Uber Drivers anyone?

[BigN8]

My side gig is football officiating. Subvarsity games usually work out to around 45/hr. Sometimes more. Depends on mileage and if you run the clock. I don’t do it for the money but live of the game, but the cash is a nice add on.

 

[2kwik4u]

@Julian (and anyone else interested),

Here is my spreadsheet that tracked my time/runs and profits/costs. let me know if that link works, and if it makes sense.

Operating costs came from my fuel/mileage/expenses logs for the truck, and I consider them more accurate than most. I also purposely did NOT consider insurance and payment as part of the operating costs. I would have those costs if I was Ubering or not. Those I considered ownership costs. Operating costs were more closely broken down by miles. I have both a with and without depreciation operating cost in there.

I also tracked actual versus estimated costs. Estimated relied on the $/mi number to calculate operating costs. Actual was costs that I actually incurred. Not sure it really matters, but I tracked that as well.

*edit here*
I should note. Cash tips are NOT shown here. Some nights cash would be king and I would have $100 in my pocket when I got home. Other nights it was all through the app. Even then it was REALLY REALLY rare to get a crappy or no tip rider. I honestly think driving UberX with a GMC Denali class pickup, as well as a professional appearance and demeanor contributed heavily to that. I had CONSTANT compliments on the truck, as well my service. Just goes to show that people WILL pay for good service.
*end edit*

You can see I only did it for a total of 19 night over about 3 months time. I was literally keeping the checkbook from bouncing, and only driving when I had to. Total profit was on the order of $150/wk or so, and it is by and large NOT worth the money. For me. It was "instant" cash that I could immediately deposit into my account at the end of the night, and keep the balance in the account above zero, and often buy another gallon of milk, or stack of diapers. You are very much using your vehicles depreciation as a payday loan for cash. It's NOT a living wage.

For anyone curious WHY I was doing that, and the exact situation. The basis is this; I was relieved of duties at a small startup company I was at the same day I brought home my second son from the hospital. That was April of '18. I knew it was coming and already had other irons in the fire, and was in a new position within 2 weeks. At the same time, the wife and I were in a REALLY REALLY rough patch, and I had taken over the finances for the first time in over a decade. The new job was great (I'm still there), but I took a pay cut from $125k/yr to just over $60k/yr, and was heavily "sold" on a large bonus structure in place. The bonus did NOT pay out (still hasn't) as I was led to believe. So, the finances were in turmoil, income was cut by ~40% (wife was still gainfully employed), and I then made another miscalculation. In the giant spreadsheet, I had my supposed giant bonus counted twice in income. This lead me to falsely believe we could replace her dying Chevy Traverse with a brand new Nissan Rogue. We could not, but I didn't find that accounting error for ~6mo when I was trying to figure out why ends didn't meet like I thought they should be. Once I found the error, got a good grip on what was happening, I was able to ration the bonus as best I could, and Uber helped patch me through until the next bonus came along. I could work busy times, quit when I need to (you'll see one night where I ended early, only took a few runs and bailed. Oldest crashed his bike and I met mom at the ER), and get the cash out immediately. There are a LOT of advantages to working like that over somewhere like UPS, or Amazon Warehouse that have very rigid schedules, tons of HR overhead, and scheduled pay periods. If I saw cash was short this week I could go drive for a few hours, make a few bucks, and live to fight another day.

SO.......Moral of the story.......Uber is a fine hobby that will pay for itself. I would highly suggest a dash cam for legality reasons, and I would be diligent on cleaning both the car and yourself. I was driving pre-pandemic, and arguably pre-election divided America. Even then, there were some sketchy situations. Over 19night driving I never really felt unsafe, or in real danger though. Most people (even the REALLY sketchy ones) just want to get somewhere. You got to be a people person though, and be prepared to deescalate or divert if needed. I think something like @sunbyrned has going would be great. Get to drive and be a "host" but not put yourself quite so far out on a limb.

If you get into driving and want some strategies for running both apps. Places to avoid, and places to frequent, as well as some general tips for handling people.....let me know. I learned a TON from those 19 nights, and I'll be glad to share.

 

[sunbyrned]

@Julian (and anyone else interested),

Here is my spreadsheet that tracked my time/runs and profits/costs. let me know if that link works, and if it makes sense.

