said “You always do and we only go out 3 or 4 times a year”. This is our girls night out. She then asks “Ms. Uber driver did I fall”? I replied “You did”. She says “you guys are not going to convince me of that”. “Not that I don’t believe you Ms. Uber driver”. “They are trying to punk me because I fell the last time we went out”. One of the ladies said “We will definitely see in the morning. This was about 1:30 am in the morning. She said she had to be to work at 9:30 am. I finally got them home. They thanked me and helped her out. At this point she had passed out. Shaking her as they held her up. While walking her to the door. I try to keep it professional but I really wanted to ask someone for their phone number to hear how she acted in the morning. Did she remember anything? Most of all, If she had a bad headache? I laughed out loud, as I pulled off.

(4) One late Saturday night, I accepted a ride for a downtown club. Picked up 3 young ladies. One young lady appeared to be quite intoxicated. Had to make a quick decision if I would take them. When one person is pretty drunk. It usually means something may go down. They were pretty calm. So I let them get in. At this time I had my new car. This had to be my 3rd year in. They were headed to the North eastern part of the county. About 45 minutes away. With the surge included a very good ride. Just wanted to hurry back to get more because it was really crowded tonight. I decided I would take Parkway to the bypass to make it quicker.

Hurrying along and answering the normal questions on driving for Uber. The intoxicated young lady was sleep and the others where conversing among themselves. One up front with me and the other behind me. The one sleeping was behind the passenger seat. We were nearly half way there. For some reason the young lady behind me decided to wake the other one up and ask her was she alright. I didn’t know if that was a good idea or not. Usually drunk people don’t wont to be bothered and get rowdy when you wake them. She rolls down the window and decided she needs air. I started to wonder if she was going to get sick. Suddenly, she asks me to pull to the side of the highway. I quickly pulled over. Wasn’t trying to mess up the new car, already. She was feeling sick. She jumps out and turns away from the car. She was puking her head off. Glad I dodged that bullet. Holding her head down made her dizzy. She goes to turn around to come back to the car and falls down in her puke and rolls down in the ditch. We all sort of chuckled for a moment. She struggled to get up several times but couldn’t get up. The young lady sitting behind me jumped out, ran down into the ditch, and helped her back up to the car. I opened up the trunk. Told her where towels where that I kept for the beach goers. I pulled up away from the puke. Didn’t want her to track it back in the car. She wiped her down as much a she could. I asked her to lay a towel on the seat for her to sit on and leave the other towel behind. I asked her was she ok. She appeared to be a little embarrassed but said “she was alright”.

We had gotten back on the road. I’m hoping she didn’t get to much in the car. Also, Hoping she wouldn’t get sick again. I wanted to finish the night. She apologized, as they started talking among themselves. I thought we where headed to a neighborhood right off of the highway but we rode about 20 minutes more. We got to their house and the young lady that was upfront couldn’t find her keys. They thought they had left them downtown. Fortunately, they were in the front seat. They decided to give me a nice cash tip. They where scared I was going to report them to uber. I try to sympathize with people as much as I can. Every situation is different. Apparently they had to sneak in the house anyway. Not sure why? They threw the towels on the ground. I got out and went around to see what I could clean up before I got back on the highway. Thankfully there wasn’t much to clean up. So I put the towels in her trash can that was out for the garbage man in the morning. The young lady that was up front took them back out and threw them back on the ground. She didn’t want her mother to see them. She is definitely going to see them on the ground. Makes since to put them in someones else trash or something better. I’d rather let them figure it out. Trying to hide that they had been out late or out at all. Apparently, they where trying to figure how to get back in with the drunk young lady without waking her mother. I just left to go back downtown but ended up getting a ride to the Beach. Which was even better.

