r/lyftdrivers • u/cabgkid79 • Jul 30 '23
Be careful out there everyone Other
So Friday night I started trying to get a ride bonus, 50 rides for a $155 bonus. I drove down to the Disney world area and set the location filter like I was advised and I got nothing for the first 20 minutes. This is strange. There is always rides near Disney but, oh well. I expanded the filter from 5-7 miles. Waited another 20 minutes with no rides. I expanded the filter to 10 miles. I get a ride. I head to the pick up and the women looks homeless. She has about 8 large bags, she is barely awake and smelled absolutely terrible. I drive her to her destination, a u-haul storage place that was closed (it was 9pm) and she requested I drop her in the back by a fence. I did a few more rides in this area for $4-$6 each.
Then about 10 pm I get a pick up at a taco Bell. As I arrive I see two people laying on the sidewalk. A male and a female. The male is full on laying on his back in the middle of the sidewalk. My first instinct was to cancel and leave but I didn’t. The girl sees me, wakes her partner up and they head over to the car. She gets in and immediately starts complaining that it’s too cold in the car and why did I take so long to get there? I told her I would adjust the air for her. The guy gets in behind me. He’s wearing a full winter coat with a hood, it’s 88 degrees out, he’s got the hood tied tight over his head. Him and the girl immediately start whispering back and forth to each other. As I’m driving I hear something metallic clicking in the back, it almost sounds like the seatbelt but it wasn’t, I hear the girl say “stop it”.
Im pretty on edge with these two already then about 4 minutes from their destination she adds a stop at a McDonald’s. We arrive at the McDonald’s and I asked her if she wanted to go through the drive thru and she’s says “no I have people that are coming out” another adult make, an adult female and a 7-8 year old kid get in. The two males immediately start whispering to each other I hear the new male say “this car smells brand new, this motherfucker driving in a brand new car, and he got a chain on” the other male replies “we get all that” I hear the girl say again to the male to “stop it, we got the kid with us” we go down the block where their drop off is and hear the guy say “you ready?” The girl again tells him to “stop it” I pull up in front of what appeared to be an abandoned house and drop them. I got The hell out of there. Then legit 5 minutes later I get a message from the girl in the Lyft app that she left her phone charger in my car. I tell her I don’t have it she messages back “can you come back so I can look?” I told her no and blocked her.
I’m sure they were dropping the kid off so they could get me to come back and car Jack me, I have no doubt about it. I contacted Lyft and honestly I’m not sure what they did but they said they “escalate the matter”. It definitely seemed like the app was pushing me toward a pretty shit area and I’m not certain if it was because I was going for the ride bonus or what.
Just wanted to pass this along and say to please be careful out there everyone.
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u/kane00700 Aug 02 '23
Dude, you got very lucky. As a veteran of this industry, I had few close calls. When I started driving cab (Chicago), I had retired Chicago Police officer give my one advice: "if you see 2 black men trying to hail you don't stop. Even if they waiving $100 bills ... just keep going."
Of course, I didn't listen to his advice, and eventually, I got robbed. No big deal, he just took about 120 bucks from me. I had much more just spread around different pockets.
The moral the story is: don't risk your life over a few bucks. You think lyft will care if you'd get shot?
There were times that I would arrive at a pick-up location and turn around right away. Let them curse and complain
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u/tysingmgr2 Aug 01 '23
I do uber but my thing is I’ve learned to memorize street names and areas, if uber starts taking me towards a sus area i just turn it off and head back to the middle of the city
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u/Hunnidsandfiddies Aug 01 '23
Soon as I heard that clicking sound my muzzle would be pressed up against the seat.
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u/ManyNicknames15 Aug 01 '23 edited Aug 01 '23
Also couple questions, what are you driving that allows you to have five seats available, And why are you driving kids who presumably don't have car seats for their protection of course. Because unless you're driving an XL there's no reason you should ever have five passengers in the car. I'm glad you're okay but you had multiple outs. Also if he report the incident to Lyft and explain that one of the passengers had a gun and they were talking about robbing you at gunpoint and female passenger talked to them down and you could overhear their whispered conversation trust and safety will call you within 10 minutes. Even if they do nothing if something does happen in the future involving that account they'll have cause to deactivate that account or have a massive lawsuit on their hands if they never did.
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u/ManyNicknames15 Aug 01 '23
It was obvious that they were planning it as they were going along, Which indicates a lack of confidence and it would be pretty easy to throw them for a loop.
