U,

If that were the case, he'd have the common problem of "by the time I get there surge is over." But he was saying he was there during high surge time and not getting calls. That's due to something else, not oversupply of drivers.

You literally prefer a person telling you every turn to take vs following GPS directions? I couldn't be more opposite.

What always pissed me off, but probably shouldn't, is when people would get in, having entered their destination, and would just sit quietly until they would tell me the last couple turns to get to their house. Do they think I just guessed to get that far?

You can turn on the rider app and scope how many drivers are on the roads.

I assume that drivers need to know this since every single one that I have had has tried to drop me off or pick me up in the wrong spot despite me entering the address or dropping the pin for exactly where I wanted to go. I do this because the GPS puts you on the wrong side of the building in traffic rather than in a specifically designed drop off/pick up area.

Do you live in the projects?

That's understandable in areas where that's the case, because I know things like that happen, but its not necessary in residential neighborhoods.

And you think the riders know this?

Imagine I pick you up in a metropolitan area. And you get in and don't say a word. 15 minutes later, we're two blocks from your house. Do you think I can't find your house?

never used uber before this weekend, when I was visiting DC. Every driver was neutral-very pleasant/funny. Contrast to the couple cab rides I took where the cabbies were insufferable. Their entire model sure has made a far superior experience for the user. I wouldn't even mind paying normal taxi fares given how much the entire experience is overall.

Before Uber in DC, cabs were awful. I made about ten official complaints against them with the DC Taxicab Commission, almost all of which resulted in fines against the drivers. One complaint even went to court in front of an ALJ, which was a really interesting and fun experience that resulted in a fine of between $400 and $500 for the driver.

But now instead of spending time and effort attempting to hold drivers accountable to the law, I tap my phone three times, I have a driver at my exact location in minutes, and I pay him/her ~25% less than I would a cab driver. I don't take cabs in DC unless there's a 2x+ surge and there's one right in front of me.

Not shockingly, the times I take cabs now the drivers are friendlier, the cars are cleaner and run more smoothly, and they thank you for taking a cab instead of Uber. It's not enough to make me prefer cabs to Uber, but it's a start.

ALJ?

I'm guessing the J is for Judge.

put me down for L=Labor

Rapini,

Very quick summary of nature of these complaints, please!

Details of this complaint, please!

ytf, wiper:

Ooooh, nice call on the L, wiper! I'll go with A=Administrative.

edit: Actually I think the A and J were pretty easy. Looks like L=Law, though, which would have prob been my guess. I think wiper's guess was pretty strong, though!

El D,

if a man can be judged solely on a brief stay as moderator of the sports betting forum, I assume the cabbies did not properly respect his authoritaaay.

I think we got it

wiper,

So close! At first I thought we did too, but turns out we just missed

I'm guessing denied travel to the suburbs at rush hour, hopefully to some gaming operation/cardroom, but more likely Dulles.

ALJ = administrative law judge.

http://dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/Chapter...terNumber=31-8

The above are some of the regulations governing DC taxis. I learned them years ago after getting fed up with being jerked around by crooked or clueless cabbies.

The basis for my complaints almost always were failure to haul (term used in the regulations for the driver refusing to give a ride to a passenger) or improper fare charged.

The one that went to the ALJ was on the basis of failure to haul with other minor violations (e.g., failure to display face card/hack license) thrown in.

But back on topic: I don't need any of that knowledge anymore thanks to Uber.

late to the party on this thread, but jmakin you are super dumb throughout. tip the uber drivers, it'll make their day!!! that's probably true of any profession not expecting a tip.

rapini, you are the man. I've wanted to do that many times over the years after dealing with the vegas cabbies but figured it was more hassle than it was worth. how much time is devoted to each of these complaints?

I blew it.

Would have guessed American Law Judge.

Why did they refuse to give you a ride?

I'm starting to doubt it, because we were only four blocks away when we started.