Operating costs came from my fuel/mileage/expenses logs for the truck, and I consider them more accurate than most. I also purposely did NOT consider insurance and payment as part of the operating costs. I would have those costs if I was Ubering or not. Those I considered ownership costs. Operating costs were more closely broken down by miles. I have both a with and without depreciation operating cost in there.

I also tracked actual versus estimated costs. Estimated relied on the $/mi number to calculate operating costs. Actual was costs that I actually incurred. Not sure it really matters, but I tracked that as well.

*edit here*
I should note. Cash tips are NOT shown here. Some nights cash would be king and I would have $100 in my pocket when I got home. Other nights it was all through the app. Even then it was REALLY REALLY rare to get a crappy or no tip rider. I honestly think driving UberX with a GMC Denali class pickup, as well as a professional appearance and demeanor contributed heavily to that. I had CONSTANT compliments on the truck, as well my service. Just goes to show that people WILL pay for good service.
*end edit*

You can see I only did it for a total of 19 night over about 3 months time. I was literally keeping the checkbook from bouncing, and only driving when I had to. Total profit was on the order of $150/wk or so, and it is by and large NOT worth the money. For me. It was "instant" cash that I could immediately deposit into my account at the end of the night, and keep the balance in the account above zero, and often buy another gallon of milk, or stack of diapers. You are very much using your vehicles depreciation as a payday loan for cash. It's NOT a living wage.

For anyone curious WHY I was doing that, and the exact situation. The basis is this; I was relieved of duties at a small startup company I was at the same day I brought home my second son from the hospital. That was April of '18. I knew it was coming and already had other irons in the fire, and was in a new position within 2 weeks. At the same time, the wife and I were in a REALLY REALLY rough patch, and I had taken over the finances for the first time in over a decade. The new job was great (I'm still there), but I took a pay cut from $125k/yr to just over $60k/yr, and was heavily "sold" on a large bonus structure in place. The bonus did NOT pay out (still hasn't) as I was led to believe. So, the finances were in turmoil, income was cut by ~40% (wife was still gainfully employed), and I then made another miscalculation. In the giant spreadsheet, I had my supposed giant bonus counted twice in income. This lead me to falsely believe we could replace her dying Chevy Traverse with a brand new Nissan Rogue. We could not, but I didn't find that accounting error for ~6mo when I was trying to figure out why ends didn't meet like I thought they should be. Once I found the error, got a good grip on what was happening, I was able to ration the bonus as best I could, and Uber helped patch me through until the next bonus came along. I could work busy times, quit when I need to (you'll see one night where I ended early, only took a few runs and bailed. Oldest crashed his bike and I met mom at the ER), and get the cash out immediately. There are a LOT of advantages to working like that over somewhere like UPS, or Amazon Warehouse that have very rigid schedules, tons of HR overhead, and scheduled pay periods. If I saw cash was short this week I could go drive for a few hours, make a few bucks, and live to fight another day.

SO.......Moral of the story.......Uber is a fine hobby that will pay for itself. I would highly suggest a dash cam for legality reasons, and I would be diligent on cleaning both the car and yourself. I was driving pre-pandemic, and arguably pre-election divided America. Even then, there were some sketchy situations. Over 19night driving I never really felt unsafe, or in real danger though. Most people (even the REALLY sketchy ones) just want to get somewhere. You got to be a people person though, and be prepared to deescalate or divert if needed. I think something like @sunbyrned has going would be great. Get to drive and be a "host" but not put yourself quite so far out on a limb.

If you get into driving and want some strategies for running both apps. Places to avoid, and places to frequent, as well as some general tips for handling people.....let me know. I learned a TON from those 19 nights, and I'll be glad to share.

Your spreadsheet is very telling. You drove a lot of miles, especially on day one. I don’t think I could do it, but I can relate as to why you did it.

 

[BigN8]

Looking at those numbers, sports officiating is a much better side gig/hobby. Once you get past initial startup costs, aka uniforms and accessories, it's all net profit aside from driving to the games. I used to do games at Lake Dallas which is like 5 minutes from my house, but since the mileage chart was based on a central point in Ft Worth to the school I got paid $30 for mileage fee, even though it was 5 minutes. Some nights I would do 3 subvarsity games with the first game being a running clock so it only lasted about 30 minutes. Next 2 games would last about 45 min to an hour. Pay for each game was $45. So for about 2.5 hours work I got paid roughly $165. Friday nights the profit comes down. We don't get paid as much, the drives can be longer, and you are there for a much longer period of time. Usually there by 5:30 for pre-game, game will last 3-3.5 hours, so it's a solid 5 hour commitment.