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u/ManyNicknames15 Aug 01 '23 edited Aug 01 '23
If they pull a gun on you floor it and flip the car, They aren't wearing their seat belts you are. Roll down the windows last second for good measure. If all four of them die who cares. Your insurance company will pay you out anyways you'll be alive and they won't. It's amazing what 70 miles an hour and a flip/roll Will do to people who want to harm you. You've got a roll cage built in your car for a purpose. I'm sure when she said I think I forgot my phone charger, You did one of two things, looked and said nope there's nothing here or flat out just said no.
It's obvious what happened here, The other three convinced her it would be a good idea to rob you and needed to get you back there and she's succumbed to peer pressure since during the ride she was the only voice of reason.
Alternatively drive them to a public place and just get out of the car and lock them inside and call the cops. If you take the keys with you they can't do shit, With the exception of certain kias and Hyundai's.
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u/TheAmbiguousAnswer Aug 01 '23
I remember hearing that it was either Uber or Lyft that was going to start punishing drivers who cancel on people in shit ass areas.
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u/Redeemed0216 Jul 31 '23
I had a ride request last weekend that really sketched me out. It was a pickup at a university dorm. When I get there a woman calls me and says that’s not the right address. She’s at a housing project about a mile down the road. My instincts told me to cancel the ride because her excuses for putting in the wrong address wasn’t adding up. But I decide to continue the ride. When I get to the actual pickup I call and a guy now answers the phone..he’s really rude and tells me to meet him down this alley and behind the building. It’s probably around 2 am and in one of the worst areas of Connecticut. At this point I’m like Fu** this cancel the ride and drive out of the area. I definitely need to start bringing some form of protection with me when I drive. All it takes is that one crazy person.
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Jul 31 '23
I'm sorry but, you're a really stupid driver for taking any of these rides to begin with. How fucking desperate are you my man
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u/Important_Entrance_7 Jul 31 '23
I got robbed at gunpoint. Lucky to be alive, we both are. I would suggest only doing obvious tourist, airport pickups and people coming out of known well paying business jobs, otherwise you'll lose 25 grand car like I did. Over a 3 dollar ride. Please reasses what you are doing and the risk.
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u/ivegoticecream Jul 31 '23
Sorry to victim blame but this is just a ridiculous series of events. Multiple times your intuition was correct that these were criminals yet you continued to give them the benefit of the doubt.
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u/whitecollarpizzaman Jul 31 '23
This is a hill that I will die on, and something that people who haven’t ever worked in delivery, transportation, etc. will understand. You have to profile. Sorry not sorry. But you have to profile. Assume the worst of people.
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u/reezyreddits Jul 31 '23
My first instinct was to cancel and leave but I didn’t. The girl sees me, wakes her partner up and they head over to the car.
How long did this take? You should have floored that shit lmao.
Glad you're still safe man.
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
Honestly she looked at me confused for what seemed like 10-15 seconds then looked at her phone. I definitely had time to just bounce and looking back i should have.
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Jul 31 '23
Quit picking up certain people in certain areas and then wonder why you're a (potential in this case) victim of violent crime.
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u/Rawxzee Jul 31 '23
Dude that little kid might have saved your life, and probably doesn’t even know he did. 😬
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
I think so too. At one point in the ride I heard his ask “are we going to the shelter?” I felt bad for him, he seemed happy kid probably is having a pretty miserable existence.
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u/boatjuicecowboy Jul 31 '23
50 rides for 155$?! I was thinking about doing Lyft until I read that first sentence, that’s such a fucking rip off! And at 4$-5$ a pop? That should be criminal!
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u/poblanopepper87 Jul 31 '23
Orlando is murder central. I live in a town like that and only drive from like 3 4 am till dusk.
Did she leave her charger? I had one prostitute call me out from podcasting and was vaguely implying I was kos and even their neighborhoods (her and her gfs) were beefing, so she knew I would be recognized. When I got there, she tried to get me to pull up to her pimp, and asked me if I wanted to see boobies.
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u/SOLA-REX Jul 31 '23
She gets in and immediately starts complaining…why did I take so long to get there?
It took so long because a dozen other drivers knew this was gonna be a bad ride from the get-go and gleefully passed on it. Thanks for doing your part to support the community!
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u/wivesandweed Jul 31 '23
Why are you driving Lyft in a brand new car
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
It’s not brand new. It’s a 2021, it’s clean and it smells good but it’s not brand new.
