Should I Sign up to Uber Drive?

This was my first Driver Photo

I have been an Uber driver in Los Angeles for about a year now, and I get numerous questions (especially from women) about whether or not to sign up and be an Uber driver.

“Is it safe?” “Is it worth it?” “Is it hard?” “How many hours do you work?”

I am sure there are tons of codes, promos, and drivers promoting signing up, and even though i will provide my code to you, this blog is FOR YOU! Not me. Let me give you my personal experiences and opinion. IF and only IF I have helped you, and you decide to sign up, then you can chose to “use my code”. I want my intentions to be clear: Yes I benefit from it . Yes you can too (Current incentive is $840 for new drivers!) I’m here to help, not just get free money. I WISH I HAD SOMEONE TO TEACH ME THE INS AND OUTS WHEN I STARTED DRIVING!

I plan to write a series of blogs regarding the topic of Uber (or LYFT) Driving for anyone who has questions!

#1 – There is no risk in signing up. You can sign up and never drive a day if you don’t want to. You are a contracted worker. You log in when you want to drive, or NOT. No one will call you to fire you or say you are missing work.

#2 – What’s cool, is both Uber and Lyft have incentives to sign up, so if you do, and drive a certain amount, you get a bonus! (Last I checked you get $840 from Uber and $150 from Lyft)

#3 – If you have a gas friendly car, yes it can be worth it. GAS GUZZLERS BEWARE! Don’t forget about gas and maintenance. (Yes you can tax deduct your mileage)

#4 – On a slow day, it can be a struggle to make $10 / hr. HOWEVER, on busy days, with surges or guarantees( which Uber offers daily) I have made up to $35 an hour!

#5 – It is easy to use. All you need is a smart phone. The app literally does all of the work for you: Accept Request – follow navigation to passenger – pick up passenger – follow navigation to drop them off.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS I GET IS “IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE???”

Q: I want to work Uber on the Weekends for extra spending money, is it worth it?

A: YES! When I first started I drove with the thought that the money i made was just “extra” and mentally, that made the job easier. I was even making $80 a day on an average of 4 hrs of driving. ( I was working between 4 -8 pm)

Q: HOW OFTEN DO I GET PAID?

A: Every week! Payments get processed every Tuesday and I always see my money in my account NO LATER than Wednesday EVERY WEEK! Pay statement is Monday 4am – following Monday 4am.

Q: I am currently un-employed and am debating working as a driver FULL-TIME, is it worth it? 

A: (I am a single 26 year old with no kids – my answer is based on my personal experience)      If you have a gas efficient car, time, patience, and you like people, YES. Personally, instead of working hourly, I have chosen to work with a monetary goal in mind. $100 a day is my goal. Once I reach that goal, I go home. It is nice because sometimes I am working 8 hour days but others are 4-6 hours. Most jobs don’t have the benefit of over time, or making your own hours. IF you want to work hard and make $1000 a week or more, it is possible and no one is stopping you! Just be smart, take breaks, and always drive safe!

**I like to call Uber driving the NEW WAITRESS for Los Angeles. There are so many of us actors, models, dancers, writers, entertainers who have meetings and auditions, and it is a struggle trying to find a job that is lenient enough to allow us to take time off for these important things. Uber has been a life saver for me. I still teach dance, make important meetings, fit in studio time, and have time for my performances, shows, and auditions.**

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS I GET IS “IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE???”

I know there are tons of scary stories out there, but this is based on my experience, which is over 1,200 total rides, that is over 1,200 people in my car, I can count on ONE HAND the amount of uncomfortable or awkward rides I have had: i.e. someone was having a bad day, impatient, flirtatious, or just smelly and unkept.

I choose the hours I work which means i never work the “club hours”. For me, this means I am already putting myself in a safer environment. Also I am not risking the puke in my back seat. (Yes Uber reimburses you a clean up fee, but who wants to clean up throw up at 2 am…. NOT ME)

I also turn my app OFF whenever I am taken to a city or area that makes me feel uncomfortable. YOU CAN SAY NO. YOU CAN TURN YOUR APP OFF. YOU DON’T HAVE TO LET THEM IN YOUR CAR!

Just be smart. 

My overall opinion on safety is that walking down the street or walking into a busy grocery store is JUST AS DANGEROUS as Uber driving. IF anything, Uber driving is safer because each passenger’s name, phone number, and credit card is stored in the App.

There are so many stories to tell, and opinions to share, and even topics of Uber POOL vs. UBER x vs UBER EATS. So I will write another blog very soon to touch on those topics.

PLEASE feel free to message me with ANY questions!

And if you would like to sign up for Uber and get $840 after your first 75 rides, click here!

 

Love you even though I don’t know you,

HAPPY 2017!

Ginger (Gsnaps)

(P.s I have officially had my Blog up for a year now. Pretty exciting! Thanks for everyone who has been here and shared!)