link: New York City issues temporary cap on ride-hailing vehicles

I think they should all be treated the same: regulated as taxis vehicle by vehicle, and employees. I'm not at all big on regulation or over-taxation, but I am big on common sense fairness. Allowing internet-based companies to avoid playing by the same rules, especially when people have invested time, sweat and years to build their lives, seems only unfair. They could go the other way and treat all cabs and limos as ride-share services and remove the taxes, medallions and regulations, but in either event, I think the cabbies, et cetera have a reasonable unfair trade practices case against loss of value against these thieving internet pirate companies.

Most drivers I know have said they don't really make the money they thought. I believe I saw the average ride-share driver quits after about a year-and-a-half. Which makes sense--they get hit with the self-employment taxes after about that time, and expense most don;t even consider when they sign up to drive. That forces them to desperately look for vehicle deductions and actual cost of use of driving their vehicle into the ground for the slave-masters, and then it dawns on most of them that they are barely breaking even, or losing their butts while Uber and Lyft rake in the dough without much overhead. I did see a few studies showing NY and Chicago were the few cities you could actually profit a little bit in. I have a buddy who drove in Chicago for nearly 2 years. Lost his azz doing Uber. Almost lost his car because of all the taxes/expenses he did not forsee and bought the kool-aid from uber on how he was an "entrepreneur" and would make big dollars driving his car for them.

I've never taken a uber or ride sharing service, and don't see a reason that I ever would. Wonder how many here have? What were your experiences, and do you/did you get any feedback from drivers on how they're doing? Anyone here actually drive/drove for them? What were your experiences?

(08-12-2018 12:02 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  link: New York City issues temporary cap on ride-hailing vehicles

I think they should all be treated the same: regulated as taxis vehicle by vehicle, and employees. I'm not at all big on regulation or over-taxation, but I am big on common sense fairness. Allowing internet-based companies to avoid playing by the same rules, especially when people have invested time, sweat and years to build their lives, seems only unfair. They could go the other way and treat all cabs and limos as ride-share services and remove the taxes, medallions and regulations, but in either event, I think the cabbies, et cetera have a reasonable unfair trade practices case against loss of value against these thieving internet pirate companies.

Most drivers I know have said they don't really make the money they thought. I believe I saw the average ride-share driver quits after about a year-and-a-half. Which makes sense--they get hit with the self-employment taxes after about that time, and expense most don;t even consider when they sign up to drive. That forces them to desperately look for vehicle deductions and actual cost of use of driving their vehicle into the ground for the slave-masters, and then it dawns on most of them that they are barely breaking even, or losing their butts while Uber and Lyft rake in the dough without much overhead. I did see a few studies showing NY and Chicago were the few cities you could actually profit a little bit in. I have a buddy who drove in Chicago for nearly 2 years. Lost his azz doing Uber. Almost lost his car because of all the taxes/expenses he did not forsee and bought the kool-aid from uber on how he was an "entrepreneur" and would make big dollars driving his car for them.

I've never taken a uber or ride sharing service, and don't see a reason that I ever would. Wonder how many here have? What were your experiences, and do you/did you get any feedback from drivers on how they're doing? Anyone here actually drive/drove for them? What were your experiences?

I hear what you're saying, but I don't think it's the same at all.

Have you ever had a yard sale or garage sale (depending on which part of they country you're in)?

Should you be regulated the same as and forced to operate the same as department stores?

Should children be able to run a lemonade stand without facing the same regulations as Starbucks?


I don't know if this is true or not, but I've heard Uber started with the intent of selling the tool to taxi companies. No one was interested so they got creative.


I actually started driving Uber back in June 2015 as a way to fund a family trip to Disney World. When November rolled around I had made enough to:

1. Reserve a 7-day/6-night stay at Disney's Polinesian Resort (considered one of their delux resorts)
2. Buy 5 park hopper tickets for 7 days
3. Buy the table service dining plan for 5
   

In 4 & and half months I had earned enough to cover a pretty darn expensive trip to Disney.

During those initial months of driving I came to realize that I actually enjoyed doing it. It's amazing how many people I've met from not only across the U.S. but from around the world.

I'm a people person. I enjoy meeting and talking with people.

I've given rides to NBA players, coaches and execs in town for Grizzlies games. Let me tell ya, Juwan Howard is one big dude. I have a Buick Enclave and he needed every bit of that room.

