Four Things About Uber You Wish You Never Knew

[FrodosPet]

Is "ridesharing" safe? Who are these amateur uberX drivers and are they properly screened for criminal backgrounds? Do they have proper insurance? And what happens when inevitable accidents occur? Are riders in danger?

[Unknown Beatle]

1. One thing's for sure,

Uber is a very greedy company.

[FrodosPet]

3. Off topic: I love your sig line

Music is our world's only hope.

[Unknown Beatle]

9. When they died, unheard great music went with them.

I'm extremely grateful that they left us an extensive collection of music we still enjoy today and in the future and for future generations.

[Lodestar]

2. Guardian article about Uber

London’s Guardian newspaper interestingly identifies Uber’s motivation in interfering with city governance:

“A more apt understanding of Uber’s ambitions is that the company wants to be involved in city governance – fashioning the new administrative capacities of urban environments. Rather than follow government rules, like any other utility, Uber wants a visible hand in creating urban policy, determining how cities develop and grow, eventually making the city itself a platform for the proliferation of ‘smart,’ data-based systems.

“While Uber is currently fighting for deregulation, it is misleading to understand this as simply attempting to remove legal barriers to market forces. Rather, it is a process of disrupting political power. And Uber has already established itself as a power player.”

The taxi industry calls upon Toronto politicians to demonstrate political will in enforcing its own existing laws fairly and consistently for everyone. Do not reward Uber’s aggressive stance on flouting the law by writing Uber a law of its own.

http://torontotaxialliance.com/2015/09/political-will-required-to-manage-uber-not-new-categories-or-regulations/category/toronto-taxi-business.html

[FrodosPet]

4. They don't even bother waiting for deregulation

They suborn violations of existing livery law and airport regulations all the time.

They are encouraging pickups at airports where drivers are getting towed and slapped with hundreds, even thousands of dollars worth of fines.
[hr]
DTW police threatening to give 500$ tickets

http://uberpeople.net/threads/dtw-police-threatening-to-give-500-tickets.52589/

On Saturday January 2 2016, I was asked by the detroit metro airport police if the passengers were related to me when picking up from the airport. When I said I was an Uber driver, they said if they ever catch me again they will give me 1000$ worth of tickets. I went to the Uber support center in Allen Park and they said that it is perfectly legal for uber x/xl drivers to pick up from the airport.

I went back to the airport and asked one of the cops what should I do to pick up customers legally, they said that I have to go through the commercial vehicles lane.

I called the airport authority and they said that for me to through the commercial vehicles lane, I need to buy cupons (sic) that are 10$ worth for each pick up i make.

I am confused as I cannot get a straight answer from anybody. I like the airport rides because you always get a ping and I always average a minimum of 15$ per hour after gas and tax.

~ snip ~

[Lodestar]

6. It's kind of like the free trade laws in that an "outside" company

(in this case 'outside' meaning a global company or organization like Uber) can come into a town or city
and challenge local laws or state laws and bring their entire and considerable weight to bear, be
it financial or a media barrage. Very disruptive to local municipalities who have reasonable
laws that protect its citizens and create level playing fields for businesses.

[mucifer]

5. Cracked did a similar entertaining video about uber

[name not needed]

7. Fun Fact: the Youtube channel's owner is the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association

http://www.whosdrivingyou.org/about

[FrodosPet]

8. Good point. So everything in it is colored by bias.

Therefore, Uber is Uber Excellent in every way. Criticism of Uber is blasphemy. Only a whiner would complain about making 30 cents a mile (minus 28% Uber commission, and fuel, and wear and tear).

[Quantess]

10. Good video.