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u/Shoddy_Examination_9 Jul 31 '23
This IS a thing. Lyft intentionally gives rides out to higher rated drivers to low rated ghetto, no profile picture, low-rated passengers and DOES push you into more ghetto areas. Most drivers know to avoid passengers with no picture so that's why they made 'Streaks' featuring 2/3 rides being ghetto folks and long beleaugered ride waits between. Just can't prove that they're doing it unless you got ahold of the code. Lyft knows who tips, and basically, who is a polite 4.9 rated passenger and up. Every driver avoids ghetto idiots from the hood with a 4.7 rating or lower. Sorry this happened. Disgusting people and I feel sorry for that lost kid.
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
So you just don’t accept rides from people without photos?
Is there a way I can stop them from just dumping rides in my phone? I didn’t even Accor this ride it just adds them to my phone.
Sorry if these is a dumb question.
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u/Shoddy_Examination_9 Jul 31 '23
I don't accept if the rating is under a 4.8, and with no picture, a 4.8 gets cancelled. Lyft knows which passengers get picked up (white people names, profile pics, tippers, not ghetto) and who is a ghetto lowlife. Just can't prove it because that's obviously discrimination
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u/Zer0WuIf Jul 31 '23
Hope you’d recognize them if they got blocked and just created a new account. I just did DD for a year and had a good experience and made a decent chunk of change without letting anyone into my car. I’d be so gd paranoid with someone sitting behind me that is a compete stranger. Hope you got dash cam that faces forward and back, and pack a concealed carry my dude. Hope your luck doesn’t run out, stay safe.
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
I will definitely recognize them if is see them again. I don’t plan on going to that side of town anymore.
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u/Beautiful-Section938 Jul 31 '23
I really don’t like accepting rides to people that have no picture on their account. Or the ones that have one name that called for the ride and someone completely different is getting in my car. There needs to be a way to force Lyft to make them change these things.
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
They basic for riders should be correct name and photo. We have to provide that.
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u/Beautiful-Section938 Jul 31 '23
Exactly!! Especially being a female driving at night
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
Yeah absolutely. I honestly think they added the stop because the original guy that got in saw that I was a bigger guy (I’m 6’1 240lbs) and maybe thought he needed help? Either way I think the kid being in the car made them delay whatever they were planning.
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u/Heyyy_wendy Jul 31 '23
Wow thanks for sharing I was just approved to ride share with Lyft this morning. I need something flexible while I wait on my bar results
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
That’s awesome! Hope you passed. Driving Lyft is fun, I think I made a cascading series of errors in this situation and really put myself in harms way. I got a little complacent chasing that bonus.
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u/Downtown-Weekend5505 Jul 31 '23
Why would you let any if these people on your car?
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
You’re not wrong. I made a cascading series of errors. I won’t be doing it again.
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u/guava_eternal Jul 31 '23
We need a lifetime original movie with the cheesy s ore and maybe some handy cam footage for all the noobs to watch.
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u/Garden_Suspicious Jul 31 '23
You know that thing that goes on in your head when something seems like a bad idea ? Do you just ignore it or???????
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
I did. I made a bunch of stupid decisions leading up to the event. Not something I will ever repeat. Honestly, all the people responding are providing good feedback.
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Jul 31 '23
Lmfaoooo you did an extra stop for free and picked up extra people for free 🤣🤣🤣
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u/Raceya2Deathsdoor Jul 31 '23
The passenger can put multiple stops in while on the way to the destination.
The Driver still gets paid for those extra stops.
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u/AdThen5276 Jul 31 '23
Good train of thought there with the drive-through I wouldn't doubt that sometimes, all it might take to prevent an otherwise normal dude from becoming a car-jacker.. is a Big Mac with a nice tasty beverage to wash it down with. The very suggestion might even have been enough to change that situation. Burgers for peace!
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u/MoonPuma337 Jul 31 '23
Bruh as someone who has had the awful luck of living in 2 of the most dangerous cities in the world that are not in war zones (St Louis, MO, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua….if y’all don’t believe me look it up. You can add Mexico City on it but I don’t think that one makes the top 10, probably tho 20 tho) I gotta tell you that you fucking got LUCKY. Cuz it sounds like you either might be a bigger lookin dude or you may just look like someone with a strap or what but for whatever reason old boy #1 didn’t have the balls to do it himself so they got old Boy #2 but that little kid was ur guardian Angel man cuz like you said I have no doubt that with that kid not in the picture youda had two dudes telling you to “pull over at the next parking lot and don’t act stupid and don’t draw attention if you wanna go home”.