I have a pic of St. Louis Cardinals World Series ring.

I've given rides to actors and actresses in town with Broadway shows.

I've given rides to musicians playing at the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival.

My biggest fare to date was a ride where I picked up 2 couples after a Foo Fighters show at the FedExForum. They were heading to Collierville, a suburb which is almost as far away from downtown Memphis as you can get (about 30 miles). That one trip paid $145.

Yes, some people complain that they don't make money. Others say they do.

I keep a log of mileage. When I do my taxes I have a very healthy deduction to offset the income.

But here's how I look at it. My monthly insurance cost an extra $5 to add ride-share coverage (through USAA). That's an extra $60/year for insurance. I put $40 in tank and don't use it all. I can make $80 a night easy -- EASY. So I'm not spending more on gas than I make.

Do I drive all the time? Nope. I've got a full-time 9-5 job. But I drive when we know things are coming up. My daughter will be starting college next year. She needs a newer car and I'll need tuition $$$. :D So I've been driving more lately and just stashing it away.

Something else to consider, and I can only speak to what I've heard from passengers, taxis are a horrible experience for people.

I've heard stories about the condition of the taxis, the foul stench, etc.

I've heard stories about cabbies who tax circuitous routes to drive up the fare.

I've heard stories about cabbies demanding payment in cash and getting very angry when the customer wanted to use their card.

And cab fares, for average apple-to-apple trips cost more than Uber or Lyft.


If cab companies want to compete for customers, then do so by actually competing. Competition is a GOOD thing.

But if cab companies want to continue doing things their way (and I imagine there's some corruption behind the scene to get those medallions, tokens or whatever they're called) why force the everyone else to play by THEIR rules.

A new business model came along that benefits the consumer. Taxi companies don't want to adapt. Let them reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of their decisions.


Oh, and I've met a couple of guys in town who used to drive cabs but now work for themselves a Uber drivers. They prefer Uber.


I've never considered Uber to be a slave driver. In fact, I like the fact that I can turn the app on or off whenever I feel like it. I'm on my schedule, no one else's.

As far as people not understanding IRS rules, that's not Uber's fault. This is VERY IMPORTANT: any time you make money the IRS wants a cut. Period.

Everyone should know this. If they don't then I think they probably don't have the financial acumen to run a self-owned business.


Just two weeks ago I saw an interesting "for sale" ad come across my facebook feed. There's a pizza place in a Memphis suburb that's for sale. I've actually eaten there for lunch several times. It's a pretty decent place.

Being curious, I opened the ad. It's listed for $375,000 which includes all furniture, fixtures and equipment. It also includes their lease.

Their lease is just over $10,000 PER MONTH. They list the annual cash flow as just over $140,000 per year.

Is it easier for somebody to get started owning their own restaurant or by downloading an app that lets them start giving rides to people?


To each his own. Everybody is at different places in their lives. Why deny people an opportunity because some long-standing companies don't like losing business due to their own out-dated business model?

(08-12-2018 12:02 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  link: New York City issues temporary cap on ride-hailing vehicles

I think they should all be treated the same: regulated as taxis vehicle by vehicle, and employees. I'm not at all big on regulation or over-taxation, but I am big on common sense fairness. Allowing internet-based companies to avoid playing by the same rules, especially when people have invested time, sweat and years to build their lives, seems only unfair. They could go the other way and treat all cabs and limos as ride-share services and remove the taxes, medallions and regulations, but in either event, I think the cabbies, et cetera have a reasonable unfair trade practices case against loss of value against these thieving internet pirate companies.

Most drivers I know have said they don't really make the money they thought. I believe I saw the average ride-share driver quits after about a year-and-a-half. Which makes sense--they get hit with the self-employment taxes after about that time, and expense most don;t even consider when they sign up to drive. That forces them to desperately look for vehicle deductions and actual cost of use of driving their vehicle into the ground for the slave-masters, and then it dawns on most of them that they are barely breaking even, or losing their butts while Uber and Lyft rake in the dough without much overhead. I did see a few studies showing NY and Chicago were the few cities you could actually profit a little bit in. I have a buddy who drove in Chicago for nearly 2 years. Lost his azz doing Uber. Almost lost his car because of all the taxes/expenses he did not forsee and bought the kool-aid from uber on how he was an "entrepreneur" and would make big dollars driving his car for them.

