Rideshare Observations

Introduction

I need to make money. I don’t have health insurance so I’m paying all my medical bills out of pocket. I don’t get paid until Jan 15th from teaching. Even then, it’s not that big of a pay check. The rideshare money I make during the winter break will cover me. What is work? Does a custodian shirk out on menial tasks? Is ego the enemy? These are some questions that I asked myself yesterday.

What is work?

I frequently read the reddit /Lyftdrivers subreddit.Personally, I think forums such as reddit is a place for people to complain, amateurs ask other amateurs questions and overall brain rot for the masses. It is entertaining and sometimes there are insights and information that can be valuable to your life. You just have to sift through the riff-raff. (See below)

I saw this post and I saw how many hours I was doing. I thought to myself, “Of course, I’m making peanuts. I’m not putting in the work.” The job itself is a gig and hustle economy. That doesn’t mean minimum hours and large rewards. If I want to make money, I have to have the discipline to put in the hours.

Yesterday, the first 6 hours I made nothing. Barely $50. By the end of my 12 hour shift, I made $179. More than I ever made in a shift. Was it difficult? A little. Was I tired? Yeah, twelve hours driving. Is it that bad? No. I could be sweating buckets, and pouring concrete. Could I do this for the rest of the winter break until I go back to substitute teaching? I’ll try.

To sum up this point. I need to treat this job like a real job and put in hours that will reflect income. Just because the first 2-3 hours are not going well, in terms of income. I shouldn’t quit and go home.

Does a custodian shirk out on menial tasks?

No. Easy answer. I’m not a custodian, but I see what they go through at schools and the places where I worked. They don’t get enough credit. Truly a thankless job. They unclog toilets, mop up vomit, and clean things that would make the average person gag. They do it without question.

Cherry Picking- I learned from street basketball. When a player stands at the other side of the court (during full court) and waits for a pass from his teammate to score a goal. Essentially doing no work but receiving the praise, benefits or rewards.

The lyft subreddit is rampant with cherry-picking rides that are valued. They don’t accept $3 rides here or there. I’m trying to get in the attitude that no ride is beneath me. Accept all rides, within reason. This is job. I should treat it as such. Does the custodian say I won’t clean that? No. That’s the job. If you don’t like the job. Go find a new one. Don’t even get me started with tipping! That’s another post.

Does the custodian say I won’t clean that? No. That’s the job. If you don’t like the job. Go find a new one.

Is Ego is the Enemy?

Earlier I wrote that I will accept all rides. This is where my agency and ego get in the way. Sometimes I’m tired and I want to take a 10 minute break, go to the bathroom, find something to eat. Is that $3 dollar ride worth it to hold my pee 15 minutes longer? I haven’t eaten in 3 hours and that taquería I passed has no line. Go? I ask myself these questions throughout the day. I hype myself up to keep going. Sometimes that I cancel or don’t accept rides when I’m tired or the above reasons. To summarize this point. Do your job, don’t shirk out on tasks, but if you need to take a break, take it. What you rationalize to not take a fare is on you.

Conclusion

I love driving rideshare because I feel it is more valued to the public than ubereats or doordash. People need to get where they need to go. They have to go to work. They just got discharged from the hospital, and they need a ride to their car or home. They just got released from jail and need a ride home. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a place they have to be. For whatever reason, they need a ride.

Treat it like a job. Set yours and stick them.

What if you were a custodian? Do you walk away from a spill. Take every job.

Take every job but take care of yourself too.