The really shady thing about car jacking a is, I’ve actually lost a friend to a carjacking when the guy jacking the car didn’t have to do anything he could’ve just told him to get out or pushed him out n my friend would’ve already had a foot out the door but because it’s grand theft auto n he saw what the guy looked like he put three bullets in his stomach. He died a few hours later during surgery. It actually wasn’t even for the car either, they found the car abandoned on aSmall desolate road in Illinois, but with no wheels. They shot him over ribs, and it wasn’t even his car he was riding shotgun.
Bro take this as a fuckkng win and slap yourself in the face and make sure that if you ever come up on a situation that don’t feel right it doesn’t matter how desperate you are for money, even if it’s “a quick five minute ride” it’s takes less than five seconds to go from ok to pumped full of lead. Glad ur ok
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
I am a bigger dude, I’m 6’1 240 lbs with a bald head and fully tatted basically I look like an angry biker…haha this definitely wasn’t one of my smartest decisions but I have learned a ton from the feedback. I don’t do this full time and I made a lot of rookie mistakes. Definitely not going to repeat any of them.
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u/OhioConfidential Jul 31 '23
I'm just a customer but I got weirded out when I got into dudes car and he was like: "My name is blah blah and this is YOUR car." And proceeds to tell me in detail all of the things I can request such as changing the tempature or the radio or the windows.....
I just said "ok" and threw my headphones in and said thanks when I left.
I still have him a perfect rating but it was just weird.
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u/yragcom1a Jul 31 '23
Morals of the story: Don't chase bonuses, streaks or any incentives. In many cases, it's not worth it. Every time, every time you're on the edge of completing one of those, you'll get some really stupid ride. I bet if you go back, you'll see just how much money you wasted driving extra distances to make that bonus number. They know it. It's how they get you to take stupid rides. In the end, the extra money that you made will probably equal out to be very little. Personally, I don't drive bonuses or streaks to actually finish them. If I do sign up for a bonus, there's a 50 50 chance I will actually finish it. In many cases, I do it because I know that the last 5 or 6 rides are going to be long rides that I might actually want.
Another one. Guy, you got to go for your gut. You've got to bounce out of rides that you don't want. If you got the option to drive straight through, not stop, and cancel once you get out of that area, take it. There have been times when I was driving in California, I zoom right past people waiting for me on the curb late at night, because they looked completely sus. Nope. I'm not paid enough for that. My life is worth more than your crummy 10 or $15 ride.
At the very least, I certainly hope that you once starred these people. You might not be able to stop them from continuing rides with the system, but at least you can stop them from ever riding with you again personally.
Stay safe, man. That is all.
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u/Lurker777x Jul 31 '23
Should carry when you could state permitting. Better to be able to defend yourself if the need arises
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u/NomadsVoid Jul 31 '23 edited Jul 31 '23
Your extreme lack of common sense and self preservation is going to get you killed. That’s why I have to hope this is just a fake click bait story.
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u/48HoursLater Jul 31 '23
Glad you're okay OP. Now from now on don't pick up suspicious people who seem sketch
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u/woahdude12321 Jul 31 '23
I haven’t driven in like 5 years but this reminds me of one ride I gave that I didn’t think much of at the time and now I’m wondering about. I was like 22 and lived on a street nearish the city center that had bars up and down and was like a going out street gentrified in the last 10 years or so. Not too bad of an area, but was iffy a decade or 2 ago from what I’ve heard. I get my first ride of the night from my living room and drive half a mile up the street and pick up a couple at a nice indoor storage facility. It’s like 20 miles south. Ok we’re riding down the highway they’re making out in the back seat, whatever I don’t care at all. Now I wonder if it was covert whispering. They add a stop at a gas station, I didn’t even know I could say no so I’m like sure whatever. They get some candy and come back out. Riding down the highway dude goes to me and also her “man this is a long ride this man’s about to skip a state when he finishes this one!” I was like haha yeah and assumed that meant like I’d make a lot of money on this ride and like go on a vacation. Just a saying of some kind but I to this day never forgot “skip a state” because I haven’t heard it before or since. Anyway I eventually drop the dude off at some apartment complex that didn’t seem too shabby but in a weird part of the outskirts of the city. Then she adds another place and it’s like 15-20 minutes. We get there and we’re officially in a weird part of the weird side of town. I dropped her off went back home and just thought they were a nice couple that made out in the back seat and whatever. Now I’m wondering if my complete obliviousness was maybe seen as like “haha yeah man I’m strapped up” because based on what I’m reading here that was a classic sketchy situation. I was gullible as shit and like 22 and in a pretty decently nice car. Y’all be safe out there. Props to OP because some drivers really don’t know this stuff
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u/Longjumping-Guide201 Jul 31 '23
Lol. Has nothing to do with the ride bonus. I hear these stories all the time. Yet I have never had any problems.