I've never taken a uber or ride sharing service, and don't see a reason that I ever would. Wonder how many here have? What were your experiences, and do you/did you get any feedback from drivers on how they're doing? Anyone here actually drive/drove for them? What were your experiences?

Uber is usually cheaper than cabs. Lyft is usually cheaper than Uber (although it often shows in the cars). My wife pretty much always uses one of them when she travels. She was determined to take Uber to the NYC airport and I had to convince her to check out taxis when the price came out high. In that case, the taxi was about $20 cheaper.

Drivers are usually friendlier than cab drivers. It has worked well for us. Cabs are going to have to dramatically change their way of doing business to survive. The free market is going to drive out the over-regulated market.

Uber was really created as a "ride-sharing" service as opposed to an alternative taxi service, but it has turned into that.

(08-12-2018 12:02 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  link: New York City issues temporary cap on ride-hailing vehicles

I think they should all be treated the same: regulated as taxis vehicle by vehicle, and employees. I'm not at all big on regulation or over-taxation, but I am big on common sense fairness. Allowing internet-based companies to avoid playing by the same rules, especially when people have invested time, sweat and years to build their lives, seems only unfair. They could go the other way and treat all cabs and limos as ride-share services and remove the taxes, medallions and regulations, but in either event, I think the cabbies, et cetera have a reasonable unfair trade practices case against loss of value against these thieving internet pirate companies.

Most drivers I know have said they don't really make the money they thought. I believe I saw the average ride-share driver quits after about a year-and-a-half. Which makes sense--they get hit with the self-employment taxes after about that time, and expense most don;t even consider when they sign up to drive. That forces them to desperately look for vehicle deductions and actual cost of use of driving their vehicle into the ground for the slave-masters, and then it dawns on most of them that they are barely breaking even, or losing their butts while Uber and Lyft rake in the dough without much overhead. I did see a few studies showing NY and Chicago were the few cities you could actually profit a little bit in. I have a buddy who drove in Chicago for nearly 2 years. Lost his azz doing Uber. Almost lost his car because of all the taxes/expenses he did not forsee and bought the kool-aid from uber on how he was an "entrepreneur" and would make big dollars driving his car for them.

I've never taken a uber or ride sharing service, and don't see a reason that I ever would. Wonder how many here have? What were your experiences, and do you/did you get any feedback from drivers on how they're doing? Anyone here actually drive/drove for them? What were your experiences?

Perhaps taxi drivers have an unfair trade case to make against the government. It sounds like this is an industry that has been overly regulated to the detriment of cab drivers and consumers.

Probably the most important part of whether a worker is an “independent contractor” or “employee” is if the worker gets to determine where and when the work is performed. I think Uber and Lyft have a pretty good argument about their drivers being contractors.

The fact that one can drive for both services concurrently is also pretty completing. Would your employer let your work part-time for your biggest competitor?

(08-12-2018 04:59 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  Probably the most important part of whether a worker is an “independent contractor” or “employee” is if the worker gets to determine where and when the work is performed. I think Uber and Lyft have a pretty good argument about their drivers being contractors.

The fact that one can drive for both services concurrently is also pretty completing. Would your employer let your work part-time for your biggest competitor?

And that doesn't just for passenger service.

UberEats competes with GrubHub, Bite Squad, and others.

Although, from what I hear, if you run Bite Squad you actually are an employee with wages and specific shifts.

I’ve used Uber and Lyft plenty of times, both in the smallish town where I live and in big cities like DC and Atlanta. I prefer it to cabs. It’s cheaper, you have a record of your driver should you lose anything or have bad service, and they’re easier to find thanks to the apps.

Use them in Chicago when visiting my son.........much better vehicles- cleaner and smell nicer.....

I drove for about a year and a half because I had plenty of spare time on my own, and enjoyed it but had to give it up because it was starting to really put the wear and tear on my back with all the driving. If you have a vehicle that's paid off, you can make decent money doing it - but only as a part-time (2nd) job. I agree with the other poster - you can meet some really interesting people. I only had 1 or 2 complete dud drives which made me nervous. The most famous passenger I drove I guess was Peyton Manning's agent during the Super Bowl in Houston - nice enough guy but a cheapskate who didn't tip (even though he's worth about 25 million a year last I saw). If the Astros make the World Series again, I may have to start doing it again because there were some nice surges during the playoffs.

