Ask the Uber Driver

ive done it for 10 years, ask me anything

Dougie Gyro asks:

By now you have what they call in London “The Knowledge.” What’s one of your favorite places to drive in LA? Is there a favorite sunset spot? Favorite tree-lined street? Favorite fast-food joint?

I have many many favorite places to drive in LA: Hollywood Blvd & the Sunset Strip

My favorite freeway is the 110 through Highland Park on the way to Pasadena because it's the first freeway in California and it's twisty and dangerous.

At sunset, I like to be in Venice Beach. I love the freaks. Also you can get soooo close to the beach without getting out of your car.

For sunrise I like to be on the 105/110 interchange way above everything.

So many great tree-lined streets, sadly the best ones are in Beverly Hills. There's a few secrety in South Central.

My favorite fast food joint, hands down is Jack in the Box. Great breakfast, for lunch the Sourdough Chicken with bacon, and for snacks you cant beat their deep fried tacos and curly fries. If I lived in Prague I'd create a bootleg one for the kids.

Lori Nelson asks:

Can you tell quickly who wants to communicate or who might have bad energy Have you ever refused entry? Or regretted not refusing a ride?

Of the 10k rides I’ve given, the only times we haven’t talked were if they were asleep, on the phone, or can’t speak English. If people are quiet and not asleep they can figure out pretty quickly that this is the place where we talk.

Bad energy is something I have difficulty sensing. It happens now and then but it’s extremely rare. You will hear very few stories that I will tell here of people being shitty to me.

Bill Downing Asks:

If you had a chance to pick up one of the mom’s/family/friend of this years’ American Idol top 12, who would you choose? Which one of the top 12 finalists?

I have no clue who any of the latest American Idol people are right now. But looking at this photo of the remaining Top 12, I’d pick either of the three friends/family of the Black contestants. Black folks, on average, tell me the better stories.

Grant Haughton asks

My wife got a ride from an airport in So Cal at 10pm last Thursday. It was the longest ride so far in the 5 months he’s been a driver. She felt unsafe most of the time.

He was a nice guy, not a sleezeball.

Yet very jerky with the brake pedal. Lots of weaving in his lane and others. Stated that if he got a text he’d have to pull over and answer it. Oh and then he answered a phone call on speaker throughout the car.

The gentlemen was 87 years old! Do you feel there should be an age restriction on rideshare drivers? Any other restrictions on drivers needed that aren’t already a part of the rules?

One of the best things about Lyft and Uber are the driver ratings. Personally I think they should be out of 10 instead of 5, but even as flawed as it is now, bad drivers, regardless of age, get weeded out.

This driver, bless him, should not be on the road driving other people around. I would have given him 1 star for his own good.

Keith Thursby asks

Ever think of spending a day or week doing rides in OC to do some comparing/contrasting with LA?

ive done some trips around there. it's tricky being in new places bc there are nuances in flows of traffic and ""shortcuts" you pick up after time.

It’s really advantageous to know your surroundings for places to take a leak, ways to get around traffic jams, intersections with crazy long lights, and places to get short trips without dealing with things like gated communities.

Tea Marrocco asks

Who was the smelliest rider you ever drove?

Young men of USC, hands down.

Ilka Wagner asks

What was your biggest tip?