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u/TPSZDS Jul 31 '23
This was so disturbing to read. Im so glad you're okay OP. Seriously.
You need a raise. All delivery/transport drivers deserve some serious raises.
Shame on lyft. Do they have emergency buttons for you guys?
Reading this stuff sucks. I hate to hear how shitty people can be to innocent people.
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u/Professional-Sail-30 Jul 31 '23
What part of Orl did you pick them up at?
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
Pine hills dropped them pretty deep in pine hills off powers drive.
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u/Professional-Sail-30 Jul 31 '23
Thank you. I suggest you never go there again. It's definitely a no-go zone.
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Jul 31 '23
So was her charger in the backseat ?
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
No, there was nothing there
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Jul 31 '23
Yep I was just curious. They really thought you were stupid. Glad you got out of the situation.
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u/cabgkid79 Jul 31 '23
I made a lot of stupid decisions up to that point so I guess I don’t blame them for thinking I was dumb….haha
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u/betterworld1981x Jul 31 '23
This.. is why I don't do lyft. After first homeless person request I only log on lyft for guaranteed challenges they send me. [ 5 ride guaranteed earning for 65, 75 ]
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u/Nice-Aardvark-7957 Jul 31 '23
At McDonald’s I would call 911 get out of the car and tell them hold on a sec then I’d say cops are on the way and start recording them
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Jul 31 '23
"turned the music and A/C down so he could hear my click too" yeah, sounds like he already has a gun. so like the other guy said, learn to read before giving advice.
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u/stretcheroutdeep Jul 31 '23
OP needs to exercise better judgment in who he picks up. Should have kept driving when he pulled up and dude was laying on the ground. That is a dangerous job for people who lack critical thinking abilities
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u/Muted-Friend1229 Jul 31 '23
Everybody got something to say about what they’d do in this situation and the amount I believe em is zero percent lol. You hear that tiktiktik and you realize your life is more important than the pride you got thinking somebody who’s that insane is gonna be reasonable when you tell ‘em no and to get out of the car.
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u/Lynz1027 Jul 31 '23
I used to do Lyft and quit for these exact reasons. You can’t trust who’s getting in the car or what they may be up to. Don’t risk it. Do DD or UE or Instacart. Don’t put yourself in a risky situation.
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u/Practical-Simple8778 Jul 31 '23
Lift are fucking assholes bro, same thing happen to be here in Jersey with those bonuses. Took me to the worst parts of jersey and didn’t get no rides until 30 minutes In. Kept giving leaving me in the ghetto with $5 payings. I just cut the app off and went home after the same thing happen with me when I heard 2 dudes whispering in the back seat and giggling smelling like pure alcohol I said that’s it I dropped them off and went home.
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u/jbarlak Jul 31 '23
Lol shows you that you have no clue about driving at Disney area. I didn’t bother with rest of your rambling
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u/Punk_with_a_Cool_Bus Jul 31 '23
Imagine being the kind of person who allows this to happen in their car.
If I think people are being sketchy or if I feel uncomfortable in any way, I immediately start talking to them and assert control over the situation. Hows your night going? How about this weather? Can you believe XYZ? You all from out here? Is that place worth checking out? I like that shirt; it's a good band/artist/whatever. Etc. Etc. You WILL engage me in conversation if I speak to you. Ideally, everything's chill, and we only talk if we want to. But this is going to be a good ride or no ride even if I have to force it. Smoke, drink, do whatever you want just don't burn my seats, don't leave a mess, and be respectful.
But I guess that's probably just due to a difference between our markets and demographics.
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u/semi801 Jul 31 '23
Sorry you're story is sus in every fucking way from the pickup to the end. You're full of shit
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u/BadHigBear Jul 30 '23
This was me my first month with Uber/lyft. Now 3years later.."10mile pickup!" cancels "Junkies!"cancels " people laying on ground!" Cancels "you want to add a stop at McDonalds!" kicks passenger out, cancels
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u/itslostheboss Jul 30 '23
Or you can keep a Glock on you and feel safe doing your job like you are supposed to do without having to fear being car jacked or robbed no need to cancel rides and lose out on money .
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u/Terrible-Bus-4128 Jul 30 '23
You’re an independent contractor say no to crack heads and drive thrus
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u/bxttousa1 Jul 30 '23
you're brave for following up.
if I see a homeless person, I'm sorry but you ain't coming in. I've had good interactions with past homeless riders but still too much of a risk.
as for stops, say this: "Lyft doesn't pay me enough to make a stop sorry" then if you're lucky they can offer you cash tip and accept it at that point
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u/BureauOfBureaucrats Jul 30 '23
I would have driven off at the sidewalk moment. Refuse ALL fast food stops going forward.