Most of the passengers I had totally preferred ride sharing services over taxis because (a) they were so much cleaner and nicer, (b) the apps were way better than the rudimentary apps taxis have, and © they were a ton cheaper. I'd also say at least 90 percent of the rides I gave were liberals or leaning towards the left on the political spectrum, and the foreign folks I drove couldn't believe America elected Trump.

Jameis Winston recommends Lyft. He got in trouble with Uber one time he tells me

(08-12-2018 02:03 PM)umbluegray Wrote:  I hear what you're saying, but I don't think it's the same at all.

Have you ever had a yard sale or garage sale (depending on which part of they country you're in)?

Should you be regulated the same as and forced to operate the same as department stores?

Should children be able to run a lemonade stand without facing the same regulations as Starbucks?


I don't know if this is true or not, but I've heard Uber started with the intent of selling the tool to taxi companies. No one was interested so they got creative.


I actually started driving Uber back in June 2015 as a way to fund a family trip to Disney World. When November rolled around I had made enough to:

1. Reserve a 7-day/6-night stay at Disney's Polinesian Resort (considered one of their delux resorts)
2. Buy 5 park hopper tickets for 7 days
3. Buy the table service dining plan for 5
   

In 4 & and half months I had earned enough to cover a pretty darn expensive trip to Disney.

During those initial months of driving I came to realize that I actually enjoyed doing it. It's amazing how many people I've met from not only across the U.S. but from around the world.

... {not going to quote your whole post here---see above for reference if needed}
...

To each his own. Everybody is at different places in their lives. Why deny people an opportunity because some long-standing companies don't like losing business due to their own out-dated business model?

Thanks for sharing blue/gray.

It seems reasonable a lot will depend on 1) location, 2) vehicle type and mileage 3) Insurance costs 4) quality of cab service in area among other variables.

I have heard from a friend from Memphis it is a particularly difficult market for a lot of things, not just cabs. He has some strong opinions of why, but then he grew up there. I've visited for a convention, been to the Peabody a few times to see the ducks walk, and been to the Liberty Bowl and Beale Street.

You say you have USAA, which I generally understand to be the cheapest insurance around bang for buck. Not every Uber/Lyft driver will be able to match that, so generally most of their costs will be higher there.

You say you do this part time and are careful about mileage. I guess you refuse some trips you've learned are not worthwhile? You sound pretty astute at this. I'm not sure the average driver is as on the ball as you are. Kudos for you, though for being thorough.

Do you think it would be different for you if you did it full time instead of part time? I'm not sure the difference in ratio for full time vs part time for cabbies and limos vs Uber/Lyft. I'd imagine it's more skewed to full time for cabs. The medallion thing and extra costs and regulations running a cab in most places makes a difference also, I'd imagine.

I'm not as much against these services as I am the unequal playing fields due to regulation. I just think Uber and Lyft, etc.. are taxi services and should fall under the same regs, or they should have gotten rid of the regs for cabs so everyone was on a level playing field (yeah, govt give up regulation, right.)

Still to your garage sale/lemonade stand analogy--I get where you want to come from, but next to no one is making that a real business- garage sale is just get a few bucks but really you mainly want to get rid of stuff without dumping it yourself. Lemonade stands are mostly run by kids, right? (i'm not sure if this is different in Memphis, but do you really have adults doing lemonade stands for a going concern, even part time?) I'm not sure it's wise for govt to treat those the same, but mainly due to intent of business purposes and age of proprietors (again, maybe in Memphis its different.)

Still thanks for your insight. I'm sure it will help round out the picture a bit for those reading this thread.

(08-12-2018 04:31 PM)pkptigers07 Wrote:  Perhaps taxi drivers have an unfair trade case to make against the government. It sounds like this is an industry that has been overly regulated to the detriment of cab drivers and consumers.

I'd agree with that. I would have leaned towards the governments deregulating and de-taxing the cabs and treating everybody the same as the treat Uber/Lyft, etc... Its the discrepancy that is off-putting. Not sure many govts like to "lose" revenue. Thing is...it's not theirs to begin with, so they don't really "lose" anything, but governments and their employees tend not to look at things that way.

(08-12-2018 09:01 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I drove for about a year and a half because I had plenty of spare time on my own, and enjoyed it but had to give it up because it was starting to really put the wear and tear on my back with all the driving. If you have a vehicle that's paid off, you can make decent money doing it - but only as a part-time (2nd) job. I agree with the other poster - you can meet some really interesting people. I only had 1 or 2 complete dud drives which made me nervous. The most famous passenger I drove I guess was Peyton Manning's agent during the Super Bowl in Houston - nice enough guy but a cheapskate who didn't tip (even though he's worth about 25 million a year last I saw). If the Astros make the World Series again, I may have to start doing it again because there were some nice surges during the playoffs.