(5) I accepted a ride about 11:30pm on Thursday night at a home near the Beach. Three guys who were going to a Hotel on the beach. Which was about 5 minutes away. After they had gotten out of t car. The last guy took a few minutes to find a tip of $5. As I was about to pull off. He stopped me just before I was about to clear the ride. Somehow the reservation was for the next day and the hotel was fully booked. The guy who called the uber. Asked if I would take them to another Hotel. I replied “sure”. We stopped at a couple nearby and everyone was booked. Realizing that it was early August and the college students where just about to start school. Their parents where in town. This is why everyone was booked up.

We headed towards the main strip of hotels. Where most of the Hotels and Motels were. The guys thanked me for helping them out. They hoped I didn’t mind helping them in their quest to find a room for the night. It was a very slow night and I didn’t mind. I assured them. I advised them it would be helpful if they would Google Hotels and Motels to see who had something available. I knew I couldn’t hit them all in one night. They found one and we headed there. Unfortunately, That didn’t work out due to the fact they needed 2 beds for the 3 of them for one night. One guy said he was fine sleeping on the floor or a couch. We went to a couple more with no luck. Come to find out they had one at the first one but It was $300 a night with only one bed. They didn’t want to pay at this late into the night.

At this point it was about 1:40 am. Things weren’t looking so great. They continued to thank me for my time. I assured them it was O.k. They finally decided to go back to the $300 a night Hotel and call it a night. So we headed back to the Beach. They seem to be nice guys. They were in town for a fishing trip. The guy that called the Uber said “He had a house here but let the Women and kids stay where I picked him up at”. They made one last request to stop by the store. After that we headed on to the Hotel. They all were really appreciative. I was hoping for a descent tip after all this. I was surely going to call it a night. I made a point of going all out for riders who were nice and grateful. The guys said they were going to take a Uber more often. They didn’t use it often but see the value in it.

Little did they know. There won’t find many drivers like myself. I pulled up to the Hotel. They thanked me again for my time. The guy who called me pulled out a wad of money and gave me a $100 bill. I thanked him. He said you deserve it for your patience and kindness. My first big tip $105. My 3rd year in. My biggest had been $80. I ended my night and headed to the house. Glad I decided to take one more ride when I was about to head home.

(6) This story isn’t necessarily an actual uber ride but related in a way. I was on my way home from downtown about 2:00 am. I noticed a young man walking home and it was really cold out. He had his hands and arms inside of his shirt. I can tell by the way he was walking that he was a little intoxicated. Something about him made me pullover and stop as I passed him. I do this every now and again if I see someone who needs a ride. I usually don’t charge them. I asked him if he was O.k. and needed a ride. He said he didn’t and was almost home. I told him that I was an Uber driver and just wanted to help him out. He said “alright”.

I told him that I wasn’t going to charge him but just felt like he needed help. I felt like he would probably get hit by a car or worse. My spirit really spoke to me about him. As looked over to ask him where he stayed. I see bruises all over him and blood dripping off his ear. He didn’t even know how bad he was bleeding. So I jumped out and got a beach towel out of the back and gave it to him. I asked him what happened to him. He was very hesitant at first. I told him that it was why my spirit told me to help you. I could tell something wasn’t right with you and it made me concerned. He finally told me where he stayed. It was ten minutes from my house. Which is 30 minutes away from here. It would’ve taken him probably over and hour to get home. If he would’ve made it at all.

After getting his name and giving him mine. He told me someone robbed him and tried get him to give them fellatio. He felt like it was his fault for getting to drunk and not leaving with his friends. I asked him “Why his friends didn’t give him a ride and made sure he got home”? He said” that he was a mean drunk and cursed them out before they left”. They where trying to take his keys but he didn’t let them. Apparently whomever robbed him took his money, phone, and his keys to his brothers truck. So this is how he had gotten in this situation. I asked him “Did he want me to call the cops or stop one, so that he can make a police report”? Sounds like you could have possibly been raped. He said “The guy was trying to take his pants off”. I asked “Was he Gay”? “If he didn’t mind me asking”? He said “No he wasn’t and didn’t understand why the guy tried that with him.

