Being a Rideshare driver for Lyft or Uber is no doubt a good and convenient job. But, where some think the same, many have and are still quitting rideshare jobs. There can be ample reasons for this frequent separation of Rideshare drivers. The fact that the volume of separation has increased over the years is undeniable owing to the driver stir data that had leaked out sometime last year from Uber. The data showed shocking results with an indication that more than half of the total number of drivers have either become inactive or have quit their job within just one year. The data is quite compelling as consequently leads to believe that the number of Rideshare driver separation has only increased with time.
There are a variety of situations. Some drivers are full of rage as they have faced unfair behavior not just from their rideshare passenger but also by the company that they are serving. They write about their negative experiences on drivers blogs. While the other set of drivers, probably who are still at the beginning blissful stage of their rideshare experiences, fail to fathom the cynicism of the previous set of highly dissatisfied drivers simply because they are oblivious of what lies in store for them.
Nothing can be done for those who have already left the service, but at least some support can be stretched out to those who are at the moment taking time out and reconsidering their job as a rideshare driver. Much like the diversity of reasons for the afflicted, the roads that may lead to the separation of the riders that are still driving are also spread across 7 phases to be precise.
1st Phase: When ignorance is bliss
The first stage of any journey as you know it seems to be very "dream come true" like. So is also the case with Rideshare drivers. Say for instance you get your eyes on some Uber advertisement. It is most natural that you will immediately start imagining how great and convenient your work life would be if you could earn more than decent money and that too on your terms and when you want. After signing up, it only takes you a week's time to gather your sign-up bonus. This is the phase when you are just too overwhelmed with the positives that ignorance about the possible negative seems to be blissful.
2nd Phase: The Adrenaline Rush
This is the stage when a driver has just started his or her rideshare journey where all his experiences keep him busy in an 'excited bubble". At this level, you have great passenger experiences through brilliant conversations. Your gesture of sharing a cookie with the passenger is being appreciated; you are attempting to identify at night what went wrong with your navigation skills while you were driving at daytime and you are very proud of your first hundred rides average rating which probably is pretty high. So, this is the stage when your involvement as a Rideshare driver is at its peak.
3rd Phase: The first thrust of dissatisfaction
A sudden drop in your rideshare ratings will obviously have a thrusting impact on you. After all, until now everything was perfect. This sudden blow compels you to think and rethink as to what went wrong exactly. More than often you fail to understand why your ratings went down because in your head you thought that the passengers enjoy their ride in your car because you had cool conversations with them. Thus, starts the loop where you grow suspicious of your service and become bent on self-accusations. This phase is certainly an 'out of the blue' blow.
4th Phase: From blissful ignorance to reality check
It is extremely common to come across media articles that speak on how rideshare drivers are not making money as per the advertisements, in fact not even close. You will automatically be driven towards drawing a calculation between what your hourly take is and the total amount of your expenses. When you get the results that indicate that your gas expenses are pretty high and that you haven't yet counted how much you spill out on toll taxes, aware dawns on you. Everything that you kept from getting to you like new tires and brakes or big repair bills, they hit all at once. You'll feel miserable but will still go on hoping for a midnight super surge ride request and let the blow sink in.
5th Phase: A Second Try
While some drivers have gone off in a year, the other half is still sticking around. You know the reason for sure. Many do not have a choice as continuing as a rideshare driver is the only option to pay the bills and the rent.
So, even if they were bogged down yesterday, they start afresh today with a positive approach. You realize that even if the promises of Uber were hollow, it is still not a terrible gig. At times you are gifted by a friend with a referral bonus or get a surge request, and the distance is long enough to get you 150$ bucks. You may also get good passenger experiences. All this leads to a rebound. So, you keep going until the wind gets rough.
6th Phase: The final fall on the face
You might confront an extremely bitter fall out with a passenger where you get deactivated just because the passenger complains, giving you a feeling that the people you work for don't care for you. It may also be the incidence of that you come across an accident, and after running a chain of email with Uber, because they owe you a payment based on the technicality, you realize that they are just beating around the bush to escape paying what you earned legitimately. These do qualify as pretty bad instances that can make you analyze your overall Uber/Lyft experience and how they sugar coat their proposals initially only to show their true face later. You hit the end limit when you see that the company has taken advantage of you.
7th Phase: Resignation, thus Separation
After you've figured out the vicious pattern and especially after the final major blow you automatically look for other options for sustenance. Then you finally take your call without any regrets.