Most of the passengers I had totally preferred ride sharing services over taxis because (a) they were so much cleaner and nicer, (b) the apps were way better than the rudimentary apps taxis have, and © they were a ton cheaper. I'd also say at least 90 percent of the rides I gave were liberals or leaning towards the left on the political spectrum, and the foreign folks I drove couldn't believe America elected Trump.

Interesting FBO. Did the tax issues matter to your earnings during your stint, especially the self-employment tax which many drivers don't figure in to until they get the bill when they file and it changes their numbers?

Also, maybe the fact the guy is a "cheapskate" shows why he's worth what he is--he's not as loose as some other folks with his earnings? It's all well and good to voluntarily share the wealth if you want to, maybe he gives more generously for charitable causes that he can get a better tax benefit from and may know more about than a casual encounter? Or maybe he's exactly as you describe. Still, his money, his choice.

Cabs did to themselves. Every cab I've been a bad driver that tried to take me on a ride for extra miles and money. F those guys.

I've had pretty good experiences with Uber.

(08-13-2018 06:29 AM)JTiger Wrote:  Cabs did to themselves. Every cab I've been a bad driver that tried to take me on a ride for extra miles and money. F those guys.

I've had pretty good experiences with Uber.

Same here and I've both driven for and been driven by both Uber and Lyft. I've yet to have even one experience with either that was as bad as any cab ride I've ever had.

(08-12-2018 10:04 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  

(08-12-2018 09:01 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I drove for about a year and a half because I had plenty of spare time on my own, and enjoyed it but had to give it up because it was starting to really put the wear and tear on my back with all the driving. If you have a vehicle that's paid off, you can make decent money doing it - but only as a part-time (2nd) job. I agree with the other poster - you can meet some really interesting people. I only had 1 or 2 complete dud drives which made me nervous. The most famous passenger I drove I guess was Peyton Manning's agent during the Super Bowl in Houston - nice enough guy but a cheapskate who didn't tip (even though he's worth about 25 million a year last I saw). If the Astros make the World Series again, I may have to start doing it again because there were some nice surges during the playoffs.

Most of the passengers I had totally preferred ride sharing services over taxis because (a) they were so much cleaner and nicer, (b) the apps were way better than the rudimentary apps taxis have, and © they were a ton cheaper. I'd also say at least 90 percent of the rides I gave were liberals or leaning towards the left on the political spectrum, and the foreign folks I drove couldn't believe America elected Trump.

Interesting FBO. Did the tax issues matter to your earnings during your stint, especially the self-employment tax which many drivers don't figure in to until they get the bill when they file and it changes their numbers?

Also, maybe the fact the guy is a "cheapskate" shows why he's worth what he is--he's not as loose as some other folks with his earnings? It's all well and good to voluntarily share the wealth if you want to, maybe he gives more generously for charitable causes that he can get a better tax benefit from and may know more about than a casual encounter? Or maybe he's exactly as you describe. Still, his money, his choice.

The tax issues didn't affect me but I'm stupid with how much I withhold from my main job so I have a built-in cushion. I just got way less of a refund than I normally got. If you're a part-time driver, the taxes aren't a big issue although I decided to have someone do my taxes for me rather than Turbo Tax. I was surprised you couldn't really write off the repairs on your vehicle but you do get credit for mileage driven (and that adds up quickly) and I think you can claim 50 percent of all meals while driving as a tax write-off too.

I saw a lot of drivers who were idiots for leasing with Uber directly since they didn't have a vehicle they could use. They pretty much had to drive 16-20 hours a day to make ends meet with those leasing rates. The biggest money to be made is the late night shifts, especially on weekends, but I'm not a night owl so I rarely drove past 8 or 9 pm. The later you drove, the more likely you were to pick up the drunks.

(08-13-2018 07:23 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  The tax issues didn't affect me but I'm stupid with how much I withhold from my main job so I have a built-in cushion. I just got way less of a refund than I normally got. If you're a part-time driver, the taxes aren't a big issue although I decided to have someone do my taxes for me rather than Turbo Tax. I was surprised you couldn't really write off the repairs on your vehicle but you do get credit for mileage driven (and that adds up quickly) and I think you can claim 50 percent of all meals while driving as a tax write-off too.

