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You Call, I Drive

10 Tips to Improve Your Ride
(Good advice from your driver!)

1: Be Ready. Nothing makes a driver crankier than arriving at the pickup and there’s no rider in sight. There are times when we show up sooner than you expect. But generally, it takes a couple of minutes to get from where we get the notification to where you are. When I’m waiting, I’m not making any money. If you are running late, then go to Tip #2.

 

2: Communicate! A quick text or call to let your driver know what’s happening can smooth a lot of rough edges. Both major services offer text and phone links to your driver. If there’s a problem, if you’re in an unusual location, heck, just let me know what you’re wearing so I can find you quicker, let me know! Communication, after you’re in the car, is a great help too. Let me know if there is something you need, rather than just giving me a bad rating.

 

3: Use The App For Trip Changes. Don’t just ask me to detour. I will take you where you need/want to go. But I expect to be paid fairly for it. Want to make a quick stop someplace on the route? Usually not a problem. Want to make a major change in the trip? Plug it into the app so I get paid for the time and distance.  Most drivers don't want to detour, and many may be unhappy if you make large changes in your trip after it's begun.

 

4: Be Polite. If you don’t want to have a conversation with your driver, that’s fine. But a hello when you get in and a thank you at the end isn’t too much to ask. If you need to talk on the phone, also cool. Just make sure your driver knows when you’re talking on the phone and when you’re talking to me.

 

5: If You Want To Navigate The Trip, Then Navigate. Some folks believe they know a better way to get to where we’re going. I’m usually OK with that. The folks who tell me not to follow the navigation, then jump back into the phone conversation are frustrating. If you leave me without further directions, I will go back to following navigation. Don’t get crabby because I’m not going the way you think I should if you’re not engaged in the process. And remember what I said in the chapter on navigation-you may think you know a better way, but you probably don’t.

 

6: Respect My Car And My Rules. Please don’t leave a mess behind. I’ve found trash and drinks (the open beer can was not cool) left in my car. Worse yet are when they are out of my line of sight and my next rider finds them. If you ask to do something (like vaping) and I say no, then it’s no. Don’t tell me it will fine. It’s not.

 

7: Give me 60 seconds of your attention at the start of the ride. It may not take that long, but that’s when we need to do a little basic communication. Like making sure this is the correct car for you, any special issues or questions, etc. More and more riders get in with their earbuds in and don’t hear me. Give me a minute (or less) and I can make the process better for us both.

 

8: Sit Where You Like, But… In my car, you can sit in front or back. Not all drivers like having single riders upfront, so refer to Tips #6 and 7. I have only one request about where you sit. If you are a single rider, please don’t sit right behind me. It makes it harder to communicate with you, and honestly, it’s a little creepy.

 

9: Check Before You Leave The Car. The best way to make sure you don’t lose something is to check your seat before I pull away. I will do a quick check as well, so there is time. Everybody’s day goes better if you leave with everything you came with.

 

10: TIP! Even if it’s just a dollar. Reward the driver who does a good job for you. It’s one of the best ways to make sure that good drivers keep driving and offering great service.

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