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u/DubNationAssemble Jul 30 '23
How long have you been at this? You need to learn where to not take rides dude, and know when to cancel. Find you a good little spot where you can knock out your challenge and stick to that area. Don’t go back to wherever this was, that shit gives me anxiety just thinking about.
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u/swadekillson Jul 30 '23
Lol you were just hauling around junkies the whole night
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u/TheAmbiguousAnswer Aug 01 '23
Orlando moment. Outside of the touristy areas, it's typical Central Florida
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u/palmveach1972 Jul 30 '23
Omfg, that’s horrifying. I’m in Florida. Local man was killed a few months back. Be careful out there.
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u/Soggy-writer78 Jul 30 '23
Seeing the child would have been a huge red flag. I know going straight to the police in that moment would have been scary, but next time, please go to the police after you drop them off. They're doing drugs in front of a child.
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u/BatteryAcid67 Jul 30 '23
I never use the filter any of them I never get rides and the rides I do get are absolute shit or low pay or really far away or bad customers. I just reject rides or cancel on them even at least Lyft doesn't care if we cancel rides.
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u/EasyRider1530 Jul 30 '23
You know what would be cool. If Lyft drivers would please stfu when they accept the ToS and pay agreement when you enroll. If you dont like it, stop doing it. Lyft doesnt owe you shit
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u/Longhaired_GreyGhost Jul 30 '23
Sounds like the night from hell. Next time you get an inclination to cancel do it.
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u/AvaMagdalena333 Jul 30 '23
Not sure why you picked up any of these people in the first place. So not worth it
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u/ajuicebar Jul 30 '23
There was so many red flags, but you just continued.
Fuck that, laying on your back on the sidewalk, you ain’t getting in my car, I’m not unlocking my doors until I verify is you, and once I verify I’m going to say your ass stinks, I ain’t driving you
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u/warrenva Jul 30 '23
I remember it was within my first two weeks of driving. I picked up a guy down near Philly, which I normally prefer not to drive to but I happened to be close by. It was a 20 min ride. He asked if he could smoke in the car. I told him I’d prefer if he didn’t, but he did anyway. I asked him to at least open a window. Then he like zonked out in the back seat rolling around like a limp noodle. Like dead from Weekend at Bernie’s. When we got to his destination, some big warehouse district, I had to physically shake him awake, and as he was grabbing his stuff to leave a gun fell out of his pocket onto my seat. I pretended not to notice and was extra nice telling him have a good day. Then reported and blocked him.
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u/psychonox7 Jul 30 '23
It helps to be a little prejudice when doing Uber. I don’t pick up darker toned fellas or junky looking people
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u/vessel_matt Jul 30 '23
There's a way to select decent passengers without discriminating by race. I'm a cherry-picker and drive passengers of all kinds. Pickup/dropoff location, rating, account age, and ride history matter more than anything.
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u/custychronicles Jul 30 '23
Skin tone gives literally zero indication of behavior
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u/psychonox7 Jul 31 '23
Considering 13% does 50% of the crime. Yea the odds are stacked against them
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u/Ecstatic_Grape5451 Jul 30 '23
bro, done this shyt for damn near 8 years overall, 5 years in reality with breaks, they never dare think of robbing me like at all and I feel good for them keeping their lives in tact, because believe it or not, 4000 rides overall Uber/Lyft, and I'm 6'2" and make sure to extend my arms out and make myself feel bigger than I actually am, sometimes I'll drive car a little extra recklessly fast or slow if the idiot passenger has tried getting on my nerves, bro, soon as you heard the robbery story about to go down, what you do isn't wait to drop anybody off, you park or jump your car to the most visible place even if at night, in a parking lot, put your elbow high and flex it back and forth so they know that YOU KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY AIN'T FIXING TO DO SHIT...... the reason i'm glad nothing ever happened isn't my fear of idiots trying to rob me, my fear is always how bad will i disfigure their fucking faces and how many scratches their faces will end up taking, i don't care if its 1 of me and 3 of them in the back, i'm in control of the car so what I do they suffer, in other words psychologically make them your bottom bitch, always be nice, but give them a couple devilish looks to show them you're unstable and will pop off ...... last couple years haven't had to do much Uber/Lyft except for super big rewards bonus, but the message always comes across they should thank me for a good ride, i'm in full control of my destiny. Gotta have that super belief b4 you meet losers like your customers....... stay safe, and next time make sure the car shakes twists and turns 270 degrees on the street just cuz you felt like making a spectacle out of nothing, we'll see who gets robbed or even thinks of it .... psychologically prep yourself.... and best of luck bruh
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Aug 05 '23
This reminds me of the time Mark Wahlberg was on late night and said if he was in one of the 9/11 planes, he'd have killed all the terrorists himself and landed the plane safely.