I saw a lot of drivers who were idiots for leasing with Uber directly since they didn't have a vehicle they could use. They pretty much had to drive 16-20 hours a day to make ends meet with those leasing rates. The biggest money to be made is the late night shifts, especially on weekends, but I'm not a night owl so I rarely drove past 8 or 9 pm. The later you drove, the more likely you were to pick up the drunks.

Thanks for the additional clarification. First thing, why do you choose to give what is basically an interest-free loan to the government instead of adjusting your withholding to allow you the maximum use of your own income? Perhaps your income fluctuates wildly year-to-year? I've never understood why more people weren't more careful with that. I know it can get a bit confusing sometimes, but the return is usually worth it. You're not alone.

I've heard in some cities airport runs can be good, but there's more competition at times, and the long waits in line can reduce the benefit. Also the late night thing, I've heard and seen posts from drivers about the added "cleanup costs" to their vehicles due to working the later crowds. Sure you can deduct the extra expense, but yeeech, not to mention the lost time to go clean it up or have to get it cleaned. And the smell can be persistent sometimes.

I think in some instances, if you're in the right area/city and you've got the parameters set up in your favor (cheap insurance, paid off vehicle, careful with rides you select/hours and places you work, etc....) it can be an okay supplement. Still, I doubt most people properly account for depreciation on their vehicles or the quicker long-term repairs that pile up from all the additional miles. I know mileage is supposed to cover for that, but in many cases I suspect the numbers don't add up. Thing is, these are future costs when a person starts up driving, and they don't see them for quite a while. That's why I pointed out that the average uber/lyft driver (not everyone, but average guy) only dopes it for about a year-and-a-half. There are the outliers of course, kind of like those commercials where they show the guy lost 100 lbs in 3 months and then the fine print says "results not typical-yo0ur experience may vary," that kind of thing.

Again, I'm not a big person for extra government intrusion, taxation, regulation, but I'd like to see the playing field level and fair between uber/lyft and taxi/limos one way or the other. And in places like NYC where the value of medallions that people took out loans for, thought they would require on when they sold was decimated by what I consider unfair trade practices, I think there is an argument for some recovery of costs since in my estimation uber/lyft avoided the true cost of running their businesses.

(08-12-2018 09:01 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I drove for about a year and a half because I had plenty of spare time on my own, and enjoyed it but had to give it up because it was starting to really put the wear and tear on my back with all the driving. If you have a vehicle that's paid off, you can make decent money doing it - but only as a part-time (2nd) job. I agree with the other poster - you can meet some really interesting people. I only had 1 or 2 complete dud drives which made me nervous. The most famous passenger I drove I guess was Peyton Manning's agent during the Super Bowl in Houston - nice enough guy but a cheapskate who didn't tip (even though he's worth about 25 million a year last I saw). If the Astros make the World Series again, I may have to start doing it again because there were some nice surges during the playoffs.

Most of the passengers I had totally preferred ride sharing services over taxis because (a) they were so much cleaner and nicer, (b) the apps were way better than the rudimentary apps taxis have, and © they were a ton cheaper. I'd also say at least 90 percent of the rides I gave were liberals or leaning towards the left on the political spectrum, and the foreign folks I drove couldn't believe America elected Trump.

Back when the courts ruled in favor of gay marriage it seemed like every passenger I had was so excited about it. It's all they talked about.


But then, after Trump won it seemed like every passenger was so excited about that.

:D

I think people tend to be more vocal when they've gotten a win and the other side stays quiet for a while.

(08-13-2018 06:29 AM)JTiger Wrote:  Cabs did to themselves. Every cab I've been a bad driver that tried to take me on a ride for extra miles and money. F those guys.

I've had pretty good experiences with Uber.

The review system on the ride shares is beautiful in its simplicity. When you book your ride you can immediately tell how good they're likely to be.

With taxis you have no way of knowing beforehand and no recourse after a bad experience so as a result they behave like ********. F them and F their unions and F the politicians who bow to their demands against the benefit of the majority.