We pulled up to his apartments as he directed me to the one he stayed in. He said “his brother was going to kill him for losing his spare key”. I’m sure he would understand the circumstances, thinking to myself. He said “he probably won’t be telling this story anymore”. As I let him out. He said “he didn’t have a key”. That his brother hasn’t come from work yet. He will be climbing 2 stories to get in his apartment. I told him I would wait for him to let me know when he got in. To make sure he got in o.k. We decided that I would look for his room light to come on and know he was good. He said he had a few dollars in his room he wanted to give me. I told him I didn’t need it. Just wanted to make sure he was good and I would be on my way. I waited 20 minutes and didn’t get any clue that he was in or not. I was in the front and he went to the back. I just decided to leave in hopes that he was good.

On the way home I see police. Wondering should I get them to do a well check on him. Just didn’t feel right about him not confirming he was good. So I turn around and go back. Thinking that he was drunk and bleeding. All I knew he could’ve fell and busted his head open all I knew. I decided to knock on the door and if he didn’t answer then I will leave. Wasn’t going around the building. Started to wonder why Men can be so inconsiderate. I get out the car and go up the stairs not sure where to go. I go to the Apt. with the light on. I knock for what seemed like 5 minutes and someone finally answers. Couldn’t tell it was him or not, because he explained he jumped in the shower. Just wanted to hear from him that he was alright. He tried to unroll dollar bills and offered them to me. I declined, as his brother looked puzzled. He stated that he was a little overwhelmed by my generosity. He apologized and thanked me. I felt like from my experience. He looked at me in a different light before we met and now he was seeing me in whole new light. His brother started questioning him. I told them to have goodnight and I left. I was 10 minutes away from home. What a night and it’s 4:30 am.

(7) This particular weekend was a very busy one. It was in my second year because I still had my van, I accepted a rides all evening into the night. I’m not going to get into the specifics of each situation. I accepted rides from six Morgans through the whole night. Not back to back but sporadically through the night. From the first to the last one. They had gotten worse as I picked up each one. From what I could remember. One had texted me for ten minutes saying she was coming. Then getting a mile away to go back because she forgot something. Another I picked up from a party wrapped in a blanket because she urinated on her self. Another was so drunk that she had to be carried to the car and carried into her house by friends. She was passed out the whole time. Another left a her phone in the back seat. All brought a difficult situation but it just got worse as I picked up each one. All named Morgan. I thought I was in the twilight zone or something.

(8) it was a Weekend night. I accepted to a ride from a restaurant on the Northeast side of town. Picked up a lady to take her home. I was about six months in. She immediately started confiding in me about her night. She said that she owned a horse farm and never gets much time to herself. She decided to go to dinner and have drinks. She was having great conversation and dancing with a man she met. He was trying to go home with her. Unfortunately, Her husband text her and let her know he was back in town. Not sure if they where separated or about to get a separation. She was ready to get a divorce because he was out of town a lot and she was starting to be overwhelmed with the farm. Her husband helped financially more than anything else. He wasn’t spending anytime with her and kept telling her he was going to work on it. She was contemplating giving up her dream of running it because she wanted to rid herself of him. She knew a divorce would be to messy when it came to her trying to hold on to it. Like I tell everyone “Do what’s best for your happiness”. People will vent to you but try to remain neutral.

We where halfway there, when she had me turn off the main highway. We where headed towards a rural area I had never been in. I asked her did she give riding lessons. She replied :Yes”. I hadn’t ridden in years and sort of missed it. She welcomed me to come back If I liked. Now we were turning down a dirt road again coming back 2 miles from the first dirt road. I was taking mental notes so I could get back out without getting lost. She said “we would be going another 2 miles. It was getting really dark as they’re were less lights. I asked her did she get phone signal back here. She said “in some areas”. I soon pulled up to her house. She told me how to turn around to get out. As she got out and we said our goodbyes a man appeared out of the dark. I assumed it to be her husband. She spoke out loud saying “he finally got back”.

