I honestly can't believe it but I'm unbelievably greatful!

So, last night, while driving for Uber, I had an ... incident.

I had just dropped off a rider and was backing out of his driveway onto the street when I heard a series of pops and saw flashes down the road. Thinking it was fireworks, I kept backing up when my driver's side window seemingly blew up in my face. Instincts kicked in and I drove back into the long driveway and stopped while ducking. My rider was cowering behind a parked car, then came over and asked if I was ok. My glasses and seahawks had had been knocked off, but I turned to respond and almost lowered my window when I saw the bullet hole, so I opened the door instead. I told him I thought I was ok, then wiped my face to discover blood on the right side. I grabbed my rag I use when the windshield fogs up and applied pressure to my right temple and called 911 (phone AI assistant was NOT helpful, asking which app I wanted to use). Had to go through the Uber app (it was just easier and I had to go offline anyways). Police said to leave the car where it was and go get checked by EMS. I opted not to let the ambulance take me to the hospital as it was a mile away, and I had a friend racing to the scene (Police recommended calling him). From what I can tell, the bullet (that ended up on the door armrest) came through the glass, clipped my glasses on the side (a 1/4") piece of the ear hook is shattered where it meets the frame), sending everything flying.

Overall, I'm ok. Not hurt. I have everything spinning through insurance claims, and Safelite will be installing a new window tomorrow.

Oh, and I now have 2 powerball lottery tickets.

No music, just fifteen minutes of us sitting quietly in his car with the text up on the screen. 😹

This is what happened to me a few days ago.

I picked up a rider at 2am this morning and chatted with him on his 40 min ride home from work. He asked why I was out driving so late and I told him I was out trying to earn enough $$ to buy my kids train tickets to come spend Mother’s Day with me as a housing crisis meant they are currently living 3 hours away with my sister. He asked how much the tickets were and I told him the rough cost, which is very reasonable and cheaper than driving. When we got to the destination, he held out his hand and said “thanks for the ride, here’s a tip.” I looked in my hand and found $100. I just started crying and managed to choke out a “thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me.” I continued driving and when I got home I noticed he also tipped me an additional $15 in the app. I wouldn’t have been able to get my kids home for Mother’s Day without his help! So into the ether, I wanted to say thank you to Gary in Spanaway!

😂

First of all, I shouldn't have even accepted the ride request, but it was slow this day. Lady gets in my car, I say," How are you doing today?" - No response. That's fine, I thought maybe she didn't want to talk. I asked her if the address was correct, she responded with "well if that's what it says, what do you think?" A little rude, but I kept driving. I was just about to pull out of the parking lot, when she got all flustered that I took a right turn instead of a left turn, and she asked me "do you even know where you're going?". I was simply following the directions of the map. So I made another right turn, right back to the front of the store to take her back. She must have figured out what I was doing, because all of a sudden she switched her tone, essentially begging me to take her to her destination, crying that shems gonna be late for her meeting. Sorry lady, I have a very short tolerance for disrespect, and I certainly won't tolerate it for $9.64. Over 2000 rides, and I have never kicked anyone out.

Alright so last night...errr this morning around 12:30 am I picked up this Uber passenger from the bar. As usual I confirmed if he's the passenger and confirmed the address we are going to. He tells me, that the address destination needs to be changed, I'm thinking fine I'll just 1 star him later as long as it isn't far. He told me the app won't let him change the address, so I told him I'll drop him off the original destination he put in. Two minutes into the ride he tells me, to take him to North Carolina and mind you my market is Atlanta. I told him it's no way in hell I'm going to go on a 4 hour trip at 12:33am in the morning. He offered to tip me $10 if I take him, I told him you have a choice. You could either get out of my car and find another driver or I can take you to your original destination. I don't have time for stupid shit and he choose to go home.

Here is the break down of “free college” through Uber Technologies and Arizona State University for my daughter Torie:
From February 2021 to February 2026, I completed 3,708 trips and netted $38,262.02 driving for Uber. On top of that, Uber and ASU covered $65,000 in tuition for her degree. That’s over $103,000 in value from driving a car for 5 years. And the best part! My daughter Torie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a perfect 4.00 GPA and I got a free really cool Uber jacket. So for everyone out there grinding, driving, hustling, and sacrificing for their family, keep going. Sometimes the late nights, airport runs, and crazy passengers turn into opportunities bigger than you ever imagined. And for all the new graduates and people out there, Stay Hungry (Never Settle) Stay Foolish (Take Risks)

I didn’t notice until I couldn’t get rid of the smell even with the sunroof open. Had no idea which apartment he went in and he never contacted me asking to return it.

What would you do?

I've been waiting on this girl for almost 20 minutes and she isn't answering her phone, and I have no idea which apartment. She went into, would I be wrong to put her dog outside and leave? I didn't even realize she left her dog until she already left because he was on the floor

I looked back, readying my car for a shift and saw this. I definitely need to stop driving humans. Not that delivery is any safer from the stories I hear but it’s gotta be 90% safer than this. It just don’t pay nothing. 😫

Full time job don’t start until December so I can’t afford to stop. 😥 Just trying to get everything paid for December this month so I won’t even have to worry about any delays in a paycheck.