I know guys that officiate all year round, football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, you name it. Not me. I just do football cause I love football. Volleyball seems like it's the cheesiest highest money maker. Those guys don't do shit, never break a sweat, eat like kings, and make pretty good money to boot.

 

[Julian]

Looking at those numbers, sports officiating is a much better side gig/hobby. Once you get past initial startup costs, aka uniforms and accessories, it's all net profit aside from driving to the games. I used to do games at Lake Dallas which is like 5 minutes from my house, but since the mileage chart was based on a central point in Ft Worth to the school I got paid $30 for mileage fee, even though it was 5 minutes. Some nights I would do 3 subvarsity games with the first game being a running clock so it only lasted about 30 minutes. Next 2 games would last about 45 min to an hour. Pay for each game was $45. So for about 2.5 hours work I got paid roughly $165. Friday nights the profit comes down. We don't get paid as much, the drives can be longer, and you are there for a much longer period of time. Usually there by 5:30 for pre-game, game will last 3-3.5 hours, so it's a solid 5 hour commitment.

I know guys that officiate all year round, football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, you name it. Not me. I just do football cause I love football. Volleyball seems like it's the cheesiest highest money maker. Those guys don't do shit, never break a sweat, eat like kings, and make pretty good money to boot.

This is true....but you have to like and know the rules of sports to do this (not something I'd ever want to do). Not to mention getting yelled at by idiot parents! LOL

 

[sunbyrned]

I think there’s a market out there for food delivery to boaters anchored down, kind of like Uber eats or door dash. The two popular restaurants on the river where I’m at don’t have enough dock space and lose a lot of business and it’s a crap shoot for the boaters to take up anchor to go eat and risk not being able to get a spot. Something to think about maybe.

 

[2kwik4u]

Your spreadsheet is very telling. You drove a lot of miles, especially on day one. I don’t think I could do it, but I can relate as to why you did it.

Yea, it took awhile to realize that if I wasn't with a paying customer that I need to park my arse in a parking lot and wait for a ping. I rarely waited more than 5-10min stationary. That first night I was "driving around looking for rides".....NOPE, let them come to you. Also, that was before I was setup on both Uber and Lyft at the same time. Much easier to sit still and get a ping......The lone exception is if you can get a "sticky surge", where you drive into a surge area, hang out of a bit, get that attached to your next ride, then sit put until you get a ping. I would only do that if the surge area was within 5mi of where I was.

Surge pricing and tips are where the money is.

Also, Avoid high traffic areas. Things like Bourbon and Beyond, UofL games and events downtown. Avoid that shit like the plague. The traffic will SUCK your time and you don't move anywhere. Money is in mileage not time. You want to be out in suburbia where you can take riders from home TO the event, and then get out of the way. Anytime you can make a run to an airport, DO IT. Lots of miles at high speed on the expressway (relative to stop adn go city streets). Also, typically, the airport que is a waste of time. You'll sit there in line and wait and wait and wait. Only good times to be there is to catch the last flight coming into the city on a Friday or Sunday night. You'll have more takers than drivers, and will get a good distance typically. Keep the incoming flights for your airport bookmarked and show up about 5-10min after they land. Won't sit too long.

The scheduling and low income requirements were the big reasons for me to do it.

I won't lie, some nights were pretty entertaining. Met a TON of nice people. Got a TON of good stories. Like the drunk grandmas I took to the wrong hotel. They were super cool, and the whole time talking about wildly inappropriate things for 90yr old women. Once went into the Bourbon and Beyond festival, app crashed and I couldn't find my rider. Cell tower went down. SO I took a $50/piece cash from 6 20-something girls to drive them back out to the east end. They had planned on Ubering home, but with the crashed app they couldn't get a ride. Probably unethical to do that, but the landscape was cash income, not playing perfectly by the rules. Many, Many, and I mean MANY drunk people making out in the back seat coming home from the bars late at night. Several relationships either started or ended in the backseat of the truck. Once had a bachelor party of 4 guys that ordered an Uber X. They had every intention of getting the cheapest Uber possible and cramming their golf clubs in the trunk to get to the course for the day. Happenstance I showed up with a pickup and they were a comfortable ride home. Said the ride there in a Prius wasn't quite so great. Got a $100 cash tip between them that ride.

