If you’re like me, you’ve got too much time on your hands. You come home from work, and look for something fun to do. Sometimes it’s watching sports, sometimes it’s going out for a beer with friends, and for me, recently, it’s been driving for Uber.
I know it sounds crazy, but it’s not simply driving people around as an alternative to a taxi. I’ve been meeting new people, hearing great stories, and having new experiences that are way better than sitting on the couch. Best of all, I can start whenever I want and can stop when I want.
The Approval Process
The process was very quick and involved just a few steps. First, I signed up (duh). I gave them my information, and submitted to a background check. Next, I uploaded my vehicle information, taking pictures of my insurance and registration. Finally, I got my car inspected. I did this at Firestone for $20, and 30 minutes later, I was on my way with an approval! I took a picture and submitted the form on the website.
A few days later, I got approved to drive! Everything cleared with flying colors, so I got myself and car ready for a night out.
Preparations
I cleaned the inside and outside of my car and brought an iPhone cable along for the ride. I also took a snack and a bottle of water, not knowing how long I might drive for.
My First Rides
After about 4 minutes of sitting in my car outside my house, the first ping came in. I drove about 2 minutes to pick up a couple going out to their anniversary dinner. They’ve been married for 8 years, so I asked them for some of their best marriage advice. The woman tried to give me real tips, while the guy made jokes about waiting as long as possible to have kids. It was really fun, and I hope they enjoyed the trip as much as I did.
After dropping them off and taking a few less memorable trips, the bar crowd started to come out. I picked up 3 girls in their 20s heading out to a karaoke bar. Of course, I turned up the radio, and had them start practicing before the main event. Not terrible, but once they had a few more shots in them, I’m guessing they wouldn’t be winning any awards.
By 11, I was hoping for one last trip before making my way home, as I was a bit farther away from home than I wanted to be. I did get a ping, this time from a few guys who were coming home after watching a boxing fight at a friend’s place. They were great, a couple of guys like myself who are a few years out of college and want to relive the good old days on a Saturday night.
What an Experience!
I had way more fun than I expected. It was really fun talking to strangers I likely will never see again, and got to enjoy some of the excitement other people had about going out to dinner or a bar. And best of all, I made decent money! For the 3 hours I drove, I made $72! Not too shabby!
If you’re considering becoming an Uber driver, I highly recommend it. And if you’ve got any questions, please leave them below, I’d be happy to answer them for you!