Ya’ll pray for me. I’ve been in a protective bubble so far staying safe on the road.

He sure did not contact Uber about a lost item. 😂.

Rating 4.6. Took it because I was bored and we would make it on time anyways. He gave me $300 cash 😭 definitely yesterday’s best ride.

It’s only a mile ride that should’ve been no more than 5 minutes. I was waiting for this guy for almost 5 minutes before he got out of the hotel. As I was about to cancel, a dude walks out. I wanted to cancel, but it’s also an easy ride and I need it for the bonus. He called his buddy on the phone and asked me to do an unofficial stop to pick up his friend nearby. I didn’t say anything, but he mentioned something like $20 tip. I’m like ok let’s just entertain this guy. 20 bucks is 20 bucks. I picked up his friend, and the drunk guy kept praising what a good Uber driver I am for driving them safely for 1 mile. lol just doing my job. Then he handed me a $100 bill and went to play black jack.

Update 4/17/25: Tristan was sadly found deceased in early April.

Update: September 29, 2024

https://www.reddit.com/r/uberdrivers/comments/1fsgfew/update_my_son_is_missing_and_he_took_uber_on/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

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Update: September 21, 2024

No update from the local search and water search. He is still missing.

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Update: September 19, 2024

Tristan is still not home. Portland marine search will be out today. Ground search by volunteers will continue through this weekend as well. We are now focusing more on local/ground/watch search.

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Update: September 18, 2024

Tristan is still not home. There haven't been any updates from the police department, but water searches will continue through Friday.

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Update: September 17, 2024

We still have not received any new information regarding Tristan’s whereabouts, though two notable developments have occurred:

1. The Uber driver confirmed seeing Tristan walking alone to the I-205 bridge at 4:20 AM after the driver dropped him off. Unfortunately, the driver did not ask any further questions before driving away.

2. The search and rescue team began their operation beneath the I-205 bridge but, as of now, have not found any significant leads. The detective overseeing the case has informed us that search efforts will continue tomorrow.

We remain hopeful that Tristan is somewhere in Oregon, possibly near Cascade Station. In the meantime, we have reached out to local boating, yachting, and sailing associations to request their assistance in remaining vigilant.

We deeply appreciate everyone who continues to keep Tristan and our family in their thoughts during this difficult time.

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Update 9/16/24: I really appreciate everyone's comments and help. any way to help us locate my son is greatly appreciated. So here is the new flyer sent out by Vancouver PD. the time he took Uber was around 4:00 am. sorry I won't be able to reply to each comment with limited time I have in between home and on the road to search for him.

** I typed the time wrong in the subject. It is 10:42 am. we got the bank confirmed Uber charge of $29.47 on 9/14/24 at 10:42 am. Please let me or the police know if you got him and where you dropped him off. He is 16 years old. left the house around 3 am on 9/14/24. so he might get picked up somewhere away from the Vancouver Wa location. We think he might use a fake name. Please look at the picture and let us know if you happened to be his driver. Vancouver WA police case # 2024-19445. Please call 311 to report a lead. thank you so much. He is considered suicidal and we need to find him quickly

Showed up to a pickup. Person came out with a small dog. I told her I wasn’t aware it was a pet ride (which I have enabled), to which she said “it’s a service animal”. Not like any service dog I’ve seen. Even as an emotional support animal, I always let them ride.

Then, pax goes in and comes out w/a stroller and a mess of other stuff far exceeding to space I had in my car. I told her I didn’t have room for her items (back of my car was full of some other stuff I was moving), then cancelled, listing THAT as the reason. She apparently told them I refused to transport her because of the dog.

Got this today. After a phone conversation, there’s an investigation that will clear it up. But, damn, people are real shits. 🙄

I picked up some heavy weight lady last night and as soon as she got in the car and shut the door her odor reeked through out my car like if she didn’t bathe at all. It was a 5 min car ride and I was just trying to hold my breathe the whole time. As soon as I dropped her off I rolled all my windows down and drove down the street and had to get out of my car before I threw up.

That is not where this story ends… I let my car air out for twenty minutes then I though to myself let me check my back seat and discovered this is what her ass left behind in the photo. I have no clue if that is shit or what. The odor was still lingering once I got home I cleaned it and reported it to Uber and they gave me my $150 cleaning fee. It amazes me how some people don’t clean themselves. Let alone why she had a 4.8 rating because just ain’t no way 😭

Uber kept giving me her ride, I was 19 mins away and it was for 4 min trip. Only do it because it’s right by my house which is perfect. She keeps canceling and uber keeps giving it back. Finally on the 4th time she says this. At this point I have no more intention of doing the ride but now I want to piss her off for threatening me. I’m hoping she’ll cancel and uber will give me the ride again. But no luck unfortunately. Now I want to report her and I was just wondering if there’s any repercussions would be any repercussions on me if I contact support?