Speaking of which......you'll want to keep some bleach wipes, vacuum cleaner, and Febreeze handy. Some people are just gross, smell terrible, and are dirty in your vehicle. I kept a small shop-vac in the bed, as well as tote with various cleaners. If I had a few minutes of downtime I would wipe down the seats and Febreeze the interior.

 

[2kwik4u]

I think there’s a market out there for food delivery to boaters anchored down, kind of like Uber eats or door dash. The two popular restaurants on the river where I’m at don’t have enough dock space and lose a lot of business and it’s a crap shoot for the boaters to take up anchor to go eat and risk not being able to get a spot. Something to think about maybe.

100% agree there. CQ is so full so often.

Pontoon boat with some Blackstone grills on it would make a killing on the river! Like a food truck for the water!

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I think there’s a market out there for food delivery to boaters anchored down, kind of like Uber eats or door dash. The two popular restaurants on the river where I’m at don’t have enough dock space and lose a lot of business and it’s a crap shoot for the boaters to take up anchor to go eat and risk not being able to get a spot. Something to think about maybe.

Agreed, we were just talking about this. Our local sandbar is right next to several restaurants. But if your using your boat, might as well charter, the money is double, if not triple anything discussed here.

 

[sunbyrned]

100% agree there. CQ is so full so often.

Pontoon boat with some Blackstone grills on it would make a killing on the river! Like a food truck for the water!

I like that idea even better perhaps. I just don’t have the pontoon boat, yet! Ha!

 

[2kwik4u]

One other thought @Julian Your Q7 will qualify you for Uber Black. The rates are higher and the clientele is, in general, less offensive in all regards. The volume of rides is lower though. Its intended as a "high end" service where you show up in a luxury vehicle, and the guests are treated to a nicer ride than with a regular UberX. Similarly the 3rd row might get you into UberXL. Again, higher rates, but typically just more people than can fit in UberX alone.

I went to the local Uber Office and got an exception request started to get my Sierra places on the Uber Black list (The F-150 Platinum, and the GMC Denali are already listed). I fought up several layers of management, but never got it approved. Despite the only difference between a Denali and my SLT was 22in wheels, magnetic ride suspension, and digital dash. I had all the other options of the Denali, as well as dark tinted windows on a black truck to complete "the look". I was told "we've given out too many exceptions lately, I can't issue another one" as the excuse for not getting approved. So all the income you see listed on that sheet is from UberX only. Your results might vary if you can get into other classes of rides to give.

 

[Julian]

But if your using your boat, might as well charter, the money is double, if not triple anything discussed here.

Chartering your boat isn't as easy as it sounds. I'm not prepared to turn my boat over to anyone, and I can't (apparently) rent out my boat with me as the "captain" and the owner. I was looking at this on "Boatsetter" - the only options are no captain, or a "rental" captain.

http://wow.uscgaux.info/Uploads_wowII/P-DEPT/PaxForHire_trifold.pdf

 

[Julian]

I like that idea even better perhaps. I just don’t have the pontoon boat, yet! Ha!

No pontoon, no food service license etc. - I can imagine that setting up a floating food service location would be a challenge (legally).

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Chartering your boat isn't as easy as it sounds. I'm not prepared to turn my boat over to anyone, and I can't (apparently) rent out my boat with me as the "captain" and the owner. I was looking at this on "Boatsetter" - the only options are no captain, or a "rental" captain.

http://wow.uscgaux.info/Uploads_wowII/P-DEPT/PaxForHire_trifold.pdf

Yes it is. You need your captains license (few week course, proctored test, background and drug test). You captain the boat for up to 6 people. BoatSetter is crap, GetMyBoat is much better. Zero obligation, you can turn down anybody and block off dates. If interested more about details shoot me a PM.

 

[Julian]

Yes it is. You need your captains license (few week course, proctored test, background and drug test). You captain the boat for up to 6 people. BoatSetter is crap, GetMyBoat is much better. Zero obligation, you can turn down anybody and block off dates. If interested more about details shoot me a PM.

Would love information about getmyboat vs boatsetter. Also info on the captains licensing process would be great!

 

[2kwik4u]

Would love information about getmyboat vs boatsetter. Also info on the captains licensing process would be great!