(08-12-2018 02:03 PM)umbluegray Wrote:  

(08-12-2018 12:02 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  link: New York City issues temporary cap on ride-hailing vehicles

I think they should all be treated the same: regulated as taxis vehicle by vehicle, and employees. I'm not at all big on regulation or over-taxation, but I am big on common sense fairness. Allowing internet-based companies to avoid playing by the same rules, especially when people have invested time, sweat and years to build their lives, seems only unfair. They could go the other way and treat all cabs and limos as ride-share services and remove the taxes, medallions and regulations, but in either event, I think the cabbies, et cetera have a reasonable unfair trade practices case against loss of value against these thieving internet pirate companies.

Most drivers I know have said they don't really make the money they thought. I believe I saw the average ride-share driver quits after about a year-and-a-half. Which makes sense--they get hit with the self-employment taxes after about that time, and expense most don;t even consider when they sign up to drive. That forces them to desperately look for vehicle deductions and actual cost of use of driving their vehicle into the ground for the slave-masters, and then it dawns on most of them that they are barely breaking even, or losing their butts while Uber and Lyft rake in the dough without much overhead. I did see a few studies showing NY and Chicago were the few cities you could actually profit a little bit in. I have a buddy who drove in Chicago for nearly 2 years. Lost his azz doing Uber. Almost lost his car because of all the taxes/expenses he did not forsee and bought the kool-aid from uber on how he was an "entrepreneur" and would make big dollars driving his car for them.

I've never taken a uber or ride sharing service, and don't see a reason that I ever would. Wonder how many here have? What were your experiences, and do you/did you get any feedback from drivers on how they're doing? Anyone here actually drive/drove for them? What were your experiences?

I hear what you're saying, but I don't think it's the same at all.

Have you ever had a yard sale or garage sale (depending on which part of they country you're in)?

Should you be regulated the same as and forced to operate the same as department stores?

Should children be able to run a lemonade stand without facing the same regulations as Starbucks?


I don't know if this is true or not, but I've heard Uber started with the intent of selling the tool to taxi companies. No one was interested so they got creative.


I actually started driving Uber back in June 2015 as a way to fund a family trip to Disney World. When November rolled around I had made enough to:

1. Reserve a 7-day/6-night stay at Disney's Polinesian Resort (considered one of their delux resorts)
2. Buy 5 park hopper tickets for 7 days
3. Buy the table service dining plan for 5
   

In 4 & and half months I had earned enough to cover a pretty darn expensive trip to Disney.

During those initial months of driving I came to realize that I actually enjoyed doing it. It's amazing how many people I've met from not only across the U.S. but from around the world.

I'm a people person. I enjoy meeting and talking with people.

I've given rides to NBA players, coaches and execs in town for Grizzlies games. Let me tell ya, Juwan Howard is one big dude. I have a Buick Enclave and he needed every bit of that room.

I have a pic of St. Louis Cardinals World Series ring.

I've given rides to actors and actresses in town with Broadway shows.

I've given rides to musicians playing at the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival.

My biggest fare to date was a ride where I picked up 2 couples after a Foo Fighters show at the FedExForum. They were heading to Collierville, a suburb which is almost as far away from downtown Memphis as you can get (about 30 miles). That one trip paid $145.

Yes, some people complain that they don't make money. Others say they do.

I keep a log of mileage. When I do my taxes I have a very healthy deduction to offset the income.

But here's how I look at it. My monthly insurance cost an extra $5 to add ride-share coverage (through USAA). That's an extra $60/year for insurance. I put $40 in tank and don't use it all. I can make $80 a night easy -- EASY. So I'm not spending more on gas than I make.


As far as people not understanding IRS rules, that's not Uber's fault. This is VERY IMPORTANT: any time you make money the IRS wants a cut. Period.

Everyone should know this. If they don't then I think they probably don't have the financial acumen to run a self-owned business.

Didn't see a expense side on wear and tear.....

oil changes cost about $60 and up today for most
Tires cost about $600 and up for a SUV
Mileage added by driving is going to lower the resale or trade in value
If you own a Buick Enclave you are most likely in a middle to upper middle class type tax rate. I believe the IRS will not allow mileage if the vehicle is one used for personal use?

So I think once you take into account the above that $80 a night is going to be a lot lower. Plus you never said the amount of time you invested in it?

Also that was went surges on rides were outrageous. I believe that is not the case today. I know next to nothing on ride sharing (never drove or took a ride) other than what I read so maybe that's not the case?

It sounds like most of the money you made was from events and not everyday driver? I think most drivers would be the polar opposite of that.