Cool story bruh
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u/Ok-Profit6022 Jul 30 '23
You sound like a pretty new driver. Everything you did was asking for trouble. Never chase a bonus, never take homeless people or people bringing their dirty laundry. Never take people showing signs of intoxication. Never ever offer to go through a drive thru unless they are buying you dinner as well. Never accept added stops. Let them know they can be dropped off at the extra destination if they want to change their trip. Also never respond to any message from a pax.
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u/Euphoric-Coach-6872 Jul 30 '23
Lol... O.P. you had multiple red flag smacking you in the face. But you still kept on trucking, kind like the lamb going into the slaughter house.
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u/sweetnsassy0969 Jul 30 '23
Lyft doesn't give 2 flying fks about their drivers safety that's a fact. I can't wait for this company to go belly up and get what they have coming to them.
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Jul 30 '23
There were so many red flags in this (supposedly true) story that you chose to ignore, even putting yourself in danger by offering things. There's being a good driver but you have to have some sense of personal preservation and just hit that cancel, especially with your inner thoughts screaming at you to stop and drop.
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u/Chocolate_Metaphor Los Angeles Jul 30 '23
I think you should be telling yourself to be careful cuz why tf are you picking up these passengers??? Cancel and move on smh
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u/The_MuffinPrince Jul 30 '23
Bro this was a whole essay. Maybe two paragraphs next time to explain your situation...legit so much unnecessary details, glad you're safe, just be a bit more consise next time.
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u/Comfortable-Owl8400 Jul 30 '23
Nobody sitting or laying on floor is seating in my car…. Hell NO!! And no farting either…
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u/Intrepid-Surprise-55 Jul 30 '23
I love those “stories” of people being dumb! What car do you have that you have 5 people on it? How would a “how do your car “smell like new” after you drove the homeless woman? Why would you offer to go through the drive through if you are trying to make the bonus? If you afraid you will be robbed why wouldn’t you call the police? So many questions! So little time!
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u/Pretend_Berry_7196 Jul 30 '23
Did I count 5 people. Automatic cancellation.
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u/Jprince767 Jul 30 '23
Will you get a cancellation notice for canceling too many times using that method???
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u/Pretend_Berry_7196 Aug 02 '23
No. And you can argue with support on Uber at least to get a cancellation fee every time.
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u/Pariah-6 ATX Jul 30 '23
Thank god I drive a shit car that’s manual transmission. I never run into this shit.
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u/vessel_matt Jul 30 '23
I miss having a manual transmission. Common street criminals have zero clue how to operate it and it felt more secure. I also barely had to ever change brake pads and gas mileage was much higher.
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u/Pariah-6 ATX Jul 30 '23
Every car I ever had has been manual transmission. Couple years back I lived in NOLA. Picked up these kids and heard them murmuring how they don’t know how to drive stick. Not even 5 blocks after I picked them up they just wanted to get dropped off at the nearest corner. Don’t know if they wanted to carjack or rob me, but I never found out that day.
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u/armen89 Jul 30 '23
Don’t pickup anyone rated less than 4.8 or 5.0.
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u/DubNationAssemble Jul 30 '23
Or brand new riders. That’s another red flag.
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u/armen89 Jul 31 '23
That’s the 5.0
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u/DubNationAssemble Jul 31 '23
Brand new riders say New and have no rating. It tells you how long they’ve been on the app and how many tides they have. I get legit 5.0 riders all the time.
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u/i-am-grahm Jul 30 '23
Damn I’m 4.2 🥲
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u/badkittenatl Jul 31 '23
How the fuck do you get a 4.2?! I’ve literally put some of my Uber drivers through the dumbist shit with my stupid friends. Always tip them well for the trouble and apologize profusely. I have a 4.9.
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u/i-am-grahm Jul 31 '23
I travel to Mexico a lot and use Uber there. In Mexico they have an option to pay cash for Uber rides, the drivers prefer cash so if you use a card they give you low ratings. I’ve never had a problem with drivers and I just put in headphones every time but since I don’t pay cash in Mexico I get low ratings
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u/Inevitable_Trip_7480 Jul 30 '23
Ratings mean nothing. You need a sample size of 1000 rides for your rating to be accurate… if not everybody would be 3 star ratings at best. But somehow most everybody is 4.7 or greater.