I think @B0at1n uses Boatsetter. I registered, but never went through with it. There are a couple AR's on boatsetter here in the Louisville area.

I'm not sure what line of work you're in @Julian but I've had decent success picking up freelance type work through friend and colleague connections. Most of it is "low level" grunt type work, where it can be communicated easily and quickly, and then there is just a LOT of button pushing. Picked up a contract to redraw a 6 floor building in AutoCAD from some old paper plans that were in too rough shape to scan. Took about 120hrs of work, and I only bid it at 100hrs, but still made $7,500 income on that job in about 3 weeks calendar time.....I've submitted some proposals through UpWork, but none have landed there. I know several of my draftsman use it fairly constantly for side work though. I've consulted on some of their jobs as well when the engineering was more than they expected.

If you have a truck, have a look at GoShare. They're like Uber for trucks. You show up, get paid by the hour, help people move/haul/etc, and never have to deal with random people in your vehicle. Requires a fullsize pickup or greater though.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Would love information about getmyboat vs boatsetter. Also info on the captains licensing process would be great!

PMd

 

[Julian]

I think @B0at1n uses Boatsetter. I registered, but never went through with it. There are a couple AR's on boatsetter here in the Louisville area.

I'm not sure what line of work you're in @Julian but I've had decent success picking up freelance type work through friend and colleague connections. Most of it is "low level" grunt type work, where it can be communicated easily and quickly, and then there is just a LOT of button pushing. Picked up a contract to redraw a 6 floor building in AutoCAD from some old paper plans that were in too rough shape to scan. Took about 120hrs of work, and I only bid it at 100hrs, but still made $7,500 income on that job in about 3 weeks calendar time.....I've submitted some proposals through UpWork, but none have landed there. I know several of my draftsman use it fairly constantly for side work though. I've consulted on some of their jobs as well when the engineering was more than they expected.

If you have a truck, have a look at GoShare. They're like Uber for trucks. You show up, get paid by the hour, help people move/haul/etc, and never have to deal with random people in your vehicle. Requires a fullsize pickup or greater though.

I'm just thinking about retiring early (I have the money to do so), but I think I'll go bonkers with nothing to do, so I'm looking for something I could do that:

1. I would enjoy
2. I have the skills for (no major new learning)
3. Might pay a little (gravy)

I like @adrianp89 's idea a lot as it hits all 3 for sure!

 

[GTBRMC]

Looking at those numbers, sports officiating is a much better side gig/hobby. Once you get past initial startup costs, aka uniforms and accessories, it's all net profit aside from driving to the games. I used to do games at Lake Dallas which is like 5 minutes from my house, but since the mileage chart was based on a central point in Ft Worth to the school I got paid $30 for mileage fee, even though it was 5 minutes. Some nights I would do 3 subvarsity games with the first game being a running clock so it only lasted about 30 minutes. Next 2 games would last about 45 min to an hour. Pay for each game was $45. So for about 2.5 hours work I got paid roughly $165. Friday nights the profit comes down. We don't get paid as much, the drives can be longer, and you are there for a much longer period of time. Usually there by 5:30 for pre-game, game will last 3-3.5 hours, so it's a solid 5 hour commitment.

I know guys that officiate all year round, football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, you name it. Not me. I just do football cause I love football. Volleyball seems like it's the cheesiest highest money maker. Those guys don't do shit, never break a sweat, eat like kings, and make pretty good money to boot.

I put myself through a couple of years of college on earnings from hockey referee-ing. It was a good workout, but I was able to ref at a significantly higher level than I played, had a blast, stayed in the game I loved, stayed in good shape, and made some nice coin, too.

I hung up my stripes over 20 years ago, but I officiated between 1300 - 1400 games at all levels from little kids to ncaa to Jr A to adult beer leagues to high school.

I also did some baseball and softball umping, but did not like that nearly as much.

 

[Crob83]

I think there’s a market out there for food delivery to boaters anchored down, kind of like Uber eats or door dash. The two popular restaurants on the river where I’m at don’t have enough dock space and lose a lot of business and it’s a crap shoot for the boaters to take up anchor to go eat and risk not being able to get a spot. Something to think about maybe.

Been saying this for years. There are some places who already do this, the restaurants on the water hire runners to deliver to the boats. The story I read was about a kid who did it on his jet ski in Minnesota somewhere I think