I don’t know if I watched to many horror movies but I realized how far in the woods I was. I started thinking they could overpower and pull me out of the car. No one would have found me. Especially, if their isn’t a phone signal. I’m usually not scared or spooked easily. I guess with the job it’s best to keep in mind the world we live in today. As I headed back to the main highway I sort of laughed to myself. Thinking what have I gotten myself into. Ready to get back to town for the next ride.

(9) I accepted a ride from this bar near the Beach. The guy was definitely drunk. I had seen albinos before in passing. Had one in my class in middle school. This guy was one and in his early thirties. He was in town for work visiting from Louisiana. I was to drop him off to his hotel. We where about 10 minutes away. He started flirting with me. As usual, I nipped that in the bud. Letting him know I wasn’t interested. Not taking No for an answer, he puts his hand on my knee. I told him to remove it before I put you out. He goes on this rant about having such a good night and I could make it better. Then he puts his hand back on my knee and begs me to lighten up. I look at my phone and say” let me see how many stars you have”. He quickly removes it hand and says please don’t mess up my rating worse than it already is. Most people are aware that if we give them a low rating. It would make their overall rating go down and other ubers may refuse to pick them up. Especially, if it is really low His was already low. Which tells us he is a problem on some level. As I was already getting a good idea why. He apologized and promised to give me a $20 tip. I told him not to say or do anything else inappropriate. He still verbally flirted before I put him out. As I pulled up to the Hotel he repeated he just wanted some company. As if he deserved to have me. I don’t think it was just his alcohol but his narcissist attitude. He gave me $20 and begged me not to mess up his already bad rating. I didn’t agree or disagree. I told him goodnight and gave him a one star.

(10) There was a Snoop Dogg Concert in town on this particular weekend. It was my second year driving. I accepted ride in a neighborhood Centrally located. I picked up a young man and his best female friend. He was pretty excited to surprise her for her birthday. He was telling me how she never goes anywhere and this was his gift to her. I can tell that he was her best Judy. We where about 15 minutes away. Heading up the parkway with the traffic heavy with people going to the downtown concert.

She was busy on her phone texting. He asked her was she texting her man. She said “She was texting a mutual friend of theirs”. He said “He hoped she wasn’t at the concert”. She was trying to see if she was going to be there. When he heard that he told her not to worry about her. This day was about her and he didn’t want that other young lady near him. She was a party pooper.. Then they where arguing back and forth. I picked up speed in hopes I could get them to the concert as soon as possible. He felt she didn’t appreciate his gift. She was defending the other young lady.

We arrived downtown in the slow concert traffic. I asked them to calm down. He said “He was ready to go home”. Then he tried to get out to walk the rest of the way. She pulled him back in. Telling him to calm down or they could both go back home. They started arguing again. Things got so heated. They acted as if they where going to fight. Fortunately for me, we where at a drop off point to get out and go to the concert. I let them out as you could hear Snoop Dogg on the mic. They both got out and excitedly started singing as they walked away. I believe I gave them 3 0r 4 stars.

(11) I accepted a ride way out East. Picked up a guy from a friends house after a Sunday evening football game. He was really enjoying the old school Hip Hop I was playing. Usually I will turn the radio back on. Instead of playing my personal preferences. I was really into it myself. If a person doesn’t like it I would gladly turn it off. We started talking about artist and music from the 80’s. We were comparing and reminiscing about that era and music today. He started to tell me his favorite artist and songs that he was reminiscing about. I had them all on my Spotify playlist and played them all. He was pleasantly surprised that I had them all. It took me about 35 minutes to get to his house. We where really vibing off the music. Once we got to his home. He expressed how much he enjoyed the trip and look forward to riding with me again. We talked a few minutes about his favorite artist Whodini and the fact he still had cassettes. He looked kind of young. I asked him how old he was. He was in his early 30’s but was into the 80’s hip hop since he was a kid. Due to his dad listen[ng to it as he was coming up. We said our goodbyes. A really enjoyable ride. Five stars for sure.