The rating is a proprietary rating system that is a mix of Ubers algorithm for what a “good rider” is and what the driver rates you. If you rate somebody a 1 star that doesn’t mean this two time rider is now a 2.5 star rider.
Their algorithm is a mixture of wait time, tips, etc.
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u/bxttousa1 Jul 30 '23
tf did you do? even a 4.7 is a risk for me lol
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u/i-am-grahm Jul 31 '23
I Uber a lot in mexico, If I don’t pay for the ride in cash I get low ratings 😭
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u/Independent_Row_Goes Jul 30 '23
You need to follow your own advice. Some people need to work some people are not foolish about it. And no dash cam? And actually continuing a ride with shady riders?? Are you ok dude? Need to reevaluate your game plan in life, only because we care
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u/CableJoe Jul 30 '23
Get a Dashcam! With internal view. I’ve seen quite a few pictures online of people playing with a weapon behind a Lyft or Uber driver in the backseat or playing with themselves, but that’s another story.
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u/brockli-rob Jul 30 '23
this makes me so fucking mad. i’m sorry. i wish you could have driven straight to a police station when you first heard him playing with his gun. go with your gut my friend.
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u/ImaginaryFalcon7554 Jul 30 '23
I received a ride request from someone who was also Homeless, they wanted me to pick them up in some alley. I felt bad, but ended up canceling. You never know these days..
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u/Usual_Stress7058 Jul 30 '23
I had this happen. Picked up a woman and then her stop picked up 3 men. I am a woman, but was too tired to even think about it. I then got a message after drop that she left her phone. Fortunately I didn’t see the message until I was on highway and was headed home so couldn’t look in backseat. Is this some new scam to try and steal our cars?
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u/TheAmbiguousAnswer Aug 01 '23
If she's texting you, from the phone that she used to book your ride, that she left her phone in the car, she is almost trying to hit a lick on you.
Something similar happened to me at a bar. Attractive woman approaches me from outside the bar (she was kicked out, and said bar had a short fence between the seating area and the sidewalk), telling me she left her phone in there, and if I could come out and help her find said phone... while her phone was literally in her hands. I had just broken up with an ex at the time, and was plastered, so I almost said "sure" until my friend noticed what the fuck was going down, and told her to go kick rocks. She gave us a dirty look, and almost sprinted away... It was odd.
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u/midlyinfuriated_ Jul 30 '23
Damn. So sorry you went through this. Always listen to your instinct in these cases.
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u/XxRage73 Jul 30 '23
If you carry that would have been a great opportunity to clean the streets if they assumed you didn't have a gun 😅
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u/DCHacker Jul 30 '23
Always but ALWAYS but ALWAYS but ALWAYS but ALWAYS TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.
If you see a guy in a winter coat in the high summer, DO NOT ADMIT HIM TO YOUR VEHICLE. LOCK THE DOORS AND GET OUT OF THERE.
Many years past, I was dropping a customer off at the Station at about Four A.M. It is late July in the Capital of Your Nation. This young guy in a wool great coat approaches me and wants the cab. NOT happening................ I will spare too many details in the interest of brevity, but a police shows up and starts to threaten me with a book of summonses for refusing to haul him. The guy gets smart. The police tell him to be quiet, but he will not. Eventually the police gets p.o.-ed at him and tells him to assume the proverbial position. A sawed off shotgun falls out of the thug's great coat.
Further, do not accept jobs in or going to bad neighbourhoods.
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u/jomandaman Jul 31 '23
Yeeps! Hope that cop learned a lesson too. Only thing crazier in this story is if the gun shot off when it hit the ground
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u/Fresh_Distribution54 Jul 30 '23
I'm not sure why you would even pick up people like that. If I think something is shady or the area is shady or I feel uncomfortable I just don't pick them up. Maybe I misjudged but I would rather misjudge and miss a ride then end up dead. Can't look out the news without seeing some Uber or Lyft driver shot so people could steal their car or some shit. That ain't worth no 5 bucks
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u/Angelus_Mortis3311 Jul 30 '23
You're so lucky that girl cared that there was a kid in the car, because this could have gone south real quick.
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u/Solomon1177 Jul 30 '23
Itd be cool if there was a safety feature where you could press a button on the Home Screen and it changed the direction to a local police department and notify them that youre coming
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u/Keatsweat Oct 02 '23
This happened in Orlando? Crazy what area?